Sweet Memories

When it came time to start thinking about Christmas cards, I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted a picture of our family throwing faux snow with each other. I know, random. But not really. I had seen a wedding photo from a winter wedding where the bridal party threw snow for the bride and groom. Then and there my Christmas card was decided on.....in my head. I just needed a photographer that had the patience to throw handful of snow after handful of snow until we got the shot we wanted.

Back in October I had done a styled shoot with Ali and Josh of Jaylee Photography.  They were the sweetest, cutest little newlywed couple and super talented all at the same time. They were the perfect photographers for the job! (They also happened to be advertising an incredible family session special, which proved it was totally meant to be)

We started our session with the snow pic which we nailed in about 10 minutes. It was a good thing because all of our noses were red at minute 11. Ally and H were giggily throwing snow in the air, and I think deep down even Dan enjoyed it. I just kiss him a lot so he stays happy :)

Ali and Josh were so patient with the kids. They were intent about getting photos of our home at Christmas, and capturing every detail of the day. With that, they exceeded my wildest dreams. The photos they took might not be the perfect photo or look straight out of a magazine, but they are absolute treasures to me. Little moments we spent as a family being silly and having fun, and photographing our children in our home, just the way we do every day life. They're precious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had just spent the weekend in LA, putting together a cookie decorating station for a celebrity gifting event. I had set up the cutest table for the kids, filled with sprinkles, icings, and fun toppings. Plain baked sugar cookies awaited their imaginations. An hour into the event my table was bombed. Not just a little bomb, an atomic bomb. Don't fool yourself, celebrity children are no better than everyday children. In fact, they're worse. With nannies raising them and everything they ever wanted handed to them, the last thing I should have expected was a table that stayed nice from 11-5. Please.

I arrived home and decided to let my kids do their own cookie decorating. I had left over sprinkes and two little children who would die to spend the afternoon accidentally dumping sprinkles all over my floor, eating too much icing, and getting their hands extra messy. Why not.

As if the family photos weren't enough, these beauties just stole my heart. We had a silent photographer there documenting, as I shared my love of baking with my children. Their little hands rolling out dough and spreading the flour, the intense look on their sweet faces, and of course their impressive creativity coming out in the cookie decorating. Ally so intent on creating the perfect cookie, and Hudson striving to make the biggest mess. It was heaven.

And as for those Hollywood kids, Ally and Hudson put them to shame.