southam family

I think it might be difficult to describe how much I was looking forward to this session. Remember back in August when I held a silent auction on my blog for Nie Nie Day? This adorable family won that auction and donated the money to the Nie Nie fund. I hadn't met them before, but after e-mailing Josey and learning about her family, I couldn't wait to. I learned that they love anything outdoors, and as a family, they especially love to spend their summer nights on the golf course. We thought - what a perfect place to take pictures - right there in their element. It was SO much fun!

It was especially awesome because Josey and Stephanie were good friends in high school! I loved learning that they exchange Christmas cards every year and that Josey was looking forward to sending them a family picture. Hearing about the accident was devastating, while the outpour of love and hope that followed was deeply moving. I think Josey and I and everyone else wanted to do something to help. I am so grateful that they found me and I was able to take their family pictures and that together we could do something ever so small.

ps. You can read about some of the Nielson's road to recovery on her sister's beautiful blog. Two of my favorite posts are this one and this one. I also sat weeping as I read two news articles written about Stephanie and Christian. What an amazing example of love this family is, and what an incredible story of faith. Read them at azcentral.com: here and here.

And now enjoy Josey, Paul, Luke, and Abby! I almost stole their kids right away. Can you believe how amazingly cute they are?

luke is a total PRO-

I can't get over Luke and Abby in this one below. :)

a snack break!: