We love snow days!

The weatherman delivered....and we are home from school as a result. It's been snowing since early this morning and they are predicting 8-12 inches of snow plus lots of blowing and drifting later. I have a feeling this won't be the only day we are home this week.


Someone is a little too excited about the snow. She will probably be outside playing a lot during the next few days!

My snow kids....I love that I can still ask them to "get close" for a photo and they'll do it for me. Not sure how long that will last.
Some self portraits....

I even got Chris to participate in a few self portraits.... (and yes, Brenda...he is STILL wearing his Dallas Cowboys coat. That was truly the best purchase ever!)

LOVE this one!!Peeking up over their snow fort....you can hardly see them because of the constant snow fall!

Snow, snow, snow...

Jenna has been waiting for a significant snowfall so she could go play in the snow...and she finally got it this weekend! It started snowing Friday night, and by Saturday morning she had enough snow to go play in. It's not nearly as much snow as some parts of the country got from this latest storm, but it was just enough for her. She bundled up and convinced me to brave the cold with her to snap some photos while she played. Later our neighbor joined her and helped her make a snow cave in one of our piles of snow. Today they ventured out into the snow again and made a snowman with a little adult help. Sorry, but Jacob will not be making an appearance in these photos. He is at the age where he does not want to have his photo taken...plus he went with a friend and his family to the reservoir to go sledding.

It looks like Jenna may have lots more snow to play in later this week. They are predicting another round of snow will hit us starting tomorrow night. I've seen predictions anywhere from 6 inches to 10+. We shall see!

Girlie girl...

No words...no explanation....just my little girl being very much her girlie self.

Ni hou....

Ni hou is one of the few Chinese words I know....it means hello...and a very special little girl taught it to me. Jenna and I both have had the privilege of having Amy in our lives this school year. Amy came to our school knowing virtually no english - she could not speak, read, or write english. She moved here from China shortly before school started. Amy is in Jenna's class and Jenna was assigned as her buddy on the first day of school. They have sat next to each other every day and quickly became friends. Even before Amy could understand Jenna, they formed a bond. They would walk around the playground holding hands, while Jenna tried to explain things to Amy. I also met Amy on the first day of school. I had recess duty that day and Jenna brought her to me. Amy didn't know what to do, so we taught her to use the swings and to say the word "push" when she wanted me to push her. Shortly after the first day, I started working with her daily to help with her english skills, particularly in reading and writing. I obviously do not know Chinese, so it was a little difficult at first...but Amy is a very quick learner. We were able to communicate with lots of gestures and pictures at first - we started with the absolute basics. She still has a long way to go, but she is learning so much! She and Jenna have become great friends....and I have become really attached to her as well. We go to the Chinese restaurant near her house once in a while to eat, and she comes to sit with us while we eat. She has invited us to her home to show us photos of China. Last week Amy came to our house to play with Jenna and Savannah. I was a little nervous about how it would go, but she jumped right in with the girls. They played dolls and hide and seek. They put on lipgloss and danced to Hannah Montana songs in Jenna's room. They giggled a lot! Later we all went to Pizza Hut for dinner (pizza is her favorite food). I really feel blessed that Amy has come into our lives. We have formed a special relationship with her, and I hope it is one that continues for a long time to come.

Amy, Jenna, and Savannah.....

Basketball season

Basketball season for Jacob actually started in November. He first played on a 6th grade Van Wert team during November and December. After Christmas, he started playing on a 5th/6th grade boys team for the Y. His team is really young - there are only two 6th graders on the team. He has had fun playing point guard and getting to be one of the older boys on the team. His team hasn't won a game yet, but he's had some close ones.

Here are just a few photos from last week's game. The YMCA is my absolute least favorite place to take photos - everything ends up looking yellow due to the horrible lighting.

It actually looks like he is shooting at the tiny rim to the left...but he isn't.

He is always "coaching"...he definitely knows alot about basketball!

Obviously, he has a slight height disadvantage. The kid standing next to him is also a 6th grader - in fact they share the same birthday.

Ben & Meghann {1.2.10}

I'm so excited to be second shooting at weddings with Nicole again after she took some time off to have baby boy #3! Meghann and Ben's wedding was January 2nd at the Embassy Theater in FW. We started off taking photos in the Hilton and Grand Wayne Center and then moved on to the theater, which was beautifully decorated. We even braved a few photos in the FREEZING cold temperatures outside. The photos below are some of my favorites from the day. You can see some of Nicole's photos from the wedding here.

Getting ready.... The two adorable flower girls...

...and a very shy ring bearer.... Love gorgeous wedding jewelry and details....

A laid back moment before the ceremony....A gorgeous, simple bouquet...

The groom and his men....

One of my favorites of the day....

A little more fun with the guys....

Ben was very excited to see their names on the marquis...

First dance...

A moment in the cold....

Another favorite - the bride snapping photos of her parents dancing....

Father and daughter dancing (which was very impressive!)...

Mom got a little emotional watching her husband and daughter dance... The newly married couple...

Devin {9 days old}

A week ago I got to take photos of baby Devin! This session was purchased for Josh and Sami as a shower gift (THANKS KARI!!)...and I was so excited to finally meet them and their brand new baby. He couldn't have been more perfect! He was just the sweetest thing and was so cooperative for photos. I even got a little smile out of him. His parents were just as sweet! The three of them make the perfect little family....you could just see how in love they are with their baby boy! I'm always a little nervous to meet brand new clients, but Josh and Sami made everything so easy!

Josh and Sami - THANK YOU so much for inviting me into your home to capture photos of your sweet baby boy and your new family of 3!



I have a lot of "favorites" from this session....and this is one of them! Devin slept most of the session, but woke up at the end for some bright eyed photos.

My absolute favorite - look at that little smile!!

I love capturing photos of brand new families - you can just feel the love!

LOVE tiny baby feet! I just can't do a newborn session without taking baby feet photos.

Another favorite....look at those perfect little features!