Christmas at the Lewis's

I meant to put up photos of Christmas sooner but as soon as it was over the magical pony ride was all over and the post Christmas stress syndrome started. The long count until next year's extravaganza. But the actual Christmas...sparkle princesses all around....

It's hard to see but that little button...it says "world class baby maker"...true enough...

Don't worry...there's no boo boo on her forehead. Just the best place to display a new unicorn band-aid.

American girls and ipods...like I said...sparkly princesses all around.

Oh and lip gloss and fairy wings...

But you know why my mom is the best gramma ever? Because when she unwrapped those handmade croissant earrings she put them right in and wore them all day and considered wearing them the next. That is true love!

true story

Turns out you really can fly on the power of positive thinking! It wasn't looking good for getting out of Seattle...after a few moments of anguish and then frustration, sadness and finally acceptance all of the stars miraculously aligned in my favor and I made all my flights. Not in time for sushi dinner in South Dakota...mmmm canned tuna roll...but in time for good night stories and kisses!

She's not a believer but she really wants to take 7 seconds off her swim time so I think she was willing to give it a try...

Power of Positive Thinking

Being from the Midwest I like to make fun of how a few flurries will totally shut this city down. I mean they cancelled Wednesday school on the chance of snow (kid you not)! But in all honesty, it's really bad here. Snow and ice and unplowed roads. Which is all well and good except when I think how I am going to get to the airport tomorrow at 6am. Which of my 80 year old neighbor ladies should I ask to drive me in the dark, on the ice slick, bright and early? Should I offer photos for life to my neighbor who has kids and a 4wd but might not know me from Adam...right now, I'm flying purely on the power of positive thinking!

Looks all warm and snuggley...perfect for a tickle session.

It was snowy up on their hill as well...


The Kaills are living on the power of positive thinking as well...mmm....maybe we're still in Puerto Vallarta...

I swear I didn't ask her to do this...but I was excited that she did. I did a snow angel in my swimsuit right after Claire did but the photo is kind of blurry....oh no wait, they dropped the camera in the hot tub...oh, even better, there wasn't a camera around to catch it....

Jess and Charlie totally rock! Seriously...

You never know how a party is going to shake out...

There were certain things I was prepared for....pretty people, seriously yummy food, a gorgeous tented ceremony, beautiful couple, welcoming family....

What I hadn't counted on was how much this crowd would boogie. Let's just say they brought it. And how...

And Charlie's parents....words can't do it justice...photos barely do....

Want more proof? Check out their photobooth slideshow...

Sibling love

The last time I saw these kids it was such a different sitting. Everything went well and they have a beautiful 30x40 canvas hanging over their mantel to prove it but everyone was so well behaved that it was hard to get the special sparkle. I wasn't sure what to expect when I came over on Friday...

I needn't have worried though because a little fairy must have come by and sprinkled fairy dust over everyone...they were so sparkly it was unbearable. You know it's good when I'm doing happy dances at the sitting and not just in front of my computer (my dancing is not as bad as Elaines but trust me, it's not pretty...)

What really sold me on these kids is that the parents are totally committed to having siblings that are friends...and they are!

They're moving back to Texas soon so I thought it would be nice to get photos in their rooms...

It could be forced...but it wasn't which just delights me. Plus they looked like the stepped out of the pages of cookie...

Marshmallows continued...

You really have to remember your audience when you are shooting kids...

We were doing Ari's annual holiday photos which had a rock band theme (or at least a family style hill billy rock quality). So naturally I asked if they were going to name their band the Marshmallows.... so Ari says, "I want a marshmallow"...duh Libby, why would you say that to a sweets-obsessed child. It took a good 5 minutes for him to get over the fact that there was no marshmallow, there wasn't going to be any marshmallows and there never was a marshmallow...oops.

Calling in Gay

My friend called today to ask if I was calling in gay. I had no idea I was supposed to. Since my boss (me) already knows I'm gay I decided to blog in gay today. Hope I don't get fired...

Look, here's me on my birthday...

Don't worry, I'm not going to get all political on you now, I'm still the same old Libby. It's not even that I want to get married (although the gifts would be nice...outfits, not so much) but I'm sad that my friends that are married don't have the rights and benefits of other committed couples. I think in 20 years well look back and marvel that that was the case but jeesh, by then we'll all be old ladies.

How Big's Exie?

Sooooo big!

Notice anything different about Exie? Yep, she's sitting up. So big....but clearly not too big to be stuffed into her sister's doll stroller. Oh the indignity...

The Marshmallows

I feel like I've fallen off the blogging planet...and just when I have the most to blog about! The excuses are endless...the holidays, the days without power while we did electrical work, then I got sick, then my computer got sick, then Marci turned 80...but I'm back and have so many exciting stories to tell...

I'll start with the Marshmallows. I went to Portland a few weeks back and photographed lots of old friends. It was awesome to see my sister in laws best friends family who moved from Dallas to Portland. I've seen these kids off and on for 10 years or so and I can confidently say they are the nicest, sweetest, most interesting, caring, best group of boys ever. And sassy...because you know, for me, all of the above wouldn't matter a whit if they didn't have a little spice too...

We tromped around their neighborhood and I thought they looked like a band (they are actually more of the string quartet but those need names too...). Xander wanted to be the Paul Reveres but I decided they would be the Marshmallows...

I think this is when the idea they were a band struck me...

When you fall and gets hurt and start to cry...sometimes a good tickle session will pull you out of it!

And to exemplify the reason I love these kids...we stopped at the fairy altar on the way home...and when I suggested it the 9 year old said, "Oh, that's a good idea, I love the fairy house". I rest my case.