(Huge thanks to Jillian Healey from www.jillianhealeyphotography.com.au for her wonderful help with this shoot. xox)  Teamwork was the name of the game and Alfie melted in her arms.

Emmy, thank you for being so patient with me, allowing me to snuggle you into little poses to show off your gorgeous fine features. You are Daddy’s princess and a little sister to Gus the Great Dane…and of course, mummy’s very special little girl. You have been born into a family of love & you are surrounded by people who cherish you.

I hope to meet you again one day so we can have a chat and a play together. xox

PS. Please thank your mummy and daddy for choosing and trusting me to capture this beautiful family time.

Your cheeks have to be amongst the squishiest and most gorgeous I’ve ever come across.

You purse your lips into an ‘O’ and then perfectly couple that with a stretch of your arms.

You have the most doting big sister in the world, always wanting cuddles.

How lucky are you to have such a caring big brother – he always wants to touch you to make sure you’re OK.

You are very much loved by your family both here and in Finland.

I hope to see more of you as you grow. xox

There were no end of smiles at our family shoot this day.  The kids are some of the most sensitive, sweet, mature and fun kids I’ve met.  We played, joked and had a laugh…..but best of all, we smiled at one another.

* We held a lawn bowls tribute match for my Nana who passed away midway through 2011.  We used her trusty bowls and had some fun in her honour.

* My boys overcame their fear of big dogs by be-friending my brothers 4 dogs who were staying with us on the farm. My brother is the one with the patchy mohawk.

* Poppy could not get enough of the hammock set in amongst the pine trees – she would have happily slept out there all night.

* My dad bottled beer while we were there.  Having worked in the alcohol industry for many years with both wine and beer, he’s a top brewer with a mean Rock Hopper brew.

* We spent a few nights around the campfire, chewing the fat, chewing on roasted minty’s and marshmallows and drinking copius amounts of wine.

* By far the most romantic thing my dad has ever done for my mum is to build a plane (took him 7 years) then name it after her – FLO.  He flies it brilliantly and I’m proud of him.

* Poppy experienced her first flight in my dad’s plane and LOVED it!  I trust my dad completely and all 3 of my kids have flown with him now.

* My darling mum has always had a strong connection with Miss Poppy and it shines through when they spend time with each other.

* I am the one in the grey shirt and no makeup (be kind) ;-)

* Bocce is harder than it looks and even harder/easier (depending on the amount) after a few red wines.  The oldies got quite serious about it all.

This was our time at the farm.  Happy 2012 and I sincerely hope all of your hopes and dreams are fulfilled this year.  Life is short.  Have fun. xo

Not a wimper did I hear from this gorgeous new soul throughout the entire session.  I truly believe that he was very calm and content because his mummy and daddy were relaxed and taking this massive lifestyle change all in their stride.  Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your precious little man in his first few weeks on this earth. 

It truly was a pleasure.  xo

The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other – Mario Puzo

His parents live in outback Australia in a town with a population of….wait for it……seven.  Yep, these gorgeous people have very little ‘stuff’ surrounding them but are some of the richest people I know.  They get to have loads of family time.  The kids get to roam and discover new things and aren’t bombarded with media from every angle.  They live amongst beautiful wildlife and fantastic sunsets.  With two older (and very loving) sisters to take care of him, Coen is going to have an absolute ball out there on the farm.  I am just lucky I got to take his first photos while this beautiful family visited the city.  xox