On Friday we had a fire and fireworks with our friends and then on Saturday we celebrated Jared’s birthday with our family and friends – and THEN on Sunday we had lunch AND dinner with said friends!

It was a GLORIOUS weekend!!

EVERYBODY wants a turn with that sweet baby!!

Grace LOVES Fitzy’s face – I mean – who wouldn’t!?

She also LOVES grabbing handfuls of his hair!!

And I LOVE taking pictures of the scene instead of interfering!

She KNOWS that she’s got everyone wrapped around her finger!

I had a session Sunday night – and I wasn’t sure if I would make it back home in time to grab my camera – so again – I brought it with me!

And am SO GLAD THAT I DID!!! Because we ALL need pictures of us just hanging out – doing our every day things – because we will forget.

That beautiful friend of mine and her beautiful baby girl – they NEEDED these moments captured!!

Last week we met up with my friend Megan at our FAVORITE place in Mansfield to have our family photos taken!!

When I get them ALL back – I’ll show you!

But here are a couple – just because!!

This might be my FAVORITE picture of us – EVER!!! This is my favorite spot on the creek – and that’s my favorite guy!!

When we started – I told Megan I wanted mostly all lifestyle shots of us just exploring the creek – like we’ve done SO MANY days this summer!

But I did want one of all of us looking at the camera – THIS IS PERFECT!!

And THIS ONE!!! This is EXACTLY what I had envisioned in my head!

It’s SO VERY hard to NOT take your own family photos – and while I ALWAYS love our photos with Megan – this year – they were AMAZING – exactly what I envisioned!!

And I’ve only seen a handful of shots!

After our photos we went to dinner – ICE CREAM!!

Those boys – those amazing miracles!

Did you know that I never buy clothes for family photos!?

Typically I pick my outfit and then Jared picks his around that. And then I go through the clothes for the boys and pick out something that will compliment the colors we have!!

The boys are OBSESSED with basketball right now and I found these REAL basketball jerseys on clearance at WAL*MART and they LOVE them.

So when they asked if they could wear them for family photos – ABSOLUTELY!! Because that’s how I want our family captured – REAL.

After ice cream we went to Mara’s for a little fire and some fireworks to celebrate Becca’s birthday a little late and Jared’s birthday a little early!

This is the first time my kids have ever really SEEN fireworks! When Fitzy was little – we took him but they were too loud and he never wanted to see them after that!

MOM – LOOK!!! I’M DOCTOR STRANGE!!

That Mara – WE LOVE HER!!!

Get together with your people. As often as you can. I promise you – it will make ALL the difference!!

Becca and her baby Grace – you MUST make sure to grab that little girl before Becca does – because you will NEVER get her after she grabs her!!

Did you know that I LOVE grainy photos!? They’re my favorite!!

I am SO glad that I thought to grab my camera before we left!!

Kellie messaged me about a mini maternity session – and as much as I LOVE full sessions with you – I totally understand the want for a mini session!

We met a little later on a Saturday morning and caught some shots while their baby boy is still on the inside!!

BIG SISTER!!

The sweetest moment!!

BEAUTIFUL!!

Kellie & Jason – thanks for meeting up with me! I can’t WAIT to see that sweet little brother!!

I LOVE this perspective!!!

OH MY HEART!!!! I CANNOT EVEN DEAL WITH THESE!!!

SO MUCH SWEETNESS!!!

Those sweet in-between moments – ALWAYS my favorite moments!!

That dreamy sunset light – it’s my FAVORITE!!

I ADORE THAT SHOT!!

And that one!!

THAT SWEET FACE!!

THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH for asking me to capture your family!! I hope to see you guys again soon!

Aimee messaged me about family photos with their kiddos – three under five!

The FIRST shot of the night and the baby is smiling! It’s going to be a good one!

THE SWEETEST BIG SISTER!!

THAT SMILE!!

SO SERIOUS!!

Aimee & Andrew – thank you SO MUCH for making the long drive to Mansfield for your family photos!

I had a GREAT time with your family!

Stay tuned for the rest of your session!!

When you’re the baby of the family – you share your cake with your brother and sisters!!

Lauren – THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

I hope to see you at a football game this fall – capturing that oldest of yours in action!!

I’ve also been taking photos for Lauren & Dan for EIGHT years!!

LOOK AT THAT BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!!

ADORABLE!!

Such a HAPPY little guy!!

Those little footprints – they won’t stay long!!

THOSE CHEEKS!!

EIGHT!! THIS GUY IS EIGHT NOW!!

AND THIS LITTLE GUY IS ONE!!

I LOVE THAT SHOT!!!

STAY TUNED FOR THE CAKE!!!

Our friend Becca had a birthday. We were planning on getting together for a bonfire – a FANCY bonfire as per Becca’s request – but storms were in the forecast.

SO – we moved the party to our house!

Enoch wanted to make some signs for the party!

It wasn’t a SURPRISE – but the WE LOVE YOU SORTA – all their idea!!

Fitzy wanted to DRESS UP too – so he borrowed a skirt and a jacket from my closet!!

I LOVE THAT ONE!!

SHE BENT MY BROOM HANDLE!!

Becca really does care about us – but give her that baby – and we don’t exit anymore!

Because babies are the BEST birthday gifts!!

BECCA – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

THE SWEETEST!!

THE WHOLE FAMILY!! I ADORE THAT SHOT!!

LOVE!!!

BIGGEST & LITTLEST!!

AND MAYBE MY FAVORITE SILHOUETTE SHOT EVER!!!!!

The spot where we met this year was FULL of broken glass – and kids being the explorers that they are – had to collect as much as they could!

Karla – thank you SO MUCH for asking me back into your lives year after year!!

I’ve been taking photos for Karla & her family for about 8 years!

I cannot stress this enough – GET FAMILY PHOTOS EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!!

You WILL regret not getting them done – you will NEVER regret making time for them!!

I LOVE THEIR GLASSES!!!

The baby of the family!!

ADORABLE!!!

I LOVE THAT SHOT!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

SISTERS!!!

Stay tuned for the second half of their session!!