{Brooklyn} Celebrating Jude's 2nd Birthday with Luella

Yesterday we spent the day playing at Child's Play in Temecula to celebrate Jude's 2nd birthday (before he leaves for Okinawa next week with his family). We wanted to wish Jude a very happy 2nd birthday (only a month older than Brookie) and get a chance to say our farewells to the Maines family. I officially don't like goodbyes! I've gotten to know this family over the last few years through Cora, and I feel like I've know them for a lifetime. I'm so lucky to have had the opportunity to take photos of their family and will look forward to following their adventures in Japan. Maybe our next session will be overseas? Hmmmmmmm. This is not goodbye...until next time!

Now on to the party! I actually had fun just watching Brookie have fun! She was in play heaven in this place. It was super hard to get decent shots because the kids RAN everywhere. So here are some imperfect shots that I adore in all their imperfection...

The birthday boy, Jude...

Brookie LOVES to jump! She is constantly jumping on our beds, in her crib (the only thing her crib was good for), on the couches, off steps, etc. So she LOVED the trampoline. See her in action here...

These two love each other (and sometimes not so much)...

And one last video of Brookie climbing the big girl ladder and going down the big slide. I climbed behind her a couple of times before I let her do it alone, but she was a pro by the third & fourth time. She is a taste of my own medicine since I had no fear as a little one. 

 

{Maines Family} Temecula, CA Family Photographer

Do you remember this beautiful expecting mama? Well, her little girl arrived three months ago and I finally got to meet her. Just in time because they will be moving around the world to Okinawa, Japan for her husbands new job. It's been a rough few months as he has been back east training in preparation for this new position.

Thank goodness for their amazing family to help during their separation. Jeanette asked me to shoot this session for her mom; since they will be moving.  Here's the little ones with their Oma...

(Might I add that is Jude's own personal iPad in his lap above, thanks to his awesome Oma.) It's so cool how many awesome apps for kids there are on this thing.

Meet Eilee (don't you just love her name?)...

Four generations (so awesome!)...

This little stinker is already smiling a ton but refused to do it during our two hours together. That is until I was all packed up, walking out the door. Go figure! I'm a fan of little girls in BLUE (matches her eyes perfectly)...

{Slideshow} Maines Family

So I recently purchased a flip video cam so that I may capture my families in motion too. I just love that our sessions come alive with stills and video combined. My goal is to create lifestyle sessions for the families I shoot. I really want it to be a "day in the life" of your family. What does your family love to do together? What's a typical day like? Although I love a beautiful family portrait, my love is capturing life as it is. Take a peak at my first lifestyle shoot...

See the slideshow HERE, if you're viewing from Facebook.

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{Maines Family} Temecula, CA Family Photographer

No better time than the upcoming arrival of a new baby to capture some family photos. The Maines are especially motivated, considering Mark is leaving soon for a chaplain assignment with the Navy. They only have four more weeks before their little girl will arrive!

 

 

 

 

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{Jeanette} Temecula, CA Maternity Photographer

I think the best part of me being a photographer is all the awesome people I get to meet and the friendships I form. Jeanette is a childhood friend of my friend Cora. We met when Cora got married and her husband officiated the wedding. We since became Facebook friends and have reunited at several gatherings at the Volkoff home. She has a son that is only one month older than Brooklyn, so it's always awesome to share experiences.

I was super stoked when Jeanette invited me to their new home in Temecula to capture her family during the last month of her pregnancy. We snuck upstairs for a quick 15 minute belly shoot. They are some of my fave, so I wanted to post them first! I'm pretty sure I've never seen a more beautiful 36-week momma! She is honestly stunning. I really want to hate her for looking so amazing so late in her pregnancy...but instead I'll swallow my jealousy...and just say, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Thank you again for the invitation, and I'll be posting lots more from our session soon.

Aren't her blue eyes just gorgeous?

 

 

 

 

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