This year, we decided to get away from it all (including the computer!) and travel to Illinois for Christmas. We were a little concerned about the drive and how three kids tightly squeezed together in the back of our Taurus would handle things, but they did just great!

We spent a few days in Geneva, one night in Chicago on the 15th floor...the kids loved watching the streets below, and a few days in Freeport. Christmas Day was spent in our hotel with our little silver tree watching cartoons, and opening a present each while the snow swirled outside. Very simple and sweet.

On our way home we stopped in Spring Green to tour the House on the Rock. It was amazing, and we wish we could have been there with just the adults so we could have taken more time to absorb it all. We will show Taliesin East that respect someday.

Here are a few personal images of the family and House on the Rock. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

On our Christmas journies we photographed the Paschke family. It was a true Norman Rockwell experience. Pictures in front of a beautiful tree, in a beautiful home, in a beautiful small town, with beautiful snow falling outside.

Then John took the family outside to build a snowman and play in the snow. I love the family dynamics in these pictures and think they belong in a outerwear catalogue!

Paschke's, thank you so much for inviting us into your home...here are our favorites from your session!

Today I photographed a fantastic family. Ashley Fox is an imaginative floral designer that I just adore (www.ashleyfoxdesigns.com) and when she asked me to photograph her family, I was so honored!

We did my favorite type of family photography...a lifestyle shoot. I loved following them around, documenting their lives. We started off making popcorn and you should have seen these kids jumping up and down! The best was when Dad had them eat like cookie monster!

Then we went outside to gather eggs from the chickens and see how dirty the kids could get their hands in the garden. I loved seeing where Ashley grows many of her flowers and all the little corners she has in her backyard for the different plantings. The kids were adorable, and loved being out in the sun and playing with their parents. What a lovely family =)

Here are my favorites!

Yesterday, I photographed the children of Tami, owner of Muddy Paws Cheesecake...all 7 of them! Well, four are human and three are dogs, but they are definately all her children =)

I had a wonderful time getting to know each of the kids. They have such a range of personalities, and as I watched them play, it was neat to see how they all work as a family.

Tami, it was a pleasure to get to meet your family, here are my favorite images from the session!

Jesse and Stephanie had a portrait session today. Stephanie and I came across this really great building that was half way through demolition and I had to use it for a session before it was gone! We had a fabulous time playing around and though it got a little dusty, we got some amazing shots. Thank you Steph and Jesse, you two are truly super models...keep practicing those Blue Steele stares!

Richard and Judy have been married for 40 years! Their children gave them a portrait session so they could have some updated pictures. We met at the UofM, and got a workout as Judy took us to some fun locations on campus.

I had a wonderful time getting to know them and love how light and fun their images turned out. Here are my favorites, enjoy!

Today, I had a family session in Como Park. I love photographing large families because you get the see such a great dynamic of siblings, cousins, and multiple generations. We did every family group arrangement possible, and it was obvious that these guys liked to be around each other =)

Here are my favorites from the session!

I got to photograph Troy, Michelle, and their boys this evening. Troy is our agent (www.thephotoagent.com) and I always have a great time photographing his family because they are so darn cute! Baby Cody is so big now, and Dylan loves cuddling his baby brother. After the initial Christmas card pictures, the boys got into PJs and we got some super sweet images of them. I just can't get over Dylan's big brown eyes!

Here are my favorites!

I met with the Arnesens today for a family session at the Landmark Center. We had a wonderful time wandering the halls of the Landmark and finding good light for images. What really impressed me was their bravery to do some outdoor pictures as well. These turned out to be my favorite as by this time they were horsing around (maybe to stay warm!). With snow lightly falling, we got some great images of the family and I feel we really captured their dynamic.

Here are my favorites! Enjoy!

I had a great family session today! Their backyard was the perfect location with bright red trees and plenty of space for the girls to run around in the leaves. And we couldn't have asked for better weather!

I had a fantastic time playing with you guys today and I'm so happy with the images we created. Here are my favorites!