A happy family is an eariler heaven!

Hope, Faith, Laugh and Love

My Family

We had our 2009 family portraits done by Audra Kollmeyer.  She is a awesome photographer who has done some "mommy and me" portraits of me and Emmie.  This was a fun photo shoot and she let me incorporate my ideas into the shoot, she drove the camera for me!  I had everyone write on their hand what the word "family" meant to them, however sweet little Emma wanted to keep her hand closed so I had to pry it open.  I think we got one good shot. I used the idea of our feet because Blake's little feet had come a long way and with surgery #2 approaching I wanted to document his journey.  Audra took the picture in post production and turned it black and white with selective coloring and the final result is priceless!

It's Christmas Time Pretty Baby

There is nothing better than seeing the magic of Christmas in a child's eye's.  We are blessed to share a "first" Christmas with our newest little blessing, Emma.  On Christmas Day she will turn 6 months old!  I love taking portraits during the Christmas season.  The natural beauty of the decorations make perfect backgrounds.  Here are a few of my favorite Christmas photos of my kids.

Connected: Craig & Karen's Family

Karen, Chase, Cole and Cannon

The Brisco Family

We spent this past Sunday in Jackson with Craig & Karen's family.  We had a nice visit and good food was had!  Of course we had to do some photo's.  Here are a couple from our visit!

Cherish: Smiley Riley

Linsey and Riley stopped by to catch some Christmas portraits for Riley's 2nd Christmas.  I can't wait to see her Christmas card.  Photographing a 15 month old is ALOT of work! 

Dream: Danica

I finally talked Danica into doing a impromptu photo session for her 17th Birthday.  We had a great shoot and cant wait to do her senior portraits!

Road to Recovery

Update 1/5/10:  Blake is doing terrific!  He returned to school today (a week earlier than expected).  He is scheduled to have his pins removed and cast changed on Jan. 27th.  We have to be at LeBonheur at 6am.  He will be put to sleep for this procedure.  Thankfully it is outpatient this time!  If things continue to go well he will be in an orthopedic boot by the first of March and we can say goodbye to the crutches.  Please continue to keep him in your thoughts, we still has a long recovery.
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Blake is home from the hospital recovering from his Multiple Metatarsal Osteotomies. As most of you know, Blake was born with bi-lateral clubfeet.  He will require multiple surgeries to achieve adequate correction.  His first surgery took place at 9 months of age.  He had a clubfoot release on both feet.  His right foot was so severe that total correction was not achieved, therefore a Metatarsal Osteotomy at age 10 was required.  This surgical procedure involved a "V" incision in the top of his right foot, cutting the bones, realigning the foot in the corrected position, fusing the bones together, separating and lengthen the tendons and ligaments. The surgery took 2 hours and we spent 4 hours in recovery waiting on a room to open. The doctors, residents, nurses, and physical therapy staff at LeBonheur were top notch. They made his stay comfortable and he was well taken care of. He is doing remarkably well and the pain is manageable. It is going to be a long road to recovery. He will be in cast #1 for 6 weeks. At the end of 6 weeks, he will go back to surgery for the pin removal and cast change. Cast #2 will be worn for another 6 weeks followed by a orthopaedic boot for 4-6 weeks. Total recovery time is 5 months with 3 months being non-weight bearing. In the meantime he is walking with the assistance of a walker and crutches.  Hopefully he will only require one more surgery which will take place in his late teens or after his foot stops growing.  We are anxious to see the results.  Thanks for all the well wishes!