[Posh Families] The Toolan Family Warms up the Marine Corps Museum...on a cold winter day

This past weekend I met up with the Toolan Family for my last family session of 2009. It was a cold, rainy Virginia morning...one that has become commonplace since November. The National Museum of the Marine Corps has been one of my favorites places to shoot this year. Always somewhere new to explore and absolutely beautiful ~ the Toolan Family was ready for some fun!

Beyond the obvious that they are all genetically blessed with good looks, they were kind, funny and up for anything... even when little man Shane took over with his mad 4 year old directing skills. He had us all laughing so hard we were crying.

Toolan Family~your family is simply beautiful!! I had such a great morning with you and I can't wait to meet up again. Happy New Year!

oxox *Nicole

[Posh Families] Formal Family Affair with the Godfather... Bianca Family

Kailyn asked me tonight about the phrase "be mindful". I have no idea where I picked it up, I say it to the kids constantly and I'm not sure how it began. She informed me that I say it way too often and usually when they are pushing their luck. I am sure that the kids mock me with crazy faces when my back is turned with 'be mindful, be mindful', although I have never caught them. I wonder if that will be my legacy to pass on. I started thinking about the Bianca family and their legacy..

They also have 5 kids. When Shelley and I started planning their session, she told me that they wanted a more formal session. I have known their family for a few years, and Erik has known them for much longer. I had a hard time picturing this family of 7 with straight smiles as I started prepping for our afternoon together. There were definitely no straight smiles, but tons of laughs, a Godfather impression by the Colonel with his boys paying homage to him and tons of love all around. I am sure that their family legacy will be one of love and laughter.

Shelley and Andy, Thank you for spending one of your precious family afternoons with me last week. I adore you both and your family and I hope you are having a beautiful trip as you prepare for the New Year! oxox,*Nic

[Posh Personal] My Boys...

I can't imagine what my brother felt like growing up in a house full of girls, but I am sure he'll be full of advice and tricks for Tank as he grows up. Tank has 4 older sisters to torment, he is the one that gives me a run for my money, makes me shake my head in disbelief and always has a mischievous grin to bear.

He is also the one that is my baby. He melts my heart and has the kindest soul. I take the crazy days with the sweet moments and life is perfect. I am sure that he gets his sweet side and mischief from his daddy. They are BFF's and they steal my heart with every smile.

My boys....

[Posh Photography] We Wish You a Merry Christmas!!!

On sabatical for a few days.. but wanted to send a very Merry Christmas wish out!!
oxox~*Nicole

[Kailyn, Madison, Harley, Liberty and Tank with baby cousin Kennedy]

[Posh Kids] MIA... it's all Baby Kennedy's Fault

Ok, so maybe blaming my being MIA on a 6 month old is a bit unfair. How could I resist those cute little cheeks and her irresistible smiles??
As we get ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday, I did take a few days out to just focus on a visit from my sister Carley and my niece Kennedy and really reflect on this time of year. I am incredibly thankful for my family. My husband and children, parents and siblings, grandparents, extended family and military family and friends. My life is made up of all of these and at the center.. Jesus. I am incredibly blessed.
So while I worked a little, spent days photographing baby Kennedy and reveling in her smiling little face and hugged my own munchkins tight as I watched them bake cookies and play games with their Auntie while we were snowed in.. I wasn't really MIA, just behind the scenes.
Here's a little sneak peek of what's in store from Kennedy's photoshoots...

[Posh Families] It's starting to look [or feel] a lot like Christmas.. kind of. The Griffin Family

I can't believe that there is only a week and a half until Christmas. The weather is surely cooperating with putting me in the Christmas spirit with frigid temperatures, a little snow show and a whole lot of shopping. I might spend a week wrapping presents, but it's starting to looks [and feel] a lot like Christmas.

The Christmas spirit was definitely all around as I met up with Annie, Adam and their adorable little girl Avery. The temps were in the low 30's at best with a breeze and they were amazing! Here's a little sneak peek of our pre Christmas fun.

[Posh Newborns] Noah Michael.. 2 weeks old

Today I am feeling incredibly thankful. Simply thankful for love. family. life. friends. doing what I love. I am blessed and thankful.

This week I had the opportunity to meet Noah Michael. I had been emailing with his mommy for a few months in anticipation of his arrival. He is absolutely beautiful. Take your breath away beautiful and angelic.

At only 2 weeks old he was a dream and I had the most difficult task of picking out only a few favorites to blog. Here's a little sneak peek...

[Posh Newborns] Mommmeeeeeeeee and Baby Jennifer.. 3 weeks old

I sat at my desk today with a to do list a mile long...editing, orders, books, emails, phone calls and at the end.. a sweet little baby named Jennifer to be blogged. By 10:30a I had been called away at least 15 times. The calls all the same.. mommmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I should have resigned myself to another late night and gave up trying to get things crossed off during the day. My kids were needy. Not in a bad way.. just wanting my undivided attention. I needed something else.. to make some head way through this list.

By 3:30p all of the kids were home from school and I heard mom, mommy, moooommmmmeeeeeee from 5 different directions. I hid in the bathroom for 5 minutes hoping they would go play, but they waited and stalked me. Again, I should have walked away and left the list for sometime after bedtime. I was determined to get to the bottom and blog about baby Jennifer. By 7:15p dinner was served, showers over and they were after me again... moommmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. This time with a request to make cookies. Hmm.. who am I to dash their dreams of cookie making??

So I sit here in the quiet after a game playing day and cookie making night with today's to do list crossed through and a happy heart after I was declared the best mommy and cookie maker.. EVER. I thank God for the busy days and kids that want me to be part of theirs...even if it takes me 11 hours to get through my to do list.

Finally, sweet baby Jennifer just 3 weeks old. Sneak peek.

[Posh Personal] My baby turns 12!!

Birthday's in our house are a huge celebration. As each of the kids approach another milestone year, I feel a little cloud of sadness lace the day and an entire rainbow cross their sky as they move forward. We are at a crossroads as Kailyn turns 12. She is unofficially a young lady, but still our first baby. Caught in the world of in between, she is taking each day and making it her own as she makes her mark on life.

I think it has taken me a week to come to the realization that my baby girl is growing up. I can't stop and think that the newborn baby girl I held in my arms is turning into a young lady, without getting teary. I have watched her take her first steps, learn to talk [and not stop], go off to kindergarten, learn to ride a bike and turn into a great big sister. Happy 12th Birthday [a week late in blog time] Kailyn. We love you and you make us so proud.

[Posh Families] The Princess, a Baby Bump and lots of love.. The DeValois Family

When I met up with Lorri and Zane...Paisley was a little quiet and reserved. She stood off to the side and sized me up. Her 3 foot tall, blond little self stared at me with a twinkle in her eyes as she watched me chat with her parents. After a few minutes she waved her magic wand and I was under her spell. She chatted and played and her little face became animated with delight as she told me about her new role as big sister and an upcoming visit from a certain bearded man, clad in red velvet.

Although the baby is not due for a few months, Lorri is glowing and has the tiniest, most perfect baby belly that I have ever seen. Zane is a proud husband and daddy and is wrapped around his girls' fingers.. he is in for it! Their family is growing, along with their love and I was so excited to share a beautiful afternoon at Prince William Forest with them. I wanted to share a few of my favorites.

[Posh Families] The Frederick Family... Sundays at Stoney Lonesome Farm

My favorite part of the week is the weekend. When things are not so busy, I love to sleep late and have the kids crawl into bed to snuggle and watch cartoons. Our bed does not seem big enough, but some how all 7 of us make it work. Lazy Sunday afternoons full of hugs and kisses, sunshine, football games and park dates make me miss fall already. Although we are still 18 days away from the official winter wonderland that lies ahead.. the weather has been pretty unpredictable.

This past Sunday I met with the Frederick Family at Stoney Lonesome Farms. Their Sundays are spent together... taking care of their beautiful horses, doing chores and enjoying lots of laughter. The location took my breath away as I drove down the gravel road toward the stables. The day was gorgeous despite a little wind and our afternoon was full of golden sunshine and lots of laughter. The Frederick Family was just perfect on their regular Sunday afternoon.