Mckenzie & Preston

Their mama is my oldest, dearest friend. I can count on one hand (okay, maybe two) the number of ladies I can call my friends, but there is something really special about the person who I went through all of my "firsts" with, and the fact that I can still call her one of my best friends is something I hold very close to my heart.

Jenny was the first person I saw after I passed my driving test, and most likely my first brave passenger! We shared a limo to the homecoming dance and had sleep-overs the night before the first day of school, ensuring we would find the perfect outfit the night before.  I was with her the night she met her husband, and danced with them at their wedding as Jenny's Maid of Honor. We were there for one another through boyfriends, bad break-ups, broken down cars, too many cocktails (hello tequila) and now her babies....those beautiful babies. Loving those babies is so easy. Not only because they are beautiful, and they really are, but mostly because they are a part of someone so special.

Mckenzie is an absolute doll, and very sweet unless you take her too far from her mama. She loves her something fierce, and doesn't dare let Jenny put her down to get things done during the day. Mckenzie's Dad can make her smile HUGE, and she adores her big brother. It's just about one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. My bet is as soon as she can walk, she will be following him everywhere (whether he likes it or not).

 

Preston is their first baby. The one who made Jen a mama for the first time and he is something special. He speaks with a vocabulary far beyond his years, and his knowledge of the states, their capitals and the faces on American currency puts me to shame. What a little stinker! I'll forgive him since he's so darn cute ;).

Jen and Aaron, you are rock stars as parents and your kids are wonderful. I can't wait to see them grow.....

Love, Shea

Matt & Christa- The Long Summer

There are a lot of great things I could say about Christa.  She has a love for dogs, and people, and she is the first person to offer help. Drinker of wine, lover of music, she always seems to make me smile when I'm around her. She's a wonderful person, and oh so sweet to my Mom which makes my heart smile.Thank you New York for letting us borrow her , even though she is spending the next three months in Pennsylvania for work. We miss her, my brother most of all. Lucky for us he let us capture a few photos before Christa had to leave for a very long summer apart.

Matthew is my little brother. He is a police officer and a United States Marine, which explains many of his serious faces. He's not pretending, or posing (trust me, he couldn't if he wanted to).  I though of so many things I could share about him and to be honest I'm not sure how deep to dig, or how personal to get since this blogging thing is new to me. What I will say is he drives me crazy, never calls me back, is impossible to communicate with, won't share any of his police stories with me.....and I love him. The sacrifices he has made for our country never cease to amaze me and he works incredibly hard at whatever he does. Keep catching those bad guys Matt. I'm proud of you. Next time I promise we will shoot somewhere without so many bugs! ;)

*he thought he was being funny with this pose, but it was my favorite.

Capturing Matt's smile in a photo is about as likely as capturing a shooting star. He must really love her, and I don't blame him.

Love,

Shea

Francesca- 3 Months

It was a short visit, but I can still taste the coconut pineapple cake and pasta rolls. Francesca's Nona, Dorina is a fantastic Italian cook, and every time Francesca's mama ( my friend Karleigh) is in town, I get the pleasure of having dinner with them. I always make sure I have plenty of room in my belly when I get there...if you know what I mean. ;) Nothing short of delicious every single time.

I just snapped a few pictures of sweet Francesca. She's grown SO much in the past three months and I couldn't have imagined she'd get any cuter than she was at 5 days old, but well...she did! Just take a look:

The outfit was perfect. She is the sweetest little ice cream cone indeed, although I like to call her "hambone".

Goodnight sweetness...see you in August!

Love,

Shea

Owen

He is calm, and calculated, wise and careful. Patient, and sweet, he loves his parents and observes everything everyone is doing. I believe he's going to be someone great, and can't wait to see him grow!

Owen made a little noise so his mom would know to come get him, and he couldn't have been happier to see her when she walked in. He is pure love and sweetness.

He was dressed in his birthday outfit (baby designer jeans included) and I could tell his mama was completely in love with him as she got Owen dressed. His eyes tell a story and he saves his smiles for when he really means it. I like that.

It was a happy day, spent with good friends and family. After all, this party is as much for the parents as it is for Owen. They made it through their first year with their first baby, and it doesn't get much better than that!

Happy Birthday sweet Owen. Here's to at least 99 more!

Tami and Rob, well done. You are doing an amazing job as parents, and you make gorgeous babies. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this very special day.

Love,
Shea

Seashell Hunter

**These pictures were taken back in February and I debated publishing this post. I decided to go for it. better late than never right?

It was bitter cold (for a Native Californian) Sunday, but the clouds were amazing. I looked up and couldn't stop smiling. He knew I had a new lens in my bag and couldn't wait to use it. Off to the coast we went.

 I'm not sure if he knows it, but the coast is where I first knew I loved him. He's a seashell hunting convert and now we can't help ourselves hunt them on every single beach we visit. To be honest, he has a interesting  taste in seashells, but I love him none the less...... Spur of the moment trip to the beach just so I could capture the beauty of the day in a place we both love.

The skies were dramatic, just the way I like them.

This spot has the absolute BEST sand. It's more like tiny little bits of seashell and colorful rock. just awesome. We may or may not "borrow" small buckets full from time to time ;).

The sunset...oh the sunset. I spent a good amount of time helping a random guy with his first DSLR get his settings off auto to take a decent picture. I almost missed it!

Happy sunsets to you all.....wherever you are.

Love,

Shea

Francesca Marina Teresa Scarpelli- 5 days old

A couple weeks ago I flew down to San Diego to celebrate the birth of one of the sweetest baby girls I have ever laid my eyes on. This was an extra special trip for me and I feel honored I was the person who had the privilege to take her newborn pictures. It was wonderful to see them in action as new parents. They are overflowing with love.

You see, her mother Karleigh and I met our Freshman year of high school, which makes her my oldest friend (not in years alone, but in years we have known each other). Karleigh is eternally kind, and thoughtful and was of the most beautiful pregnant ladies I have ever seen. Girlfriend just has it going on-what can I say? She remembers every birthday and holiday, she's full of compassion and love and if you are lucky enough to know her, you will always know true friendship.

See! I told you! Amazing.

Gabe is the guy who will make you laugh until you have soda coming out of your nose and use his entire lunch break at work to help you start your car (true story). He's a real teddy bear underneath all of those muscles!  In high school I worked at the front desk at a local gym with Gabe, the good looking Italian guy...... Long story short, I knew pretty quickly that the two if them would hit it off.  I introduced them and the rest is history! They are happily married. They are such a sweet couple and this sweet baby is a testament of their love for one another. I had a hard time editing these pictures without tearing up a little...or a lot, I'll never tell ;) It's really amazing what love can do.

Going to the Scarpelli home is a true Italian experience. I walk in having just eaten, not feeling hungry at all
and then WHAM, I'm hit with aromas that instantly make my brain tell my stomach that I'm starving! I ate REALLY  well that day. Thank you Mike, Margo, Gabe and Karleigh for feeding my mouth and my heart. Gabe's parents are wonderful, and I have never seen so much love in one house as I did that day. To be in the presence of your home is comfort. Both in food, and in spirit.

*Mike and Margo Scarpelli above and Francesca wrapped in the blanket I had made for her as soon as i found out she was on her way.

 

Until we meet again sweet Francesca......Hopefully soon. Don't grow too fast okay?Okay.

Love,
Shea