I hope you are enjoying the holidays! Isn’t it always hard to get in the swing of things on the Monday after Christmas? I just want to be back at my parent’s house, enjoying their company, opening gifts and eating my mom’s delicious food! 

The past week was very relaxed, which was a pleasant change of pace. As I mentioned, we celebrated Christmas in Katy, and decided to spend the night there after a Christmas Eve service at CityCentre for Bayou City Fellowship. That service is always my favorite – we sing my favorite carols and hear a good reminder about the real reason for the season. The rest of the week was very family focused – we spent all day, everyday together, and I loved it.

Some of the other highlights from the week include:

• Going wedding dress shopping (not for me!) although I would love to do it all over again. We ran into my old high school/college friend who was trying on dresses and looked absolutely stunning! I love weddings!
• Taking blog photos for two of my favorites, Destiny and Alex, at West Ave. I love those ladies! They’re so sweet.
• Going to our neighborhood park, which seemed like a great idea (well, it was!) until Isla refused to leave. She was having the best time!
• Watching Isla wear the dress that my sisters and I wore on Christmases when we were her age! I love special moments like that. My mom is the best to have saved them!
• Updating my annual Shutterfly book (books, actually, this year because I take so many photos!) – it took ages to get caught up, but I did it! 
• Having a very bittersweet farewell to my best, best friend, McKenzie – we got blow outs at Dry Bar and then ate dinner at Benjy’s before heading to our friend’s house (she lives walking distance away – jealous!).
• Going back to Benjy’s the next day to celebrate Meredith’s birthday (which is on Christmas!). 
• Eating lunch at Ruggles Green with one of my closest college friends, her mom, my mom and Isla – I loved every lady sitting at that table! It’s always great catching up with old friends.
• Eating family lunch at Adair Kitchen and then dinner at Carabbas on Voss – two of my favorite places in one day. I would consider that a win! I love that Sasha loves the same restaurants as me! Makes picking places to eat very convenient!

How was your Christmas? Are you ready for NYE? Somehow it sneaks up on us every year!  

Isla turned 1.5 on December 4th, so I’m a little behind in giving an update (last one at 1 year!). My mom allegedly has a list of all the words I said at 18 months (yet to see this!), so I wanted to do the same. These are all things you think you’d never forget, but you do! Even reading through the update from 6 months ago was crazy! Alas, here we go – Isla at 18 months.

Isla now says: Duck, turkey, bear, bike, bee, owl, bird, “nana” (banana), “nack” (snack), apple, cheese, “nigh-nigh” (night night), bath time, thank you, no way, no (all too often!), book, ball, baby, bubbles, bottle, “bankie” (blanket), binkie, one, “mo-wee” (more), all done, mouth, house, nose, eyes, ears, shoes, socks, chair, watch, boots, doggie, cereal, Belle, Coco (neighbor’s dog), Dada, Tata, GG, ZZ, Deda, Baba, Mimi, Papa, Nana, Mama, Bob and Mummy. She will use sign language for: more, all done, one and where, but her favorite thing in the world is to make animal noises for: sheep, horses, dogs, cats, monkeys, lions, fish, owls, and elephants. 

The Christmas countdown isn’t funny anymore – only 3 days, and I haven’t wrapped a single gift! Yikes. I plan on doing that tomorrow!

The last week marked the end of family photo season, not that I won’t take any others, but the crazy busy weekends have come to an end, and I can actually take days off! I am so incredibly grateful for all of my clients – friends, family, friends of friends, total strangers who are now friends, etc. I am so tickled every time a Christmas card arrives in our mailbox with photos that I took! I love it.

Some of the highlights from the past week include:

• Meeting Alex at Uptown Park for photos, then having coffee with Meredith at Starbucks afterwards! 
• Taking Isla to her 18 month appointment (post to follow tomorrow!) – of course, the shots weren’t any fun for either of us! 
• Taking newborn photos for Caroline’s babe, Andrew, who is so sweet! Check out her post here.
• Meeting at Esther’s house for a fun styled shoot. Check out her post here.
• Taking photos of Molly at the River Oaks District – she’s stunning and I adore her style!
• Photographing Destiny at River Oaks District on Friday and then having an impromptu lunch at Ruggles Green at CityCentre afterwards with her husband and son, and Sasha and Isla met us too!
• Meeting one of my sweet college friends, Desi, and my sister, Karine, for dinner at Downhouse on Friday. Lots of great chats and catching up!
• Enjoying a family lunch after church at Sweet Paris – we love that place so much! 
• Taking my last set of family photos for my friend, Amy, whom I’ve known since we were in elementary! Her son, Brooks, is adorable!
• Going to the Willow Crowns pop up shop at West Elm and meeting Stephanie for the first time! I’m so proud of these two boss ladies!
• Eating dinner at Adair Kitchen on Saturday with my sister, then watching Spy afterwards, which is hilarious!

How was your week? Are you ready for Christmas? Bought all of your gifts? Wrapped them? Traveling for the holiday? Hope you’re having the best day! xo