Cutie Patootie -- that's Caleb, young prince of the Pulleyn clan and natural center of attention wherever he goes. We all had fun visiting with Caleb at a recent family gathering, and here are a few shots of him (bad lighting and all):

God brought this ray of sunshine all the way from Virginia to brighten up his Gigi's world during an especially difficult Christmas season. Thanks just for being you, Caleb!

All things bright and beautiful,

all creatures great and small,

all things wise and wonderful:

the Lord God made them all.

Alexander - 1848

MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR READERS!

Remember what I said about choosing my friends wisely? Bailey is further proof of that statement. She is the older sister of Delaney, whose session sneak peek I posted here. Two sisters could not be more different yet equally wonderfully made:


We met at Dunbar Park to take advantage of its natural beauty and roadside-ish quirkiness. I loved watching Bailey relax and enjoy her portrait session. Such gorgeous eyes! Such fabulous hair!

I do pray for marvelous discoveries and lasting peace along your path, Bailey. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, not swerving from the Way of Life, and may all of your steps be blessed!

Oh, how I love Your law!

I meditate on it all day long.

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

for they are ever with me...

I have kept my feet from every evil path

so that I might obey Your word.

I have not departed from Your laws,

for You Yourself have taught me.

How sweet are Your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:97-98, 101-104

How gorgeous is this mommy-to-be ballerina!


After months and months and months of waiting (about 8, to be exact), it was finally time for Melissa's maternity session, and I do believe we captured the belly in all its radiant glory:

(sigh) I just love those two shots, especially in black and white. This baby is obviously so adored already!

Mark and Mia joined us for a few family shots as well. They were quite willing to tickle and hug Melissa and "Marble." I mysef am looking forward to my own turn at tickling and hugging and photographing this baby!

I think Big Sister Mia is ready for duty. May these last few weeks of anticipation be filled with joy and plenty of extra sleep. Thanks so much for letting me spend the morning with the 3 and 8/9ths of you to capture this special time in your lives!

God loves you and has chosen you as His own special people... Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other.

Colossians 3:12-16

Today let us consider faces.

First, the many faces of our cat Honey. I made the mistake of driving home and sitting in my car just a little too long yesterday, then looked up to find Honey staring me down through the windshield. She was clearly annoyed (can't you see it in the top left photo?) that it was nearly noon and she had not been fed at all. She then proceeded to withhold direct eye contact just to make me feel even worse. Lucky for me, Honey eventually decided to release me from my cell as she ran to sit on the porch and hurry me along with loud meows. Lucky for you, I happened to have my camera handy and snag these:



Next we have the faces of some funny kids rehearsing their Christmas pageant last night. Rowan and Cane showed lots of personality in their close-ups:

Kindle and Race were thrilled about finally getting the chance to try on their angel and king costumes:
Don't you just love seeing the excitement written all over kids' faces as they tell us the Christmas story? All together now:

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered... Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn...

Luke 2:1-7 CEV

Ding dong merrily on high!
In heaven the bells are ringing!
AHS choir members gave two terrific performances at their First Annual Festival of Carols madrigal dinner this weekend. If you missed it, don't worry -- they plan to make it a tradition, so just mark your calendar for next year.

I took photos during one promotional performance, at the first dress rehearsal, and just before the second dinner performance, mainly trying to capture the variety of great costumes put together for the show -- and I say that as a proud mama amazed by my own daughter's creativity!

Here are five slideshows of my favorite images. Click on the links to be directed to each slideshow, and move your mouse around near the bottom of the page to stop and move through at your own pace:

Part I: Show Choir courthouse performance

Part II: dress rehearsal

Part III: more dress rehearsal

Part IV: Saturday night

Part V: more Saturday night

Choir members, don't forget that I've got a special deal for you if you'd like to order prints or web-sized files of the images you like best. I'll be donating 50% of my profits to the choir scholarship fund, so get something for yourself and help out a graduating senior at the same time!

Email me HERE to place an order or request more information. Thanks so much for letting me be a fly on the wall!

I don't know about you, but my heart beats a little bit faster when I look at these engagement portraits of Callie and Danny. In spite of mosquitoes, super-enthusiastic guard dogs, alligator warnings and dreary skies, these two were willing to try any location I suggested. Of course, the toughest part was being asked to look into one another's eyes and kiss on cue. Can't you see how difficult that was?

Callie had always wanted to have portraits made in front of Angleton's Famous Red Door, so of course we made a stop there. I've used this location several times before but had never fully appreciated the lovely arch above the door. Maybe the glowing subjects standing beneath it helped bring out its beauty!

I'm so glad we were able to capture these moments for you -- and now you can check off one more item from your wedding details To Do list! I can't wait for your big day in April and the life of love that lies ahead of you.

(Miss Mama Cheryl, we'd better get our hankies ready!)

...that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love...

Colossians 2:2

Kathy knew she'd been handed a prime opportunity: the three most important women in her life would all be in town at the same time! So she did what any genius mom/daughter would do and lined up a portrait session. Here are just a few shots from my time with Kathy, Mary, Elizabeth and Mary Grace:

Ladies, thanks for reminding me that I need to do this with my own mom and daughter! (Not that dads and sons aren't important too -- it's just a girl thing.) I hope these portraits will help you remember your weekend together and become family treasures.

Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

Still seeking just the right gift for someone on your Christmas list? Have I got an idea for YOU!

(I just love this most wonderfully made family -- love you and miss you, Peter, Grace and Amy!)

ORDER YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE

BY DECEMBER 15 AND GET A 20% DISCOUNT!

That means a $50 gift certificate will cost you only $40, and $80 buys a $100 gift certificate!

Contact me and we'll put together a gift certificate in the perfect amount. You might even want to think about using that gift certificate during the holidays while family is gathered together. Those photo opportunities are hard to come by!

My sister-in-law Carol and I used our Thanksgiving get-together for a portrait session. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Not even a rain shower could dampen that smile. I hope you enjoy sharing these with both old and new friends, Carol!

I believe that I have chosen my friends extremely wisely over the years. They seem to produce the most beautiful children, and then they let me photograph them! Here's Laney, born to my friend Jacque a couple of years after we started teaching together long, long ago. Laney is graduating from Brazoswood HS this semester and aspires to a career in the aerospace field:





I think she might be able to pay for college by doing a bit of modeling. Don't you agree?

The world and outer space are waiting for you, Laney! I can't wait to hear all about your billions and billions of discoveries as you follow the path prepared just for you.

Ask, and you will receive.

Search, and you will find.

Knock, and the door will be opened for you.

Matthew 7:7 CEV