Ryker : New Arrival

I feel like I've known Brie and Ryan my whole life... we've been friends since middle school.  We grew up together, got married around the same time, and now we all have kids and are in ministry together.  Crazy.  Ryan and Brie had two boys - Kenan and Micah... now they have three boys!  I got to meet sweet baby Ryker when he was just 3 days old.  He's so tiny!

I snapped a few pictures while we visited... these are a few of my favorites.  Congrats, Brie and Ryan!

Lena : One

It's hard to believe that little Lena is ONE!  I can remember Angie and Casey's wedding so vividly... because it was the first wedding Joe and I attended as a married couple!  It's crazy that they have a little one and that they've been parents for a year now... Lena's grandparents (Lawrence and Jacque) gave her a photo shoot for her birthday and I was ecstatic when they asked me to do the honors!  Lena did GREAT - she was chill and happy through the whole shoot - and didn't even mind a few raindrops!  When she smiles really big, she sticks her tongue out the side of her mouth and it's beyond adorable.  We took a few pictures at Angie and Casey's house, then headed to a park for the rest.  The weather cooperated - and so did Lena. :)

Here are a few of my favorites from yesterday!  Happy birthday, Lena!

Katie, Micah, & Baby Belly

Sharing the joy of new life has got to be one of the best experiences... and sharing that joy with my best friend - well, let's just say I had a few "moments" during our photo shoot. :) I was honored that Katie and Micah chose to have me take pictures of their growing family (and Katie's growing belly :)).  It worked out perfectly to go up to Kansas City for her baby shower up there, and sneak in pics the night before.  We started in the nursery (Katie did an incredible chevron wall!), then went to a nearby park.  The weather was perfect!  Diesel had to come with - he's family! :) Katie was 33 weeks at the time of our shoot, and I think she looks amazing - you'll agree, I know.

Katie and Micah... I am ecstatic for you both.  You will be phenomenal parents and I love you.

Here are some of my favorites from our session :)

Lydia : Senior

Okay, I officially feel old.  Lydia was a "camper" of mine back when I was a camp counselor during the summers (during high school & college).  I remember when she was only 6 years old... so it's impossible that she is a senior.  Or not... :)
In the midst of the crazy weather we've been having, we had a beautiful evening Sunday!  It was perfect for pictures.
Lydia is super fun and quirky.  She has so much personality... and I love it!  She claims that she isn't photogenic, but I beg to differ... and I think you'll agree with me when you see her pics.

Here are a few of my favorites.  Congrats on your upcoming graduation, Lydia!

Jana : Senior

It was supposed to be warm and beautiful out on Tuesday!  Instead, it was COLD and WINDY!  Jana was a trooper though... shivering inbetween beautiful smiles. :) Jana actually graduated early, but she will walk with her class in May!  Congrats Jana - I'm excited to see what your future holds!

Here are a few of my favorites from your session!

Barret : Newborn

I know I just posted pictures from the hospital the day after baby Barret was born, but wait, there's more!  Ginny brought her sweet 11-day old baby boy over so I could get some more newborn snuggles (and pictures :)).  He did great!  He slept most of the time, and only peed on me once. :) He even gave the camera a couple sweet smiles!  I agree with Ginny - they were definitely NOT gas. ;)

Here are a few of my favorites from our session!

Sister & Boys : Surprise

Yesterday was my brother-in-law's birthday - Happy #30, Aaron!  My sister (Cassy Sage) had the awesome idea to do a secret photo shoot of her and their boys with pictures as a birthday gift.  But not JUST a photo shoot... she also had the idea to design an album for Aaron.  It included their original e-mails to each other and excerpts from e-mails as they got to know each other.  It included engagement pictures (my very first "shoot" though it was done with my point and shoot because I couldn't afford a "real" camera yet :)), wedding pictures, pictures of Malachi and Jericho as they were added to their family, and so on.  I had so much fun designing it!  We ended the album with pictures from the secret shoot... including my sister in pink pants.  She wore pink pants on their first date so Aaron jokes that it was the pink pants that sealed the deal. :) No matter what it was, I am glad that Aaron is a part of our family.

Now I can finally post pics from our secret session!

My sister is so beautiful...

Jericho was so excited about his daddy's birthday :)