If you’ve been around this blog at all, then you surely have “met” Uncle Jason. He’s mine and Brett’s brother (yes, I claim him) and very special to our kids. Jason has lived in California their whole lives, so the times when he visits are typically fun-filled packed days. He also loves on them while here to make up for the days he’s been gone. The older they got, the more his visits picked up in frequency, to where either he was traveling here or we traveled to meet 3-4 times a year. Yes, we became spoiled.

Flash forward to last spring. Brett and I knew it was coming. J came to town to say a temporary farewell. He had been hired to work the 2014 Olympic Games and was leaving for Russia….in just a few days! Of course we were all so thrilled for this wonderful opportunity, but we knew we’d miss seeing him like we had grown used to doing. So, we made sure to enjoy our time with him…

Jason created this special habit of doing a mini-session with the nieces and nephews each year, whenever I’m not too exhausted to shoot it. ;)   I haven’t blogged them all over the years, but here are a couple:

2010

2012

And then, poor J, I typically make him wait quite a while to actually see the session because it gets put waaaaay back on the burner behind my work. (Haaaa, sorry bro.) Of course we had to capture a session last spring before he left. And of course he is seeing most of these today for the first time.  ;) But in honor of missing him, craving spring, and the fact that TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY, I decided to get these blogged.

Brett was working, and the kids were antsy on this particular day last May, so I made a scavenger hunt for OTR in downtown Cincinnati:

Then they got a little more photo serious….

Thank you for being such a wonderful uncle and brother. We love you. Happy birthday, J! :)

The 52 Project

“A photo of each child, every week of 2014″

8/52

Another chilly week stuck inside…we’re ready when you are, fresh air and sunshine.

(1) Our outdoor cat (Ichabod, aka Ick) has been having lots of indoor time due to the cold winter. I’m worried he’s getting pretty spoiled.

(2) Wrapped tightly in a blanket, watching more snow fall.

(3) I saw these two in the playroom, and just adored this sweet moment. Although it’s cold, at least we’ve gotten some sun shining through.

(4) We brought a taste of summer inside and made some strawberries recipes this week. Can’t wait to get the fresh real deal in just a few months!