Autumn 2016 Family Photos

  My friend has documented the history of my family since my husband and I were  fledgling boyfriend and girlfriend and he was headed off to Africa for six months. She took pictures of us and we held hands for the first time during that photo shoot. I remember how big and strong his hand felt in my small one. We have been married since 2003 and now have four children. She has documented our engagement, our wedding, she has taken pictures through grief and joy. She has been present at some of my births and documented them. These are the latest pictures she took of our family.

  This is my husband and I. We are really happy this year and for that I am grateful. I think this picture shows that :)

  This is my eleven year old. She turns twelve in mere days. She has grown so quickly and is at such a vulnerable and influential time in her life. I am trying so hard to navigate this stage well.

  This little one has been through a transformation this year and I am so grateful for the hard work I have put in to make that happen. He is coming out of his protective anxious shell he has been in since birth. He is blossoming like we all should be given the chance to do. He is amazing. He is almost ten.

  This girly has just turned six. Part of the reason we are moving is so that she can have a space to call her own. She is sunshine and cloud, she has a fierceness of spirit that I love and a soul full of light. She is precious!

   Last but not least is the baby. He is everyone`s world right now. He is a talker and it astounds us. He tells us what to do and how and we do it. Today I caught him trying to stick his head into a can of hot chocolate powder. He couldn`t fit it in but he had a ring of the powder around his for head and some on his nose. He loves us all with everything within him and we love him so.

  During these family photos we had a couple mishaps. I sat in jam on the way over in the van. It is a cess pool and because I sat in the back I was asking for it. So when I got out I had a massive spot of jam in a very obvious place so that was fun. Then my oldest son ran away to explore ignoring my strict orders to not do that until we were done...and he slipped and fell. Thankfully this was after we had taken individual pictures of the children. So he had a melt down and I was sure pictures were over...he was covered in mud from head to toe but it was all on his back. He was able to calm down (a testament of how far he has come) and even mustered up a half smile for one of the family pictures.

  So once again another year documented. These pictures gave me such a boost. I loved planning the outfits and I loved our location and so thank you so much Em! You are amazing.