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This year we went to Virginia for Christmas, where Ben’s side of the family lives. They live in a town called Smithfield,  known mostly for their hams and peanuts. One of the things I absolutely love to do with my husband when we are there is to go downtown and walk around. There are antique shops and a bakery with the best pastries you will ever taste, in my opinion. This year I told my husband that we should also try to make a special visit and see his old horse, Webster. Webster is getting older and I thought it would be a good idea to let Micah meet Web. We were able to find where Web is now living and spend some time with him. Watching Ben interact with Webster is such a special thing for me to witness. You can tell that Web remembers Ben and loves him. When Ben was young, he took horseback riding lessons from a lady in Smithfield. Around that time, the lady rescued a horse from a neglected situation named Webster. He was underfed, malnourished, full of ticks, and quite skiddish around people. In fact, he wouldn’t even take a carrot from anyone. Until Ben came along. Ben was the first person that Webster took a carrot from. He trusted Ben. Their relationship grew and eventually the lady gave Webster to Ben. It is amazing to be able to watch them interact and still have that bond today, even though Ben lives hundreds of miles away. Ben was very happy that Micah was able to meet Webster. After we spent some time with Web, we went into town so Micah could have some ice cream. It was a wonderful afternoon and full of memories that we will cherish forever.2016-01-21_0001PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0002PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0004PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0003PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0005PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0006PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0007PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0008PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0009PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0012PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0010PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0011PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0013PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0014PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0016PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0017PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0019PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0020PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0022PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0023PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0024PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0021PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0025PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0026PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0027PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0028PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0030PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0029PINIMAGE2016-01-21_0031PINIMAGEV

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You would think that I wouldn’t be so in love with all the babies since I have my own 6 month old right now, but I just can’t help myself! Babies bring so much joy and are such sweet bundles of joy. Yes, they have their moments, but they can’t communicate to us other than crying so it’s really not their fault. Elizabeth is a friend of mine that I met at our birth class. We were both pregnant with baby boys and she had her sweet Isaac a few months after I had Josiah. She has become a good friend and I loved shooting this lifestyle session and spending time with their little girl, Ava. Miss Ava is a sweet little diva. She loved posing and having her picture taken. Towards the end, Isaac was getting fussy but Ava was having a ball and singing VERY loudly. Her Mama asked her to calm down and to take a little time out to slow things down. She sat down and started to pray. It was the absolute cutest thing ever! Even though we were done with the session and our time was coming to a close, Ava requested that I take her giraffe’s picture. Of course I humoured her and took the giraffe’s picture so I had to include it in this blog post. Oh, and you will also find a photo of the baby fussing and their dog making an appearance. I included that one to make you see what a lifestyle session REALLY looks like. 2016-01-20_0025PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0024PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0027PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0029PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0026PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0028PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0030PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0032PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0033PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0034PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0035PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0031PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0023PINIMAGE2016-01-20_0036PINIMAGE

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“There is a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” ~ Laura Stavoe Harm

This sweet family probably has the most interesting story so far in my birth photography career. Pauline and I had been in contact and had set a date to meet up for coffee so we could discuss her birth photography preferences. It’s important to me that I meet with my clients before photographing such an intimate experience so that a total stranger isn’t in the room. Well, the day before our coffee date I received a phone call from her husband saying she was in labor and having the baby at any moment. I got into gear and found childcare for my own kiddos, grabbed  protein shake, and thanked my lucky stars that my camera batteries were all charged. I got to the hospital in time, thankfully, and was able to capture their beautiful birth story. Pauline did so well and her husband was so supportive and loving. It melts my heart to see these men desperately try and be there in any way they can for their woman while they are in labor. Congratulations Castaneda family on your beautiful baby girl.

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Umm I ADORE this family. Sara Beth and I have so much in common. Her name is Sara Beth, one of my nicknames is Tara Beth. She loves DIY projects and I love DIY projects. She had two unmedicated births, I had two unmedicated births. She likes vintage things and I like vintage things. Obviously I could go on and on but I’ll stop there. They recently welcomed a sweet little girl into their family recently and I was so excited to snap a few photos of their family of four. So sweet! 2015-12-08_0021PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0022PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0017PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0024PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0016PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0019PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0025PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0018PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0020PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0023PINIMAGE

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Thank you to everyone that came out to this year’s Christmas Minis. It was a super chilly day but so worth it. I tried to fit a session in with my own adorable children but they weren’t having it (but I included a few photos of them in this post so you can sneak a peak). This year we also had a family wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters. That was a first! I can’t wait until next year and plan to hold them at the Christmas Tree Farm again. Happy Christmas everyone! 2015-12-08_0014PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0011PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0002PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0004PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0003PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0008PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0009PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0006PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0012PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0007PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0010PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0001PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0015PINIMAGE2015-12-08_0005PINIMAGE

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