Christmas Morning 2014

In all five years of photography shooting I have yet to get a good Christmas morning shot.
Jeez Louis. 
Like clock work the kids came into our room around 5:30am.
Luke even woke up. 
I guess it's time!
"Okay you can come down!!!"

Look at those FACES!!! haha!!!

All the girls wanted for Christmas were dress ups. 
I poked and prodded... How about a bike or roller skates?
Nope. 
Dress Ups.
Rachel KILLS me in this picture! 
hahaha!
All their dreams came true.

That is Maggie's satisfied face! haha!
She is completely impressed with her Christmas morning.
Nailed it.

The princesses even decided to play blocks with Luke...

These phone pictures are so horrible, but oh well... too good not to post!
Happiness!

Elsa and Anna

This makes my heart swell!!!

I dreamed this up... and Tyler executed. Love that man.
And the kids use and use this thing!
Nailed it again.
Christmas is a huge boost to a parents ego. haha!

Introducing the sisters- the princesses- Queen Elsa and Princess Anna! 
datdatDA!

Happy sweethearts!

Those boots--- she begged and pleaded and included them in every Christmas wish! 
And got them!!!
She must have been a good girl this year!

Oh and one more thing!!! 
WE GOT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS THIS YEAR!!! 
They are so fancy and wonderful. {swoon} Right here they are set to "twinkling"!
I'm obsessed. It's a problem.
Merry Christmas to all our wonderful friends and family!

Christmas Eve

I don't know about you guys but I think Christmas Eve is far better than Christmas day!
It's just so magical. Everyone is happy. Everything is ready. 
Everything feels good and excitement is in the air!
Christmas Eve CamRanger shot in front of the Christmas tree!
Look at that crazy crew!

Merry Christmas! Can you tell how excited the girls are? Look at those big smiles?

After reading the Christmas story from the bible, talking/acting out the baby Jesus story, and reading the Cajun night before Christmas, the kiddos got to open their Christmas Eve gift.
Robes and Slippers!!!

Bunnies for Rachel and Unicorns for Maggie!
And Luke was already in bed. He was DONE! haha!

And then the kids finally went to bed and Tyler and I watched a Christmas movie and set up for the big day!
Being a parent is the BEST THING EVER!!!
Look at that beautiful set up! 
So blessed.
Merry Christmas to all till' I saw you some mo'! 
haha!

Christmas Cookie Deliveries

So I about died doing Christmas cookies this year! I don't know what it was but it was CRAZY! 
Despite the craziness, the kids LOVED it like they always do and it was a blast.
Instead of decorating pictures this year, I decided on delivery pictures (just to mix it up!).

The girls got all dressed up in their pretty Christmas dresses and raced to every door... there were some skinned knees! The girls about started wrestling in the walkway to beat the other one to the doorbell! Goodness Gracious! 
PEACE ON EARTH PEOPLE! hahaha!

They still love each other though... almost can't tell that anyone was bawling before this shot! haha!

One more shot of my Christmas girls! 

And then Tyler took some of me and Luke that I think turned out cute! 
Yay! Thank you sweetie!
Baby in a cable knit sweater? Ummm YES!

I kiss him....
A lot. ;)
And it's better than a Christmas cookie. 
Just sayin.

Maggie turns FOUR!!!

One day Maggie out of the blue says, "Mom take my picture!!!"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing! Could this be a dream???
With no time to waste I grabbed my camera and cut some black ribbon to match the dress Maggie picked out, and then we went to front yard and took some pictures.
It was sunny and high noon and I'm surprised how much I love these pictures anyway! 

Love this one so much. I can hear her talking when I look at this picture! 
I also love to stare at those eyelashes!

Love that Maggie smile!!!

Beautiful from the inside out...

I love the colors in this one!!! 
I MADE HER! 
Out of blue bell ice cream, chips and salsa, some healthy stuff, and a whole lot of love! 
WOW! Just incredible.

Maggie and I have had a special bond since she started growing in my tummy! I know it sounds crazy but it's so true. It's like my body and mind were in perfect harmony. It was my best pregnancy and newborn experience so far. And ever since I laid eyes on her I knew we were meant to be together.
She's my strong Ranger baby. She came to me in a time of turmoil in my life.
She was the calm of the storm.

Beautiful...

I just wanna go kiss those cheeks right now!!!
I think I will! Hold on a minute!

Okay, I'm back! haha!
I had to include these ones from the family pictures because they are so darn perfect.
I love you Maggie Ila!

I remember the first time I spoke with Daddy on the phone after having you.
I only had about five minutes to talk.
The first thing I said was, she's got blue eyes and blonde hair and she's perfect.
And you still are.
Happy Birthday my love!!!

Sewing with Grandma

Its been a gloomy week over here. 
Cold and rainy. 
Sick babies. 
But with ONE BIG RAY OF SUNSHINE!!! 
Grandma.
Enough said.

She's an angel. She came and helped me tackle the quilts I've been slowly making for the girl's beds.
Hey LUKE! Whatcha doin' boy?!

Oh you know... just being cute! heehee

Grandma stop sewing and let me beat you up!!! 
All boy that one.

I adore this one. Grandma would frequently let Rachel and Maggie push the pedal for her.
Such sweet memories.
We love you Grandma! 
I'll post pictures of the quilts when they're done!!! I'm so excited to finally decorate the girl's room!!! YAY!

Family Pictures November 2014

Saying that I've been excited to have professional photos taken is a huge understatement. 
I looked forward to this for so dang long!!! 
There are so many obstacles for me when it comes to getting pictures taken. 

1. I'm a photographer. Or I like to call myself one. HA! And paying to have someone do something I can do is just hard.
2. Timing. Timing. Timing. With a growing family timing is everything. It's hard work getting this baby weight off and I want to look my best. So shot me?! There's a window of opportunity around here until my cheeks and ankles blow up again. Just saying.
3. Finding the perfect photographer. This is tricky. As a photography enthusiast myself I've got to find someone whose style I love. There are lots of photography flavors out there.
4. Outfits. Oh the coordination and planning it takes. I spend a lot of time with this.
5. Money. It all adds up.

Because of several or all of these reasons at the same time, we have NEVER gotten pictures taken. Not since our wedding day anyway. And I can't tell you how pleased I am with them. 
It was worth jumping all those hurdles. :)

I'm going to be honest with you. When I got these pictures back--- I cried. 
hahaha! 
"I look awful!!!" I exclaimed to Tyler. His reply- "You're insane. These are the best pictures ever."
Then I took a closer look! By golly they are! 
Perfection right here folks. The light, the colors, the lack of tantrums! WOW!
My eyes go straight to Luke's before anything else when I look at this picture. 

My two beautiful girls!

Oh how blessed they are to have eachother... 

IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE!

Miss Rachel Lynn

Those chocolatey brown eyes... 

This one has got to be my favorite of her! Such a beauty!

Miss Maggie Ila

I love her from the tip top of her head down to her toes...

This one is stunning. That is all.

I love how this one turned out!!!

Luke was a stinker. 
The whole time!!! 
I couldn't believe she managed to capture a few good ones with this boy! haha!
He's lucky he's so darn cute!

I spent the majority of my time trying to get Luke in the game... 

Good thing I stashed a few pop-tarts. haha!

BABY! My baby! Baby baby baby! 
Babies make me happy. 

Look at our little family! 
I can't believe this is us! Time sure flies.

I get to spend eternity with these beautiful people!!! 

This is my favorite family picture. 
It's going on the wall. 
The end.

Momma and her girls!!! 
I think I look goofy in this one. I think I was in the middle of a sentence or something.
But my sweeties are so beautiful!

There's a untaming pride that comes when I look at these pictures... 
Me and my girls. Having girls has brought me so much joy. I'm certain we were and will always be best friends. The playing, the cooking, the shopping, the sewing, the dancing, the chick-flick watching, the wedding planning, the baby rocking, the late night talks... Pride. Just pride. 
I'm sticking with these girls through thick and thin!

Me and my Man... 

My rock and eternal companion, 
We've built this family together. Thanks you for all you're love, devotion, and hard work.
The best is yet to come.
Love,
Your woman