I just realized that I never blogged any images from a fantastic engagement session I had in the fall for a wonderful couple. I can’t believe it, because I just LOVED every one of their images! I think it was because autumn is my busiest season (and not because I’m getting forgetful, lol). I am really looking forward to shooting their wedding at the end of the year – I mean, come on. Just look at these two. So in love, and so beautiful and photogenic…I’m going to get accused of using models in my images again! But I promise you – they are two of the nicest people you ever met. And you can BET that I will blog their wedding pics asap!

#24 – Alana!!! Thank you all for entering and your sweet words;  I wish I could give everybody one of these! The good news is that I will be offering these to all of my clients who purchase a collection, so for those of you who really love them give me a call…they are VERY reasonably priced and come in white, black, baby blue or soft pink.

The holidays are over, everyone is back to work and school, and the days are short and the nights are cold. I personally enjoy this time of year! I know, it can be depressing to be inside most of the time, but I choose to look at the bright side…now is the time of year that I can work on some personal projects (hello Pinterest!) and have some evening snuggle and movie time. We are far too busy in the summer to enjoy all of the indoor activities, but winter brings a special gift – time with our loved ones doing things that are slow paced and rewarding.  Like board games with friends, and looking through old photo albums. Long talks in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea. Reading new books and old favorites. Puzzles. Organizing closets. Baking and cooking without being rushed.

Let’s all slow down and savor these family times. I’m going to help you by giving away something that is very special to me….

It’s a photo frame that holds a 16×20 print of one of my favorite phrases…but of course, you can insert a picture of your own family. It’s very impressive and goes with any decor! And if one of your New Years resolutions is to finally get those wonderful family images displayed in your home, this is a great way to start! All you have to do to be eligible is to leave a comment on this post. If you have “liked” my Casual Moments facebook page, say so in another comment and you will get another entry ( I will verify!).  Maximum of two entries per person. Comments must be received by 12:01 am January 6. Winner will be chosen by random number generator and contacted by email on January 9, so make sure you fill out your email address when you comment. Tell your friends about it so they can have a chance to win, too – just click on the Facebook “share” button right at the bottom of this post. Good luck to everyone!

I have been photographing these little boys for a few years now, and I always have so. much. fun. at their session! They have such big and easy smiles, and they love being outside at the park. And the park is a perfect place to let them be themselves – and to show off their little personalities in these images! And nothing sets off that blonde hair like a red covered bridge

I have photographed these children every year since they were born, and I look forward to it every year because – well, just look at them! They are so photogenic and fun, and I love watching them grow. And you know what I love the most? Their mom positively, absolutely makes it a priority to do an annual photo session no matter how busy and crazy life is. Even this year when she had a million things going on during the weekend that I was in PA, she managed to fit this session in the half hour between school and a huge charity event that she was coordinating because it was so important to her that she didn’t let life get in the way of – well, life! She didn’t stress about the less-than-ideal weather,  or the kids being a little fussy about what they would wear since they had just gotten home from school and didn’t have their usual chance to unwind – she just rolled with it! And I love how real and beautiful the images are, and smile to think that one day, when life finally slows down and the children are grown, she will have this wonderful album to look through and help her remember just how sweet life was despite it all.

(Washington Pa childrens photographer, McMurray PA childrens photographer, Greenville SC photographer)

So I squeaked this year’s card in,  just in time once again. It’s really hard to come up with something that isn’t boring when it’s just the two of you. I never had that problem when the children were little! Of course, I can’t help but feature our darling granddolls on it because I never get tired of showing them off! It DOES make me miss the days when my girls were home – Christmas just really isn’t the same thing. There are times when I long for the days when we went to my Nonnie’s for the Christmas Eve fish fry, and having a big dinner with my sister, mom, aunt and all of our families while we had small kids, AND not worrying about my waistline with the yummy treats!  BUT it can still be good, as we celebrate with new friends,  enjoy our daughters and their families the week after all of the hustle & bustle, and concentrate on more of the giving part of Christmas.  Here’s wishing you and yours warm moments and memories with those you love!

Well, here we are, finishing up 25 days of shopping together! I hope I’ve helped at least a little, with trying to find some fun gifts for the people on your list. This last one is one of my favorites! I have posted about these shoes before, and I think by now most people are familiar with them. I see A LOT of teens and college students wearing them, and they are also huge hits at wedding receptions for the bridal party once they kick off their heels to dance. The company donates one pair of shoes for every pair purchased, and sends them to needy children all over the world who otherwise may not ever own a single pair of shoes. This is huge in terms of health, preventing potentially deadly  infections from trauma to the feet in unsanitary conditions. This is a TOTAL win-win gift; a cool pair of stylish shoes for the recipient, and a good feeling that you have helped someone else. I happen to know from my teen sources that this is a VERY popular style, but you can also buy a gift certificate so they can choose their own style! Buy them here

This gift is for the gearhead in your family or the rabid nascar fan – an actual driving experience in a real racecar at a real track! This was Jim’s Christmas gift from me last year. He did this with a couple of his friends in the spring and it was his favorite gift ever. You can choose from several packages depending on the amount of time in the car, and you can even add a ride-along for yourself if you don’t have the stomach to drive it.  There are several companies that offer these, at almost any track. We chose this one and it went smoothly. We actually made a weekend out of it with two other couples – we stayed in downtown Charlotte, ate at some fun places, shopped a little, went to the NASCAR Hall Of Fame, then went to the track for the driving experience. Very fun!

All of us know someone who is difficult to buy for, who really doesn’t need anything at all as far as traditional gifts but whom you would still like to honor. Charitable gifts in their name are a great way to go! One of my favorites is Heifer International, an organization devoted to ending hunger by offering more than a temporary fix.

By giving families a hand-up, not just a hand-out, they empower them to turn lives of hunger and poverty into self-reliance and hope.

With gifts of livestock and training, they help families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. They refer to the animals as “living loans” because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal’s offspring to another family in need. It’s called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of their mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace.

Read some of the inspiring Success Stories from their partners around the globe that have had their lives changed as a result of Heifer’s work.

You can make a donation for any amount of money, but you can also select exactly how/where  you want it to be used anywhere in the world including here in the USA. You can donate an amount that will buy anything from seeds and gardening supplies to a flock of chicks for $20 to – well, a heifer for $500 or a camel for $850! They will send a beautiful card to the recipient of the gift showing them how their gift will be used The gift catalog is here.

Every year I treat myself to at least 1 or 2 new CDs of Christmas music, since that’s pretty much what I listen to from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.  This is the gift of music that will seriously last for years and that is likely to please everyone’s tastes from Grandma to the tweens.  Speaking of tweens, Justin Beiber’s Christmas Cd “Under The Mistletoe” would be a big hit for their list but I would be willing to bet that you might be a little late to that party. A giant hit this year was Michael Buble’s Christmas; I have it and love the laid back, rat-pack, timeless classy vibe. But my favorites this year are actually two that I downloaded from Amazon (also available on itunes) – The Sing Off Harmonies for the Holidays and Sing Off Songs for the Season (from 2010 and 2011). I loved watching the Sing Off, and the featured groups perform  a capella Christmas music with amazing vocal effects on these CDs.  Last year I bought the Christmas cd from Straight No Chaser, another all-male a capella group that is so fun to listen to. So much to choose from! Have fun sharing your favorites – a perfect gift for all!