I got a bit of a frantic email from my neighbor just a few short days before Christmas.  Their first baby, their black lab Athena, wasn’t doing well.  Shannon was afraid they were going to lose her soon and she wanted some family pictures before losing her.  This is not the first time I have gotten an email, text or phone call like this.  Our precious fur babies are such a huge part of our families and I love it when people want to make sure to preserve those memories.

Thankfully we were able to schedule a session for a few days later.  Look at these happy faces!!!!

Athena was doing so well and she was a perfect angel for the session.  Isn’t she so striking?  What a great dog!  Clearly she is well loved.

The Kilmans have lived across the street from us for a few years now.  We have seen each other at block parties, birthday parties and waved hello for quite some time.  But this was the first time I really got to know them and now….I am hooked.

These kids are simply the best!  Not only did we have fun at our session, but a few days later I went to their house and helped them pick out a canvas and some other goodies!  I got to see all of their special drawings and they showed me their favorite toys and it just melted my heart.

I can’t wait for it to get a little warmer outside so we can see each other more often and chat in the middle of the street while the kids ride bikes!  It was a bit chilly the day of our session but you would never know.  Everyone was a trooper and I didn’t hear any complaints.  I did have to work fast though!  The wind was biting!

Sullivan is at that age where he is growing by leaps and bounds every day!  I bet you are going to look back at these in 6 months and not even believe how different he looks!

And this girl.  I could just gobble her up.  Glaleanna is just about the sweetest thing ever!  She has the cutest cheeks ever.

Athena passed on a few weeks after these photos were done and I am so thankful that we made it happen despite it being right in the midst of the crazy holiday season.

Kilmans, thanks for trusting me with your precious memories.  And thanks for being awesome neighbors.  It is nice to know that if we ever need anything, a man in blue is right across the street watching out for us.  Just know that if you guys ever need anything…..we are right across the street and I ALWAYS have a cup of sugar to spare (and we have about 5000 nerf guns that kids are welcome to any time).

Want to more dog families??  Check out the Stankiewiecz family or the Giri family.