a little bit moore.

If I were asked to name people of influence in my son's life, Drew and Layne Moore would be on the short list. They have a wonderful partnership in marriage and ministry that has made a difference in Nick's life. I'm forever grateful.
They also have three children, currently three and under (although Luke will turn four in a few days). I recently headed over to take some pictures of their littlest babe, Miles, who delivered some of the sweetest three month old smiles I've ever seen. Meanwhile, I couldn't help but catch a few shots of Luke and 20-month old Nina buzzing around!
I can't wait for October when we're going to take a road trip to take some pictures with Layne's family. For now...here's a peek into life at the Moore's...

Luke's first order of business was to have me take a picture of him and Nick...and Miles!

Snuggles.

Happy happy boy... His eyes positively dance when he smiles!

So strong.

Playing with Daddy.

These kids have some beautiful chocolate eyes.

Three kids on a couch.

The end.

return of the kiwis.

Meet the Huettes. Their pictures are elsewhere on this blog and all over my facebook page.

We have been friends for a quarter of century (which sounds so much more impressive than 25 years).

I've watched their kids grow up.

One used to babysit for me.

One, along with his wife, used to be my colleague.

The last one is just ornery.

Kevin and Toni's daughter Amy and her husband Joe are church planters in New Zealand. They had their first baby this spring and are home to introduce their little kiwi to America. What a perfect time for some family pictures. Little Brooklyn is as adorable as her cousin Elly, and both have captured my heart. I'm holding back the pictures of the entire family for later, but here's a peek into what happens when all the Huettes are home...

Brooklyn Grace Flammer
I told you she was adorable.

Note to Abby: "I like your look."

Lotsa kissin' going on in this family!

And out came the tu-tu's...

Amen.

a thousand words.

"A picture paints a thousand words" is how the saying goes. Looking through the images from this morning's session with Caleb and his parents, I'm struck by the story that they tell.

"He's a bit shy at first," his mom told me. And he was.

But we got busy playing with his cars, which have names and personalities, by the way.

He told me all about them.

I had heard this almost four-year-old had been riding his bike since March.
He was eager to prove it!

He soon discovered that every time he stuck out his little tongue, I giggled.

So he did it several times. I giggled again when I looked at the pictures.

By now, he'd forgotten he was shy, and wanted to show me his room. So up the stairs we marched. Off came the sandals Mommy had just put on his feet, as he sat on his bed and told me about his special things.

We all laughed at Caleb's great jokes.

He rewarded us with some sweet, sweet smiles.

He had to step in his "house" to take a phone call.

And before we knew it, he was posing like a model!

We snuck in some family shots...

Baby Joshua on the way!

That's all for now...but certainly is not "the end."

Thanks Ryan, Megan, and Caleb for a fun morning!

three little boys and a hundred nine degrees.

Carson, Dylan, and Collin: two years and under.
Mollie and Todd: strollers loaded. everyone looking fine.
Photographer and her assistant: ready for fun.
Heat index: ridiculous. absolutely ridiculous.

Seriously, the heat index was 109 degrees (in the shade) today. We forged ahead and took a few family shots to get the boys used to the concept of "family pictures." But we were (literally) dripping in sweat before too long. Even with the heat, we managed to catch a few sweet images of these bright eyed boys. Stay tuned, because when it cools down to say under 90, we're going to meet again! Thanks for being flexible, Mollie and Todd!