the playroom | Michael 10 mos. | 6.29.10

If you've watched our blog for a while, you'll remember seeing this handsome fella a time or two before.  We wanted to catch Michael in his natural habitat this time... the playroom.  These aren't your traditional posed photos.  To a certain degree, I like them better than posed photos, because these capture who Michael is and what he does at this point in his life.

One of the things you'll see... is the fact that Michael is teething.  He wasn't completely happy... notice everything goes straight to his mouth.

We love the expression on his face in this next one... he is curious and examines everything very closely...

There is no such thing as getting ONE toy out of his bucket... it is all or nothing.

Mom's favorite...

Like I said, everything goes in his mouth, air vents included.  :)

Cricket isn't allowed in the playroom, but that doesn't stop her from keeping a close eye on Michael.

He's thinking, "Mom, are these crazy girls gonna leave me alone anytime soon?"

And my absolute favorite...

jill <><

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Conley Family | 6.29.10

Kay and I chose to pursue photography for more than one reason.  Yes, we enjoy the art of taking pictures, but we also know how important it is to capture the moments of our lives.  Time goes by so quickly, and before you know it, years have passed.  As the year 2009 passed, we found ourselves in a new place, a place where pictures have become so precious to us.  Our grandmother passed away in November.  Since that time, I've often found myself looking at photos of her.  We know that pictures can't in anyway replace people, but when the people are gone, the pictures and memories remain.  So if you haven't had your family together for a picture lately, take the time to do it.

It was for that reason we enjoyed spending an evening with this family.  All you have to do is walk around to Mr. Mike & Mrs. Norma's backyard to see that they love their children and grandchildren dearly - it's a veritable playground!  :)  I can tell that a lot of fun happens back there!  

While we were there, Mrs. Amy asked us to take a few shots of her girls, as it has been a while since

they've had their picture made.  I sure wish I could pull off the braided pigtails like these girls can! 

When I was a little girl, there was a sign that hung on my bedroom doorknob.  It read:

                                 "A face without freckles is like a night without stars."

Ashton and Tristan have plenty of freckles. :)

jill <><

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Madison | 6.24.10

Back in the fall, we had the opportunity to take pictures of a sweet little girl named Morgan.

Last week, we found that Madison - Morgan's cousin - is just as sweet.  (It must run in the family!)

It took Madison a little while to warm up to us.  She would hide her face and cross her arms, and

peek at us to see if we were still watching her.  But after she warmed up, there was no turning back!

Okay, this next image is a shot that I just had a fit over even while it was still in-camera.  We loved the big white bow and pink shoes with the overalls! :)

Fascinated by the water, Madison kept sticking her little fingers and toes in the stream.

I was afraid she was going to fall right in at one point, but she held her balance.

Want a way to cheer up a little girl who is starting to get fussy?  Put her in her bathing suit!  :)

We had a major distraction on the path.  An ant.  :)  Madison followed that ant all the way back down the path.  She would take a few steps, and then point at the ant... take a few steps, point at the ant...

The image below is documentation of the ONLY time Madison was still during her entire photoshoot.

We were on the road to Alabama, when I heard a loud "AWWWWWWWW!" coming from the back

of the van.  I was in the driver's seat, and it drove me crazy having to wait until we could stop to be

able to see what Kay & Mom were "awwwing" about. 

This is a unanimous favorite.

                                    "Little girls have a magic all their own."

                                                                       - Anonymous

jill <><

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Officially 17! | 6.23.10

Yep, it's official!  As of yesterday, Kay is 17 years old!  Birthdays are always a big celebration around the Tanner household, and this one was no exception.     

This year, we decided to do cupcakes and a mini-cake instead of Mom's usual birthday cake.  The cupcakes were too cute, if I do say so myself!

Kay is often hard to surprise.  Somehow, she always figures out what is in a wrapped package, what Dad has hiding underneath the bed in a strange box, or what Mom is cooking in the kitchen.  But this time - we pulled off the whole set-up - including smuggling this huge cupcake balloon inside - without her figuring out a single surprise! 

Several years ago, when Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye was running new shows on television, we would rush home every Sunday night from church to be sure and catch the beginning of that week's newest episode.  We were SO disappointed when the show ended, and have waited... and waited... and waited for them to release the series on DVD.  Well, they FINALLY did, so Mom & Dad surprised Kay with the newly released DVDs for her birthday. 

Mom & Dad made all sorts of special treats and meals to celebrate Kay's birthday...

Happy birthday, Kay Lynn!  We love you!

"Delight yourself in the Lord..."

                      - Psalm 37:4

jill <><

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Collin & Brette | Wedding | 6.20.10

We don't always make personal posts on the blog... but we couldn't go without sharing about the most recent wedding we attended.  On the 12th of June, Collin and Brette... got married!  (Collin is the first grandchild, and only boy in the cousins on the Tanner side.)  It was a great opportunity to all be together in Tennessee.

This first image is all the grandkids with our grandparents at the rehearsal dinner.

[L-R = Audrey, Kay, Collin, Me (Jill), & Jessi with Ma-maw & Pa-paw.]

The rehearsal dinner was at the Old Town Hall Cafe on the square - and it was the perfect spot for it.  Aunt Donna, Mom, Ma-maw, Kay, and Jessi spent the afternoon helping Johanna arrange the tables.  When the sun went down, and the candles were lit - they looked beautiful! 

The image on the left is Pa-paw.  I'm not sure exactly what he was doing.  And the right is Mr. Charles, pretending... er... for real serenading us on the piano. 

We had two options for dessert - strawberry cake... or chocolate cake.  You can see what I chose.  And in this case - looks were NOT deceiving.  It was absolutely delicious.

The day of the wedding, we (surprisingly) all arrived at the church on time and fully dressed.  Dad didn't forget his notes for the ceremony, and Ma-maw & Pa-paw looked the best out of all of us.  :) 

Kay grabbed a few shots of Jessi and her boyfriend, Tex, before the ceremony started.  [Jessi made sure Tex's tie coordinated with her dress.  :) ]  And we really like the shot Kay got to show off the bridesmaids' bouquets.

The day of the wedding, Mom kept saying, "It's just hard to believe Collin is getting

married.  I remember when he was just a little baby at your dad and I's wedding."  :)

The steps of the church made a beautiful background for Collin and Brette's exit on

their way to the reception. Collin kept brushing the rose petals off the top of his head.

I heard Aunt Donna saying, "Where are Jill & Kay?"

I like the expression and the wave I caught when she realized we were right behind her.

Not only was Brette a gorgeous bride, but she worked so hard on the special details for the wedding and reception, and it came together beautifully.

We love Collin's expression in this last shot...

"Other things may change us...

but we start and end with family."

                 - Anthony Brandt

jill <><

Lindsey & Brett | Engaged | 6.20.10

I first met Lindsey when we were both freshmen in high school.  Her family took me in and let me sleep on their couch.  I know - that sounds strange, so let me explain.  :)  I was part of a statewide youth choir, and Lindsey's family hosted me for a weekend.  Fastforwarding about four years, Lindsey and I ended up at the same university, with both of our families just recently having moved from Indiana to Kentucky.  We lived in the same dorm, on the same floor.  It took a while for me to realize just exactly who she was - but when I did, I came to the following conclusion: it is a small world! 

Since then, I've been blessed to have Lindsey - and her now fiance Brett - as my dear friends.  Kay and I were thrilled when they asked us to do their engagement photos.  This first image is one of my favorites - hands down.

Kay and I probably saw more of Richmond this week than we've seen in the three years we've lived here.  We were scouting out new locations for photoshoots, and I am proud to say I spotted this one below. 

It's a definite favorite.

 

Kay spied this white suitcase (Lindsey is sitting on in it the image below) as we were passing an antique shop last week.  We knew it would be a perfect prop to incorporate into Brett and Lindsey's engagement session.  The two have been living a good distance apart for a while, and when Lindsey packed up her suitcases and made the trek to visit Brett, he proposed to her less than an hour after she arrived! 

We so enjoyed our time with Brett and Lindsey.  And it turned out to be a photoshoot that the entire Tanner famiy had a hand in.  Between our downtown location and the field, we stopped off at the house for a quick wardrobe change.  Brett's shirt was a bit wrinkled, and before I knew it, Dad had the ironing board set up in the middle of the kitchen and Mom made short order of those wrinkles!  :) 

"If I could make days last forever,

and if words could make wishes come true...

I'd save every day like a treasure and then again,

I would spend them with you."

                    - Jim Croce

We love you, Brett and Lindsey!  Can't wait for the wedding!  :)

jill <><