For the past few years, my mom's side of the family has gathered in summertime for a family reunion.  They've been to Wilmington, NC and New Braunfels, TX and somewhere in Pennsylvania that I can't recall.  The reason I can't recall it is because until this past summer, I've never been able to attend.  Life as a wedding photographer just didn't allow for vacation during the summer months.  Seeing as I'm scaling back that part of my life, I decided to make the reunion a priority for Bobby, Millie and me in 2011.

This year, the reunion location was set for the Jersey Shore.  Being a Texas girl, I've always beached in the South.  Before I went in August, I honestly had no idea what the Jersey Shore was like other than what I had read about in the tabloids and what I knew of it from MTV.  You know...Snooki, GTL, booze flowin', fist pumpin', and general debauchery.  However, the town we visited was the definition of CHARMING.  Beach Haven, New Jersey is everything you think of when you hear "New England beach town".  It's chock full of cute cottages, has gorgeous crisp ocean water, the best root beer floats, clams for days, a quaint amusement park, and those adorably preppy bikes with two seats and a bell.  Brrrrring!  Brrrrring!  There was not a Snooki in sight for miles and then some.  Trust me.  I would return to Beach Haven in a heartbeat.

What made this trip even more special was FINALLY meeting my grandmother's brother.  I maaaaaay have met him when I was little, but CERTAINLY haven't seen him since.  "Uncle Bud" is sooo the boy version of my "Nanny" in looks and personality.  It's almost frightening.  It was great to get to know him and his children and grandchildren as they all live on the East Coast.  The reunion was also an incredible opportunity to grow closer to and make memories with my own mom, brother, and cousin Lis and her family, even though we all are from Texas.

We did so many fun things in Beach Haven, and I didn't always bring my camera.  I tried to be present and strengthen bonds and all of that good stuff.  It's kinda hard to photograph when you're boogie boarding or riding the Tilt-a-Whirl or eating fried shrimp or playing Skee-Ball or drinking the best martini ever, and out of a red Solo cup, no less.  However, I did love watching Mills bond with her cousins, and I managed to snap a couple of frames for posterity.  Here are just a few of my favorites!

WOWWWW!!!  It's Newborn City up off in here, isn't it?!  (Better than New Jack City, right?)  Maybe I should start a playgroup for precious Caroline, Alexa, and Benny!

I'm so excited to show you these images.  Little Benjamin, aka "Benny", is the newborn son of Bethany and Matt...two of my brother's best friends.  We all come from the same hometown (Brenham, represent!), but now all live in the Dallas area.  Though they are several years younger, I vividly remember these two kids growing up.  Bethany was always very cool and stylish, without even trying.  She was that girl who could fall out of bed and look like a supermodel.  Plus, everyone knew she was smart.  I thought she was purdy awesome.  For realz.  Sweet, forever cheerful Matt went to our church, and was likely at least partly responsible for my love of classic rock.  Seriously.  I didn't even know if Led Zeppelin was a type of pencil or the name of a video game before I met his brother and him.  And now...these two have their own baby.

In all honesty, I was a bit skeptical of how they would be as parents.  I suppose I was still envisioning them as 15 year olds, and when I arrived at their fabulously decorated home, I had a hard time believing that it belonged to them.  Then, I noticed how well they were doing with Benny, and how freaking organized everything was.  These kids have TOTALLY grown up.  And now, I feel old.  Sad face.  But HAPPY FACE, because I am just in love with this session, complete with Ramona, one of the coolest dogs in the world.  Have a little look-see.

Don't you dare forget to leave these peeps a comment!  I'm feelin' feisty and I might hunt ya down.  Show some love, already!

My great friend Mandy and her daughter Sammy invited Millie and me to the circus when it came to town recently.  I about came unglued at the thought of glittery outfits and bright lights and bendy gymnasts...and the horses...and tigers...well, you get the picture.  I was more than just a little excited to go.  If I've ever been to the circus in my life, I can't remember it.  Mills and I both got to experience this first together...Mills as a 5 year old and me, very much in touch with my inner 5 year old!  It was a killer fun day, thanks to blue snowcones (that led to blue stained lips) and true-blue buddies.  Here are a few frames from our day.

The gorgeous baby sister of the famed "Sadie, Sadie, Little Lady" is here!  Baby Alexa is as tiny as can be...a little peanut, in fact!  Kristin and Jeff are so blessed to have these pretty little girls in their lives, and I am so fortunate to have such kind and soulful clients in them!  It is an indescribable honor to have been able to photograph Sadie for the past few years as she has grown and changed and can now retort back to my calling her the aforementioned nickname with "Katie, Katie, Little Lady"!  When I met her, she couldn't yet talk, but still had that magical twinkle in her eye and I knew we'd be homegirls for life.  And NOW, she is a big sister to sweet Alexa!  I'm so excited to continue to watch these little lovelies go through life together and to get to document their familial connections.

I'm so proud of these images, and must give credit to Kristin for allowing me to do whatever I see fit.  I adore her for it!  Now, here's precious Baby Alexa!