Winter Pictures Rock!

So this was actually the first time I have photographed a family in the wintertime and it was so much fun!  I've shot weddings and engagements and formals in the winter but never families...so it was about time!

Can I also just say how much I LOVE where I live?

Love.

I love the view and the beautiful scenery.  It makes me happy.

So here is my Rich family...please enjoy.

My Princess at 2

Oh my little princess. My sweet little girl is actually turning three next month. I thought it was about time to post her two year old pictures.

I had a really hard time finding the time and energy and location to take her pictures. Since I was working so much and when I was home I just wanted to chill and be with my family...the thought of taking time to go somewhere and take pictures just was really daunting to me. Having to plan her outfit and keep her perfect...now I know what my clients go through. I can take their pics no problem but keeping my two year old happy was a different story.


Then I realized...I didn't want "staged" pictures of her in a perfect outfit and all of that. I wanted pictures that represented who she is at this point in her life...

and what she is right now is my little firecracker. Keeping her still longer than .06 seconds is pretty much impossible. This little girl is a mover and a shaker...with her own view on everything.

Like in church...during the part where everyone is completely silent...when I lean over and whisper for her not to pick her nose because it's gross and the whole ward hears "Mommy...I HAVE to pick my nose!"

Well...at least she knows to wipe whatever she finds on a tissue.

Or the time when I went to go do her hair only to get my hand slapped away and hear "Mommy, you can't do my hair...I'm blond!"

Apparently since I am NOT blond...I can't touch her hair.

Yes...this girl is a goof....


with a capitol G...

...but underneath that goofy exterior is one of the sweetest little people I know.

Someone who can make me tear up just because she put her hand on my cheek and told me she thinks I'm beautiful. Despite the fact that I'm hugely pregnant and swollen.


She is someone who introduces me as her mommy and her best best best best best friend.


She is someone who will not let me leave unless I give her a great big hug and kiss.

She is someone who, when playing with her dolls (mostly her baby and her dinosaurs), will give them hugs and kisses and say, "It's all right honey, I'm here." You never know what they'll pick up until you hear them play with their toys.


She is someone who is the life of the party. And she knows it.


And yet...she makes sure others are included and is constantly making sure other kids have their turn.


She won't give me a real smile in pictures...


But as soon as she sees her dad, she sure lights up.

So yes...she keeps us on her toes.

I never know what she's going to say in public.

I never know when she's going to yell "HI DADDY!" in church.

I never know if today is an eating or non-eating day.

I never know if I'll be able to touch her hair since she is blond and I am not.



But I know I'm her best friend.

I know that her smile when I get her out of bed in the morning is enough to light my entire day.

I know the kisses I get when I stub my toe are enough to carry me through anything.

I know the sweet little things she says when I'm getting ready for the day totally make my entire week.

I know she's going to be an amazing big sister...

And I'm so incredibly grateful I get to be her mommy.

Down South Part 2...

Ah...just reminiscing about my vacation makes me want another one. This one was kinda a "working" vacay. I need a relaxing...doing nothing but lying by a pool...vacay.

I'm thinking it just might be time to go back to Florida. Hmmmm...I'm a thinking so! Orlando...Winter Park, to be more specific. Take a stroll down Park Ave, eat a 1/2 a grapefruit that is exorbitantly over-priced but hey...I didn't have to cut it!..., take a dip in the lake, eat at Hot Olives or Dexter's, and of course take the Princess to see Cinderella...live. Yup, I think it's time.

SO! I'm going to throw this out. I MIGHT be convinced to block out some of my vacation for some photo sessions. So if any of you Floridians are interested...let me know! I'd love to meet you all!

Anywhoo...enough about me wanting to swim in the ocean again, lets get on to some pictures!

First up, Uncle Paul and Aunt Janie....


Aren't they cute...? I'll answer that one really fast...heck yes! They're also two of the funniest people we know. Hilarious is the proper term.

Next up...some pretty proud grandparents.


And some pretty happy grandkids...I mean come on, look at little Jade's smile?

Next? The whole clan...


Yup...they are some pretty people!

Now how 'bout just the kids?

Alicia's face in that one? Priceless...totally priceless.

She really can make me laugh like no one else. So pretty...inside and out. We love you Alicia!

And we'll leave you tonight with this beautiful girl...


And stay tuned! Pics of the boys and their wives and Cherie's hot mama shoot are up next!!!

Down South...

So the Hubs, the Princess, and I all went down south for the weekend. It was General Conference and we went and spent it with some family in a small town in central/southern Utah. And by small town...I mean small town. The sign that always makes the Hubs and I laugh as we pull in says:"No shooting within city limits"

Like they have to announce that. Hee hee!

Every trip we come closer to deer than we have ever been. Each trip I get a greater appreciation for the proximity of my house to shopping malls. Each trip I get to see stars like I've never seen. And each trip we stay up really late laughing so hard the tears start pouring.

Well this trip we also decided to do some family pictures. The daughter that lives in Vegas was in town so we all got together. Now there were WAY WAY WAY too many pictures to put in one post so we're gonna break them all down. This post...? This post is all about Cherie and her lovely family.

Also...I'm sure you've all noticed (all 3 of you that read my blog...haha!) that it got a make-over! I LOVE IT! Leave some blog love and let me know what you think!!!

The Princess...

So I had a session cancel on me on Friday. Well...I had already scheduled my assistant and had already blocked the time out so we decided to take the Princess out and snap some shots.

I rarely ever do this...dress her up and take her out. People always ask me if the Princess is the most photographed child ever and my response is always a laugh. No yes or no...just a laugh. You might ask yourself why.

I think this picture speaks for itself...



Oh...and this one...



And lets not forget about this one...



I thought somehow that this session would be different...



What...oh what...was I thinking?

But then somehow she loosened up for a few minutes...



(yes...she is in the air, she LOVES jumping and that's all she did for about 15 minutes until Megan pointed out the rat and we left that area immediately)




...and really showed us who she was. A total sweetheart.

This picture is my favorite.



Megan caught this one and lemme tell ya...I'm blowing this one up HUGE for my wall. Her smile is so real and it really shows what a busy, yet happy, little girl she is.



She heard a plane overhead and had to show it to us...



"es?" is her word for everything. We think it stands for this but then again...it could stand for a myriad of other things as well. It's a word we really have to guess with... But whenever she points to the sky and says "es?" we know it's a plane. And then I feel really smart.

The Princess is definitely taking after her dad's side in regards to hair color. All of my sister in laws on both sides are blond and whenever we're out and about with any of them...people automatically assume she's theirs...



But that's ok...I love my little blondie and wouldn't have her any other way.

And those eyes? Didn't touch them in editing...they're completely hers.

So yes...this girl is a mover and a shaker. She definitely keeps me on my toes and gives me my exercise, but she's also an amazingly gentle little girl.



Who has us wrapped completely around her little finger.