She got tired of us making her sit there…..

…until we brought out her cake!

Addy has realized what a fun place my house is…she gets to come over, eat cake, and then play in the BATHTUB!

Happy Birthday baby girl! See you again soon!!!!!!!!!!

And can you believe our luck with weather? It was freaking FEBRUARY and she was in a skirt and sandals. I love it when the weather-gods smile on me!

WARNING: There are a-thousand-ty photos in this blog because Kendall is just too darn cute and I loved every single photo we got!

Kendall really wanted glitter photos. I didn’t realize how hard it is to photograph the stuff.  I also wasn’t prepared for the look of scorn I received  from my  camera-cleaning guys  for having glitter INSIDE my camera. I think it was worth my embarrassment, though…

Yup, those are her baby pictures hanging from the tree, inspired by a Kerri Underwood music video. Stroke of genius!

*GIGGLE!*

Aren’t her eyes gorgeous?!?

Kendall is a ballroom dancer, so I had her show me some moves…

And of course, we had to photograph her TOM’s.

Kendall, this photoshoot was so much fun I can hardly stand it. I’m so proud of you for graduating. HUGS!!!!!!!

On Sunday, March 11, 2012,  1,550 firefighters representing 291 departments from 24 US states, Canada and Germany competed in this timed race to the top of the Columbia Center in full combat gear and self contained breathing apparati (SCBA). This unique event is the largest individual firefighter competition in the world. At 788 feet of vertical elevation, the Columbia Center (formerly Bank of America Tower) in downtown Seattle stands as the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It takes 69 flights of stairs and 1,311 steps to reach the highly acclaimed observation deck overlooking the city. The Scott Firefighter Stairclimb supports the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees. In 2011, the event featured over 1,500 firefighters from 281 different departments and brought in a record $930,000 for blood-cancer research and patient services. 

This is such an emotional event. Most of the firefighters who are climbing have a reason for climbing; maybe they’ve lost a family member or a friend to cancer. Maybe they are a cancer survivor themselves. Or maybe they just know of someone who’s life has been greatly affected by this horrible disease. Nonetheless, every year I cry at least 12 times during this event. I am in the presence of true heroes…heroes who are coming together in the fight against cancer.

This year was a little different for me. I brought an actual CREW with me! I’ve never run a “team” before at an event, so this was a first for me. I am incredibly grateful to my team of amazing girls: Erin Rily, Daisy King, Anita Decker and Jesse Phillips. I don’t know what I would have done without them…I was SICK AS A DOG on the day of the climb. Doesn’t that just figure? My favorite event of the year, and I happen to get what can only be described as “The Plague.” Fortunately the girls were totally on top of their game, and together we were able to cover the entire event. The complete event day photos can be seen HERE. 

Ok, enough yammering…ON TO THE PHOTOS! First, check out the highlights on the video:

Columbia Tower: “The Beast” in all her glory.

This is just a small taste of the wonderful chaos of the day:

The first battalion is led up to the starting line by the honored patient of the year, as well as  Seattle Firefighter Pipes and Drums.

This year’s honored patient, Lilli Skinner-Trippe, passed away before the climb. Her parents led the first battalion to the starting line carrying a gorgeous photo of their baby girl.

Headed up to the starting line!

The anticipation, worry, excitement and anxiety at the starting line is super intense. It’s one of my favorite place to photograph at the event.

And then they begin their trek up all those stairs…..

The firefighters stop at the 40th floor, where they are met by members of their department to help them change out their oxygen tanks. Since this is a race and everyone wants to beat their time, this is a fast moving, chaotic moment of trying to switch their tanks in the shortest amount of time possible.

The view from floor 73, the observation deck at the Columbia Tower.

Some guys are exhausted by the time they cross that finish line….

…and other waltz up there like it’s NOTHING.

Thanks SO much to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for asking us to document this WONDERFUL event.

A HUGE thank you to my crew of amazing girls, who worked their BUTTS off to get amazing photos. You ladies are awesome!

And lastly, THANK YOU to the amazing men and women who climb every year to help KICK CANCER’S BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys can view some sneek peeks over on my Facebook Page. Go ahead and shoot me a friend invite if you want to keep in touch!

Can you BELIEVE how she pulled this off?

The lady of the hour,  Lily. I did Lily’s newborn photos last March, and absolutely fell in love with this beautiful brown-eyed girl!

Brooke really wanted photos of Lily with her Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. How sweet is this family?

Cannot WAIT for Lily’s one year photos next week…look for her in future blogs!

Guys, I cannot WAIT until your wedding…we’re gonna have so much fun! HUGS!

What a sweet family: Crystal, Bryant and Muriel.

I was so excited to find out recently that Crystal and Bryant are expecting their SECOND BABY! I am so excited I can hardly stand it…so be expecting more photos of this sweet family and their new addition soon! Contrats, guys!

Liz and Jay just seem to complete each other. When you’re around them, you can feel how much they love and adore one another. It was truly an honor to photograph such a wonderful couple!

Up next: Liz and Jay’s GORGEOUS Bellevue, WA wedding!

The wedding was made even more fun by my FABULOUS second shooter Jamelyn Austin. I love working with her SO MUCH!!!! Thanks a TON, girlfriend!

Liz just has such a regal beauty about her – so beautiful!

Jamelyn rocked these next detail shots:

I loved capturing how RADIANT Liz was while getting into her dress…

The wedding was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bellevue. Just gorgeous! Liz and Jay didn’t see each other until right before the ceremony…

Jay wore Liz’s father’s bowtie. He recently passed away, so this was a sweet tribute to her daddy. *tear

Check out these ladies rocking these FABULOUS hats! LOVE!

After the ceremony, we headed over to Danie’s Broiler in Bellevue, which just happens to be one of my favorite restaurants. We ate GOOOOOODDDDDDD that day!

We were able to sneek outside for some sparkly-christmas-lights-night-time-photos during the reception. I am so in love with these photos it’s not even funny!

And for a special treat, check out Liz and Jay’s Wedding Video by my girl Jesse of Jesse Michener Photography…SO FUN!

*sigh…what an AMAZING day. Liz and Jay, thank you so much for letting Jamelyn and I be a part of your wedding. We loved every single minute of it. Congrats, guys! MUAH!

Check out how adorable they are!

After Mr. Gyros, we headed on over to the Market. So Seattle!

And what’s Seattle without a cup of joe?

Of course we HAD to head on over to the gum wall. Like the disgusting gum heart we created??? (gross)

Angie and Seth: I ADORE you two. I cannot WAIT till your wedding in March! You’d better be serving gyros at the reception, because now I’m hungry for one! Love you guys!