Jacob

Jacob

Does anyone else struggle with age like I do?  In my head, it's not possible that 12 years of business has gone by.  It's not possible that little Jacob is now a high school senior.  (Did you all just imagine him groaning and rolling his eyes at me?  I did.  Tee hee)  But...  it happened.  Jacob is a high school senior and I'm so happy to see him again and do his pics!

He comes from the most wonderful family!!!  Two brothers and a sister as well as a very cool dad and his mom...  LOVE her!  So happy to see them both.  So...  We went to Goodale Park.  Even though the pond is a dry, ugly mess right now, the park still has plenty to offer.  I was so happy to see how relaxed Jacob was in front of the camera.  No worries about uncomfy photos from this guy.  

 In fact, he even embraced it and got a little silly for me.  You KNOW....  I love silly!

 Peek!!!

 This photo is my total fave of the day.  He looks so relaxed!!!

Enjoy your last year of high school, Jake!!!  I'm sure it will be very memorable!  Can't wait to see the whole family.

Carrie

Carrie

I adore my family.  You've heard it before, I know.  My cousins are also my best friends and I can't imagine life without them.  Jeri was my very first best friend.  She was 5 when I was born and from what I hear, we were best buds from the get go.

Go ahead and laugh at my hair...  and my cheesy grin...  But...  I was wearing a bikini and had stylish sunglasses (stuck in the chair).  Might not have squinted if I wore them...  Funny how despite the obvious sun...  no tan...  Some things never change.  

Fast forward a...  few... years and Jeri's daughter is graduating from high school.  SHUT UP!!!  How did that happen?  So...  I packed up my camera gear and headed to Toledo.  It was senior picture time.  

I planned to hang at Jeri's house while my mom hung at her parents.  It was like old times.  I got to cuddle with critters.  I don't think this kitters was too impressed with me.  :)

 Don't you love the familiar feeling that comes with family?  Even though I haven't stayed overnight there in a long time.  I remembered the noises, the way the house feels...  And as I looked around, I saw this...  I made it for Jeri in 1988...  She still has it and it touches my heart that she has saved it all these years.  :)

 So...  we hung out Friday night but Saturday morning we were off to work.  Toledo Botanical Gardens was our first stop.  LOTS of pretty things here!  I am probably biased but I think Carrie is beautiful!!!

 Her blue eyes are so "WOW" that they even look good in black and white.

I LOVE this one!!!!  I wonder if I can build a little window here at Casa Keidela....

 This pretty butterfly held still just long enough to get its photo taken.  Perfect!

 Would you like to make fun of this pose?  We did...

 I think this might be my favorite photo.  It's totally an expression I see Carrie make a lot.  I guess we laugh a lot in my family because this is how I think of her.  :)

 It's a framer!!!

 Another framer!

 and another....

 After all those exhausting photos, we went to my Aunt & Uncle's house (Carrie's grandparents).  My uncle was sitting on the porch step, cigar in hand...  How handsome is my Unk?!

It was a great visit!  LOTS of laughs.  As always...  time with my family was too short.  I'm totally blessed in the family department.  I'm very grateful for each and every one of them and so happy to have taken Carrie's photos.  Big hugs to all my fam!!!  Love you!!!

Kelsey

The Overmyers are a family I feel so blessed to know. They have 5 kids and although those 5 kids keep their mom, Alicia hopping at all times, it's obvious they bring her great joy and she's proud of each of them. I've watched her encourage each child to do their own thing... even when doing their own thing means going 5 different directions in one day. I think Alicia is a fantastic mom. She inspires me.

Her oldest daughter is going to be a senior. I must admit, that just doesn't seem possible. They've been my clients since before digital... :) Even though Kelsey is a year younger than Austin, I always think of her as being quite a bit younger than she actually is.

Well... I think I'm cured of that. She and I spent a couple of hours doing senior pictures and I was so impressed with her. She's smart. She's comfortable in her own skin. She's simply a person it's nice to spend time with. I hope you enjoy her photos as much as I enjoyed my time with her.

This is my fave! She looks confident and a little sassy!

Austin and Kelsey (the bonus child)

True confession time. I am older than I like to admit. I am the mom of a high school junior. It's time to think about colleges, graduation and the final year of high school. It's hysterical. We have been bombarded with post cards, mailers and offers from local studios wanting to take Austin's picture. Um. No thanks. I've got it covered.

I decided to invite one of his best friends along. Kelsey is a great girl. She is my bonus child. She is smart, bubbly, fun, and good to Austin. I just love her. So... the 3 of us hopped in the mama van and headed downtown. We went to some new spots that I absolutely LOVED!!! The light ran out long before the sun did but here are a few of my faves.

Yes. I brought my own chair. Go ahead. Make fun. ; )

Kelsey is nearly finished with her senior year and will be heading out of state to college. I'll miss you, Kels!

And Austin.... You have a whirlwind summer ahead of you. Nebraska, New York, the lake, work and hopefully a boring old family vacay with your mom. I'm very proud of you and love you more than I can say. Thanks for being such a great kid!