You may recognize these two lovely ladies from previous posts. They have frequented my site and I was so happy to run into Kristin and Lauren when I got to shoot her sister-in-laws (last post) family! Thank you for introducing me to your family and friends! This time I got to snap a shot of her adorable family all together! Little Lauren has grown a bit- it happens so fast! 

Great seeing you guys again!

This is Joshua and Laura Beth.

and these two adorable children are Max and Audrey.

Aren’t they such a cute family!

my favorite.

3 generations of gorgeous ladies.

another favorite!

Houston, TX

As a mother of two, I sometimes have to find quiet moments in the girls day to talk to my clients. If you are a mother you may know this is a whole lot easier said than done. All seemed good and I called Laura Beth– as we chatted, I here *crash* and then tears. Luckily everything was okay but I sat thinking “Yikes- oh sooo unprofessional! Sorry!” Laura Beth was so sweet and began to sympathize and referred that I am “still in the trenches” with two little ones. “You mean there is a light at the end of the tunnel??” I ask. “Oh- It gets so much easier!” Laura Beth reassures me. Whew! I sure hope so!

Laura Beth’s family is just simply adorable! The family was traveling through Houston visiting family for the day. I was so excited to meet them since the weather all morning had made it slightly questionable. We dodged some muddy spots and got some terrific photos. Thanks guys for making me part of your visit.

And Joshua- I have to razz you a bit. You are sooo not allowed to say you are not photogenic. No way.

(so glad you like this photo Laura Beth!!)

What am I thankful for today??

I have a TON to be thankful for this year. Quite an eventful year. But this year I am super thankful for sleep. My little Aja is finally starting to sleep through the night. Jade my four year old didn’t do this until… well… we’re still working on it. So I literally have not slept in about 5 years. Seriously. I would be extremely lucky if I even logged in 6 hours strait. 4 hours was more common– but for at least the past 16 months it has been in increments of 2-3 hours and that is if it was good night. Actually, I had become quite accustomed to being exhausted that my sleep deprived brain had forgotten what sleep was *really* like.

Isn’t the animation cool? Totally not an original idea here. Checking out some of my favorite photographers today, bobbi+mike and saw them dancing around on their blog. If you get a moment- check them out– they are fantastic and find some of the funniest things like this. So- I am totally blaming them for being totally distracted!

You can hit up meez.com to fiddle around with your own. They even have great little maternity bellies! ha!

Thank for visiting .

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

As her parents and I tip-toe into her picture perfect room, there 6-week-young Ella layed wide awake and ready for her photo-session.

Ella was mesmerized by the colorful polka dots.

My favorite:

The sweet moment between a new baby and her mother… and the crazy photographer peering overhead. You can just see Ella lock eye’s on her mother and know exactly who she is.

A souvenir from Brazil given by Ella’s Aunt.

Ella has an amazing collection of beautiful blankets- couldn’t resist the super plush pink one!

Teaching her young.

My favorite (again) - in color.

I had a hard time choosing between the two versions so heck- it’s my blog right? Up they both go!

Hungry?

You may be after you check this post out. My husband Mike is is an Executive Chef of an AMAZING Italian restaurant called Maggiano’s Little Italy. - yep ladies, my hubby cooks for me!

Back in September, Stephanie Moore the Banquet Sales Manager contacted me and asked if I would be interested in shooting some photos of an open house to event planners to see how beautiful the rooms are as well as how delicious the food was. I of course was excited to get back to work and jumped on the opportunity! I have taken photos in the past of my husband while has done demos, as well the fantastic meals he has made at home, but this was totally a new experience. Fun photos- yummy food!

Have an event, birthday, or wedding reception?

Check out Maggiano’s if you are ever in Houston, or check to see if there is one in your city.

Made for each other.

Feeling a little spicy…

A spin off of the photo used for the “save the date” cards:

Santa Cruz, CA - Kara & Gabby - October 27, 2007

I felt so tremendously lucky to be part of such a touching ceremony. The weather was absolutely gorgeous along the breezy California coast and I was so excited to shoot my first wedding. Kara and Gabby are so amazing and I am so flattered that they trusted me to capture their special day. I got a taste of weddings- and quite frankly… there is no turning back for me now! Loved every minute of it!!

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Aside from all the photos of Kara and Gabby- this photo is one of my favorites! This little ring bearer (who actually was snoozing through the ceremony) spooning up some delicious toddler finger dipped water with the best man. I just love how the napkin is saving the outfit!

While I was in California I was excited to get the opportunity to reconnect with my girlfriend Heidi whom I became friends with in high school. The last time Heidi and I saw each other was at her daughter Arywn’s baby shower a few years back. I never got to meet Arwyn before the moved, and since that time she and I both have new additions to our family. It was great to meet her children for the first time as well as introduce my own.

It is truly amazing when I get the honor to photograph my friend’s children. Malachi’s eyes look just like Heidi’s , while watching Arywn move about could only remind me of what Heidi must have been like when she was a little girl. It is so cool to see and witness physical traits and characteristics of your friends in other little beings.

a little girl in every way!

he is just so cute!

both b&w’s are my FAVORITE!

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Heidi and I found it funny that we got to share our first glass of wine closer to our 30’s than when we were 21. It feels a little surreal to be looking at a picture of the both of us surrounded by our 4 little children. When did *that* happen!?!

I just returned from shooting my first wedding in Santa Cruz, California. It was such an amazing experience and I was so honored to be part of such a beautiful and touching ceremony.

The day went so smoothly and I just can’t wait to edit the photos! A year ago I thought it would be years before I dabbled into weddings, and with one under my belt and a few booked for 2008… I am so eager to dive into this field of photography. Keep posted for my wedding debut!

Because we are originally from California (we moved to Houston a year and a half ago), I packed up my girls Jade and Aja with me so we could visit family and some friends as well. When we moved I was at the tail end of my pregnancy so a lot of of family and friends got to meet my little Aja for the first time.

I will continue posting photos from our trip under this one, so keep posted and scroll down.

For now, here is our visit to the Sacramento Zoo. Beware… some of the cutest, most adorable mammals on the planet– my girls!!

and a lemur:

rock on:

my Jade:

My Aja:

so cute! :

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It seemed to be the theme of our day. Perhaps I just have a knack for bringing the ass out of folks. :O

A TON of blog updates soon to come.

My girls and I will be back home tomorrow.
California has been great, but it will be great to be back in our own beds.