They gladly cuddle on her bed to look at books, play games, imagine they are pirates on a sailing ship…reminding me how precious it is to be a child and how important it is to just let children be.

It’s been a while since I last posted a “Stop Everything” post. Between buying a new home, selling our current home, and scurrying to find a rental to live in during the interim, taking pictures of my ridiculously adorable family has unfortunately taken a back seat recently. Well, it happened to be somewhat of a big weekend at the Traugott household, as my husband is a huge New York Giants fan. Of course you’ll understand that this fact officially dictates that our children are Giants fans, too. And because my team hasn’t been to the Super Bowl since 1970, it’s safe to say that the Giants have become another team I cheer for. I’m loyal to you, Chiefs. I have high hopes I’ll see you in the Super Bowl in my lifetime–maybe even playing the Giants!

I love high school senior sessions that truly capture my subject’s life at this moment in time.  Devin is an incredibly dedicated and talented baseball player, playing for Walkersville High School and the 2011 fall Mid-Atlantic Redsox.    Outside of school, he spends a lot of  his time at the gym, on the field, and on the road with his teams and family.   It seemed only fitting to capture him in a few of these settings for his senior portraits.

More about Devin:

Sports:  Team Captain and 4-year Varsity Letterman as a Middle Infielder for Walkersville High School’s Baseball Team;  Point Guard in Freshman and Sophmore Basketball and Quarterback for JV Football

Out-of-school activities:  Training with my Personal Trainer, Shannon Wallace, and helping to coach youth baseball under Coach Jeremy Long

Favorite song on your iPod right now:  I really don’t have a favorite, I like so many…

Favorite memory from high school thus far:  Breaking my High School and MVAL record by hitting 10 RBI’s in the same game, hanging out with my friends

Describe your perfect day:  Training, Chipotle, then hanging out with friends or throwing around the baseball

What always puts a smile on your face?  I have several things -  Chipotle, wrestling with my brother and father, hanging out with friends, and winning baseball games

Something that terrifies you:  Spiders for one; but most of all, not succeeding or reaching my goals

Advice to incoming freshmen:  Just be yourself, don’t bother with the negativity of others, and always stay focused and set goals.

Goals after graduation:  Of course Senior Week with friends, play college baseball while becoming a Personal Trainer, and train athletes to become Bigger-Stronger-Faster!!!  I want to make my family, coaches, and friends proud of the person I become!!!

These are a few of my favorite captures of mothers in 2011.

These are a few of my favorite silly moments captured with little girls in 2011.

So rather than a year-end slideshow of my favorite images this year, I’m categorizing them the same way my brain wants to.  In moments.

The act of launching a child into the air can provoke sensational joy or total terror!  Asking parents which response is likely to occur dictates whether we try this during a session, of course.  And while this can be an arm workout for whomever the lucky parent is who does the launching, the sweet smiles that are captured are totally worth the next-day soreness.

These are my Favorite Flights of 2011.

These sweet sisters were smiling and giggling together within seconds–they were such a joy to photograph!  I enjoyed an incredibly fun night with the M. family at our CSA’s farm.  For those of you unfamiliar with the term CSA, it stands for Community-Supported Agriculture.   It’s an awesome way for you to purchase fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables directly from a local farmer.  In addition to growing delicious food, the Carrollton Manor Farm  is also a gorgeous property for family portraits!  We enjoyed roaming through the fields, capturing photographs, and learning about the history of the property from Steve and Anita, the owners of the farm.  Lots of love to the M. family for inviting me to capture these images of your beautiful family.  What an awesome night it was!

What a gorgeous fall we’re having in Maryland!  Aside from the random snowfall we had on a Saturday afternoon this season, we’re enjoying the cool temperatures and vibrant colors throughout the state.  The B. family met me at the Howard County Conservancy to capture family portraits as a birthday gift for mom–a gift that will always be treasured, for sure.  Beautiful family, beautiful day…I love my job!

Tyler and I share a Texas connection.  Some of you know that I lived in Texas for four years, proudly graduating from Coppell High School.  Tyler’s hope is to return home to the Lone Star State after graduating from Urbana High in the spring.  We talked about the schools he’d love to be accepted to and the Texas cities he’d love to call home.  He loves Dr. Pepper, which is most definitely a prerequisite of any Texan, and  he loves playing and watching football.  He’s an incredible person, a loving big brother, and a very talented athlete.

More about Tyler:

Sports:  Wide Receiver for the Urbana High School Hawks

Out-of-school activities:  Urbana Library volunteer, involved in the pickle-ball club, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Multicultural Club

Favorite song on your iPod right now:  “Headlines” by Drake

Favorite memory from high school thus far:  Paint-balling and playing basketball with friends on the weekends

Describe your perfect day:  Sleeping-in and watching college football all day with lots of Dr. Pepper

What always puts a smile on your face?  My little sister puts a smile on my face…she is super cute and always making me laugh

Something that terrifies you:  Yea, spiders.  And, spiders.  Let’s not talk about this anymore, shall we?

Advice to incoming freshmen:  Get involved!!!

Goals after graduation:  First goal is to hit Ocean City one last time!  Second goal is to major in Marketing at a university in Texas.  I want to enjoy college for everything it has to offer!  Urbana has given me such a great start and I plan to make them proud.