It’s kind of strange really. Of the thousands and thousands of photographs I’ve taken over the years, we’ve never had photos taken of our family. You know…from like…a real photographer. Our friend Kelly @ Daphne Photo Studio shoots photos of families all the time – this time, it was ours.

It felt awkward to me. I’ve hidden behind the camera so much that I don’t really know how to act – how to stand – how to smile – or where to put my hands when the lens is pointed in my direction. Oh, the turmoil I’ve caused others as an image sniper.

What the camera doesn’t know is that I forced my broken foot into a normal shoe and hobbled about without my crutches to appear at least somewhat normal. Something about wearing a goofy looking boot would have been a bad contrast. The pain we endure for vanity.

Sometimes you just need a grape in the middle of your model session. Have to keep that energy up.

Quick! Change clothes! Switch Location! Praise Jesus. Something to lean against.

Sheesh…my wife is gorgeous.

Dear Family members…you know what you’re getting for Christmas.

Yesterday was a lazy Sunday once the chaos of the church services was over. Between, during, and after the two services on Sunday…I had two meetings, did baby dedications, and taught in our high school students class. I was wiped out, but I took a nap and when I woke up my brother-in-law Chris and Allison’s sister Andrea were at our house bringing dinner over. Then we played outside with all the kids and our neighbors.

This was a good Sunday.

I’m pretty sure I didn’t take any of these photos. I just edited them after Allison and her sister Andrea took them. I’ll stand by my position that I hate winter with all of my hating power, but I sure do love autumn.

Ava is 4 now. She knows everything there is to know in the universe. Except how to brush her hair.

My nephew Harrison. He’s a good boy now. We had our doubts for a little while.

See?

My other nephew Lincoln has pretty eyes and big white chompers.

Even when he’s upside down.

My neighbors Mike and Lindsey have a little boy named Carson. I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble he and Finn stir up.

Stiff winds – dry leaves crackling as you walk through grass you’ve allowed to grow longer than normal – Autumn is a mellow time.

My good friends Jon and Melanie have three crazy boys. I love those boys. I’d adopt them in a second if they ever drove their parents into a state of insanity requiring institutionalizing. The youngest of those boys is Jack. Jack’s a bit of a diva. During a recent church outreach event for the neighborhood, Jack couldn’t contain himself as a certain song came through the booming speakers we had set up outside for the party. He began to sing…expressively…and I began to shoot photos. The following images are the result…if I were you, I’d listen to song he sung as you view them. It will explain the emotion all the better. Hit that “play” button.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I have a feeling Jack doesn’t have any trouble flossing.