We all came together at one of my favorite parks to throw leaves, laugh, and enjoy the amazing fall air last holiday season (yes...I'm still about 10 posts out from blogging 2011 sessions ;-). Mom's eyes had me captivated, but the little ones...they definitely stole my heart. I know family sessions aren't always the easiest thing to get everyone together for (who am I kidding...it's got to be more difficult than childbirth), but as I'm reminded by my own children every day, you don't get this back...not one second of it.

Tonight was so surreal. See that little guy sitting on dad's lap? Yeah, this was him two years ago. And now he has a new brother that could possibly be his twin. And then to see how the older two kids (I use "kids" for lack of a better term, I promise, G) have grown into handsome/beautiful young adults. I just kept having to rub my eyes and pinch myself. In mom's words when I asked her to describe her vision for the session: "...document where we are. son taller than his mom, but not dad. daughter getting so pretty and surviving as the lone girl. j being crazy. baby being snuggly." Is this for real? Is this what I'm going to be staring at in a few years myself (son taller than his mom???). Wow. I'm so not ready for that. But they are. And they take everything in with such grace and love. They set a pretty darned good example--well, minus the little run-in with a rogue stroller and a sidewalk. Yeah, other than that...pretty amazing.

If I'm being honest, driving out to their home tonight, I was soooooooo tired. I had my head buried in paperwork all day long and I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to muster the energy needed for 3 bubbly kiddos. But from the *second* she opened the door, I instantly felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I just knew we were going to have a great time tonight. And we did!!! Erin...I'm so thankful to know you and your family and I hereby promise (in public) that we *will* have a playdate before another year goes by!

we spoke on the phone, I knew I was going to love this family. They way mom described her children and how she wanted to capture this time in their lives...everything she was saying was right up my alley. Upon actually meeting them and visiting in their home, I became so overwhelmed with all of the inspiration...my mind was spinning that afternoon. I didn't leave until well after dark. I love sessions like that.

After a week of setbacks and sickness, it's been nice to stay in and hang with the kids. T-man decided that we didn't have enough to keep track of in this house and introduced two new frogs/toads (there is debate) to our zoo. Logs has been practicing for his upcoming recital and I'm so proud of him for finding something that's *all his* for a change. The littlest Anderson has decided that she enjoys cooking and has become a huge help (not really) in the kitchen. And yes, those are mealworms next to the wine on the counter. Welcome to my home.