I Scream, You Scream!

AAAAHHHHH!!!! I honestly cant stand how cute these kids are! I got to spend a whole day with them and got to do a bunch of fun things. I have been most excited about these though! Adorable Kids + Ice Cream + Sprinkles + Whipped Cream = TOO. MUCH. TO. HANDLE.

We kind of did this on a whim as our last photo project of the day, not really sure how it was going to go. Their mom was totally up for the idea (brave woman volunteering to scrub ice cream and sprinkles out of her daughters hair), so I just set up a white backdrop, diffused some light coming from a window, bought some ice cream, and let them have at it! You couldn't have posed these shots. Total, magical, childhood joy. Made me want ice cream something fierce, but I'm an "adult" and need to "watch what I eat".... Guess I'll stick to Halo Top... and reminisce about summer days as a five year old....

Enjoy this sweet treat guys!

Letters From Mom || Dear Eliza

Hey there! In case we haven't met, my name is Eliza Rain. I am ONE YEAR OLD! Can You believe it???! I have a very good life. My Momma is the best at making me laugh and my Dada is the best at having fun with. I'm a very happy little girl, but I am happiest when I am with them together. I still love to eat a lot of different types of food including Momma's milk... and the occasional bug, buuuttt I'm working on that. I am the biggest fan of the movie Moana, but I really just love Maui. I like to dance and sing in the car and I always say hi to people.  I know not a single stranger!  Peek-a-boo is my favorite game right now. My room is my favorite place to be, with my Momma and Dadda of course. I love helping load and unload the dishwasher. My first trip around the sun has been so much fun. I have learned so much so fast and I have lots more years to keep being me! My Momma said she has some things she would like to share with you all. She's a really neat lady and a great writer! Say hi guys!

"My sweet, sweet girl,I will do my best tot ell you this 5 billion times before you actually read this letter, but you are the most familiar person I have ever laid eyes on.""I have met you before this life I am certain. We wanted you for years. We knew we would have a girl first. We knew it would be you. But you are also so surprising. You never fail to blow our minds with your accomplishments, from how much you eat at dinner, to walking at 8 months.""You are the fiercest, most strong-minded little human I have ever met. I hope you stay this way all your life. You have been a fighter from the moment you were conceived. ""You are all the best parts of your dad and I, magnified...""This year has been the best year of my life and I have you to thank for that. Thank you for always breaking my heart in the best kinds of ways. More than anything, thank you for being exactly who you are.""I want to give you the best life with lots of friends and family who love you with all their hearts, lots of trips to places you've never been before, lots of really good food, and a never ending supply of really good belly laughs.""I hope to one day give you siblings because there's really nothing better then having them to share your childhood with."

"I hope to pass along to you a love of animals, an understanding that every life desires to live as badly as you, a desire to do for others, but the ability to see who is not good for your soul and the strength to move away from those people. Carry your love for music always. Always stay true to your heart. Please don't forget that you are quite literally and figuratively a part of me and your Dad. You are even better then I always imagined you'd be.

                                                         I love you with every fiber of my being,

                                                                                                          Always, Momma <3"

Well guys, it has been nice keeping in touch... until we meet again, lots of love always,

                                                                                                         ~Baby Eliza

Letters From Mom || Dear Starks...

This was written by my dear friend Emily. Emily has been through fire. In the midst of that fire, a promise was being forged, one that took the form of a little boy named Starks who you will get to know through the images below. This is Emilys story...

To tell the story of Starks. This is a long road that ends happily. We call him lucky number seven. This strong, sweet, ferocious soul blessed us with his presence on Thomas Jefferson's birthday in Charlottesville VA. He was the sum total of six losses before him and up until two days before he was born we could not agree on his name. We finally agreed to name him William Starks Banton Harris and call him Starks. William means willpower and Starks means resolute and strong. I worried for a moment that it was too much. I was wrong. Each and every day I thank the angels in heaven for sending us our little "sour patch kid" who can charm us with a knowing glance and plow forward to embrace as much as this life can give him. I want The world to know that if I had to lose six to have him all over again I would do it. There is nothing more beautiful and more amazing than having this set of pictures to remember him by as he grows so quickly and seizes each day to it's fullest! We love him and we love these pictures.