The Gibler Family decided on a fotosession in Lake Oswego, Oregon at the univeristy where Bryan completed his masters degree. Marylhurst University was decked-out for the holidays! Heavy wreaths hung overtop and on either side of the main enterance. Festive banners lined the long, dramatic walkway. The family was likewise festively dressed for the occasion. Everyone was trimmed in a classy array of red, black, or grey. I was swooning over the sweaters: expecially the littlest red one Soren wore which was handknitted with love in every stitch (or whatever they’re called in knitting!?). And then there is Bruce’s hat–perfect!!! But most of all–it was about their spirit which shone as I captured their family spending a quite afternoon–together. Gibler Family, thank you for giving me a special appreciation for family, spirit & togetherness during your fotosession.

& to everyone else: Happy Holidays!

to view slideshow.

I can’t even tell you how many times Nick has watched

our familyNovella tonight–always smiling from ear to ear.

Myla says she can’t wait until we have family pictures again…

“as long as Shannon does them, she’s the best”.

~ Lenaya

Myla, Gavin & Dexter thought so too! Lenaya & I styled her family’s ‘Washington apples’ shoot for weeks: Longaberger baskets heaped with apples, brown tights, & a dirt road through an orchard in Tri-Cities. Fall is Fabulous! Meet the Bunger family!

And yes, Grandma Renee, only organic apples were consumed in the telling of this fotoNovella

Nick got in his forearm reps for the day…

I didn’t find the observation to be all that amusing, having premature, greying hair, and all: not cool. Because, really: who do you know who wants to be like her grandma at age 24? Or tries to compete with the height of her grandma’s beehive? Or makes her grandma’s old brooches into hair adornments? Or begs to have antique bed frames, doors, chairs, stained-glass windows from her grandma’s storage? Or hosts tea parties with her grandma’s teacup & saucer sets?

Yeah. I do.

& my favorite blanket is a pea green afghan. I wear wool skirts & silk blouses. I would give my first born child (I might be exaggerating) to be transported into my great-grandmother’s closet. I have a thing for shawls. I collect aprons.

& wait for it …

wait for it…

I love beets. Total grandma food. I’m sure I’ve more grandma tendencies: feel free to leave a comment reminding me of the grandma tendencies I’ve missed in my list.

But first, lift your teacup in cheers to a special girl on a special day: Happy First Birthday, Beautiful Jordyn!

I was telling my high school teacher, Mr. Miller, how I’d been feeling pressured to get a job with ‘benefits’. Miller paused a moment in his characteristically-wise fashion, then said, “But you enjoy what you’re doing.”

“Yes! I get to hold babies!” Miller has known me long enough to understand my off-center train-of-thought & random outbursts: so he just nods his head at my moment of enlightenment. Sure, there are whole load of other things I love about telling stories with my camera, but right then it was all about babies. I get to wrap babies in blankets & take oh-so-dreamy pictures of them. I get to feed babies their bottle after the session & listen to their mothers who are grateful for adult conversation. I get to rock babies to sleep & watch their parents pick-out the pictures that will let them remember their babies as babies.

I get to hold babies like Abigail & that’s a pretty nice benefit.

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