what a great age to become a big sister : )

What an adorable family – I can’t wait to see them complete with their little one.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Today we light the Hope candle and we are invited to thank God for the hope we have in Jesus, the prophesied Messiah.

This, year we have started a new tradition. In effort to slow down during this busy season and focus our hearts and minds on the true meaning we are lighting our own advent candles every evening. This is our somewhat non traditional advent wreath.  The circle reminds us of Gods never ending love that has no beginning and no end. The evergreens represent everlasting life, the red berries represent Christ’s sacrifice, and the salt that fills the bowl represents believers (the salt of the earth). The candles represent Christ, the light of the world, and their purple color signify the royalty of Christ (the pink candle is the Shepherds candle, we will get to it later), the white center candle is the Christ candle and it’s color represents the purity of Christ. The four candles signify the 4000 years of waiting from Adam and Eve until Jesus’ birth, one is lit each week leading up to Christmas and on Christmas day all five candles are lit.

We had Simon light the first candle (with lots of help). He is terrified of fire but he was a brave boy. Christmas is always such a special time for me filled with lots of memories. I hope that Simon will find the same joy in the season and it’s traditions that I do. If your family has a special advent tradition I would love to hear about it, please share in the comments!

until next time

-Emily

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Our tradition every year is to cut our own Christmas tree. I love it. Tree farms smell incredibly good and you get to drink hot cider and support local farmers. This year Simon is old enough to somewhat understand the absurdity of cutting down a tree, tying it to the car and putting it up in our living room – he had a blast. Oh the magic of Christmas!

This is “the one” Grandma!

Myles: “I love this tree, let’s kill it”

Lot’s more Christmasy post to follow shortly! I love the holidays!

-Emily

P.S. since I know someone will ask – I did not make the hat (are you kidding I can’t knit). I bought it from lovebugknits on Etsy.

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This little lady stayed awake for almost 4 hours straight. It was actually quite incredible. Here she is just feigning sleep.

When a baby stays awake for most of a session I always joke with the parents that at least after the session the baby will be “on schedule” and ready top  sleep a decent chunk of the night. I don’t know if that ever actually works out or not.

I hope everyone has a very happy Thanksgiving!
until next time!

-Emily
My Portfolio | Contact Me | Follow Me @emilyWbrown

Just a quick note to let everyone know that my 2009 schedule is full. If you are still interested in having a session in 2010 I still have some session times available in January and February and I am offering a free min accordion album when you book your 2010 session before 12/31/09. If you would like a referral to another photographer who might still have availability in 2009 please let me know.

-Emily

My Portfolio | Contact Me | Follow Me @emilyWbrown

This time of year puts me in a mood for baking. Simon is at a really fun age and loves being involved, if I don’t pull a chair up to the counter for him he does it himself. Unfortunately last week he fell of a chair and split his lip open on the back of the chair as he fell – I need to find a safer solution. For now I am standing really close. Anyway, around this time of year we like to make Grandma Jobes’s Orange cookies. Great Grandma Jobes was a marvelous cook, baker, and professional candy maker. Many of her recipes live on but this one is a favorite of all the grand kids, great grand kids, and now in Simon’s case great great grand kids.

Orange cookies are a cakey style cookie and require both the zest and juice of an orange. I showed Simon how to zest and orange and let him have a try, though it was a bit challenging for him to hold both the orange and the grater at the same time.

The juicing part was a bit easier

Now I warned him not to try and eat an orange with the peal still on it but sometimes experience is the best teacher.

I intended to get a picture of him eating a cookies but he inhaled it so fast it didn’t happen so you will just have to imagine it.

poor cookie, doesn’t know what’s coming.

If you would like to try these at home the recipe is as follows:

My Portfolio | Contact Me | Follow Me @emilyWbrown

My Portfolio | Contact Me | Follow Me @emilyWbrown

I love repeat clients! These girls were my instant friends even though it’s been a year since we have seen each other. We had so much fun playing in the park and goofing off. Being a photographer is seriously fun because it’s like you never really have to grow up.

Sis, I have a secret to tell you!

Until next time!
-Emily
My Portfolio | Contact Me | Follow Me @emilyWbrown

Love this family! They are obviously so in love with the beautiful daughter.

I had to include this one because her mom says she does this with her lips all the time – way too adorable. I could have kept this one.

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Remember this little guy ?- man did he get big fast.

We had fun last Saturday taking some shots between rain storms. I am afraid winter has official begun her in Seattle. But I love this garden because it is protected from wind and hangs on to it’s color way longer than anywhere else.

More, families, newborns, and mommies coming up – I have been BUSY!

-Emily