A+B=SWEETNESS | {Bremerton Children’s Photography}

These two little girls are not only ADORABLE, but both are so very sweet! It was my pleasure to have met this family 3 years ago when Brylee (who will be 3 this month) was born and I must tell you I SO look forward to seeing them when I have a session scheduled! Last summer Brylee welcomed her baby sister, Ava, and are these two little girls ever loved by their parents, Rick and Jessica! When the day arrived for this session, I was so excited to see the girls…it had been July when I last saw them, shortly after Ava was born and I had a “peek” at how much she had grown when I received their Christmas card…and couldn’t wait to capture some special photos for the family. I was greeted at the door by Brylee and Rick and the beautiful smile on Brylee’s face was the BEST! I’m not sure who’s the most excited to see one another – me to see her or her to see me…all I know is that I LOVE the greeting I get each visit as I am welcomed into their home. And, Ava…my oh, my, she’s sure grown and has the best smile….and as you will see, a great series of expressions. It’s always wonderful to catch up with Rick and Jessica during the session…they feel like family after we’ve established such wonderful relationship. So, without further delay…here is this wonderful family, who I truly adore!!!

Byrlee is the most gentle and loving big sister…she totally adores Ava and is always making sure she’s taken care of…I loved seeing this! They are going to be wonderful friends!!!

See what I meant about this family…they are ALL beautiful and their smiles say it all…such a heartwarming sight to see how close this family is!!

Beasely has been a part of this family for many years and sadly he’s battling a liver disease and his life expectancy is maybe another year…so it was very important to get some special photos for Bylee and for the family of their four legged family member. He’s the nicest little guy…always wagging his tail when I arrive and eager to give me a few (or more!) kisses while I’m down at his level. It breaks my heart to think he might not be a part of the next family session…I know what it is like to lose a pet and it is really heartbreaking.  Seeing he and Brylee…it makes me smile…he’s so darn quick to give Brylee kisses and even when she thought she was safe…that fast tongue was out faster than you can imagine…I SO love these photos and hope that they do as well!!

AVA…what a baby doll…I LOVE LOVE LOVE her smile…she was such a happy little girl during most of the session and I delighted in the smiles she gave me!!!

Isn’t he super cute…I want to just cuddle up with him on the couch!

Oh, Brylee, she is always a ton of fun and letting her make silly faces had me laughing with her…to see a child be a child and just enjoy life…there’s nothing better!

Another try for Brylee to give Beasely a kiss…guess who was faster…yet again!!

What a beauty…and to think she’s almost three…even though she was showing four fingers…she’s just thinking down the road and getting ready for next year!

I told you that Ava had GREAT smiles…such a happy, happy baby!!

Brylee wanted to make sure her little bear was included in the photos and she shared with me that when she had to have a little surgery this past year and he was right there by her side, to make sure she was okay!

As you can see, Beasely is very gentle with Ava as well…what a wonderful dog!!

My oh my…I can’t get enough of these smiles…she’s just TOO cute!!

Isn’t Brylee beautiful…she has such a natural smile and the prettiest eyes…she’s such a blessing to her family!

Melt my heart!! Little Ava was getting quite tired by the end of the session…and nearly fell asleep in her daddy’s arms!

And, as you can see, she did fall asleep in her mommy’s arms…I LOVE seeing a baby snuggled with her mom!

Some fun and games with Brylee…she’s got some super powers and can jump REALLY high!!

Brylee was excited to show me one of her gifts from Christmas…a new camera! Her parents said she wanted one after I let her take a couple of photos last year with my camera…I can’t wait to see what she is shooting…who knows, someday you might just see some famous photos from this little one!

Rick and Jessica, you have two beautiful girls and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy photographing and spending time with all of you during the sessions. You are so blessed and I’m ever so thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know all of you! Thank you for trusting me to capture some special memories for your family…it truly is MY pleasure, I really do adore all of you!

Maddy and Max | {Puyallup Family Photography}

Early last month I had a couple of kids in the studio who I’ve had the delight of photographing for a few years now and it’s always so much fun when I get to see them! Maddy turned five earlier this fall and Max is 18 months old…and it’s hard to NOT smile when around the two of them! They are always silly, laughing and smiling…and full of energy! Oh, I wonder how I can harness that energy for myself some days!! Maddy will be starting kindergarten this fall and it’s hard to believe she’ll be starting school…I met her when she was about Max’s age…and what a beautiful and sweet girl she is growing up to be! Max…oh, I remember the day her mom told me she was expecting…I think I was nearly as excited as she was and once Max arrived…I could hardly wait to take his photos. This family started as clients, but have become friends and that is one of the best parts of my job…meeting new people as clients…and developing a relationship with them and calling them friends. We had hoped for this session to happen outdoors earlier in the fall, but between the weather and these two cuties getting sick, we ended up later and in the studio…I love that this focus on THEM and just how darn cute they are…yet, I can’t wait to get them outdoors (this spring) and watch them explore the great outdoors!


What a beauty…and her eyes…wow, she is going to have the boys following her as she gets older!!!!Maddy can be silly and goofy…or very serious. She wanted to show me some of what she is learning in her ballet class…I’m excited to see more the next time we are together!Max’s smile….you can’t help but smile yourself when you see this…what a charmer! And, I loved his blanket…security and comfort…he didn’t want it to get too far away from him!!Max was so intent on these blocks…I loved watching his concentration as he played with these!Sweet Maddy is five and we had some fun with glitter for a little extra for her to celebrate such a great age!!

Kerry and Ed….thank you so much for your business and friendship…you have some adorable kiddos and I love getting to see and “play” with them during their sessions!

Jordan and Emily | {Beautiful Couple}

Early in November, I had the pleasure of meeting this couple, Jordan and Emily. We had communicated through email for a couple of months about the session…the date and details…and when the date finally came, I was excited to meet them. These two are both college students at Western Washington State University, although they met in high school and have been dating for over three years. We were fortunate to have a dry day with plenty of sunshine…which is not always the case around here that time of year…although it was QUITE chilly! Emily popped out of the truck with this great little black dress…and I asked if she wanted to bring a sweater or jacket to wear between shots…she said no…she would be fine! Of course, it gave her a great excuse to snuggle up with Jordan during many of the shots and I quickly learned just how special these two are! I LOVED getting to know them, learning about their courtship and relationship and just how much family means to both of them. It’s remarkable to see a young couple with such great values and a strong relationship…and goals and plans for their future…oh, how much I was enjoying the session and watching these two young people, so much in love and so grounded!! Now, you might wonder why this is being posted nearly two months after their session, well, the photos were a surprise for their families for Christmas, so the blog had to wait until now…right after Christmas! Emily and Jordan both said they wanted a blog, so I promised them it would go up, after the gifts were given…and to be honest, it has been killing me to NOT share these photos…because these two were SO darn cute, I was dying to share these with all of you! So here goes…an adorable and sweet couple, who I absolutely loved photographing and getting to know…

Didn’t I tell you…they ARE adorable!!!Snuggling was definitely a theme of the session for these two…and not just because it was cold!Both Jordan and Emily are incredible people, students and hearing about all their ideas and plans for the future…it was so refreshing!!It was obvious these two have quite a connection…the way they looked at one another…melted my heart!!There was plenty of laughing, giggling and red cheeks during the session…part of it was at Jordan’s expense as I asked about how they met and about their first date…it may not have been perfect, but he did something right because here they are, three years later…the cutest couple who obviously have a wonderful and loving relationship!
And there was some kissing to go along with the snuggling!!It’s the littlest things that mean the most…Their first date was at the waterfront in Tacoma…so it seemed like the perfect spot for the session…many fond memories…and more to come!We had tons of fun during the session and when I asked if they wanted to jump…there was no hesitation…they were game for anything and laughed and smiled through it all!Emily and Jordan…you to are the CUTEST and I loved spending some time with you on this chilly fall afternoon. I hope to get to know you both more and follow your lives together and all the great experiences and adventures that lie ahead for the two of you! I know that there are GREAT things waiting for you! My best to you for a very Happy New Year!!

MY FAMILY | {Merry Christmas}

It’s actually a week before Christmas as I sit at the computer, choosing photos to share with my family and friends on Christmas…as this won’t post until Christmas day. This year we all are feeling heavy hearts and a need to be closer to family and hug them all a bit tighter and as I go through my photos of our children and grandchildren…tears come to my eyes as I think about how grateful I am to have them all…healthy and all doing well…how blessed we truly are and I’m SO very thankful to be able to spend the holidays with them this year…all of us together…just hanging out together, enjoying one another and appreciating our time with one another! No presents can top this…quality time with family is what IS the most important thing. I’m SO proud of our children…I can’t tell you how much I love them and LOVE seeing them in their lives with their families!! It is the best thing, so see children grow up and become parents…not only to give us grandchildren (who we ADORE!!!!!!!!), but to be great people, citizens and parents…my heart is just bursting right now with pride….I can’t even tell you how much I love them!!

Josh…our oldest, has a beautiful daughter who is seven years old and I’m always in awe of how fabulous she is! Josh hasn’t had the perfect life, but he’s made the best of what he’s been through and is an AWESOME dad and loves his daughter to the end of the earth! Seeing the two of them together is incredible…they are loving, but playful and have a lot of fun…and he’s been great and teaching her responsibility and respect, which I truly admire! He’s in school now and working hard to make a better life for himself and Jayden…and we are so proud of him…and want the VERY best for them!!! Jayden…his daughter, oh, I’m sure you have seen MANY photos of  her on this blog…needless to say, she’s had TONS of photos taken of her by me and I love photographing her….her smile, the sparkle in her eyes and seeing her grow into a lovely girl with a kind and loving heart is the best thing I could ever witness! Jayden, our first granddaughter, has a very special place  in our hearts, is am amazing girl and now seeing her with her new cousin…she is remarkable with her…so sweet, loving and gentle…sometimes when I see them together, I think my heart could burst with pride!

Jessalyn, our daughter, is married to an incredible man, Sean, who we’ve known for many years…ahhhh, they are remarkable together…and as individuals! Jess (as we call her) is a teacher…and now a mother…and WOW…she was meant to work with children and those who are blessed with her as a teacher, are so fortunate…she’s is caring, understanding, patient and thoughtful…and seeing her blossom in this role, it’s amazing and heartwarming!!! And, her recent new role this past year, as a mother…oh my…I can’t even put into words how much I love seeing this…tears come to my eyes as I think about it…she’s the BEST mom and her beautiful daughter, Emma, is so fortunate to have her as a mom!! Emma entered this world a bit early, not quite as Jess (a planner) had planned, so that was a bit unnerving for all of us, but from the beginning, she was there, doing what needed to be done for Emma and making sure that everything was right and ready for each step along the way (and still worrying about her kids at school while on maternity leave)…I was so impressed and in awe…she’s truly remarkable! Today, Emma is about 8 1/2 months old and it’s so hard to believe she was so tiny and spent her first month of life in the hospital…she’s healthy, happy, adorable, spunky and beginning to tell us all about her life…I cherish each and every day with her!! Sean, husband and dad…we met him when he was in the 5th or 6th grade…he went to school with Josh…and as the years went on, I always felt like “something” might happen….someday between he and Jess…and low and behold…the stars aligned and it did…and now, they’ve celebrated their 5 year anniversary this past summer and have a beautiful daughter…he’s a great provider, loving, thoughtful, appreciative and I must also add…quite the prankster…we are always being caught in his jokes…oh, how fortunate we are to have him in our family!!

I can’t NOT talk about my husband…Rick…wow…it’s been over 30 years since we met and honestly, it was pretty close to love at first sight! We were in college and it wasn’t long after we started dating that we both knew we’d be together forever…and low and behold…this past summer we celebrated our 30th anniversary! Every day I am so thankful for him…for our lives together, for our children and for our love…I am SO blessed!!! He’s a great father, amazing husband, faithful friend and ADORING grandfather…and I am SO lucky to call him MINE and shout to the world how much I love him and share just how thankful I am to have him as MINE!!!

So…without further ado…here is my family…I love them all so very much and am so proud of all of them…they are the best and I wouldn’t be the person I am without them…they are part of me and my life wouldn’t be the same without them!! (P.S. there might be an overload of photos, but I figure I’m allowed to do that…to brag about how great my family is and how great they all look!!!


My wish for each and every one of you is a holiday filled with love and joy, family, friends and great memories…treasure what you have and appreciate each and every day to the fullest!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

Here’s a little slideshow…if you are interested…in the family photos with music!

 

Baby Kennedy | {Puyallup Newborn Photography}

This beautiful new baby was 10 days old when I had the pleasure of meeting him. Kennedy Allen Curtis is a handsome little guy and in a short time has totally wrapped his parents around his little fingers. Earlier this fall, I had the pleasure of meeting his parents, Alicia and Marcus, when I did their maternity photos. Such a great couple and SO very excited for their son to arrive…I quickly could see that they now felt complete with Kennedy in their arms. Now, if you saw the maternity photos, you know what great looking parents Kennedy has…and this little guy is taking after his parents…such a beautiful family and capturing some of their first family photos was an honor for me. These will hopefully be a wonderful memory of when their son joined their family! This little guy wasn’t so sure about sleeping and definitely let us know what he liked and didn’t like…and he LOVES snuggling with his mom or dad…the most precious sight…a new parent holding tight to their new baby…you can just feel the love!Aren’t they all gorgeous…I loved watching these parents with their new son!

And this outfit was perfect since Kennedy arrive a month before Christmas and is the great gift to his parents and the rest of the family…he’s such a perfect baby…a little angel!
Be still my heart…..

OH, how I love little feet and with his momma’s ring on his tiny toe…I couldn’t resist!

Daddy and son…ahhh, I love this!

TOO darn cute…love his sweet mouth!

Congratulations Alicia and Marcus on your beautiful new son…Kennedy is adorable and I loved sharing a bit of your time with him and capturing some memories for all of you! My best to you for a wonderful holiday season with your newly expanded family!

Landon turns ONE | {Puyallup Children Photography}

MY OH MY…how much fun are ONE year olds!! This ADORABLE and HANDSOME little guy just turned one, actually on the day we did his session and I had a blast with him. He’s a happy boy, filled with many smiles and dimples that are sure to capture the hearts of many (girls!!) over his lifetime! Now, I’ve said this before, I love photographing people, but I must admit that the little ones, and maybe just one year olds…the very best. You just never know what they are going to do and you get to play through the entire session! Of course, this gives me the right to do and say silly things…and get away with it!! Landon, as you can see is SUPER cute, but he’s quite sweet…he played a little bit shy, but not for long and watching him light up with the toys and the smiles he gave me…oh, how excited I am for his parents to see the photos. He will be SO much fun at Christmas this year…I can only imagine the joy his parents will experience as they watch their baby boy during the holidays this year…they are truly blessed…as is Landon to have such loving and caring parents!!

Landon was standing and not taking more than a step or two on his birthday, but I’ve heard he’s now getting the hang of walking…and I would imagine keeping his parents busy with his explorations!!Talk about handsome…he certainly takes the cake!!!And, then came time for the BEST part of the session…the cupcake smash! Landon didn’t let me down…he seemed to have as much fun as I (and his mom) did, watching him!!!I couldn’t believe how gentle he was with the cupcake pedestal, this was neat to watch and shows just how sweet he really is!
YEAH…I get to play in food and make a mess and I like it!!!!He did a great job on it!!So, this is what being ONE is all about…hmm, I kind of like it!!As I said, he did a good job with it!!The “leftovers!”

Happy Birthday, Landon…you are a sweetheart and I adored my time with you…here’s to many more wonderful birthday’s filled with lots of love and joy!!

SUPERSTARS…Mom & Girls | {Spokane Family Photography}

Earlier this month I was in Spokane, visiting my mom and celebrating her birthday with her. The visit allowed an opportunity to finally get this family’s photos…we’ve been trying to connect for about two years in the fall or spring…and schedules just haven’t worked out…until now!! Mom…aka, Connie, is mother to beautiful teenage daughters, Kat and Hanna, and three of them could be mistaken for Charley’s Angels…they are a hoot together, laughing and goofing around much of the time, yet always watching out for one another! Seeing the bond between them is heartwarming and it’s almost as though they know what the other(s) need before they do! We spent a  GORGEOUS fall morning in downtown Spokane, part of the time outside and part inside the historic Spokane Club, where Connie is the sports and fitness director. Just the day before the session is rained nearly all day and yet, we awoke this morning to clearing skies and even sunshine…and my heart skipped a beat with excitement…it is so beautiful in the area we shot outside that I would have been sad to have missed the opportunity!  After a lot of laughing and goofing around an plenty of photos, we had brunch, with my mom and family, as well as Connie’s parents – for my mom’s birthday! You see, Connie’s mom is my God Mother…more like an aunt and I consider Connie a cousin…there’s no blood connecting us, but often, the ties are stronger between non-related “family!”  Here is a peek at the fun we had….enjoy!!

Hanna and Kate are both at Ferris H.S. on the south hill in Spokane, Kat being a senior and Hanna a freshman this year.

Did I not mention there was lots of goofing around and laughing…and this was just the beginning!Since Kat had her own session last summer, I thought Hanna needed a few photos of just her…to hold her over until she’s a senior! Isn’t she beautiful!

Ummmm…a little more craziness…these were called “hair stashes!” Connie’s didn’t work very well!Aren’t they all BEAUTIFUL…such natural beauty!!

Sisters and friends…the best of the best!And, not only do the girls go to Ferris, that is where Connie went to high school as well (me, too!!)…so a great connection there!Connie has done a fabulous job raising her girls…she has a lot to be proud of!And, more goofing around…actually, Hanna lost her boot running out of the street and “hopped” her way to the sidewalk while Kat retrieved it…as a car was coming their way!Love you…sister!!!Crazy hair…crazy women!! Love them!WOW…love this photo!!!Isn’t Connie stunning…and she’s even nicer…such an amazing person!!More crazy hair!!The end!!!

WHAT fun these three were…if you know them, you know just what I mean…crazy, fun, caring, smart and beautiful…all wrapped into each of these women!