Merry Christmas to All

football fans

Since they are big fans, this family wanted portraits done in their jerseys for their Christmas cards. These sisters are so sweet together and have two of the best smiles.

late for october

Every October since my oldest daughter was a baby, we've been visiting the same pumpkin patch. We let the girls pick out their own little pumpkins and enjoy the hayrides, playground, and petting zoo. Here's a few (late) of our visit this year.

Music Monday #2

For my next Music Monday, I'm going with someone completely different than last week.....they are only similar in that they are both singer songwriters and both male. :) For some of you, this artist will be completely new but for others he is probably one of your favorites too. I first heard Steven Curtis Chapman when I was in Jr High School. I fell in love with his voice and his beautiful lyrics. I wanted to share one of his older songs, one of my favorite love songs of all time (very popular at weddings now). He wrote it for his wife, which makes me love it more. Here is "I Will Be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman.



If that one didn't make you cry, if you have a little girl this one probably will...I know it gets me every time. This is one of his most recent songs, "Cinderella" with the story behind the song at the end.



Check out Steven's website to learn more about him and hear more great music.

Play Day

One of my oldest friends (one I have known since high school, which makes me feel old to say) came by the other day for a visit and a play date with her two beautiful kids. We had a little impromptu photo shoot while they were here. Thanks for a fun day guys!

Music Monday #1

Ok, since I am a HUGE music lover I thought it might be fun to do a Music Monday where I introduce some of my favorite musicians. Since I love all kinds of music, there's no telling what kind of music it will be week to week! For my first post, I would like to talk about one of my recent discoveries and current favorites, Paolo Nutini. Paolo is a young Scottish singer I found on youtube while listening to another artist from the UK. Just 21 years old, he was signed 3 years ago just after his 18th birthday. Since then he's played with Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Etta James, Stevie Nicks and more. His music has been featured on shows such as Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs. Here's a brief description found on his youtube channel page

Despite the Italian name, the Nutini family have lived in Paisley for at least four generations. Paolo grew up hanging out and later working in the shop but was always surrounded by music. His grandfather played him Scottish folk songs by the Corries and a local priest would often come round to play boogie-woogie on the family piano. Exposure to '50s rock'n'roll came via his father's love of the Drifters, and amongst an aunt's record collection he found a Ray Charles album, which began his love of classic soul.

When the opportunity arose to tour the UK as a roadie for a friends band, Paolo quit school in Glasgow and the die was cast. After moving to London, he performed regularly at the Bedford in Balham, later signing to Atlantic Records shortly after his 18th birthday

Despite his young age, Paolo is an old soul who sings with so much depth and emotion. I love that he writes his own music and he truly has a gift with words. Of course it doesn't hurt either that he is easy on the eyes! I want to share a couple of my favorite songs of his. The first, Autumn, is a song he wrote for his grandfather. The words are so poignant and touching and easily bring to my mind my own grandfather whom I lost nearly five years ago. I'm posting a live version of it because I love the emotion he puts into his performance.



Ok, since it's Monday and that's depressing enough as it is, I can't leave the post on such a sad note. So here is one of my favorite Paolo "happy" songs, New Shoes. It always puts me in a good mood when I hear it because hey....who doesn't get happy about new shoes? :)



If you are interested in learning more about this talented young singer, you can visit his website or download some of his songs on itunes. Also, for those of you who like covers, he's got some great ones like Rehab originally by Amy Winehouse, Crazy originally by Gnarls Barkley or Cry me a River originally by Justin Timberlake. One last thing, if you like what you hear, he's coming out with a new album next month.

two beauties

These two girls have to be two of the most beautiful children ever. They are both so photogenic and thanks to that I have so many great shots of them it was difficult to narrow it down to just a few to show. :) They are both just as sweet as they are beautiful. I truly could have just camped out at their house all day since they were so fun to shoot! Anyway, here's a few of my favorites