Now that I’m older and can appreciate the relationship sisters have, I definietly wish I had grown up with a sister close to my age. Don’t get me wrong, I love my sister very much, but she’s 16 years older than me, so we didn’t get to be pals when I was a kid. So when I’m lucky enough to spend time with little lady seeeesters, it makes me smile.

So needless to say, these two little girls make me smile, A LOT. Here are a few reasons:
1. The little one’s cheeks. I mean come on.
2. The little one’s perfect little curls that glisten in the sun.
3. The older little lady’s love for nature and outdoors.
4. And of course, the older one’s cheeks. She never quite grew out of them. So Darling.

I also want to recognize their fabulous mother. She’s the creator of all things graphic design. I know people always say sweet things about people they believe in, but she actually is genuinely amazingly talented. She creates so many INCREDIBLE things for me, and I’m very blessed to have her. Her latest creation is my lovely new watermark, to make sure you know who’s pictures you’re looking at.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our most recent session together!! Looooooove.

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You. Will. Melt.
Little girls are the most adorable things to me. Little girls in tutus, I’m melting already.

When Jessica asked for suggestions about what her little ladies should wear for our session, I gladly suggested tutus. With two little girls that are already amazingly adorable, tutus will only add to the beauty.

First lets talk about this darling seven year old. This little kid is awesome. She’s smart, witty, perceptive and funny. I love her and would totally hang out (if we were a little closer to the same age). As I was going through these pictures, I was actually wondering if she’d googled “model poses” because she was seriously a model for the day. Different facial expressions, nailed the fake laughing, and looks stunning in every picture.

And the baby….the sweet little newborn. While she doesn’t have a personality yet, she has an awesome mom and a sister that I’m sure she’ll take after, which means everyone will hands down love her (even more than they do already). And of course let’s point out the obvious, pink headbands and tutus. Swooooooonnnn.

I was so happy doing this shoot. These little girls rocked it and made me laugh. I feel so blessed that they came to me to carry out my vision of new sisters.

While it was tough to narrow down my faves, here they are. I hope these pictures make you smile too.

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Here he is, baby E. The first of many newborns to arrive. Certainly one of the most dear to my heart. I couldn’t love him more and I barely even know him.

Get used to this little guy, you’ll be seeing him a lot. A LOT.

Before I start gushing, two things:
1. “A Preggo & Her Prince?????” I just came up with that right now and it’s the cheesiest title I’ve ever made, but I love it and we’re using it.
2. That picture up there, one of my all time favorite pictures ever!!!

Now on to the important stuff! Ty & Gavin appreciate good pictures. I was in loooooove with their wedding pictures (not to mention they got married in Mexico, so even more to oogle over). And their engagement pictures were just as amazing. So the pressure was on when Ty asked me to do their maternity pictures. But I’m totally up for a challenge, and gladly accepted.

First we’ll talk about the outside. These two parents to be, obviously beautifully glowing. I have to say Gavin had some model poses. I didn’t even have to pose him really, he had the right smiles, the right smirks, the right serious faces, all at the right times. Then there’s Ty. When you’re already glowing and the sun shines on you, you get the preggo-superglow. And you look ahhhhhhhmazing!!!! As you’ll clearly see momentarily.

Now let’s talk about the inside. This couple is a perfect combination of personalities. Gavin is super sweet and kind of goofy. I see this as the makings of a good pops. And Ty, she’s got it together…funny (but dry) sense of humor (my personal fave). Smart & successful, and already the heart of a mom. Put all these great things together, you’ve got two awesome parents!

Can’t wait to meet this little guy. Until then, here he is, still baking in the oven. I had an awesome day with you two, and I’m so happy you have these pictures to remember these moments, forever!

See you in three months little man!

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Until recently.

My friend passed away. And I found a copule cards from her. Cards that she had touched. Cards that she had written with her own hands. Cards with her writing.

It made me realize, everyone I love is not going to be in my life forever. With all the texting and emailing now a days, you get so few hand written cards. So the few written things I get from people I love, I want to save. So I’m saving them all.

But, what to do with them??? Well I’m sure everyone and their mom is on Pinterest (literally, because I actually know a lot of moms on Pinterest). And being the Pinterest fanatic that I am, I actually did one of the brilliant ideas floating around on there.

Soooo easy and soooooo cute. I got the ring binders from Office Depot, punched some holes in all this years Christmas cards (I did make a template to insure I’d have the same hole distance on each card), printed out this “Christmas Card” cover printable I found here. And there it is…Christmas card book forevvvvver.

And next year, I’m going to leave it out for all to see. Did you hear that? If you didn’t send us a card this year, you’re going to feel pretty left out when everyone else’s cards are displayed in all of their glory, except yours. Boooooooommmm!!

Make one, it’s easy!!!

Let’s talk about pregnancy. I’ve never been preggers, but if I were, the odds of me looking like this pregger lady are pretty slim. Sooooo, meet Jodee. This is Jodee’s first little one. Can you believe she’s due in March?? Um, tiny everything, perfect belly. Ohhhhhh I looooooove it!!

Jodee and I actually go wayyyyyyyy back. I remember her older sister babysitting us when we were young, and we’d watch Days of Our Lives with her (we were seven). I remember Jodee playing the most amazing album for me. Paula Abdul. Ahhhhh-mazing. I had never heard such incredible music. Seriously. Straight up. Never.

So after so many years, we are grown up, having babies of our own. Needless to say I was honored when Jodee asked me to do her maternity portraits. It made me smile to think of those memories. And it made me smile to see Jodee happy and glowing with this little guy in this little belly of hers.

Jodee is already one hot mama. Knowing her so long, knowing her famliy, this is already one awesome kiddo. Soooooo excited for you Jodee!!! Can’t wait to meet this little man and watch him grow up to be fun and happy like his mama!!!

So excited to meet him very, very soon!

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So what is a photo booth?? If you asked me ten years ago, I would have told you it’s that little booth you get in at the fair, sit on your boyfriend’s lap, smile-kiss-funny face, a strip of four pictures comes out five minutes later, and you treasure them forever. And I do treasure those forever, as they lay in my box of pictures on my closet shelf.

Now my definition of a photobooth has slightly changed. I think they became really popular since lots of weddings have them now. It’s amazing, you can take unlimited pix with as many poses and props as you want. Awesome!!!!!

Now to my point…I love photo booths so much that I make my own. And you can too!! I mean why not?? If you’re having a party, it’s something simple and fun to add, that people never fail to adore. Mine happen to have all been done during the holidays, but you can do them anytime for any reason. All you need is an area to stand in front of, some light, a camera and a little creativity.

Here are some of mine…

This was my first attempt at a photo booth:

I had my friends over for a Christmas dinner and decided to surprise them with fun pictures. I went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of cheesy props and forced everyone to wear one. I happen to have dark curtains that photograph really well. So I bought a $2 roll of red streamers. I hung a bunch of them from the curtain rod, and voila. Home made photo booth. Cute, fun and easy.

My second run at a photobooth:

I loved the photo booth from this year’s Christmas party at my house, even more than last years. Same brown curtains, different decoration. I just found some letters online, printed them out and taped them on Christmas scrapbook paper. Then I cut the word Merry. I made a bunch of various sized circles and linked them with bakers twine. Hung them from the curtain rod….done and done! It was definitely a little more involved, but turned out super cute so I was happy.

For the first two photo booths at my house, I used a tripod and an DSLR camera. So we were able to have perfectly centered pictures consistently (and a little better quality of pictures). But for my next photo booth, we just used point and shoot cameras. And it’s still fun!

So finally, my New Years photo booth:

Ooooooo this one is so glamorous!! This was actually at my friend’s house who hosted this year’s NYE party. She didn’t have anything we could hang stuff from, so we used tape. Goes to show you always have somewhere that can work!

We taped this fabulous gold, plastic fringe to the sides of her fireplace. I cut out “2012!” and voila, homemade photo booth! See, fun!!!! Even if you don’t have a DSLR or tripod, you can still have a photo booth!

So those are my brilliant ideas on homemade photo booths. I hope I inspire you to make one sometime! If you do, you have to let me see it thanks.

Cheers to a fun, photo-boothy 2012!!

Regardless, here’s just one from today. Looooooooooove.