First Communion

I have had to privilege of taking the First Communion photos for my friend's family.  Her brothers came first a few years ago and now it was the youngest's turn.  She was absolutely beautiful in her pretty dress.  You just have to love the red hair, all done in ringlets and crowned with a sprig of white flowers.  She didn't want to smile since she's lost some teeth, but I caught a few with a big grin anyway.  I have photographed this family since the kids were little and just love watching them grow up - it happens all too fast!

Easter 2012

My grandson, his moms and Jen's mom and brother, as well as my sister and her family, joined us for an Easter brunch at our house.  The favorite Easter bunny gift ever was a bubble machine that blew a cascade of bubbles.  Our Norfolk terrier was fascinated.

My grandson was enamored with the machine, as were we.  

The look on his face says it all - GREAT PRESENT!

Posing after a job well done

At the end of the day, he decided to see what blowing bubbles into his eye would be like.  All boy - no harm done!

Annual Photos

I had the privilege of taking photos again this year of two little ones I have been photographing since their births (quite literally for the little guy since I actually photographed his delivery!)  They are the sweetest kids.  Both were so delightful and engaging during the session, as we walked around Antioch park to find locations that were not taken by other photographers.  They were little troopers!

    

Cute Nephews

This was a weekend of fun.  My sister, her husband, son and grandson came to Kansas City for the graduation party of my other nephew.  The little one is 6 and was delightful.  You'd think in a house of adults, he would be bored but he found many ways to entertain himself.  Love family times!

Could he be any cuter!

My nephew and great nephew.  He's a super dad.

Budding pianist.

Oh, my aunt is taking a picture, I'd better smile BIG!

Cookie Party!

Kids at Christmas - does it get any better?  These little ones love the annual Christmas party at their aunt and uncle's house.  It's a night of excess in the sugar department but well worth it for the smiles it brings to those of us who are young at heart, if not in age.

The musical reindeer kept the kids entertained all night.  It's a season of simple pleasures.

Does it get any better than a snuggle with grandma?

Four out of five isn't bad.  The fifth never slowed down all night.

Happy Holidays!

Cute, cute, cute!

We've had an unseasonably late fall in Kansas City.  Here it is mid-November and we still have beautiful fall foliage.  What a surprise and delight!

I've known this little boy since his birth -  literally, since I had the privilege of photographing his birth.  I can't believe how much time has flown.  He's nearly 19 months old and cute as a button.  A daredevil too - he climbed to the top of the slide and was fearless!

His sister is such a cutie too.  Her curls are all natural and just beautiful.  Plus, her smile lights up the room.  What sweet kids!

Another Beautiful Fall Day

We had a fun photography session in Loose Park on a beautiful fall day in Kansas City.  These kids were such good sports.  In fact, the little guy ran from place to place wanting his photo taken.  He chose good spots!

Brothers 

Can I climb the tree?

What a smile!

Too, too cute!

T 

Boys' best friend

Fall Foliage in Kansas

I had the pleasure of photographing a multigenerational family yesterday. We took the photos in fabulous Antioch Park which is showing its fall colors.  The kids were great during the photo shoot, looking forward to playing in the park's playground afterwards.

It was so much fun taking photos of mom, dad, the kids, their uncle and grandma and grandpa.  Photos are are so important for lasting memories and I was privileged to photograph this fun family.

WHAT FUN!

Overland Park Arboretum Arts for Kids

Saturday I was a volunteer photographer for Arts for Kids, an annual two-day event each October at the Overland Park Arboretum.   The weather was great all weekend - blue skies, no humidity and crisp fall weather.

The kids love this event, where they can make all sorts of crafts from nature's fall bounty.  Decorating hedgeapples is always a highlight.  This year they had a hay ride, a straw maze for the little ones to run through, a snake from the Kansas City zoo to pet, story tellers, music from the Kansas City Symphony and a bell choir.  The choir let the kids try their hands with the bells.  A tinkling rendition of "Row, row, row your boat" played by the kids was enjoyed by all.  

Below are a few photos.  The purpose of the photos is for next year's publicity for the event and the Arboretum, so I haven't included any of the kids that are identifiable.  I loved coming across the kids rolling down the teepee hill.  Does it get any better?  Also, the little guy ringing the bells had his hair sprayed green - one of the activities the kids could enjoy!

Summer tans

This family is so great.  The kids are always up for the photography sessions each year.  The smiles are always so BIG!

They're back in school and summer tans are fading, but we captured them perfectly.

Jump on the count of three!

Visitors from St. Louis

My nephew, Sean, Mandy and their sons, as well as my sister and her husband visited a couple of weekends ago.  The focal point of the weekend was a big surprise for Sean from Mandy -  a ride-along in an Indy car at the Kansas Speedway.

The whole family was looking forward to seeing our St. Louis visitors, including dad and Delia and Liz, my stepsister, who came into town.

The surprise was kept well.  My sister's husband told Sean that there was a GTO show at the Speedway he was driving his restored 1967 GTO into town for.  He and my sister braved 90+ degree weather, driving across I-70 from St. Louis to KC with no air conditioning - that's love for you!

We all got to the speedway, where Sean, truly surprised, signed in and then waited in line for 1 1/2 hours only to have the event cancelled due to rain.  The good news is that he got a gift certificate for a future ride.  All in all, we had a great time.  The Speedway is fascinating.  My great-nephew was enthralled with the Indy cars and we all got a good weekend of visiting in.

The family boys with Earl and his personally restored 1967 GTO

Air-conditioning - the old 4-70

The NASCAR experience

He's wondering if he'll ever be this close again to an Indy car

Next restoration - an Indy car?

My great-nephews

Grandma's a kisser

The generations - Great-grandpa, daughter, grandson and great-grandsons

Oh, to be 14 months old

What a smile!