J Cooper Photography

We celebrated this weekend with our little monster.  He’s turning TWO and we had lots of help from family (and a special family) to celebrate his BIG DAY!  I kept things as low key as I could and didn’t man my camera much during the festivities.  Heck, I was too busy stuffing my face with Mr. P’s grilled shrimp skewers!  We are so fortunate to have family that was willing to make the trek to KC to help us celebrate our little man!

1. cheesy grins before the guests arrive

2. the birthday boy with his cupcake

3. kisses for mommy

4. a special moment with my boy

5.  think he liked his cake?

I kept the decorations to a minimum but had to include a few fun monster details.  I had originally bought supplies for a big party (mostly from the dollar bins at Target) months ago.  But when we realized that a lot of our family could come to visit we opted to concentrate on a family party.  That left me with quite a few extra items…but we somehow managed to use up most of the party goods!

1.  homemade cupcakes and party toppers

2.  AMAZING monster cookies from Cookie Construction

3. a little party favor friend

4.  the goodie table

1.  a handmade sign

2.  monster crafts

3.  keeping little hands busy

4.  paper crafts

1.  monster tee made by mommy

2.  a moment with big sis

3.  a grin only “Baboo” could initiate

4.  new wheels

Sam’s party was one of the best nights I have had in a really long time.  The last few weeks have been super busy and more than a tad stressful.  It was SO great to relax with my family and just ENJOY my little guy.  He was JAZZED up the entire evening…loving every minute of being in the spot light.  With so many of his favorite people in the same house, I know it was a fun night for him!

I’m hoping to steal away a few minutes this week before we leave on vacation for a little photo shoot with my ALMOST 2 year old!  Thank you to all of our family who helped make his birthday so meaningful this year!

Another newbie to share.  This one was a champion sleeper…with a shock of red hair and the cutest pouter I’ve seen in a long time.  She’s #4 in her clan but mom and dad were as calm and collected as could be.  We spent the afternoon ooohing and aaahing over her every little detail.  I can’t think of a better family to spend the day with…what a blessing!

I try really hard at each newborn session to provide a wide variety of images….traditional bean bag shots, baskets, with the family, and something unusual or unexpected.  Since this little gal was such a trooper we were able to break out a lot of fun props.  And she didn’t mind at all.  She was in a DEEP sleep (a photographer’s DREAM) and let me do whatever I wanted with her.  Combine that with an unseasonably warm sunny afternoon and we were all in heaven.  As I sat down to edit I realized her little pouter was WIDE OPEN in every shot…I’m surprised I didn’t have to edit out any drool…what a sleeper!

Love this moment between Mom and Dad.

We caught some fun images of the siblings too.  Mom is so fortunate to have so many little “helpers”…and really…they were all so amazing that afternoon.  At one point towards the end of the session Ms. Middle came to me and asked when I was going to give the baby her shots.  I was perplexed…so was mom!  I tried to explain that I was just a photographer and wouldn’t ever give anyone a shot!  Then she quipped, “but you said I could have a lolli once the baby had one more shot!”  {GRIN}  What a cutie!

One more to leave you with   What a gorgeous blessing you have in this sweet little bundle.  THANK YOU for allowing me to capture your family…can’t wait to get my hands on her again!

Sometimes life has a way of getting a bit too complex.  Too many decisions.  Too many activities.  Just too much.  That’s when you know you need your family to re-charge you.  So off we went.

{Um…if you have a family of 18 that you would like me to photograph immediately following church but BEFORE lunch on a sunny porch the answer is an emphatic “no”.  Although I was happy to oblige my own family…you are on your own!  As you will see I didn’t even get everyone’s eyes open.  But had I asked them all to let me take 20 shots to ensure that all 18 people were looking I think I might have been lynched.  Despite the poor photography….it is a beautiful memory…seeing everyone I love together like this.}

Like those matchy matchy tees?  You can get one of your own HERE.  The Librarian is selling them to raise the randsom to bring home a Peruvian princess.  We like to wear them as a family to show her how we are longing for that little girl too.  My sister also made my family (and all the big and little girls) Africa shirts.  Those pictures will have to wait another day or two as my editing time has already run out for the day!

While I was re-charging with my family I also got to steal away with The Writer’s brood.  It was noonish by the time we hit the streets with my camera…but her models were still willing despite the glaring sun.   They live in a smallish town in Nebraska…tree lined streets with historic houses…brick store fronts…narrow alleys….and lots of antique shops (sigh).  It was hard to come home.

{This photo cracks me up.  I like how the littlest is trying with all her might to catch as much air as her cheerleading sister.  We took about 20 frames of this shot just trying to get them all in the air at the same time!!}

The oldest:  cheerleader, softball player, violinist, academic overachiever, so funny you’re likely to spit a soda out your nose.

The Middlest:  theatrical diva, Reader, talker, fashionista, cellist, aspired to change her name to “Sparkle” as a tot.

The Littlest:  jump roping whiz, brainiac, crafter, violinist, earns the title of “coolest person in the whole wide world” according to my girls.

Aren’t they adorable?  I might be slightly biased being their aunt and all.  Between the three of us sisters there are 10 (going on 12) kids.  They are all lined up like a big stair step.  And luckily for me, I have the privilege of watching my sisters raise their own kids (before I had to raise my own).  It is such a blessing to truly love your family and love spending time together.

So after a fun filled weekend of talking, eating, shopping, playing, game watching, church going, driving, planning, dreaming, and driving some more…we arrived home…refreshed and re-charged….

Hope you had a wonderful weekend too with the people you love!