The next generation...

Every year my family takes a "time out" from reality and goes on a week vacation. We've been doing this for 16 years now, and I can't remember a year that I enjoyed more. It's a break from phones (for the most part...though I honestly left mine in the bedroom all week...only checking once or twice a day), tv, internet, and just everyday life. We have the chance to reconnect, be lazy, and make a handful of new memories each year. :o)

This is probably the only time each year that we are ALL together for any length of time, so we took advantage of it and captured a much overdue new "cousin" photo.

Word cannot describe what a blessing my nieces and nephews are to me. Each one brings a unique joy to my life, far more than I could have ever imagined. So the following photos are very near & dear to my heart. Every smile, every silly face, & every uncooperative toddler!

Shall we call this 'adventures with Aunt Kristin'? Take 1 grandma, 2 aunts, and 11 kiddos ages 5 and under...and you get my favorite pictures to date.

Take a look...

The boys :o)

The girls :o)

I cannot wait to get some on my walls! More family photos to come later this week. :o)

A ray of sunshine...

I can hardly believe that my youngest niece is old enough to have her 6 month session! I'm learning all too quickly the importance of "not blinking" as my Mom has always told us...and the significance of capturing the memories before they slip away.

I'd like to say that this little one has been smiling since she made her grand arrival {12 days late}, and she probably has. (You can read about her Mama waiting on her here, and her first 3 months here). She has a smile that will melt your heart~and the personality to go with it!

So here's another moment captured forever in my heart. Take a peek.

Happy 1/2 birthday little one, you're aunt loves you! :o)