welcome to my blog

I may be biased (I am SURE I am) but these little bugs are just the cutest kids in the world!  Even though they are my cousins, I am sure they are adorable according to ANY standards! Now, they are rascals for sure, but they are sweet, silly, affectionate rascals who stole my heart from the moment they were born.  Ellia, the youngest looks just like her mother Jenna at this age and has since she was just a little peanut, minus the red hair of course.  Jenna has the most beautiful hair I have EVER seen and it would definitely be difficult to replicate.  When she was little people would stop us and ask if we dyed it!  Seriously!  Lyla looks so much like her dad Erik, especially with that little mischevious twinkle in her eye!  However, they’ve both got plenty of energy and spunk to keep their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents extremely busy.  Even with all the running around, giggles, and sass, one of the things I love the most about them is their love for each other.  They have their moments like any other siblings, but they definitely stick up for each other, look out for one another, and take care of each other.  Very heartwarming.  I always wanted a sister and that is what I wanted; someone who had my back no matter what.

Jenna is actually my first cousin’s daughter but she has always seemed more like a neice to me since  there is a twenty-five year difference between us.  The beautiful thing now is that I see her as a friend first and foremost.  She has a beautiful soul.  Gentle, kind, patient, loving, generous, thoughtful, and fun.  It is so wonderful to watch the evolution of a life and to see someone you love as a child turn into a phenomenal adult with so much to give to those around her.  She is an amazing mother and wife and I am so grateful to be a part of her and her family’s life.  Her husband Erik is so similar to her in these characteristics.  When you meet him you sort of expect something different than what you get.  With all of the tatoos and the beard, he appears to be rather tough and rugged.  Nope!  Super kind and sweet, he is the perfect “girl dad.”  It is so apparent how much his little girlies love him and look up to him.  It is clearly seen in these images as well.

I think I have taken more images of this beautiful family than any other, maybe even my own!  I was there to capture their engagement, wedding, newborn pictures, first birthdays, and several family portraits.  What a blessing!  I wasn’t blogging much in those days, but I did manage to blog their wedding.  It was my FIRST one!  If you’d like to see it just click HERE.  Jenna was truly a beautiful bride!  We all had such a great time too as the family gathered to celebrate these two amazing people.  We didn’t know Erik very well when they were first married but in the last year he and Jenna have been coming to church with us and we’ve been able to see what a gentle, loving soul he is.  When your family is also your friends, life just gets that much sweeter!  We love you guys and we are so grateful you are in our lives!  We look forward to many more fun times together…and many more pictures!!