Thursday, December 17, 2009

Bro & Sis

Today's post is....

Dawn and Derek Elam in their portrait session for their Mom's surprise Christmas present! What a cool way to say I love you then by sharing yourself! I wish I could see their Mom's face as she opens the present and see's their faces! How cool! So anyone who see's this... shhh it's a surprise!

I know Dawn from Gardner-Webb university where I went for my freshman year of college. Dawn lived in the same dorm as I did and we both lived in, or near Winston-Salem so it was a great friendship right from the beginning! The summer after our freshman year we both got jobs working at the same restaurant and remained good friends! Over the years we have kind of done our own things, she is now a Senior in college and will be graduating in May! She is such an awesome girl, full of energy and fun. Dawn is an amazing piano player and singer- unfortunately, we couldn't find a piano the day of the shoot- but her talent it amazing!

Derek, is her 13 year old brother who I believe I had met once before but only briefly- so it was a challenge getting him to warm up enough to smile in some of these pics ;) His comments were hysterical as he talked about food and video games just waiting to be done with pictures. Typical teenage boy.

We met at Target then headed on our journey to Old Salem, an awesome historical place where the Moravians first settled after traveling from Germany! The place is full of awesome old buildings, log fences and history- I love it. Here's some favorites from the day!

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I love these photos because they are just so natural, the colors, the sun reflection in my lens, their faces etc!
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Annnnd this about sums it up.
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Thanks for such a fun day guys!! I hope your Mom loves the pictures of you guys! Merry Christmas!!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Blackburn Family Christmas party!

Every year growing up we always got together with the Blackburn side of the family. It was a tradition of sorts, and one that I treasured every year. As the years have gone on and the grandchildren have gotten older and life has gotten busier, and now that both grandparents have passed away, that family tradition isn't as much a tradition. This year was different though. We got together, those that could (some were separated by distance, others by work) to celebrate the Christmas season. As everyone got there anticipation for the good food grew and we got to catch up and laugh with one another. We met on the farm, which once belonged to my great Uncle Richard, my Uncle Tommy and Aunt Texie now own the farm, and it was so great to hear all the noise and life in a house that has been closed up for years. Here's some pictures of the day- but mostly pictures of my cousin C.J. and his wife Sylvia's beautiful children, Sara and Eli.
I love my family and it was so great to get together with them!! To those that couldn't be there- you were missed! Thanks for all the support over the years and being there! Love you all.
Enjoy!


First- cool Christmas blur lol
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Some things around the farm, including one awesome chicken!
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A little blurry- but i love how excited Callie looks to be picked on by her older cousin Joshua and Joel!
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I love how huge his eyes are- he is such a handsome baby!
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Lil' miss thing
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Sara is such a ball of energy! She was so cute though as she was trying to feed 'gu-ger' (a.k.a Sugar) the horse and the "moo-cows".
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