I just love this time of year as I look back at the blog and see all the fabulous bellies, new babies and families that I had the opportunity to photograph this past year. I adore what I do and feel so lucky that so many people decide that I am the photographer they want to hire to capture these precious moments in their lives.

So I leave you with this slideshow of all the portraits featured on the blog from 2009. I have a lot of exciting things planned for 2010 and can’t wait to share them with you!

I have a special introduction for a very special family who is near and dear to me. Christi and her daughter Bella (as a suprise for Dad, Rick)  had the pleasure of being one of the first families I photographed when I started business nearly 6 years ago.  Realizing that we had a TON of things in common (love of cupcakes being one of them!) we became great friends and have decided that Bella and Kevin will one day marry each other so that we can fight over who gets to take care of the grandkids.

But, I digress…  What I want to share that Rick, Christi and Bella are wanting to complete their family through the adoption of a child. As Christi shared on her recent holiday card:

… word of mouth is one of the most successful paths to adoption. As you are catching up with friends and family this holiday season, if you hear of anyone who may be in a situation where they are looking to place a child for adoption, we hope that you’ll pass our information along to them.

So, as you are gathered around the table this holiday season, gossiping (c’mon! we all do it!) about the happenings of the past year and speculating about the New Year, feel free to gossip about a wonderful family in Arizona that is hoping that 2010 will bring them a new member of the family to welcome with lots of love and adoration.

To find out more about Rick, Christi and Bella, visit their adoption PAGE and be sure to stop by the BLOG.

There are a few spots remaining for holiday portraits this fall. It’s a great time of year to get out and enjoy the cooler temperatures with an on-location session. Of course, the studio is always ready if you prefer something a little more formal. We also have a wide variety of holiday card designs that will showcase your family in delightful way that will have all your family and friends raving!

Call Meggan at 602-570-0698 or email her at meggan@megganjacks.com to set up your appointment!

I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the K family since their oldest girl was a tiny newborn – nearly 4 years ago! Since then they’ve added a sweet red-headed beauty and a handsome son to their collection of kiddos. They came in last week to capture Mr. D’s seven-month adoreable-ness. Lots of silly faces, giggles and grins! Here are some of my favorites:

The girls:

Mr. D with Mom & Dad:

Miss J has will be celebrating her First Communion and Confirmation tomorrow so I wanted to give her a huge  “Congratulations” and well wishes – such a big milestone within the Catholic Church!  I think she looks gorgeous in her dress and she’s got a very special Rosary that was bless by the Pope many many years ago. Here are a few of my favorite images from her session:

My baby girl turned 2 while we were out of town on vacation – Poor girl – she really got the shaft in terms of a celebration.  Her gift from us was a stuffed animal from a truck stop! Bad bad Mommy & Daddy! She did get a total of three birthday cakes over the course of a week, so she shouldn’t complain TOO bad.

These pics are from a month ago when we were in Iowa visiting my parents. I love shooting my kids on their property – they have such beautiful trees and lush grass!  And the sunsets – OMG – simply amazing. I need to photograph them next time we visit.

Anyway – here is Miss Sarah-Bear:

I really should specify that it’s 6.75 years old for Miss A – She’s got a summer birthday coming up in July! Mr. D was a joy as well – acting like quite the gentleman doing everything I asked him to do.

I met the duo with their Mom & Dad at the Mesa Arts Center for a session early yesterday morning. We were fortunate to have GREAT weather and the grounds pretty much to ourselves. So many textures and fun architectural details – The kids had fun exploring and I just plain enjoyed myself during all of it!

(Oh, and A&D of them are anticipating a special BIRTHdate in July as well – they have a baby brother on the way! I get to photograph all three of them (and M&D too!) in July. I can’t wait!)

I LOVE this picture. She’s looking over at her mom and just beaming! I think we were talking about the anticipated arrival of her baby brother – definitely a reason to smile!

This is promptly after he show us his football dive.

This is a shameless mom-post. Isn’t my Sarah cute? (Just nod your head and agree!) She’s nearly 21 months – and seems to be on the cusp of her terrible twos. She’s learning to pitch fits when she doesn’t get her way and when she’s doing something she shouldn’t be and you give her that initial “Sarah, that’s a no-no” verbal warning, she will turn her head and look at you with this gleam in her eye. It’s as if she is gaging the distance from you to her to guesstimate how long it will take you to physically get to her to stop her nefarious plans.

My son brought home a flier from preschool with information on this event: Banner Thunderbird Children’s Safety Fair. It looks to be a TON of fun! Definitely will try to take my little guy over there after t-ball on Saturday. He LOVES fire trucks!

Date: Saturday, April 26, 2008

Where: Peoria Sports Complex (16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria)

Time: 10am-2pm From the Banner Thunderbird Hospital website:

Winner of a Westmarc 2007 Best of the West Award, the safety fair is a collaborative effort between the Glendale-based medical center and neighboring Glendale and Peoria Fire and Police Departments, area businesses and state agencies to deliver a unified message of child and family safety.

Covering everything from fire, home and bicycle safety to stranger danger and Internet predators, the event is an interactive and enjoyable opportunity to educate families on ways to protect themselves. Inflatable activity centers, live music and performance from local cheer squads, dance teams, gymnastics and martial arts studios will add to the excitement.

The first 1,200 children, up to 16 years of age, will receive a free bicycle safety helmet, compliments of Banner Thunderbird Children’s Center.

Interactive games, fire escape demonstrations, safe target shooting demonstrations and face painting are just some of the activities that will serve to entertain children. Notable safety figures may include McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey the Bear and the Crash Test Dummies promote good safety practices. Banner Thunderbird will also be accepting new, unwrapped toy donations on behalf of Andrea’s Closet—a non-profit organization with hospital-based toy closets established in honor of Andrea Nicole Brunk, a little girl who passed away from leukemia shortly before her 10th birthday. Andrea’s Closet provides toys to the pediatric patients of Banner Thunderbird and other hospitals throughout Arizona.

For more information on the Banner Thunderbird Children’s Safety Fair, please call (602) 865-5733.

Scrapbooking is one of my hobbies – a way to celebrate everyday photography as well as preserve the stories that make up my life with my family and friends. I am a Creative Memories Consultant, though more of the “hobbiest” type consultant. I do want to share that Creative Memories just released their new products for their Showcase 2007. They have some really fun stuff out now – a few of my favorite things:

The Everyday Display – actually introduced in June, this is a huge hit for Creative memories! This 18×18 frame comes in both black and white and the fabric covered magnetic board with magnetic “pin cushions” let you change it up as much as you like! I have one in studio, so be sure to look at it at your next session:

Next on my fave list for the new products is the Vintage Power Palatte System – If you weren’t aware of what CM Power Palette are, they are coordinated kits of papers, stickers and photo mats that help you to create a coordinated look for your albums.

If you are interested in receiving a new catalog, let me know – meggan@megganjacks.com. Or, you can view all the products at my CM Online ordering website HERE and you can even order online and have the products shipped directly to you!