A Princess Party to Celebrate Kate's 3rd :):):)

Lucky for me, Kate has been one of my most photographed little ones.  From newborn to now, I have enjoyed every chance I've had to take her picture.   She has a charmingly adorable personality to go along with her irresistibly cute self.  So when her Mom asked me to capture this event for Princesses, I was happily up for the challenge!

The extravaganza began with a visit from an older princess singing, telling stories, and playing games with all of the younger princesses, and finished on a grand note with the smashing of the princess crown pinata.

It was an afternoon fit for a little queen, and down to the candy that filled the pinata, one that Kate will cherish looking back on someday.  It made me really miss this age with my own girls.

 Kate watching the arrival of the 1st Princess :)

 Wow, Mom (my BFF) is loving this moment!!!{snickering to myself}

 That's Grandpa in the background :)

 A sweet moment with Grandma.

 Watch-out pinata, Kate is serious about wanting her candy!!!

Dearest Kate,

It was a was a absolute joy and privilege, as usual!

I'm so blessed to have been charged with

capturing the details and moments of another of your

birthdays.  Happy Birthday dear, sweet, beautiful Kates :)

Huggies,

Aunt Kell

Amber & Chad - The Proposal - A Perfect Precursor to The Love Day!!!

Had an absolute blast on this one!!!!

Lisa called to tell me that we were being hired to capture the proposal of Chad & Amber, and that it would be a sort of "under cover" job.  We were to meet at Anheuser-Busch Headquarters, and were to basically follow them on the brewery tour.  At the end of the tour the staff was to take us back to the stables where the "The Proposal" would ensue.

Oh, one key component, was our story of why we were following them around with our cameras - very similar to paparazzi.  We came up with a story of how this was an assignment for a photography class, and the theme was photojournalism.

How fun, I mean I felt like we were on an episode of Candid Camera (for those in my age-group) or Punked (for those of the current generation).  Toooooo fun, and one of our favorite jobs to date.  Plus, Amber was totally cool and went right along with our supposed assignment, and made documenting this awesomely fun.

She did not suspect a thing!

Oh, the snow was a total bonus, and made it even more perfect, despite the fact that we didn't really dress for it!!!

That is Amber & Chad directly ahead of Lisa-Girl.

He was so sneaky. LOL

 We act like kids with our cameras sometimes - this seriously makes

me giggle out loud :):):):):)

Now back to the stables . . .

 and this look of bewilderment :)

and then the look of surprise. {big smile as I recall the moment!}

My partner, the fabulous Lisa Scherer, taking the first "official" engagement pic.

What an event :)

Chad & Amber,

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this job!  We felt so honored to 

document this for you, and can't wait for the next time

we get to work with you, happy planning :)

Hugs,

Kelly & Lisa

Four Big Sisters Got Their Little Bro - Meet The Whittles :):):):):)

I must preface this with the fact that I ADORE this family, and looking at these just makes me love them even more!  They are as beautiful inside as they are outside, and what an honor it was to capture some of their first images of their Baby Boy Garrett with his Big Sisters and his Amazing Parents.

I have known Jason since he was in Junior High playing football with my twin Bros.  Back then I was in high school approaching college, and I had the typical mentality of a girl of that age - I didn't really pay much attention to Junior High peeps.

Fast forwarding through the years, there were family gatherings with Jason's family, and the memory of his Mom teaching us how she could do a double back-flip.  Which my Mom tried 15 years later at a family reunion, and ended-up with a collection of metal in her leg to fix the multiple breaks in it!!!  It's not what you think, but on the lead up to it, my Mom landed very wrong!!!!

Fast forward 2 more years, while we were caring for my Mom in our home as she was dying of Cancer, and me walking into my home from running an errand, and I find a house filled with my brothers and Mom, Jason and his gorgeous wife Natalie, their kiddos, a nephew,  Jason's Mom (one of my Mom's most treasured friends), and the most amazing arrangement of Sunflowers that I have ever seen.

Our house was filled with the laughter that story telling generates, and lots and lots of farewell tears.  It is quite a site to see a professional football player and his family that emotional, and as I think of it now, my eyes are over-flowing with tears.  (I know that is shocking to you regular blog followers - LOL)

It is one of my most treasured memories of that very hard and sad month, and I can still hear my Mom reveling in the fact that they made the drive to St. Louis to say their goodbyes.

Anyway, I wanted to give the history of the connection with these customers, because they so deserve the recognition of how incredibly amazing and thoughtful, and truly good that they really are . . .

Without further ado - The Whittles & Their Newest Addition . . .

I know I mentioned that Jason was a professional football player (for 4 teams!!!!), and yes he was in

a Superbowl with the Giants!!  It was very cool seeing him on tv during the Superbowl.

I loved this helmet idea.  Isn't it amazing how little he is?!?!?!

Dear Jason, Natalie, & Kiddos,

As always, I can only say the kindest of words to you all.

You are an amazing family.  You are the kind of people that everyone

loves to be around.  I'm soooo incredibly blessed to know you.

How lucky was I, to have the honor of capturing these for you?

I can't thank you enough - 

these give me so much happiness :)

Biggest of Hugs,

Kelly

P.S.  Huge hugs to you Lolly!  I miss our email conversations, and hope

you are doing awesome!