Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Family

Since I moved back to my hometown last year, it's been rather nice seeing my cousins and getting to know their families. It's still not as often as I'd like, but the possibility of seeing them is now a reality instead of a wish. I have no brothers or sisters and my first husband was an only child as well, so my life is absent of nieces and nephews, and my kids do not have aunts and uncles. :(

I've posted about my own children here before, and they know how much I adore them, but today I thought I'd devote this post to some extended family.

This is my second cousin, Chloe. Trying to photograph her was like trying to corral a bunch of cats. She's at that cute phase, discovering her world, always on the go. This constant state of movement is not conducive to sharp photography, but at the same time it produced some unique and pleasing shots. She's such a sweet little girl. My heart was truly full this day in April.

I was asked to bring dessert so I brought this ladybug cake with her in mind.
It came from Ambrosia Bakery in Baton Rouge. Enter the store at your own risk.
The smell alone made me want to buy one of everything.

Checking out my yard. I love that she has her hand on my Trust in the Lord rock.

Weeds are still flowers for this girly-girl. :)
Chloe has a big brother, Drew, but I have not meet him yet. Hope to see him this week!!

These are my other second cousins, Brody, Eric, and Tyler. It was nearing dusk and I did not bring my tripod, so the images are not as crisp as I'd like. Apparently, my knee makes for a poor tripod substitute. I was supposed to go back and re-shoot, but never made it back. Still, I think the camera revealed their sweet personalities. These shots were taken at the end of August.
They instinctively hammed it up with hardly any direction from me.

Precious! I always leave in a happier state of mind after visiting this trio.
I gave this more of a washed out look and I rather like it.

Brody makes me all gooey; he's so dang sweet and cute!
This is another precious second cousin, Tristan. The boy is as smart and handsome as they come. I might be a little intimidated being around such intelligence; shut up, I know he's only 5! Put a gadget in front of this kid and he will have it figured out in record time. Tristan, you're going to be a success at whatever you do, I can tell already. One piece of advice: don't let the girls get you off track.
Fun dying Easter eggs.

He's finding his share. You can see his mind racing to the next logical hiding place.

He looks so thoughtful here. 

There are other second cousins, but sadly, I don't know them. I wish I did; however, I am so grateful for the ones I am getting to know, and the ones that want to know me!

Families are like fudge—mostly sweet with a few nuts.

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~ Desmond Tutu

24 comments:

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I've always been grateful for my cousins. I'm also grateful for the two children my brother had before his death. They now have children, and my niece's daughter even has a family of her own. My brother's children and grandchildren are as close as I'll ever come to having grandchildren of my own. Extended family is important. I think we realize it more as we grow older. I hope you can stay close to all of these and will soon be able to build relationships with more of your extended family. And I think your photos today are wonderful, as always.

Willow said...

Aw, it is just so heart warming when photos of kids can capture glimpses of their personalities . My relatives love when I photograph them , but I must admit I am better with nature and animals.
You did a great job.
Love the quotes too.
In my family I am perhaps one of the "nuts' lol
My nieces call me Phoebe from the old series Friends !

Karen said...

What a beautiful extended family Gail. Lovely portraits!

Stephanie said...

Hello sweet Gail! Your extended is family is absolutely precious! Thank you for sharing these sweet moments with us...that cake looks quite tasty! Hugs to you :)

Stephanie said...

Hello sweet Gail! Your extended is family is absolutely precious! Thank you for sharing these sweet moments with us...that cake looks quite tasty! Hugs to you :)

Unknown said...

I enjoyed seeing photos of your family. So So Sweet.. I also took a stroll back to see what I missed.. I have been gone for awhile. And let me just say your macro shots are amazing my friend.. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving..

Hugs~

Evelyn S. said...

How nice to have these opportunities with these darling children!

Anonymous said...

dit is goed voor iedereen dit is genieten.

TexWisGirl said...

such a bunch of cuties! i had lots of nieces and nephews but moved away as they were getting to be adults and having their own kids, so i missed out on the next generation.

Camila Rafaela Felippi said...

Amazing family. Unfortunately my family is not so. On the part of my father, my cousins ​​never liked me. No all my cousins. I have a lot, but the older girls I rarelly saw (and see)so we never had a good contact. And the cousins with the same age never wanted to play with me ): I don't know why. After, my youngest cousing (Bruna) likes me a lot (: she is 8 years old now! This year my grandfather died :/ in May. Now all my uncles (my father too) are fighting for money and the land :/ sometimes I see my aunts on the road, they talk to me, but I know we won't lunch, everybody together, again. It's really a pitty. Now I just see my grandmother and one uncle and aunt (Bruna's parents). And on the part of my mom (she has just one brother and he is carman) I just have my grandmother, who lives with me. I have one cousin but she lives far here :/ well, I really miss my family and I'm sad with this now ): I miss my grandfather and everything is lost now ):

Kim Stevens said...

Such a lovely post. We have lived away from family since our first anniversary and on Thursday it will be 21 years. Sadly my kids didn't get to have the experience of grandparents like I did, and living 1200 miles apart it's hard to get together often. I know what you mean about the little ones being so active, but you really did capture Chloe beautifully. BTW, that is my daughters name!

Ruth Hiebert said...

These are priceless pictures.

hootnonny said...

What a bunch of cuties, Gail! That lady bug cake's as cute as the cousins!

Anonymous said...

Very nice post. As I was looking at Chloe's photo, My husband walked by and said, "pretty little child, a gift from God." Dianne

Anonymous said...

Cute family shots. I love the ladybug cake!

Hilary said...

Beautiful children and wonderful photos of them. So nice that you're getting to know your cousins. Family is so important.

Katie said...

such wonderful sweet faces you captured, gail!
happy thanksgiving!

eileeninmd said...

Gail, wonderful portraits! Your cousins are all cuties, especially the little one. And I love the ladybug cake. Have a happy week!

Brian King said...

Chloe reminds me of my daughter from just a few years ago. She's definitely a cutie! I think boys are natural talents at hamming it up! These are wonderful family shots. The technical aspects of photography take a backseat in moments like these.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

What great photos of your cousins! They are so cute. I'm glad you're enjoying getting to know them. It's nice to have family around. I don't see my nieces and nephews like I used to when they were growing up.

Betty Manousos said...

oh my, what cute little ones!
and what a beautiful extended family, gail.
love your portraits so much:)

here's wishing you a happy and family filled thanksgiving!

big hugs~

Anonymous said...

These are GREAT photos! Such a wonderful personal post & I have to say, I love the look & feel of your site now. So fresh & easy to move around. I've been on a bit of a blog break, but I did post a gumbo recipe yesterday. Happy Thanksgiving to you & yours sweet Gail! Love & Hugs, xoxo

Pallavi said...

Beautiful pictures Gail :) you could be a professional photographer i am sure ! Love the portraits especially of your little cousins. So much of innocence .. Beautiful captured :) much love and great job done!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Lovely that you're back amongst your extended family! I should think that the subjects and their parents would be elated to have a copy of these photos. You are so remarkably talented.... (and What a lucky thing for your second cousins to now have a professional photographer in the family!!!)