The Holidays: December 2013

This is hands-down my favorite time of the year (as it is probably for most people!).  Although this year it is even more special because we have our little 7 month old Patrick to enjoy it with!

I have discovered just how much fun his age is: he's finally playing with his toys (instead of just looking at them), everything he touches goes into his mouth, he gets excited for different activities (bath time, hide and seek, eating), and he smiles and giggles more than anything else he does!

I took advantage of my not-yet-mobile 7 month old (it wouldn't surprise me at all if he skips crawling all together and just walks!) and snapped some festive holiday pictures in front of the Christmas tree.  Both Patrick and Scooter were such good sports!  I am soooo thankful that both my boys don't mind that their mom has a camera shoved in their face all the time and they just sit back, smile, and pose.  I sure hope this lasts...but if it doesn't, I sure am thankful for the pictures I did snap!

The Aldys: 12.1.2013

I have known Jess for what seems like forever--we grew up playing softball against each other (then together...then against each other again!) and we got married around the same time, and had little boys a couple months apart!  When she asked me to take some family photos of her, her hubby, and their adorable little man Wyatt, I jumped at the chance!  Life gets so busy sometimes (especially with sub-1 year olds!), and even when you see someone so much via facebook and instagram, seeing them in person and getting to catch up is always infinitely better...so it was so nice not only getting to snap some gorgeous pics of their family, but also great to catch up too!

It was a really unseasonably warm December 1st day: 55 degrees and sunny!  But absolutely perfect for some mid-morning family pictures with this super cute family.  Wyatt's facial expressions in these photos are priceless: he definitely has the stone-cold stare down, but then he'd bust the cutest, tiny-toothie smile that you just can't resist!  Enjoy a few peaks below into our session!

Thanksgiving: 11.28.2013

The weather in STL is always questionable this time of year: it could be 75 and sunny one day, and then 30 and snowing the next!  Today it was not the warmest day (about 45 degrees for the high), but the sun was out and the colors outside were popping--despite most of the leaves on the ground.

I took advantage of the colors and semi-warm temperatures and herded the fam outside for a few photos on this Thanksgiving day.  These photos really define what Thanksgiving is all about: family.  I am so incredibly thankful for each and every person (and pup!) in these pictures!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and have a wonderful 2013 holiday season!

Patrick (6 months): 11.17.2013

Patrick is my son, and fortunately I've been blessed with a little boy who doesn't mind (for the most part!) that his momma has her camera constantly pointed in his face.  This past Sunday we took advantage of the unseasonably warm 75-degree and sunny weather were were blessed with and headed out into our backyard for an impromptu photo shoot.

I usually reserve the posts on my blog for sessions I do with Pics and Paws clients, but I just loved these photos so much I had to share them with you all.  I hope you enjoy them!

Erin & Curtis: 11.1.2013

Let me just say this: I love engagement photos!  Okay, okay, I love taking any kind of photos, but engagement photos really are something special...and it's such a cool experience to see two people so crazy about each other and capture that moment for them!

I really enjoyed taking Erin and Curtis' engagement pictures, because they are both so crazily in love with each other!  My amazing sister-in-law Katie was my sidekick for this photo session: she had some really great poses and picture ideas that we tried and turned out really well!

The weather was absolutely gorgeous this first day of November: it was a little chilly, but the leaves were at their peak in color (right before they were going to turn brown and fall off!) and the time of day (right before sunset) made for some excellent backdrops for their pictures.

I really had a hard time picking some teasers to put in this post...so I'm gracing you with all of my favorites from this session.  Enjoy all of the colors and happiness that reach out to you in these pictures!