Nate Lightle - Streator Bulldog - Class of 2015

Last week I had the pleasure of having a photo session with Nate Lightle!  I've known Nate for a few years now and he's always been a very well-mannered, respectful, hard-working individual.  This session was so fun for me!

I've had all 3 of the Lightle children as students!  Amanda was intelligent and outgoing.  Nate is intelligent and a little more on the shy side...until he gets comfortable around you!  Nicole is intelligent as well, and more like her brother when it comes to the shy factor.  So, how lucky are these parents to have 3 intelligent children!?!

Nate was such a trooper during this session.  We started uptown using some of the buildings that have so much charm and character in Streator.  From the brick buildings to the buildings that need a little TLC - they all make for great photo backdrops!

Nate's mother, Michelle, came along on the shoot and I was very excited about that because she had an idea of what she wanted from these pictures.  I always like a little guidance so I can make sure people are getting what they want!

We then moved on to the baseball field which was clearly somewhere that Nate was comfortable.  Streator is a baseball town and Nate wore his jersey with pride!

While there, Nate's girlfriend, Maddie, met up with us.  These two are absolutely adorable together!  I was able to get some pictures of the two of them in their uniforms.

We then moved to a location in Kangley.  This site was absolutely stunning.  It had tall grasses, rolling hills, a barn, a pond...I couldn't' have asked for anything more perfect (thank you to the Brennan Family for allowing me permission this one time)!  I was able to get a couple more shots of the couple together before it was Maddie's turn (but that's for another blog).

I want to thank Michelle and Nate for being so cooperative and willing to try anything!  It was honestly such a fun shoot!  While I know I will see Nate this year on the Soccer Field, Baseball Field, and Basketball Court, I want to wish him nothing but the best as he starts to make those big decisions for where he is headed!

Until next time...

Fitzgerald Family Vacation - Look it up in the Urban Dictionary!

This past week the Fitzgerald Clan took their  family vacation to Lake Lure, North Carolina.  Every other year we get together somewhere as a large group...and every other year we have the time of our lives!  Introducing - The Fitzgerald Family - 2014 (please note that Ryan Fitzgerald is not in the picture as he was unable to attend this year).  While reading this blog please note that the youngest are called littles, the next oldest are called the middles, and the oldest are called the bigs.

Ryan - missing but not forgotten.

Yep - this is how they roll!

This Fitzgerald Family started with Everett and Mary.  The siblings - Tom, Ellen, and Jane - are the three that keep this family vacation tradition together.  As you can see in the picture above, our family has grown a great deal over the past few years.  

The Tom Fitzgerald Family is now more than just Tom and Leanne.  Ryan (not pictured) is currently on his way to becoming a doctor.  J.C. Fitzgerald, and his wife Sarah, have two beautiful daughters - Maggie and Ellie.  This entire family is wonderful in many ways.  The littles are adorable with their baby blue eyes and the middles are hilarious.  J.C. and Sarah are quick-witted and can make anyone laugh at the drop of a hat.  The bigs are very insightful.  Leanne is a teacher like myself and so we're able to relate on a lot of levels.  Put the entire bunch together and you get a family - all complete and amazing!  

The Ellen (Fitzgerald) Park Family is my favorite of them all!  I (and my sister-in-law, Leah) often say that we won the in-law lottery.  We couldn't ask for two people more caring and loving -and hilarious- than Harry and Ellen.  Both retired, we often are jealous of Harry and Ellen's travels.  Their youngest son, Brad, has a complete family of four with two beautiful and spunky girls - Riley and Reese.  I was the luckiest girl in the world to marry their oldest son, Bryan, and we now have a complete family of four with two kids - Ella and Tyler.  Anytime we get together as a family there are many laughs and crack-ups at the normal conversations that turn not-so-normal.  

The Jane (Fitzgerald) Price family completes this group!  Mike and Jane have three amazing, driven children.  Katie is the oldest and she is married to Mark with two boys - Gavin and Garret.  Next is Emily who is married to Nat.  Then we have John!  He's still waiting to find "the one" but from what we heard after his trip to Brazil - there are options.  Aunt Jane is absolutely hilarious and just listening to her southern accent draws you into any conversation.  Uncle Mike is the quiet, grand-fatherly type.  He's great with kids, and he says things when you're least expecting it which usually results in a good laugh as well!  This family is driven, well-traveled, and wonderful!  

Now you can see why our family vacations are a blast.  The littles are able to entertain themselves (with the help of Johnny-Boy)!  The middles get along so well and at any given moment you can walk into an inappropriate conversation or people rolling on the floor laughing.  The bigs are great role-models and have set an example for the rest of us to follow.  Throw a game of Cards Against Humanity in the mix and you're guaranteed a little entertainment!   This trip was amazing, and while we don't get to see each other often (we're sprinkled all around the U.S.), when we get together it's like we never skipped a beat!  I'm looking very forward to figuring out where the Fitzgerald Family Vacation 2016 will take us!  Love you all!  

Until next time...

Maggie, With Her Baby Blues, Turns One!

There is nothing more beautiful than the blue eyes of the subject(s) of my blog today!  Maggie is turning one (and you may remember Ellie from May when she turned 4)!

I was able to spend a week with Maggie in North Carolina and I think we could all agree that she is absolutely beautiful.  From her blue eyes to her little curls - she is so stinkin' cute!

I know that there is nothing more adorable to me than when I hear the pitter-patter of feet in the morning coming in to wake me up.  Maggie is an early riser, and while she's not quite walking to wake her parents up, I can only imagine how precious it is to see her cuteness in the morning.  Sarah and J.C. - you may disagree with me.  It's always nice to have an automatic alarm clock!

I'm always impressed with Maggie's (and Ellie's) wardrobe when I see them for pictures.  Even in their pajamas they seemed to be dressed well!  AND, even when Maggie is wearing Ellie's pajamas she's adorable!

It's always precious to see how older siblings love their younger siblings.  Ellie is a sweet little girl, and a great big sister.  Sometimes the younger ones welcome the love, but other times they're less than interested.  You'll see here that Maggie was very happy with her sister by her side!  

I love this family and all of their cuteness!  I can't wait to see them again in the very near future!  Love  you Fitzgerald Clan!

Until next time...

Beautiful, Adorable, and Spunky Reese is Two!

I don't even know where to begin with this one!  Reese is seriously one of the most adorable and loving 2-year-olds I know!  She is cuddly and sweet and her personality fills any room that she is in!  Here she is!

After spending a week with Reese on vacation, it was so hard to leave her (and her family).  It was great to be able to spend time with her and see just how that little mind works.  There are many things I love about her.  Her authentic smile that touches her eyes is infectious...

her love pats when she snuggles is heart-melting...

her little voice carries through any room and it brings a smile to anyone that is around.

The picture below cracks me up!  She's a little Marilyn Monroe...

To put it simply - Reese is THE cutest little thing in the entire world and I can't wait to continue to watch her grow.  I see her sincere love for her family and anyone that is around her - you don't get that a lot from someone so young.  She truly wants to make others happy!

I look very forward to more vacations, family time, and sleepovers with the cousins!  I love you to the moon and back Reese!

Until next time...