Another one of my family lifestyle photo sessions (in Austin) last year. I felt like I could relate so much to the mommy of this family: super busy, two energetic boys, a sweet baby girl to complete the picture, and just plain, all-around quirky family fun (see what I mean?). I love that you can see mom’s joy with her amazing life in every one of these images!

I know I will want to update you on the past few weeks and I have a LOT of blogging to catch up on, huh? But like my daughter says when I ask her how to eat an elephant, “…just one bite at a time.”

So, let me begin with this family…my last family photo session of 2013, as a matter of fact. These boys couldn’t have been any sweeter or more fun to hang with

I will be posting many more images from the last part of 2013 over the next few days, so stay tuned to the blog.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break and that your 2014 is off to a great start.

This session, my friends, was a DREAM come true! I’ve been working with this beauty every birthday since she turned 5 (a little bittersweet to me realizing that her mommy and I first started talking when I was preggo w/ my own daughter 5 years ago). I know her mommy (owner of Haute Child in the City, a children’s boutique in Austin, TX) had the concept for this session in her head for a loooong time and it was just amazing that it was finally the right time for it to come to fruition.

The theme for this shoot was “Dressed to the 9’s” and my word, our model couldn’t have been any more perfect! She has got the sassitude to pull this off, that’s for sure. I have LOVED watching her grow into a little lady over the past 4 years!

Side note, in case you missed the announcement, you you might want to consider following me on Instagram because I’m going to be giving something away that will only be announced on there. First clue coming December 1st!!!!

Another side note, I have just a *few* openings left for the holiday minis (one tomorrow and then a couple next weekend), so you can snag one if you’re quick.

See you on the other side of the holiday minis!!!!

Knowing that her kiddos love the freedom to run and play, we decided to have an adventure at the park. I really loved how we were able to capture the spirited nature of these two at this session! They are real! And it’s clear that these two embrace parenthood with energy and real appreciation for the humor in life. Love this family, I do! {Beautiful mommy and her baby girl HERE.}

P.S. If you don’t follow this mommy on Instagram, you should. She makes me laugh with every post. And I really, really hope she writes a book someday.

[Fabulous makeup and hair by Katie with Modern Muse Beauty].

Seriously, one of the most beautiful families ever! Even as a baby, little man had the coolest eyes and hair ;-). I can’t even believe how much older and grown up the kiddos are now. Can’t even. Makes me all kinds of happy and sad at the same time. I guess that’s the good thing and bad thing about this job, huh?

This is an emotional birthday to me, so in order to not dwell on how bittersweet it is to watch my baby turn 5, I dove into these party decorations. I am so grateful to those who were able to make it out here today in spite of the yucky weather. You made our birthday girl very, very, very happy!

By the way, I take credit for nothing in these images except for the cute little girl. Thanks again, Pinterest ;-). I cannot believe that the cake actually turned out!!!

I need to be completely honest here and say that while mommy had her heart set on this particular Austin landmark, I *might* have tried to talk her out of it simply because I was a bit concerned about having littles in that location. But all my fears were quickly put to rest as her children were WONDERFUL and were absolutely perfect here! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that these parents are very “go with the flow” and just so willing to let their children be themselves. Bravo, guys! I am totally tickled with how fun and vibrant your images turned out!!! One more of this cutie HERE and then, my FAV family image from this session HERE.

For the first five years of motherhood, I was a boy mom and totally immersed in the world of Legos, trucks, construction vehicles, and things that I could step on in bare feet. So, I could totally relate to reading this mommy’s client interview before her session…especially the part where she said it usually wasn’t five minutes when she’d get home from work and there’d be a NERF dart stuck to her high heel (we paid homage to that scenario in this last image ;-). I love that she is the picture of grace and beauty, city-mouse-meets-country-mouse, surrounded by those rambunctious, fun-loving, outdoorsy boys of hers! Lots of fun and loads of giggles in this session for certain! {One more of the pupster HERE}.

So much has changed since the last time I visited their home, but these two sisters are still just as close and equally adorable. The last pic of baby girl going down the slide slays me! P.S. Fruit at the bottom is picked from their very own Brazillian Guava tree and let me tell you, it is yummmmm-mmy!

I love, love, love working on SOCO (South Congress) in downtown Austin. I love, love, love when I get to do so with a VERY fun family that loves to laugh and explore and is up for pretty much anything. Makes me really appreciate the city in which I live and the awesome people that dwell here with me! (Another fav HERE).