Family Pictures + Family Photo Tips

Wednesday, December 05, 2018

We had our family pictures taken recently and I cannot stop looking at them! They capture our season so well, and that makes my heart so happy. I cherish family pictures so much! It amazes me how much the boys have grown since the last time we had pictures taken. Bittersweet! We always say that we would love to freeze time...well friends, pictures do just that!











Family pictures shouldn't be stressful! I thought I would share some tips to help you have the most successful session.

1. Embrace your season: Our family is busy and wiggly. There will be a day when a portrait is appropriate for us, but right now that is not us. I love the movement that these pictures captured.

2. Don't be too matchy: I picked out our clothes weeks before our session. The outfits should coordinate, but everyone doesn't have to wear the same thing. Pick a couple colors that look great together and then add neutrals. I loved this green maxi dress, and we added a pop of red with Rowan's shoes. 

3. Keep patterns to a minimum: Pictures get really busy if everyone is wearing plaid. I knew that Dane was going to be wearing this buffalo check shirt, so I made sure the rest of our outfits were pretty simple. However, I love adding interest with texture and layers. Rowan's sweater had the texture that I was looking for, and Crew's little suspenders couldn't be cuter.

4. Have a snack handy: Our kids get antsy and impatient, but it seems like snacks help them keep their cool a little longer. I am not against bribing them to get good family pictures, and this year mini marshmallows did the trick.

5. Communicate with your photographer: If you need or want something specific, make sure to tell your photographer. Maybe you want a large landscape canvas to hang above your fireplace...make sure you tell your photographer to shoot some landscape shots. Most of the time there is a good variety, but it doesn't hurt to mention it.

6. Time it right: My kids are no fun if they are tired or hungry...even if there are snacks. You may have to adjust nap time and dinner to get the happiest smiles. 

I hope you found these tips helpful! Happy snapping!

Thank you so much Jenna Holtschulte for capturing these pictures. You are endlessly talented!

Brave Hazel

Friday, November 30, 2018

I love finding fun local shops, and this one could not be more adorable. I have raved about Brave Hazel before, and shared Laura's plan to turn a little horse trailer into a traveling boutique. Well, her dream is now a reality, and I love it!















If you are looking for a cute outfit to wear to your holiday gatherings or wanting to check some gifts off of your Christmas list, make sure you check out Brave Hazel Boutique!

Laura and her little boutique will be at the Christmas Market in Carlinville next weekend. The Brave Hazel trailer will be by Pixie Salon on Friday and Saturday. Check out the Brave Hazel Facebook page for more details.

Warm Wishes

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

One of my favorite holiday traditions is sending out Christmas cards. We don't get to see everyone on Christmas, and I love sending them a little love from our family. There is something so magical about writing out an address, adding a stamp, and sending some holiday cheer. And I love when my mailbox starts to overflow with the smiling faces of those we love so much. 

Looking through all of the card designs is one of my favorite Christmas activities. This year I picked a design from Paper Culture. They had a lot of cute cards to choose from, and bonus...they plant a tree for every order. I love a company that has a strong passion for making a difference. 



This year I am loving simple cards with beautiful font and lots of white space. I also really enjoy the foil pressed cards...ya know, for a little extra sparkle. And you can't go wrong with some pictures of your family; photo cards are my absolute favorite. 
Every year I order an extra card to save for years to come. It is a fun reminder of the joy and happiness that each Christmas was filled with. Do you have special card traditions...matching pajamas, a picture at the same Christmas tree farm? I would love to hear about them!

Hello Winter

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

It isn't officially winter yet, but you wouldn't know it with all of the snow and frigid temperatures. We are still checking stuff off of our Fall Fun List...like making chili waffles! Anyway, Rowan (and me too) has been dreaming of all the winter fun that we are going to have this year. I jotted down some of the things that he is most excited about, some of my favorite traditions, and some new wintery fun to try. Here is our Winter Wonderlist!

Rowan thinks it would be really fun to "nect" all of our sleds together and go super fast! That is so much like something his dad would come up with!

What are your favorite winter activities? 

Snow Day

Saturday, November 17, 2018

We had our first snow day of the year. Dane still had to go to work, but the boys and I hung out at home all day. We only got out of our pajamas long enough to bundle up for some snowy fun. 






Rowan wanted to go outside the second he woke up, and he was so excited when we finally made our way outside. His papa taught him how to make snow balls, so he spent most of his time doing that. He may have even tried throwing one or two at his brother.

I hope this season brings a lot more days like this.

Happy Halloween

Monday, October 29, 2018

Our little monsters sure have been enjoying all of the Halloween festivities. Until last week I wasn't sure what the boys were going to dress up as. Then Rowan watched Monsters University and Monsters Inc., and he decided that he wanted to be Sully...easy enough.

I love the look of handmade costumes, but I also wanted to keep it really simple. I love the way these costumes turned out, and more importantly, I am glad that the boys were excited about them.










I know that they won't want to dress up in matching costumes forever, but you better believe that I am going to enjoy it while it lasts...in fact, I may already have an idea for next year. ;)

Proud of You Two

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Raising boys is such a fun job. I love imagining all of the adventures they are going to have together, watching them explore and learn together, and teaching them to love one another...even when Crew keeps knocking down the block castle! 

Watching Rowan become a big brother has been the sweetest. He is so in love with his baby brother. I love the bond that they share, and their need to be with each other constantly. One of our favorite things to do is snuggle up in bed with a big pile of books. Rowan loves "reading" us stories, and Crew gets so excited when Rowan finds something funny. 

I recently stumbled upon Hooray Heroes on Instagram, and I knew I had to make the boys a book! Hooray Heroes makes customized books for your little ones, and they are the cutest! The adventure books are my absolute favorite.










Personalized books are so entertaining. Rowan's favorite thing is flipping through the pages and telling Crew all about what is happening in the picture. He also enjoys searching the pages for his name. I can't wait to add some other Hooray Heroes books to our collection!

Rowan and Crew,
you are the sweetest brothers here ever were. Your daddy and mommy love you so much, and we are so proud of you and all the love you share. We wish you many adventures, pillow forts, and late nights of laughter. Always remember how much you love each other!
G R O U P    S Q U E E Z E

Get 15% off your very own adventure book with the promo code LOVEFIRST15.

HAPPY FALL

Monday, September 24, 2018

It is officially fall, and I could not be any more excited. I love all of the festive fun that this season has to offer, and I can't wait watch the boys partake in all of the spooky pumpkin, crunchy leaf fun together. In all honesty, I have been in full fall mode since September started. However, Dane insisted that pumpkins and Hocus Pocus were for later in the month. So, I have resisted going too crazy...until now. ;) I put together a little list of all of the activities that I want to check off during the fall months. 


What are your favorite traditions for the season? 


Brother Bookshelf

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

We recently got some new books for the boys that I have to share with you! 


The Wonderful Things You Will Be: Crew got this book for Easter, and it is adorable...and it only makes me cry a little bit. The illustrations are beautiful, which I always love!

Here We Are: This was in Rowan's Easter basket. He loves it. There is a page with a bunch of different animals, and naming allllllll of them is his favorite. 

The Day the Crayons Quit: We just got this one, and Rowan thinks it is hilarious!

The Adventures of Crew and Rowan: Be still my heart! I am obsessed with this book, and I am planning on doing an entire post all about it! Check out Hooray Heroes to make your own, and get 15% off with code LOVEFIRST15.

You're Here for a Reason: Crew got this for his birthday, and it is the sweetest! He loves flipping through a good board book. 

Changing up this bookshelf is one of my favorite things to do! It is almost time to switch it up for Halloween, and I can't wait. What are your favorite books for kiddos?

Donut Grow Up

Monday, September 17, 2018

Over the weekend, we celebrated our littlest man turning ONE! I have no idea where the last year has gone. I am equal parts sad that he is growing up so fast, and excited to see all the fun things he will do and learn. 







I honestly wasn't sure that this party was going to happen, after a scary weekend regarding my brother's health. I am so thankful for every sweet friend who reached out to see if they could help. It would not have been possible without family and friends. They shopped and food prepped and decorated and I was able to be right where I was needed. Thank you for all of the prayers for Layton. The outpouring of love and support has been felt and deeply appreciated.