oh boy! | sneak peek

One quick picture before this gorgeous mommy-to-be jets out on her European vacation. I'm only 99% jealous.

Oh, and this cute little yarn idea was all hers. As were the amazing yarn writing skills, which she did upside-down!

Enjoy your trip! Can't wait to meet your little man in December!

baby blythe | austin newborn photography

We quietly knocked on the front door with excited anticipation to finally meet sweet Blythe. We'd been anxious for her arrival since we took her mom's maternity pictures a few months back.

The moment the door pulled open, I could feel it all around me: peace. There were signs of it everywhere, from the smells of Lolly's chicken soup cooking in the kitchen to the soft smiles Ryan and Allison held every time they looked at their baby girl. Not to mention the almost-reverent silence that hung in the air, broken only by the soft pant of their golden retriever. Visiting a newborn is like visiting a tangible little miracle and the house was filled with the acknowledgement of that truth. Blythe was quite the miracle too.

Perfect head. Perfect eyes. Perfect mouth. Perfect nose. Perfect toes. Perfect (long!) fingers. Just perfect!

P.S. Isn't Lolly such a cute grandma name?!?

happy birthday jessica!

To my dear, wonderful, business partner, mentor, sanity-keeper and friend,

There are few things in this world that can elicit a larger contented sigh from me that the thought of you. You are one of my greatest earthly blessings and closest friends. It's funny to look back at the short timeline of our friendship and see a common theme: struggle. We've struggled through the Forge together, through adjusting to real life and then through starting a business but we've never struggled with each other. You've always given me the perfect balance of grace and conviction to allow me to flourish. If ever there's a foxhole, I want you beside me. Period. I'm so thankful for you and the jackpot I hit by having you not only as a friend, but as a business partner. I hope you have an unbelievable birthday!

I couldn't love you more,

Julie

Since this was a sappy post, I'll end it with a silly picture. (Mwhahaha!)

olivia | austin family photographer

We got to spend a warm Monday evening with sweet baby Olivia and her wonderful parents and one thing was obvious by the end of the night: this girl is absolutely adored! (It totally makes sense as she happens to be absolutely adorable.) I was amazed that she was so full of giggles and smiles despite not getting a great nap that day. Between her cracking laughs as dad danced a plastic giraffe in front of her and her eyes lighting up with contentment as mom picked her up to give a quick snuggle, I came to the conclusion that she just couldn't stand the thought of missing a single waking moment with her mom and dad. And with parents like that I don't blame her...

the mays | austin family photographers

By the time we headed to the park with the May family, the sun was already soaking through the trees and resting on the water of the little creek behind the trail. As I watched their entire family wade ankle-deep into the creek, and sat watching Amanda and Colby throwing rocks into the pond with their boys, I just thought to myself: these are the kind of people that make everyone want to be parents. Amanda is one of those great moms who unearths rocks to show her boys a spider, while wearing a dress and looking absolutely stunning. Colby talks about the joys of being a dad with the excitement of someone who'd just won the lottery. They have so much fun with their kids and you can just see in the way they glance at each other during those moments of blissful commotion that their two little guys have made every part of their life sweeter.

And, really, I think that is what family is all about.

Aren't his eyes gorgeous?

Grin | Sneak Peek

Don't these sweet grins make you happy?

That's what Olivia did for us yesterday. She's too cute.

More to come.

summer nights | sneak peek

Had an amazing time with this family tonight!

Don't you just love summer? And dads? And kids? And flying?

Me too.