All In The Family

One of the things I love best about my job is that once my clients share their photos with friends and family, those people want their own photos to share. Such is the case with Sara and Wade, who wer first referred by Sara’s sister Kathy and then by her other sister  Rachel. Sara was a little frantic when called me to schedule a shoot last month- her oldest daughter Ava was about to lose a front tooth and she was really hoping to have family photos done while Ava still had her little girl smile in tact. Thankfully Mother Nature cooperated with us – both with the weather and with the tooth – and we were able to get together one afternoon at Whatcom Falls Park to document some family fun!

Little sister Rita was a bit slow to warm up to the crazy lady with the camera… until we hit the playground : )

 

Still in place…

but ready to go at any moment!

          

Sending Every Ounce of Love I Can Muster…

The Stout family with Precious P - Abi’s beloved kitty, November ‘009

…across town to my dear friends Karen and JB and their beautiful babes Rory and Alex, who are spending their day together remembering their angel named Abi, who died four years ago today.  In the two years since I first met the Stout family (described in a post here) we have spent a good deal of time forging a wonderful friendship which I cherish on a daily basis. I’m always aware  that without Abi’s loss we’d not likely have become friends and it’s a reminder to me that good things are born of even the worst imaginable experiences.

I admit  is always difficult to listen to Karen or JB talk about the spunky little girl they tragically lost. I’ve realized that no matter how much I’d like to be able to say them, worthy words to express the sorrow I feel for my friends do not exist. So I listen with open ears, hug with strong arms and create for them images of their family that I know bring smiles to their faces. I think today is a good day to share some photos of my friends that we created together in the past year…

This was a big year for my friends as they prepared to welcome their third child. In May we got together to do a few maternity shots of Karen and our last photos of the “family of three” …

         

I love this shot of Rory touching the locket Karen wears with a photo her, JB and newborn Abi inside.

Baby Alexander was born June 13th, 2009. I was slated to be there for his birth but unexpected complications during labor kept me out of the delivery room this time.  Instead I met Alex at home when he was a wee five days old!

  

This shot of little Alex flashing the peace sign belongs next to this one of his big sister at 4 months : )

       Fist bump!

In August, Karen and JB asked me to join them for Alex’s baptism ceremony at Garden Street Methodist Church. Afterwards we had lunch in Fairhaven and snapped a few shots of the happy family.

In November, Asher and I were invited to join the family to celebrate Rory’s second birthday! Before the party started we spent a few minutes outside taking family pictures for this year’s Christmas card.

Miss Rory shows some sass!

Alex is a boy who believes in standing on your own two feet. Don’t worry, Papa is at the ready stage right : )

Rory was thrilled with the new medical kit she received as a birthday gift.

She was sure to check Asher’s heart beat : )

Cake time!

    Look closely and you’ll notice Rory marking her slice of cake as she blows out the candles! Yuck!

To Karen, JB, Rory and Alex… thank you so much for the warmth, love and laughter you bring to our lives… Asher and I both adore you so! We are thinking of you and Abi today (as always) and sending our love across town in big waves : )