If anyone heard or saw a crazy lady doing a little happy dance as she punched her fist (like a dork) in the air with sheer and utter glee...don't be alarmed.  It was just ME after my "mommy and me" mini photo session with this dude right here.  

It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I like to fiddle with photography.  I'm an amateur AT BEST though, so imagine my delight when all the stars seemed to align... just for me.  

The light was perfect.  

Dude was in THE BEST mood & gave THE BEST smiles.  

He's typically ALWAYS in a great mood...but he doesn't usually smile when I need him to.. (of course).

Most every picture was in focus and sharp! 

With a moving target, this is always a feat for me.

AND... the granddaddy of them all.. these are all STRAIGHT OUT OF THE CAMERA!!

No editing.. No Photoshop needed!!  Sure, there COULD be touch ups made, and some ARE a little blown out...BUT for this working mom of 2, who has time for that?!  

So.. I'm calling this...Little Man's 14th Month WIN!!

Grant Henry Kelley - 14 Months

In typical boy fashion his favorite things are: throwing balls, catching balls, rolling balls, chasing balls, hitting balls and laughing at himself after burping and farting. Apparently boy things are woven into their DNA. 😆😝 Already working on his boyish charm, he's the BEST snuggler, loves to lean in for hugs, gives "ojitos" and blows the sweetest kisses (mostly to grandma) 😍 Says "tatu" (thank you), "up", "down", "uh-oh" and will have long drawn out "conversations" with you any chance he gets. 😁 he's pretty much the best and we've ALL decided to keep him!

SNUGGLE BEAR!!

Kelley Bears 2016 Family Photo Session & Grant Turns 13 Months!

Another year down as Kelley Bears Party of 4 and another fabulous photo session in the books.  I can't believe how quickly this session came....and how quickly Grant turned 1... and let's not even talk about how OLD Everleigh is getting!  So mature, so intelligent, so incredibly SASSY but SUCH a great sister to Grant.  I love the bond these two already have.  Seeking each other out, playing with each other, loving on each other.  We truly are the luckiest parents to get to have these two as our own.  I can't wait to see them grow up together...(and see what kind of trouble they get into together.. ;)

Splitting their birthdays right down the middle, (just after Grant's first birthday and right before Everleigh's) this session also just happened to land on Grant's 13th month birthday!  

Grant Henry Kelley - 13 Months

The sweetest little ray of sunshine, Dude is happy as can be almost ALL of the time.  This month he's been working on his 9th, 10th AND 11th tooth though so he's definitely had his moments of "What the hell Mom!  THIS HURTS!"  Over all though, he really is SUCH a sweet and lovable little guy.  So serious for everyone BUT us, he cracks himself up, lights up when his daddy comes into the room and will giggle the best for his sister.  Standing up on his own, he's STILL not walking (BUT he's sooooooo close!)  He says "Tatu", "Uh-Oh", "Up" and "Down" and will wave "Bye" and blow the sweetest kisses.  

Grant's 1st Birthday Monster Bash

Poor second kid.

When it came time to plan Grant's 1st birthday party... I had every intention of combining his party with Everleigh's.  After all, they're only 6 weeks apart.  We had that idea pretty much settled on for quite some time before one day....GUILT struck.  (GASP!!) Guilt on Chad's part, not mine so much. Ha!  At least not at the beginning.  Chad was convinced Grant would be scarred for life for not getting what his sister got in the way of a 1st birthday to call his very own.  

Soooo....after my OWN mommy guilt settled in and the initial OH CRAP moment wore off , (when I realized we only had a little over 2.5 weeks to plan and execute), I shifted the party planning into high gear!  LUCKILY, it all came together quite nicely if I do say so myself.  ;)  

There were crafts, food and monsters-a-plenty!  ;)  AND the best part of all...the kids loved it! 

SUCCESS!  Now...on with the SHOW! 

Monster Parts.... ALL CUT BY HAND!!  (with love.. ;)

EVERYTHING was cut by hand.. my hand STILL aches!  ;)

Daddy's monster cake. 

Newborn & 6 month photos

"Build-A-Monster" Craft Table

In the last 15 minutes before people were set to arrive.. 

Chad Kelley decided to whip up this watermelon bad boy.  ;)

Monster Mouth Favors

Monster Cupcakes

Her very first monster creation!

"Petting" his monster cake ;)

AANNDD...we're OFF!

Monster Silliness Continues... Days Later :)