This family, oh how I love them! We know Eric and Amanda from Kansas City, but Austin and I have really grown close with them since moving to Arizona. They have been a special friendship in our lives! And, their little Amelia girl has become my buddy too! I have loved watching her grow up and seeing her bold personality flourish! The funniest thing though, she loooves Austin! When I got out of the car at the Veteran’s Oasis Park to take their family pictures, Amelia immediately said, “Where’s Austin?!” We all started laughing, and I tried to explain to her that he stayed home but she was very adamant that she wanted him there! It was so cute.

One thing I love about toddler-aged kids is their perspective on the world. It is so intriguing to me! I wish I could instantly know what their little minds are thinking.

I bring this up because you see, on every photoshoot, I always bring my step ladder because well, you know… short people problems! In the middle of snapping a “mommy and me” shot, Amelia started getting squirmy in her mom’s arms and wanted down. Amanda let her down and to my surprise, Amelia walked over and stood right by me. She looked up at me and pointed to my camera and started to climb up on my ladder. I’m thinking, “Lord, please don’t let this child fall!” As I was trying to brace her, she started reaching for my camera and saying “I do it”. It occurred to me in that moment that Amelia wanted down so she could come be like me – standing on my step ladder and taking photos. Home girl was tryin’ to take my job! You always hear that kids repeat what they see, but it was so much more real in that moment! They are always watching us and analyzing what we say and do, even when we don’t realize it. Even though Austin & I aren’t parents yet, I pray that when we are, we will be good examples to them in our words and actions. It’s amazing what you can learn from a two-year-old 😉

Thank you Eric & Amanda for the opportunity to take photos of your precious family!