Sweet and Simple Necklaces

My sister Sarah sent my girls these sweet necklaces in the mail the other day.

I had it in my mind to do a photo shoot with them wearing their gifts, but Emma and Shiloh were eating up their dinner when the package came. I don't know about you, but I'm convinced I have the world's messiest eaters in my house.

{I let them do it completely themselves, so I'm sure I'm only getting what I pay for.}

So, Steven gave them baths {with promises he could stay home with Keller} while I rushed around and loaded props in the van and grabbed my camera.

The sun was setting and you can get the best photos if you start around 7pm out here. Our sunsets are to die for! I didn't know where I was headed, but ended up stopping at a hospital a stone's throw from our new house.

I lucked out BIG time! Only it wasn't luck because I talked to God about it while I was driving and looking for a good spot.

He knows how to deliver let me tell you. :-)

In the end I didn't need any of my props, save for one of the new grain sack pillows I used for Shiloh to sit on.

{Shiloh is wearing those pants from Paris that I scored for a dollar from Goodwill. Emma's romper -which she calls her rhombus - was a $2 find from Goodwill and her belt was made by me.}

I hardly ever ask my kids to pose. Those kinds of photos turn into cheesy grins, frustrated mammas, and tearful kiddos. Nope. Not what I'm going for.
Believe me.  I've been there.

Instead, I let them play, but ask them to sit every once in a while and sometimes I dare ask for a smile.

I love capturing them in their natural selves. I want to remember them just the way they were.

This is one of my favorites...

I didn't ask her to pose like this. I'm not even sure I'm creative enough for that or would have thought she would have cooperated even if I did ask.

She's a natural I tell ya...when she wants to be.

I think this one above might be my most favorite.

I love how God gives us ALL creativity...even 3 year olds.  He's just waiting to unleash it.

Do something creative today!

And thank you, Sarah, for such sweet gifts!