One Year.....

.....ago

...today






My beautiful little Ava,
I hold you in my arms every single day and wish the same thing for you over and over again.
That you will always know how loved you are.
Do you know how many eyes light up when they see you coming near??? Do you know how many little hands are patting your back while I comfort you after a fall or a bump on the head???
Do you know how many giggles and laughs come bursting out of mouths when they see you dancing to your favorite songs...or just being the little goof that you are???
Ava, this last year with you has been bliss! Every single day when you wake up and start chatting away we hear Bette's voice booming, "AVA'S AWAKE!!!!!!" and as she runs to you and gets closer, her voice rises three octaves and she squeaks, "Hi Ava, did you take a nap?" as she smiles at you and pats your groggy little head.
Reagan can't help herself when she sees you playing on the floor. It takes her about 2.3 seconds to run over and scoop you up in her arms, much to your dismay. And while she walks around the house with you squirming around in her grip, she has a total grin on her face that makes my cheeks hurt just thinking about it. And I hope you understand how completely blessed you are to have Kaitlin as your sister. She adores you and loves you so completely! She is the best friend that you will ever have. Let us not forget about that handsome dude who loves to plug his ipod ear buds in your ears and play the songs that make your head start bobbing. I think it's so sweet that if he's holding you and his friends come to the door, he doesn't hurry and pawn you off on someone else because, how embarrassing would that be to show his buddies that he's a big softy?...No, you go to the door right along with him and entertain the boys until someone else comes and grabs you from him.
Ava, I don't even have the words to express how much daddy and I totally LOVE you. Please just know that when we hold you and dance with you and snuggle with you and feed you and watch you sleep...that means "I Love You" and we always will.

The Francis Family

How great looking is this family??? I love their style..the colors they chose...everything Perfect! Elder Francis is in the MTC right now...heading out for Puerto Rico pretty soon...one week down...103 to go...(I think). Francis Family- you are Awesome!

Fabulous Pay Fam

Wow, this shoot has totally shaken all that I believe to be true about Family Sessions...let me explain...
I used to think that the rowdier the kids...the more work for me (which is totally fine- LOVE rowdy kids for sure). BUT when I do a whole shoot of the sweetest and most cooperative kids in the world it takes me FOREVER to try to narrow the pictures down to a decent amount to post :o) The second the camera was pointed in their direction I started hearing "cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese" in soft little hummy voices. Music to my ears I tell ya! They were so cute!
Lori and I grew up in the same (sort of) neighborhood..went to the same school, but never had any classes together :( But you bet we had a great old time when we later moved into the same sweet little oasis of rightousness among ghetto-ness of the Sharon Park 9th ward- whoop whoop! I even remember taking Brayden's newborn pictures using the window light of my bedroom upstairs...whoa, that was about 4 years ago. Crazy. But Awesome.
Great Afternoon Guys...lets do that again!!!

Who are all of these people....and why do they keep calling me mom???

These are the people who make my heart SING!!!!!!! I love them so much I can't even stand it! They are wonderful beyond words and I KNOW that I am truly blessed to have them in my life!!!