Seventeen.

Today, you turn seventeen. I remember the first time I saw you. You were several months old. We'd come home for the summer after granddaddy died. You were soooo rolly polly. You were the first boy in our group of grand-girls. A boy was new to us. I loved holding you tight and watching you suck that bagged bottle down like a little piglet. Sometimes I still can't believe how your mama would hand you over to me and just let us be. I was only 10, but I'd sit in that blue chair and rock you all day if they'd let me. I've always considered the 5 of us to be lucky. Not everyone gets to grow up with their cousins alongside them; I can't believe that I know people that only see their cousins once every few years! Ha! You, Em and my sisters are tied to almost all of my childhood memories. What fun we had romping and stomping...being in charge of you was no small task. You and I were buddies every time we went to Schlitterbahn. I was sure you'd drown and I'd get in trouble because I couldn't keep you from falling out of your tube! We spent most of our trip laughing at you! As you grew older, and grew out of your tall tales, I grew up too and we inevitably spent less time together. More than ever I know the importance of family, togetherness and saying I love you. You have 3 cousins that love you like a brother and would do anything in the world for you. On your 17th birthday, I want to tell you that you are special. You are the only you. You are smart. You are super duper cute...sometimes I wonder where your rolls went and when you got muscles! You are so talented. You are sweet. You are funny. You are perfect just as you are. You are one of my favorite things on earth. I wish you many many more years of life, love and happiness. I can't wait to see what is in store for you. I love you soooo much!

Ashley. Navasota High School Senior.

Three years ago, Ash sat in my 1st period class. She was one of a handful of students that were my very very first to ever teach. I can't believe that so much time has passed and she is now graduating. Ashley, its really an honor to have photographed one of my own students. Thanks for a fun afternoon! You are beautiful. I wish you much success and joy in life. ♥Mrs. Shalley

Morgan. Anderson-Shiro Senior.

James. Five Year Old Cuteness. Navasota, Texas Photographer.

If I have a little boy, I want to capture exactly these moments with him. Melissa so desperately wants a sitting, smiling, bluebonnet picture of her sweet James, but he gave us so much more. Five and full of personality, James changed facial expressions as quickly as I pressed the shutter button. I laughed so hard at his inability to sit still. I love that he found every single stick in the pasture and imaginatively turned them into guns. Ahhh, boys! Melissa, I hope that you love these boyhood moments. And I hope that I am honored enough to continue to have photo dates with sweet James where we whisper of secrets and surprises for Mom because he loves you THIS MUCH! Thank you for letting me be a part of your afternoon. I enjoyed myself so much.





Check out those gorgeous lashes!

Someone has taught him right! Look at him closing his left eye....: )




I cannot tell you how cute I think this one is!

The Lehnerts: The One Where Beavis Gets Married.

These are my best friends from high school, from college, from life... I can't put into words how they make my face light up with a smile. We've all shared a jillion memories and I wouldn't be me without my Cam, Aym and Beavis. Ben got married this weekend and we were all united to celebrate as the gorgeous Amy became his MRS! Thank you for almost 2 decades of friendship. I'm so glad that I was able to dance the night away with you all. Looking forward to 2 more weddings someday. Love you like you're my lobster.

My sweet brother friend.



Best friends and significant others...2 married, 2 more to go.

Love these guys! They're up to no good...I've seen those looks before.

So pretty and so so happy.