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This video makes me happier than I care to describe in words.

the collins family!

I know Thanksgiving was yesterday, but I have yet another thing to be thankful for. I got to spend a little time with one of my favorite families. This is now the fourth time I've taken photos of the wonderful Collins family. They are such kind people, and their sweet girls get more adorable every time I see them.

There's such a comfort when photographing people I click with, especially when we've worked together before. The nerves disappear and I know the smiles will just happen and translate effortlessly into images.

As usual, the whole family was playful, patient, and natural. It was such a pleasant reminder of why I love what I do. I hope they enjoy their photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

The girls are growing up so fast!

Keira was cracking me up. In the middle pic below, she was carefully explaining to me that parts of the play area were "absolutely dangerous" (at least for adults).

Kirsty recently started walking, and was a bit shy until they started playing with the leaves. Then she was all giggles!

Keira makes the BEST faces!

So many thanks to the beautiful Collins family!

from the biggest turkey ever

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Here's a little self-portrait for you on this fine turkey day. We used to make these hand drawings when I was little. However, I'm now embracing a more minimalistic style versus the feathered creatures produced by my six-year-old hand which were so fraught with glue, glitter, and construction paper, they were nearly unrecognizable as birds.

I have so much to be thankful for. In fact, when I was just taking a shower, I was thinking about how incredible it is that we have access to clean water at any temperature at any time. That may seem like an odd thing to appreciate in this country, but I hardly drink anything but water, and I love a scalding hot shower in November. It's such a simple thing to us, but a lot of folks could only imagine it.

I'm also entirely grateful for my family, friends, my health, the fantastic people I've met this year, being able to follow a dream, and the hope of a brighter future. That's the condensed list. Believe me, you don't want the extended dance remix list that includes being thankful for things like socks with lycra, drivers who aren't scumbags, a line-free ladies room, and days where I don't have to pull a giant hair from my chin.

Now, at the brilliant suggestion of my friend Tommy, I have to go figure out how to make turkey pancakes. Have a splendid holiday, everybody!

The Lee family and the AHA!

Every year, I donate a portrait session to a fund raising auction for the AHA (American Heart Association). The biotech company that I worked for has a big annual drive to raise money for the AHA, which is a perfect fit since the company is a leader in cardio-vascular transplant tissues/devices.

This portrait session went to the fantastic Lee family. It was nice to see Ashley and get to meet his terrific wife and kiddos. They are all about as photogenic as it gets. My friends always tease me by saying that I only take pictures of attractive people, and with folks like this to photograph, it's hard to make an argument against it.

I owe a double thanks to the Lees for such a relaxed session, and of course for helping to support the work of the AHA. Everybody wins!

I've never met any brothers and sisters who get along as well as these three do!

They have a lot of great black & white family photos displayed around their home, so to stay on that track, we kept it simple and let their expressions be the magic.

I adore this next image. When you look up the definition of "sisters", this photo should be there.

We took a few candids, and I really like this one in the mirror. Part of being a good sibling is understanding the necessity of an impromptu tickle attack.

These faces are priceless!

Much appreciation to the Lee family! To find out how to donate to the AHA, or for tips on living a heart-healthy lifestyle, please click HERE.

christian!

Retail facilities will have you believe that this is the most wonderful time of the year because the holidays are approaching and they would like us to wave our consumer flags as feverishly as possible. However, I am finding that this is a wonderful time because of all the gorgeous babies being born, and not because of the 50 catalogs I'm getting in the mail every day or the radio stations that have already begun playing "Jingle Bells" and Porky Pig's rendition of "Blue Christmas".

The real magic this time of year is found in families like this one. Crystal and Ken welcomed their handsome little boy, Christian, into the world. Being around this kind of love and joy is such a treat.

If someone could figure out how to bottle the feeling you get when you watch a mother hold her child, or when you hold a newborn baby's tiny toes and fingers...now that would be a great gift! (But I will also accept a new car or trip to Tahiti)

Here is the ever-adorable Kendall in a perfect state of giggle. She's taking her big sister job very seriously.

A big congratulations to the Liles family and their sweet new baby boy!

the sylvester family!

November is typically full of mixed emotions for me. Cold weather and I get along about as well as a panel of guests on Jerry Springer. However, one thing I can look forward to is my annual holiday portrait session with the Sylvester family, which is always a source of fun and giggles.

I've known Karen for over 10 years, and have gotten to see her kids grow up over all that time. Soon they will both be taller than me, which is completely unfair.

Every time I show up for our shoots, I know there will be tons of energy and playful ideas. This year was no exception.

Bob, Karen, Ryan, and Kirsten...it was great to see all of you, and thanks so much for once again brightening up my November!

We had to quickly get some shots outside before the rain started coming down.

Every year, I challenge myself to get a good shot of Isabel. She must have been in the holiday spirit when she let me snap this one. Thanks, Isabel!

Nothing says "happy holidays" like a facefull of m&ms. The kids really got a kick out of this.

I'm so glad that we got some nice pics of Bob and Karen together. Pretty adorable, aren't they?

Here are some perfect examples of why I adore this family.

Reindeer antlers for everyone!!

You guys are the best, and I hope your holiday season is a super-duper one!