October 28 Photo-op with Marie

Saturday Noon:  My Christmas gift from Dylan and Kelly is a family photo shoot with Marie! How nice is that?!?!? We met Marie over at one of her favorite outdoor spots at noon. I brought my camera, never thinking it might be rude of me to take pictures at the same time Marie was taking photos. Jeeps. What a moron. Anyway, I WAS careful not to get in Marie's way and I promise I wasn't obnoxious. My goal was to get a "few" of Brendan because I never ever get to photograph him (hardly ever!) because he is growing up so quickly ... I think it makes him feel uncomfortable if I am always pointing my camera at him! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to sneak in a few pictures. 

So ... I ended up taking a LOT of pictures. Honestly, I am not a people photographer whatsoever. Give me a beautiful landscape any day and I will photograph the heck out of it. But people--not so much. My grand kiddos are used to me snapping pictures of them--but like I said, as they get older, they find it uncomfortable and I TRY to respect their wishes.

I'm going to have to break this up into TWO posts because ... I have too many pictures! Marie's will turn out 1000 times better because she is a professional (she is amazing) and her knows how to operate a camera. You should have seen her lens!

Since the oldest child is Brendan, Marie started with him--no one volunteered to go first--all were a little bit timid about this photo shoot. Understandably! Not because of Marie--she is marvelous with people. Probably just because none of us loves to be the center of attention, especially physical attention--do you know what I'm saying? I actually remember being SO self-conscious about having my picture taken that I would almost be sick (as a younger person). Anyway, Brendan was nominated by Marie to begin the session.

Most of these pictures should be considered "outtakes" because I am NOT professional in any way. I'm sure Marie will edit her photos beautifully.

Brendan has a hair cut that is difficult in that his hair falls in his eyes. So the request was for Brendan to keep his head somewhat UP and flip his hair back if it was in his face. He did a great job making that effort.

I love this beautiful child so much my heart aches with it. When he was a little tiny person, the Lord blessed my heart through him week after week after week. His dear heart. His chumminess. His smile.

NEXT, it was Aidan's turn. Dear, dear Aidan. It was cold outside. He was cold. I'm certain Dylan and Kelly reminded him to bring a jacket or coat. Mr. Aidan probably insisted he didn't need one! 

Aidan got a little bit more relaxed standing. Marie talks so kindly to everyone. She is a lot of fun and so easy to be with. She is like a mini-Karen (her mom) ... but in some ways even better (which is difficult to even imagine being possible). 

I didn't get as many pictures of Aidan and the other little ones because I truly did not want to be in Marie's way at all. I tried zooming in, but I didn't do well with that and needed to stay a good distance back so that Marie could interact with Aidan effectively.

And then it was Erin's turn! I got even less photos of Erin because I was distracted either with talking to Aidan or Cal or something. However, I did snap a few. Look at her sweet little face. I could eat her right up.

During Cal's photo shoot, I visited with these chilly little ones ...

Cal kills me. Look at his darling little face. His smile! His cheeks! His little flannel shirt! Could he be cuter? Nope!

Oh my word. Lord! How thankful I am that you let me be grandma to these beautiful children!

More pictures to come ...