My sister. The beautiful Nancy, who has raised up this gaggle of laughter and affection, is the most deliberate mother I know . . . pouring into her daughters’ lives, and building a house of love and authenticity that will weather the storms. She’s on her knees daily for these captivating young ladies.

I’ve seen it. They talk about it all . . . and her girls’ hearts are bound together like nobody’s business. I keep asking Nancy when she’s going to write her book {cause that girl can WRITE} . . .  or go on the retreat circuit sharing her journey {she’s had a dilly of a journey}.  No time for that yet- she’s still raisin’ up her girls, full force.

You want this? There’s no secret . . . it’s being authentic, it’s saying “I’m sorry,” a whole lot, it’s looking for the good in every day, and it’s keeping your eyes fixed on the Author of Love. Not easy, but so good.

*** this is a sistahood post, and my failure to mention the partnership that makes this possible (Chris and Jake!) is solely my attempt to keep this post about the chicas. oxox

Meet Bridget. She’s the nurturer . . . the protector . . . her mamma’s second set of hands. She’s the eldest of the four Cassell kids, and pure joy.

Zoe is a firecracker who lives in the middle of the party. On our photo shoot day, she got a HUGE splinter deep in her finger. Sweet Zoe let her mom pull that splinter right out, slap on a bandaid, and she was ready to party once again.

Marin is a young lady with vision. And she commits to seeing her vision come to fruition. She knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to get it! Marin’s focus is wrapped in giggles and hugs and pure delight.

And here is the most marriageable bachelor in the entire county!  With three sisters to keep him in line, Trent will be every sweet young thing’s dream.

The purpose of our lifestyle shoot was to capture four generations of this precious family . . . what a legacy of love they’ve created. Check out the Cassell Gallery for a peak into life as a Cassell.

Laurie and Skip have one of those marriages that inspires me. It inspires me to work at keeping my own exciting. To invest. To nuture. And to laugh. Alot.  Laurie and Skip are now empty nesters . . . both girls in Florida now. And they admit it’s bittersweet. Yea, they just got back from a Caribbean cruise, and they have that sun kissed glow on their cheeks and  joy in their voices, but, oh, to turn back the clock and wake up with Libby and Ava in their bedrooms.

Whenever I’m with Laurie, I get a golden nugget. This time it came from both of them. Don’t rush through the child rearing thing. Plan for long, relaxing breaks and stretch those periods of “family fun” whenever possible. It all goes so fast. Laurie and Skip . . . I hear ya.

Laurie and Skip are wise about so many things. They are building a marriage . . . after 27 really great years, they are still building. They also realize that capturing who they are together is an heirloom . . . a forever legacy.  It had been five years since they had a “couples” photo . . . time to document love. Really smart. Cause you can’t turn back the clock and go back get what’s already gone.

Meet the Schultz family.

Teresa and her guys. Teresa and  Bruce have just completed a beautiful addition on their home . . . Bruce has been working like a dog and it shows! Teresa is not an interior decorator but she should be. Her home is stunning, full of personality, and warm and inviting. Her front room was even featured in a design magazine. So, Teresa saw these cool DIY wall design templates on the Home and Garden channel, and wanted to get some black and white photos of her family to put on the warm golden wall. Black and white prints, framed in black. It’s going to be sleek and classic.

Enter moi. With the charge of capturing this family in all it’s glory, including the pups. We were chasing the light all evening, but we won! Check ‘em out. Great family.

Dave.

Matt.

Nick.

trouble. of the sweetest kind.

I can tell. Teresa and Bruce share that “we’re on the same team” kind of love. Precious.

Bruce is looking at me that way ’cause I just asked him to throw Teresa into a dip and kiss her

Couldn’t resist.

the brotherhood.

They might rib and jeer, but these guys totally know how good they’ve got it.

Two parents in love. That’s a gift.

Frank.

I couldn’t resist this shot, Teresa. As I was going through your bedroom on the way back from using the second story balcony to shoot, I saw this on the wall above your bed.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this.

That about sums it up.

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