My cousin – my “baby” cousin Vanessa – is such an AMAZING momma to her little girl!

SHE IS SUCH A SWEETIE!

Vanessa – you have blossomed into such a BEAUTIFUL woman! I am SO proud of you!

HOW ON EARTH IS IT POSSIBLE THAT OUR LITTLE FITZY GUY IS A BIG KINDERGARTEN GRADUATE!

He was SO PROUD of himself for graduating Kindergarten!

I tried to convince him to put Fitzgerald on his diploma – but he insisted upon Fitzy – because I only call him Fitzgerald when he’s in trouble!

Fitzy wants to be a chef when he grows up – and I have no doubt that he will!

READING!! HE CAN READ NOW!!

I debated getting up and moving to get a better picture – but then I talked myself into just enjoying the moment where I was!

As a photographer – it’s a struggle that I have quite often!

My dad had to work late and the threat of thunderstorms kept my mom and GG at home – but he was supported by LOTS of people that love him!

These two women have poured SO much into their students this year! Fitzy was very nervous for the first month of school and it broke our hearts to watch the anxiety that Jared and I grew up with in our little guy. But – we prayed and believed and tried again and again and he LOVED it!

Fitzy guy – you are more than I prayed for. More than I waited for. More than I hoped for.

We are SO proud of you and LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

You know what I love about living here – in this part of the country? We get to experience each of the 4 seasons.

Especially in the spring and fall – you might experience all 4 seasons over the course of ONE WEEK!

This was one of those weeks – in February if I remember right!

This guy! He is such a joyful soul! We were kinda concerned about that tooth – his left front tooth was lost with the right – but took MONTHS to come in!

I absolutely LOVE watching the relationship between brothers! Enoch said – Hey Fitzy – you’re my brother. We are buddies!

Every year – Jared’s mom LOVES to hide eggs for the boys – and I mean REALLY HIDE EGGS!

Fitzy is NOT a fan of the whole – running in a field with eggs OUT IN THE OPEN!

I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now – but we live next door to my in-laws – and the boys LOVE it! I do too!

I am SO VERY THANKFUL for this little family of ours!

Fitzy and Enoch took the Easter season quite seriously! Fitzy had Good Friday off school – and after Jared left for work – he said – SO MOM. Today is the day Jesus died. Right? And we don’t go to church today? Dad just goes to work like it’s ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY? WHAT ON EARTH!

Certainly a convicting moment!

You’ve seen the newborn pictures of this little SWEET THING!

I’ve only got two little pictures to share – but she’s so CUTE – I had to show you!

Watching Vanessa with her little girl – it’s so heartwarming!

I HAVE to get my camera out more often – and take pictures of my own kiddos!

OH MY WORD! I LOVE THAT LAST SHOT! E adores my dad – and I hope he cherishes this picture as he grows up!

Patiently – maybe not so patiently – waiting to go see the COWS!

We only live about 45 minutes from my parents – AND I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY! Except for maybe closer – but my parents would be thoroughly EXHAUSTED all the time from keeping up with these kiddos!

My sister and her family came home in March!

We … well – SHE – held an open house for her LuLaRoe! It was SO FUN!

We have an AMAZING group of people that love us and support us! I am SO grateful for the people in our lives!

I didn’t bring my camera to the event – but I did capture the boys. The cousins. The family!

LOOK AT THAT ADORABLE FACE!

THAT SWEET FACE!

You can’t keep that farmer guy out of the barn – not even in the FRIGID wind!!

Enoch knows that GG will give him ALL the candies! So we made a trip next-door!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that shot!

You might not know this – but my sister and I love cheesy – super ugly clothes for our kids. My mom picks out the silliest things at yard sales – THANKFULLY we can share them – because Jack gets them after Enoch – but I’m not sure how long that will happen since these boys are getting SO BIG AND TALL AND STRONG!

Fitzy and Jack have a super special bond! Fitzy actually tells people that he’s my first-born and Samm’s first-born – he doesn’t know how it works – it just does. And he knows that he loves her just as much as he loves me. He makes wishes that he could live with Sammy forever – and he’s done it ever since he was a little guy!

And this guy – CAN ALMOST REACH THE LOCK! WHAT ON EARTH!

OH MY HEART!

Xavier cooks with Jack on his shoulders! That’s some talent!

I’m so happy that I was able to capture these photos for my sister!

OH MY WORD! THOSE CHEEKS!

OH MY HEART! THOSE PHOTOS!

These little boys will be big before we know it! I never imagined that my sister and I would raise our kids in different states – in my imagination – we were ALWAYS together! But – thanks to FACETIME – we spend time together daily!

My cousin Matt is a HUGE part of our lives – he’s basically the older brother I never had! For the past 20 years he has lived right down the road from my parents! The boys LOVE him!

The boys were “patiently” waiting his arrival!

I LOVE MY MOM! She’s SO FUN!

And then Matt showed up and ALL WAS RIGHT IN THE WORLD!

Matt – make us a restaurant! Carry me around! Play robbers! Let me play drums on your head! Make me into a sandwich! You name it – he plays it!

OH MY WORD! I LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

My parents are laid-back. Relaxed. Chill. And I spent YEARS of my life obsessing over neatness. Tidiness. Order. Perfection.

I love this picture – this scene of their cozy kitchen!

This next shot – my FAVORITE! Exactly how I want to remember that moment. And all the moments at my parents house actually!

This is my new favorite way to document life – completely just a day in your life – no matching outfits – no agenda. No posing and making sure everyone is smiling and looking! JUST BEING!

Matt – we LOVE you! G & Pa – we LOVE YOU GUYS!

If you’re interested in complete lifestyle sessions – message me! I’m so thankful I decided to get my camera out and document the day!

I take a ridiculous amount of pictures on my phone of our daily lives – but in terms of actually picking up my camera – I haven’t. In a LONG time!

My mom had some health issues going on since Christmas – it was scary and hard to adjust to! We hadn’t been able to visit them as much as we normally would – and the boys were certainly bummed! My mom was having a good day and we drove over to spend the day with them! I kept my camera out and took pictures throughout the day – AND I LOVE THEM! I took a ridiculous amount – so this is only part ONE of the day!

I found GUESS WHO at Aldi’s! It’s been a HUGE hit! I need to look for my original GUESS WHO!

Enoch missed his Pa!

Why yes – those ARE matching mommy-and-me leggings on my little boy! My dad’s eyebrows were QUITE raised!

I went to visit my cousin Vanessa and her new baby for a little bit – and came home to DIFFERENT PANTS on Enoch!

I said – Pa REALLY didn’t like those leggings HUH! Turns out – his diaper was just a little too full!

LOOK AT THOSE CURLS!

I MEAN – SERIOUSLY!

He is such a little sweet thing!

Focus is TOTALLY over-rated!

I LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

THAT SWEET FACE!

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THAT SHOT!

FEE FI FO FUM –

Tomorrow – the rest of the evening!

I already posted her newborn session – OOPS! But I did go see here really quick when she was JUST born!

My cousin Vanessa was born when I was 15. She was the cutest – roundest – sweetest baby! She had curly blonde hair and the biggest smile!

And now – 20 of the fastest years later – she’s a momma! Her baby girl – *K* – is a redhead! And hopefully inherited her momma’s curls!

Thankfully her first birth was a quick and smooth process for Vanessa!

Jake & Vanessa – she is SO BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for you both!