It's been full circle with these two. Their wedding was the first I ever photographed, and then it was their anniversary shoot, and now this: their lovely family. 

These two crazy kids went and had a baby, and he's absolutely adorable! 

I've known Rachel and Jason for many years (I stopped counting after ten!), and although life has taken us to different states with different lives and different communities, we're absolutely still friends. 

Isn't it neat how that happens sometimes? 

It's an amazing privilege watching your friends become parents. 

Suddenly, tenderness and care spring out of a corner in their heart that had yet to be unlocked until that season, and I'm left to marvel at the beautiful people my friends are becoming. 

Rachel and Jason, thank you so much for allowing me to photograph you guys this last weekend out in the chilly KS weather!! If you can believe it, we did all these photos in 9 minutes flat! How amazing are we?? Love you guys to the moon and back! 

There's something about photographing families in their own spaces that makes their sessions extra special. It feels more like home when you are surrounded by your favorite people. 

Melony really wanted updated photos of her family, so we decided to do what most families do on a typical evening together: stay home and relax. 

Jay and Melony have a lovely backyard, with lots of nooks and crannies for photographing! 

We made up some rules for croquet, and blazed through a lightning round.

Then, in keeping with our "evening at home" theme, we started a fire and toasted some marshmallows. 

While I typically photograph families with small children, I found that the interactions that Jay and Melony had with their kids were similar in nature. Affection, respect, and friendship were overflowing, and I'm so thankful I got to see it. 

I guess the family that plays croquet and makes fires and marshmallows stays together. 

Jay and Melony, I'm SO thankful I got to photograph your family this week! Thank you so much for the generosity you show, not only to me and Sunil, but also to those around you - especially your children. Enjoy your photos! :)