Emma Magazine | Favorites

My very dear friend Alex of AVE Styles is one talented (new!) mama. Seems she is always up to something fun even amidst having her first baby- I know how overwhelming that can be, so kudos to her! She’s seriously one of my creative superheroes and I have loved watching her grow as a new mom and in her business. One of her newest projects is helping launch and contributing to a fabulous new magazine called Emma with the subheader, “If Martha were a twentysomething.” Welp… I’m sold (even though I am definitely NOT in my twenties anymore. Oh, wait… what? Who said that? Did I say that out loud?). The inaugural issue hit the Web this month and I loved what I saw. There’s something to be said about useful, beautiful, fashion-forward minimalism and I see a lot of that encompassed in their style. Thought you may like to check out the fun gift guides, recipes, and style advice (courtesy of Alex herself!) as we head full-force into the Christmas season.

You can check it out here.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving | Personal | Digital

This year I just counted myself blessed to be able to go up north to spend the holiday with our family. The Annual Cold swung through our house the weekend before Thanksgiving… Still hangin’ on, too. Bleh. (Honestly, just go away, Cold. Nobody likes you.)

My husband’s grandparents live in an adorable a-frame house in Strawberry amidst tall pines, a well-cared-for and bountiful garden, and lots of fall color, although we missed it by the time Thanksgiving rolled around. We were the only ones who didn’t bring our fur-kids (and yes, we feel terribly guilty about it…) but Linnea loves her some pups so regardless it was a good time for her. Our newlywed cousins JT and Katie flew in from Boston and everyone else drove up from Phoenix.

The guys played some Redneck Golf and Corn Hole and the ladies fawned over baby Caelynn.

LJ took Auntie Danielle around by the hand everywhere she could think of and actually gave Uncle Tyler a hug at the end of the day (I think she may be warming up to him!).

Judd killed a bee WITH HIS BARE HAND when it started buzzing around Katie’s head (true story).

I relished the cool fall air and being outdoors after being stuck inside all week.

Then we ate a delicious meal, caught up, cleaned up, and headed back down the hill, as we ‘Zonies like to say.

All in all, so very, very much to be thankful for.

The Shreins | Family | Digital Preview

I was introduced to dad Dave through our mutual friend a while back when he needed some photography done for his church. We’ve kept in touch over Facebook ever since and our families have crossed paths occasionally at events and things happening around town. I first met beautiful mom Sondra when she was pregnant with their first baby and I was pregnant with Caelynn. Our due dates were only a day apart (May 10th and 11th), but because I was convinced that I would be having an April baby, I figured they would be at least a month apart. Fast forward to May 4th (otherwise known as Star Wars Day… May the 4th be with you)… and I’m still (miserably) pregnant. I went into labor with Caelynn and delivered her less than an hour after we arrived at the hospital first thing in the morning. As I was about to post the announcement on Facebook that our littlest had arrived, I saw on Dave’s page a photo of him holding his new one too… who was born four doors down from where we were! On our way out we stopped in their room to meet their adorable little man, Isaiah. Our kiddos are both Star Wars babies (although I can’t say Isaiah wears the badge quite as proudly as Caelynn does… #nerdalert). Who knew?!!

We scooted over to San Tan Village bright and early the Tuesday before Thanksgiving for this shoot, which was a perfect time of day since no one was there! This is a VERY sweet family and I had so much fun hanging with them… and I cannot WAIT to see the film when it comes back because Isaiah was easily the happiest and most inquisitive little 6-month-old I’ve ever met, and no doubt there is some adorable goodness captured on the rolls I shot. For now, here’s a little preview of our time together! Looking forward to seeing this family again soon!