books.  sunglasses.

The Petersen family is such great fun and so much laughing.  They are so relaxed with each other and don't mind working it for the camera.  I'm so glad that I got to hang out with them!  (You'll recognize someone in these pictures...let's see if you can guess who they are...)

We started off at home with the Petersens.  As I came in the house I noticed the purple front door and thought it would be a great place for a picture.  Once I heard them talking about it being a place they saw the kids off to the bus and so many other sweet, but long gone memories that were had by that door....I KNEW we had to take a picture there.  After we chatted a little about what they like to do as a family and found out that most of them like to read and go shopping at Trolley Square we headed to the library and then trolley square. 

When we got into cars to go to the library I saw everyone putting on some pretty stylin' sunglasses all at once.  Hence, the great shot of them all workin' America's Next Top Model style.  We had so much fun together and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to get to know them all better.

fun. LIFE.

married. with twins.

I photographed Emily and Jed's wedding a few years ago and was so excited to hear that they are having twins!  I did a short session with them...for Valentine's Day.  We ended up chatting quite a bit about twins, of course.  They are going to be really wonderful parents!

changed. LIFE.

Valentine's Day.

Yes, truly.  Valentine's day is second in favorite holidays here at our house only to Christmas.  Why? You ask.  Because they are the two days a year that the kids get to eat candy for breakfast.  Shameful, as a mother, I know. 

The day before Valentine's we make hearts galore and hang them on string above our kitchen table.  Miraculously, in the morning when the kids wake up there is candy strewn all over the table with little gifts and a token pumpkin muffin that no one eats (even though if we had the pumpkin muffin at any other time of they year, they would be finished off completely before the bus arrives...). 

At night for dinner the kids get a favorite book on their plate...this year we went on a family trip to Barnes and Noble. We spent most of the evening scouring the store for the perfect book for each person and left a boatload of work for all of the workers there.  I think they were pretty glad to see us leave.  And, of course, on the way home everyone had their light on in the car while Mike tried to drive.  When you find the perfect book you can't wait until you get home to read it...

love. DAYS.

Ariel's Day.

Ariel is a senior in high school this year, which really amazes me.  She is the daughter of my cousin, who was my best friend growing up.  That my cousin has a daugther about to graduate just blows my mind.  She is on the ballroom dance team at her high school and has been working very hard to get on to a university team.  I loved getting to shoot her and her partner dancing.  They looked like they were having such a great time. 

Everyone came along for the shoot so we got some pictures of Ariel's brother and sisters as well.  We ended up with a great (read: unexpectedly warm) day.  And they all love black and white images...so you'll find a lot here.  I love black and white too, so I'm glad I get to post them.  Here's to graduation, Ariel!

new. LIFE.

wonderful gift.

Sterling arrived just before Christmas and was the perfect gift to this sweet family.  After months of his mom being in the hospital and times when they hoped both mother and baby would safely make it to this side of the pregnancy Sterling is just the gift they wanted.  In fact, his mom said he was going to be the only gift beneath the Christmas tree this year.  I had such a fun time taking pictures of this little baby.  Even after a difficult time at the doctor the day before he was so sweet.

gift. LIFE.