In all honesty, I have to admit that I REALLY wanted to save this family to blog as my last shoot of 2008. Especially since they WERE my last family for 08. And because they have such a special story with a little 'christmas miracle' type ending. But mom is freaking out that she won't have enough time for getting her cards out, I had to jump ahead and post them tonight. See, C…anything for you!

I have a real big spot in my heart for this family. I met mom when she took my scrapbook class way back when and got to photograph this incredibly blessed and happy family when the baby was first born and then again at her christening. They have the best story. In short, they had a surrogate carrier "cook up" their little one, so this baby is an extra special miracle! (*waving: hi to you firedept mom). There is no limit to how much she was wanted.

So here she is in all her christmas finery along with mom & dad who love her to bits. And grandma & grandpa even took the day off work to be at the photoshoot as well. Can't you just tell how much she's loved? Nevermind the fact that she's gorgeous. Love those huge eyes!

A little shout-out to my blog-stalkers Heather and Sara! Hi girls! So great to see you today, but unfortunately under not so nice circumstances. How about this Saturday night at 10pm @ Gabrielle's in RVC to hear "my" band and have a few drinks. As if I didn't get into enough trouble there this weekend!

And if you could all spare a little love and good thoughts or prayers for my friend Julianne. She just lost her dad this week. She's a fantastic person and although we are 'new friends' I really just love her. You can see how much she loved her dad and he seemed like a great guy from what she told me about him today. So please send a little love her way- she could really use it.

Some photos from my last weekend of shooting in 2008. Almost there…

First, the obri kids. A dreary morning outside but lots of fun and sun inside. A-dorable!! kids. The older girl was all into the shoot (for the most part and for a while) while the poor little boy had a cold and was not particularly happy about the whole thing. We got a few before he melted down to the point of no return. And then they were both DONE and the shoot was over. Hope you like the pictures, mom. I think we definitely got some keepers for the card!

Next, the conn family. You might recognize them from the wedding back in September as the dad is the bride's sister. Mom was way pregnant at the wedding, and they now have a happy new addition to their beautiful family. The big kids were so great with the baby and held him so well for the pictures. Of course, I had my usual crazy ideas- but mom & dad even got in on the act, asking to use the elephant table/bench which was a family heirloom. Love that! The kids were great and we all (i think) had a great time.

And I love my natural light…oh, how I've missed that. It's just so pretty!!

My last rainy day shoot. Beautiful little blondies all in gold and glowy helped take some of the gloom away! And while the oldest one was such the ham, the twins really wanted pretty much nothing to do with me. One of them wouldn't let go of her mom or babysitter at all, which made it quite challenging to get a picture- especially with all the tears.  I tried all my usual tricks but the twins were just not having it. Somehow we did get a few good ones of each of the girls (well, the oldest one was begging me to take more pictures of her!) on their own. They are so gorgeous and I hope I will get to photograph them again when we can go outside and I can just get them in playmode.

Almost there. Just have to keep repeating that. I have this last weekend of shoots coming up and then I am DONE for 2008. Well, after editing them and doing any last card orders of course. Almost there.

Tonight's posts are of two families I photographed last year and was asked to come back and photograph them again this year. Love my repeat clients! Another rainy disgusting cold day. I am NOT loving all this inside photography.

The mar kids (I guess I can still call them kids although they are significantly older than most of the "kids" I usually shoot) are just too easy. They stand where I ask, look when I say look, it's niiiice. The real challenge is getting true smiles out of them since singing wheels on the bus dosen't really fly here. Oh, and getting the dog in a shot is always a challenge as well.

The wlsh family has added a new addition since I saw them last fall- a new little boy! Their little girl is still as absolutely gorgeous and delish as always- I swear this one is like a living doll! And I even got an unsolicited hug on my way out! Even squeaked some smiles out of the baby. They are just a great family. Can't wait for next year's shoot!

I think I fixed the blog today so it should be running and loading much faster. Sorry for the previous slowness.

I have not even a minute to spare tonight for narrative, I apologize. I have built and ordered 9 seperate holiday cards today, edited two shoots, did follow up edits, and still have more editing to do. Not to mention decorated the outside of the house for christmas, and started inside as well. Busy, busy! And I haven't really started my xmas shopping. Can you say screwed?

My first time meeting and photographing the lovely dubl family. They were fantastic and even though it was pouring out and we couldn't go outside, the girls sat right by the front door for a few good natural light shots. How cute and fun are they?

My maybe 4th time photographing the boem family. Although the little one woke up and started the day in a bad mood (and we heard a lot of "NO"), I think we got some keepers anyway. We braved the drizzle for a few outside too. You know I have to have my outside pictures!