This year has taught us to be more intentional with "who" we are as a family, meaning, what defines our family culture. It all started with a conversation on one of very few date nights in February when we realized we were "accidentally" a football family. Until we labeled "us" we hadn't realized that we hadn't intentionally pick this as our way of being. It was just the most obvious way to define our tribe's culture.

Ryan Turns 7!

As I write this, I'm sitting in the midst of my child's sleepover birthday party. I cannot fathom how my baby has transformed into a stinky, giggly, inquisitive, intense, boy. He's having four friends stay the night and watch Star Wars for the first time. Only he won't stop talking and asking questions since he's heard rumors of these tales and wants to soak up every second of it.

This One's for Nora

A little shout out to my mother-in-law with the hopes that this adds some cheer to her day. We love you!

Rogers Maternity

There are two things I am surrounded by these days: football and pregnant ladies. You should be warned that just by knowing me, you may have a child in your midst within the next 9 months. Thankfully all my expecting friends are super beautiful and allow me to capture these fleeting days on film.

Elzinga Maternity Shoot

It has been one of the greatest gifts to see this couple pregnant again with little boy #2. After a journey that most wouldn't believe, they've found themselves walking the path of 40 weeks...tonight. So it's Carrie's great hope that just like my last maternity session post, it will trigger childbirth within 24 hours.

10 Years Post Katrina

10 years ago, a hurricane destroyed the lives of thousands of people across the Gulf Coast region. It was devastating. It was terrifying. It was final. And it was transformational for many of us that were privileged to serve those left in Katrina's wake. 

The above picture: What was left of one of the homes we mudded out (after I buried the truck in the mud.)

Summer Vacation: Day 4

This entry should probably be entitled "Go Jump In the Lake." We had a blast watching the boys jump. Us girls stayed dry and safe from the dock's edge. The pic above is Ryan contemplating his next combination since the goal was mega splash. You can guess who won.

Summer Vacation: Ithaca Day 3

This post is going to help everyone understand how it can feel like you lived an entire week in just a single day when staying on Cayuga lake. You can track the climate change by shadow, shine, sweatshirts and swimsuits. It was a heck of a 24-hours, but one we look back on fondly.

Summer Vacation: Ithaca days 1 + 2

The Kerry's once again took Ithaca by storm for the 4th of July, but on our way, we had a blast in Buffalo visiting old friends while making new memories.

Ramseyer Newborn Session

We completed the trifecta of photoshoots with a home visit to see Elliot when he was 10 days old. Shocker. He got cuter. 

Our Wild Thing: Elise Turns 3

We just sat at dinner (on the 22nd) reciting to the kids how Elise's arrival happened. It was 26 hours in the making, thus it started the day before her birthday. So to me, the commemoration of her birth is a multi-day celebration: It was the day I anticipated with great hope after not being so sure we'd be granted a second baby. It was the day I turned into a southern belle complete with accent while screaming out "Sweet Jesus" as I labored. It was the day God gave me a girl.

Fresh 6: Welcome Elliot!

I don't think there's anything more precious than the first few hours with a new baby. And I was blessed to meet little Elliot just 6 hours into his adventure! 

Ramseyer Maternity Shoot

When it comes time to do your first paid shoot, it helps to have a model-like family as your subject. And it helps when they're already dear friends and the money is going to support March of Dimes. So tonight—in honor of Caroline's false labor—I'm posting the images we took a month ago with the hopes that it jumpstarts little Ubu into making an appearance...SOON! Like tonight.

Graduates!

In the spirit of vacating, taking time to sit and reflect, and actually having some personal time to catch up on my passion projects—I write from the cottage in Ithaca—I wanted to take time to reflect on two milestones. Both are incredible, yet "normal" life-events, but I find it funny the timing.

Celebrating Grandma Mumme

Early in May we were able to spend a meaningful weekend celebrating the life of Max's Grandma Mumme, who passed back in April. The service was amazing and so was the time with family.

California Adventure: Day 6

Our final day in California was spent maximizing the very best California has to offer: water and sun! The kids didn't complain too much either :)

California Adventure: Day 5

Day 5 of the trip also marked by my 38th birthday and we greeted my day with a trip to the storied San Diego Zoo (where we met this little guy, humming along on our way out.)

California Adventure: Day 4

There's nothing better in my book than cuddly, warm, sweaty littles just after nap. If you can grab them when they're still groggy, you can get a quick cuddle or even a giggle. Our time in Cali provided no exception since nap time was pretty critical to overcoming the time change.

California Adventure: Day 3

Enjoy this post since it's pretty much the last time Elise had a smile on while at the beach. We'll have to see how she weathers Lake Michigan this summer. 

California Adventure: Day 2

Day two of our adventure could not have been any more perfect, even with jet lag! It all started with waking up to Easter morning and it only got better from there.

California Adventure: Day 1

It's fair to say that a huge part of why we've been hesitant to visit our old stomping grounds—Carlsbad, CA—is that the travel across country is traumatic at best....at least it is to me with two kids in tow. 

California Adventure: A First for Ryan

He's growing up. And if his sweet little smile was a little wider, you'd see the "first" he's celebrating written all over his face!

March Post: Part 2

The Kerry's were ready for Spring in the worst way. We could be house-bound no longer, so we took Grand Rapids by storm and packed in a ton of excursions throughout the month of March. Take a peak!

March Recap: Part 1

I can't believe we're already into April and we're catching up on March. There was so much that happened in a month that was actually very slow moving, that we have to break it into two posts. So this one will just be about our normal life. In our house. Cooped up. And ready for Spring!

February In Review

February proved to be a long month, though it's the shortest on the calendar. With a family bout of stomach flu and a ton of commitments for Max, we were anxious to create adventures in-light of the extreme winter weather that set records in Michigan for cold and accumulation.

Someone Elses Sweetie for a Change

This turned into an impromptu photo-session of Staci and Mia, rather than just a trip to Meijer Garden to see the butterflies hatch. With no agenda or plan. Just an amazing connection between these two...I couldn't help myself!

6 Years, 2 Months and Some Arctic Air

The days are getting longer but the temperature is not rising. Believe it or not, we're not phased by it anymore. In fact, we're embracing it!

Snow Day!

The snow is upon us and we're on the last snow day of the season before we have to start making up days at the end of year. This is us getting creative since there's no going outside when the temp is -18º!

Elise 2.5

"I love you too, back." - Elise

When Ryan was born, he got all of me. All of us. All of the time. Then along comes Baby K2. And most day's I feel like she gets only a small fraction from her parents that Ryan did. Granted, she does get the love of an amazing big brother, but it's very different than the vacuum that Ry was raised in. So her perceived "neglect" is what I remind myself of right now as I see the "uneven" posts of pics of my baby girl in comparison to my growing boy. 

January in Review

We've completed the first month of 2015, and though it's the longest month, it has flown by! We're embracing the weather and trying to get outdoors as much as possible, but this winter has been cold. 6 snow days already. But we've found lots of ways to stay busy.

Ryan Turns 6!

Ok, maybe the title of this post should be past tense, as in "he TURNED 6." And his mom didn't share much about it. Indicative of a very busy holiday filled with so much good stuff. So maybe it's ok to spend a day in January looking back and remembering what a great day we had celebrating the boy with all his friends.

The Holidays: Part 2

It seems like a year ago we celebrated Christmas, but in just two short weeks we've reclaimed our house and school has begun...and National Sales Meeting have happened. These are the markers of the new year for each of us.