I wrapped up 2025 by capturing portraits of my husband’s beautiful family. We met for our annual reunion immediately after Christmas in Wimberly, Texas. I do our family portraits nearly every year. This year was bittersweet; this was our first year without my dear father-in-law, Chuck. My in-laws were dedicated to loving their children and grandchildren and fostered incredibly strong relationships with all of us. In 2008 I told my father-in-law shortly after my wedding, “I’m sad because I used to be your daughter. Now (that I was married to Lanier) I’m just your daughter-in-law.” Chuck just smiled the biggest smile, hugged me and said, “You will always be my daughter.” He is very very missed. But life goes on! Eve is engaged. A couple of boyfriends came to the reunion and survived a gauntlet of teasing by uncles. And everyone is growing up so darn fast. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon on New Year’s Eve when we captured these stunning portraits. No job ever makes me cringe; I wrangle this amazing herd of cats every year! Ha ha ha. And it is so worth it! My entire wall of family portraits has now been updated. Whew! It really is a miracle that we get together every year. (My own family, my mother’s family, has done this since before I was born). It is a rich legacy I do NOT take for granted. What a terrific way to end 2025 and ring in the New Year. I hope you too were able to celebrate and be with your loved ones. Family comes in all shapes and sizes and colors. There is nothing so precious as family. I thank God for mine! XOXO
