Home with the D Family

Back in May or June, one of my best friend's husband messaged me asking if I could come back home to Minnesota for a weekend to celebrate H's big birthday.  Umm... how could I say no???  First, it has been 8 years since I've been home AND I haven't seen H in 3 years.  It was all a surprise and I couldn't wait!!!  I wish I had a shot of H's face when I walked into her house.  I have tears in my eyes thinking about it right now.  It was so much fun!!

M even got us Katy Perry concert tickets, but alas, the day I left, it was announced that she had to postpone that date due to sickness. :(  I missed out on Katy Perry, but it really didn't matter.  I got to spend almost 2.5 days with my best friend, meet her new daughter, and get to know Mabel better.  AND we toured Minneapolis which has changed so much since I left.  I miss it so much.  I miss the greenness, the openness, the friendliness, just character of it... it's amazing how much I forgot.  I will always remember these few days I spent with the D Family... I cannot wait to see them again next month when I go back with my family for a friend's wedding (which I will be photographing!).  Love and miss you, friend!!!  xoxo, V

I have to start off with this photo I took of Mabel in the Amber Room at the Guthrie Theater .  Such an amazing place! 

Mabel loves books and was reading everywhere we went.

 

But that was only 1 day we spent at the Guthrie.  Most of the was spent hanging out at home which was perfect!

Back to our day spent touring Minneapolis.  I took majority of the photos around the Guthrie.  Such a gorgeous location.
This view is from the cantilever at the Guthrie.  What you see is the reflection of the sky on the railing and the view of the beautiful Mississippi River and Stone Arch Bridge.

 

Here's Miss Mabel's reflection off that railing.

 

Back inside the Amber Room... 

 

I love Minneapolis' skyline.

 

 And a few family shots outside.  It was a hot, hot day!  Love and miss you guys!!  xo

The EM Family

I love this adorable family!!  Little Penny has grown so much since the last time I saw her.  Plus, she was just starting to walk... discovering new freedoms!  The best part of her walk was the T-Rex arms.  My favorite part of beginner walkers.  :)  And Milo - such a big boy!  Thanks for a very fun session, S & L!!

We headed down to Newport and I was introduced to a new area around the pier!

I love this one of the kids taking off and not paying attention.

Love these adorable kids!

Milo was showing me his Jedi fighting skills.

Love this one and Penny's chunky legs!!

See what I mean about T-Rex walk? I love it!

The thing I love about these photos is that you would never know that there were a million people on the beach with us!

As we were walking out, Milo got an awesome ukelele and rocked out!

The H Family

Way back in Dec. of 2010, I got an email from Samra, who was interested in a photo session for her brother-in-law's family.  We had a date down to accommodate everyone's schedule, but it kept getting rescheduled.  And so, 9 months later(!) I finally got to meet this super sweet family.  I have to say, this family is pretty amazing.  We decided to stay at the family home and when I walked in, there were so many people...  I could tell how close the family was!!  I met Samra and was introduced to J & M and their amazing little family.  I immediately began photographing the kids.  Are these kids cute or what?!?  The girls Laila & Elissa were so full of spunk and energy and big brother Bassam has the most beautiful eyes!  It was such a pleasure to watch this family in action and see the love between them.  Not only with J's immediate family, but with the extended family as well.  Watching J's brother Ned with Bassam was so special.  What an amazing bond they have!!

Thank you H Family for allowing me into your home and photographing your amazing little family!!  xo, V

Love little Elissa front and center!

Beautiful middle sister Laila  

Big Brother Bassam and his striking eyes!

 

Isn't Mom gorgeous? 

 

I love the one on the right.  The girls were watching Justin Bieber videos.

 

I loved watching the interaction between Uncle Ned and Bassam.  It was so incredibly sweet and full of so much love.

Thanks for letting me capture your family, J &M!!