These two kids were so happy and accommodating during our photo shoot last Friday morning. Esmee was most herself while running and jumping and always moving, while little Errol showed off his mad modeling skills doing some tummy time and didn’t mind cuddling with sister for a few shots. (I had to include that last picture, hahaha. So precious!) Thanks for having me over, John-Mark and Sheena! It was so nice to meet you four…happy holidays!
Ah! Swoon! Samantha is just the cutest. I couldn’t get enough of her smiles yesterday. And she totally rocked her wardrobe changes. It was so nice meeting you, Lauren and Roy! You have such a beautiful family and it was fantastic getting to know you three.
Thus begins the post-Thanksgiving/pre-Christmas sneak peek blitz! Avery, Elena and their folks, Alexis and Jeff, were the perfect family to kick off my manic race to Christmas with. We had such a beautiful morning yesterday in Millennium Park. Not to mention we had the place basically to ourselves! It was great seeing you four again. Avery and Elena, you did a fantastic job with your photos. Thanks for a fun time and happy holidays!
Mike and I only get back to Ohio twice a year, most years, to celebrate the holidays with our families. The length of time that we are able to stay in town varies, and normally our schedule is so tightly packed with fun family events that we rarely have the chance to catch up with old friends who are in town visiting their families, too. This Thanksgiving, though, Mike and I were thrilled to be able to catch up with our old friend (that sounded worse than I meant it!), Nathan, his beautiful wife, Jackie, and their hilarious, adorable little boy, Dominic. Nate and I go way back. We went to kindergarten-high school together and I can’t really remember a time when we weren’t friends. It’s the general consensus in my family that Jackie is the very best thing to ever have happened to Nate and every time we get together and have the chance to get to know her even better, the more excited we are for him…and for us, too, to have a great “new” friend. And Dominic! We were floored by how big he has gotten since the last time we saw him. This year was particularly special as Nate and Jackie are expecting their second child. That definitely calls for a photo shoot, in my mind! Congratulations again on your impending arrival, Nate and Jackie! We are so excited to meet new baby K. in another few months. It goes without saying that it was great to catch up, and we really do need to find a way to do so more frequently.
Mike and I had a wonderful First Thanksgiving with Eloise last week. She rocked the 6 hour drive home to Ohio like a superstar traveler. Honestly, Ellie did better than Dorey, poor car-sick dog. It was amazing for me to share the traditions my sister and I have known and loved since we were little girls with my daughter this year. We watched the Macy’s parade before gathering around the table to talk, laugh and overeat. Thanksgiving at my parents’ house is always such a low-key, relaxing, peaceful, happy holiday. My favorite. Always has been. It’s also Soares family tradition to put up our Christmas tree Thanksgiving Day afternoon. Ellie was fascinated by the lights and ornaments…so, so, so special to see. Last weekend was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season, and I already can’t wait for more family time in just another month.