Family Photos 2012

 I have a love-hate relationship with getting family pictures taken.

I absolutely LOVE the finished product, and it is ALWAYS worth it...but MAN it is so much work!

Just finding outfits is a huge ordeal in itself.  Then trying to get your entire family ready, fed, happy and beautiful at the same time?!  With 4 little ones...almost impossible!

The only thing that makes it all work?!  When you working with a fantastic photographer like

Hollie Hanson at Cherry Tree Photography.  

Now I am a teensy bit biased :)  Hollie is one of my dearest friends, but I tell you...the girl has a gift!  Not only is she incredibly talented at photography and editing, but she really does it all.  She went shopping with me (more than once!) to find the perfect outfits for our family.  She kindly reminded me that I have been wanting purple and yellow for years...every time I tried to ditch it for another color scheme ;)

The day of the photo shoot she brings all her makeup and makes me beautiful...she knows the extent of my makeup knowledge is trying to decide between my Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker and the Strawberry Lip Smacker ;)

She also calls me on my way out to see if I ever found any accessories?  Of course the answer is no...so she brings me some of hers ;)  I told you she was awesome!

But aside from all that...she truly captured MY family.  These crazy, loud, beautiful, quirky people that I devote every single day of my life too.  I cry every time I look at these pictures...I am so blessed.  So sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labors...

Johnson Family Pictures 2012!!

I love Avrie's crinkled nose and squishy face!

Where did my baby go??

Daddy with all his little Daddy's Girls

Me and my girls

10 years into this crazy thing and he STILL loves me! ;)

I love this picture.  It is a true representation of our family.  Avrie hanging on to her Daddy, Skylar and Kendall sassing it up...and my sweet little guy hanging on my leg :)

Even though it was too early to tell...I had a feeling we would soon be announcing baby #5 was on its way!

Hahaha!  Caught ya!

Sweet, tender Skylar.  This child has a heart of gold, finds joy in the smallest things, and is the BEST big sister anyone could hope for.  LOVE her!

Sassy and spunky Kendall!  She always keeps us laughing and even though she acts tough...has the sweetest little heart there is.  

My little man Britton.  This little guy has me wrapped around his finger...no doubt about it.  

My mischievous boy...oh he keeps me on my toes!  Anytime I feel like really letting him have it...I just look at this picture! ;)

The two most important guys in my life!

Adore.

Look at those darling little stinkers.  What a gift they are.  

These pictures came at a perfect time for me.  Sometimes when you are in the midst of all-day sickness (WHO came up with the name MORNING sickness...that is very deceiving ;) and bed rest at only 10 weeks you wonder how you are possibly going to add another child to your world when you feel SO out of control as it is.  How can you possibly be the kind of mother 5 children deserve...when you are in survival mode with the 4 you already have?!

I think these are all normal feelings to have...but looking at these pictures help me see past this SMALL moment.  I see my family.  My greatest source of joy, my posterity.  And I know adding to that family, for us, is without a doubt the best thing we could be doing.  

Now that I'm done being so mushy, I would love to know...how do YOU decide what to wear for family pictures??  Do you like matchy-matchy?  Something really unique?  

Because lets be honest...these pictures are going to be out-dated by the time Baby Johnson arrives and we are going to be doing this all over again next year!! ;)