Family Photos

We finally got around to updating our family photos {our last ones were taken when Violet was just a wee two-week-old babe} and they are so amazing! Can I just say that I am so glad photography has evolved out of the Olin Mills studio??? Come on, you know what I'm talking about! The super posed and artificially happy family photos that our parents have still hanging on their forgotten walls. Or those weird floating heads that make you wonder what they ever found cute about their son's head floating on either side of his body. They are so super creepy! Anyway, we are so beyond blessed to have met our favorite photographer {and now sweet friend} Ken Bruggeman when we were just beginning our family. To have these treasures of the moments and people most dear to me are just so amazing. And I love his perspective because there are no creepy floating heads, and nothing is ever really posed. He simply gives us a little direction and shoots life as it happens. And it is precious!

Even when the kids don't cooperate, Ken somehow manages to capture the sweetest pictures of my gang. Trust me, there was no shortage of bribes including gum, animal cookies, mints, etc., but that's real life. And those are the moments I want to remember! 

Violet's 1st Birthday Party

For the past year, we've been trying to decide on the best way to celebrate our baby girl. Having burst into our lives on Christmas Eve, Violet gave us quite a challenge. We always want to be intentional about celebrating her and not letting her blur into the chaos of Christmas celebrations, for now, my hubby and I decided that we would celebrate Violet by hosting a Christmas Eve brunch party. We decided to have it at our house, so we set it up more like an open house in order to accommodate a bunch of people {because our house is reeeeeeally tiny!!}. I didn't really have a theme in mind, but stuck with a few concepts instead. White. Gold. Feathers. Our house is hit or miss on lighting so my photos aren't amazing, but here are some photos of our celebration. 

Her yarn tutu kept shedding so I'll have to figured out a way to stop that. It was also a bit full and heavy {although still pretty!} so I'm thinking a lot less yarn/less full next time. I like the concept but need to tweak it to make it perfect.

I made this dream catcher to go with our party but also to decorate the teepee we made the kids for Christmas.

I am so thankful for friends and family who stopped by to help us celebrate the little girl who stole our hearts one year ago. She is a light and a joy. Happy and content. Her smile lights up a room and her eyes twinkle so brilliantly. Happy birthday, Violet Laine!