Living Life As We Should

I think that we all could say we need to soak in life a little more. There are times where we get so caught up in work & just living life & the daily grind - day in & day out. Having kids throws a giant curveball in your life that makes us all slow the heck down & realize what life's all about. I will admit some mornings on my drive I glance back in the rearview & see our son, talking to himself, playing with his tractor & taking in the scenery without a care in the world (except for maybe when he'll get the next snack or next run around outside) and get a little teary eyed with how incredibly lucky I am to have this little human being in my life. And I think my sister-in-law Jamie would agree-- there aren't too many things in life more important than family. 

Over the weekend we did a lot of laughing, living, and of course, eating. ( I felt as though for as much as I consumed this past weekend in food & beverages, I probably shouldn't eat for the next week or so to compensate) But it was a fun weekend and loved having the Murphy's back home if only for the long weekend! We commemorated the start of the weekend by taking in our only opportunity of fair-weather to do a photoshoot for Jamie, Eain & Finorah, as well as a few of Owen & Finorah for grandma :) It was absolutely gorgeous out- complete with blue skies & cool evening air in an open grassy field. I think we were successful in getting some great images that will hopefully grace the walls of Casa de Murphy! :) I apologize for the lengthy post & overflow of images, but I just had to share! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, as well as the last 2 bloopers as they portray a lot of what having kids is all about: baby-wrangling, cheerio eating, face slapping & even a little hair-pulling from time to time too. But we love em, nonetheless. :)
Enjoy--
Mandy

Our photo-shoot assistant {aka my husband} :)

Face slappin', hair pullin' good time!

Boys will be boys!

Boys will be boys, this I know :) But boy are they fun! Meet Jerin & Marissa-- they were a blast! I think my two favorites are Jerin giving his momma a sweet hug, and the jumping air-time photo! All this little man wanted to do was jump & run!! He had fun! Haha! Kept me on my toes for sure ;)I know he loves his mom though, and I had fun spending time running around town with them! And I think I had an amateur photographer on my hands as well-- he took some shots with my camera of the leaves on the trees and a photograph of mom! He did awesome. I hope that Marissa and Jerin enjoy their little sneak peek! Can't wait to show them the rest!

-Mandy

Love =

Meet Ashley & Scott. These guys make it clear why I love my job so much and why love makes this whole crazy place go round. Love can mean so many different things-- Love for a child, love of a job, love of material things-- but love between two people who genuinely care about one another is completely different thing. It is the very beginning of many things. I can tell these two are excited to start a life with one another- and I am so thrilled to be a part of their wedding day. I had a blast with them, and couldn't have asked for a better evening for photos- perfectly calm and overcast, just the way we photogs dream for. I am extremely lucky in this job that I get to do, hanging out with the best people and being able to spend time in the outdoors in beautiful locations-- couldn't ask for any more. What can I say, I love my job & love the people I get to capture memories for.
Enjoy~

Loved her ring!

Pretty in Pink

I have come to the conclusion that I will be doomed if I ever have a girl. I already spend way too much time shopping for my little man. I have always thought that I didn't like pink. I don't really like bows or dresses much. I am definitely NOT a girly girl. I was the one playing in the dirt with no shoes & goin fishin'. However, when it came to helping select attire and hair bow for little Miss Lily-- I couldn't resist going all girl. HOT pink to be exact :) And my, did she wear it well!! I am glad I have friends with girls, as I get to live through them and play a bit more with props and clothes than I normally get to. Now don't get me wrong, I love having my little boy, as they are lots of fun too, but girls who have only boys are with me on this one-- the girl clothing selection at pretty much 99% of the places you go is like 3 times the size of the boy selection. It's just plain more fun shopping for little girls!!! So let it be known, if I am ever blessed with a little girl (and no, not thinking anytime soon) be very prepared for your Facebook & blog news feed to blow up with images just like the following.... as I had waaay too much fun (& spent a bit too much time on the pretty little chandelier than I'd like to disclose) with Miss Lily's session!! Her amazingly long lashes, deep brown eyes, and sweet little smile get me every time! (And we snuck in a few quick ones of Miss Addison too ) Enjoy!!!
Mandy

 Soooo pretty!

 Isn't she just the cutest!!

 Little Miss serious... such a poser

Big sister Addison