The Fairweather Family.

For as long as I can remember, I've always thought it would be better to be known as smart, rather than beautiful. In more recent years, I can say that I feel the same about creativity and compassion. Cultivate the brain and the heart, and beauty will inevitably shine. But every once in a while, you come across a person who is all of those things (even outwardly beautiful), and makes it seem effortless.

Lindsey is one of those people. 

Our paths first crossed in middle school.  One of my boldest memories with her is when our drama club went to a local elementary school to perform our skits.  I was nervous to play my part in, "Pet Shop Window", as a picketing protestor.  My only lines were repeating, "FREE THE PUPPIES, FREE THE KITTIES!" over and over... and I was nervous!  Lindsey on the other hand was a seemingly well polished professional, even at 12.  She put on a solo rendition of, "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun!", from Annie Get Your Gun (would teachers even allow that today?).  She had gusto, and confidence, and that was just the start of my experiences with her.

In high school, she had a lot to offer, and people took note.  Not only was she congenial, but also mastered advanced placement classes.  Plus, with that package of brains and beauty, she caught the eyes of many guys in our class.  She was like a brunette Reese Witherspoon. Guys were attracted to her and girls wanted to be her friend.  Except unlike the fictional beauty that got into Harvard ("what? like it's hard?!"), the real life beauty with brains opted to attend a different Ivy League school, Yale, and left nobody that surprised.

"So how did you make it over to London?", I asked Lindsey between shots of her relatively new family of 3.  "I always wanted to study abroad, but I just couldn't get myself to do it.  I enjoyed college too much", she said.  So instead, she opted to jump on the opportunity to teach abroad for a school year, post graduation, to get her fill.  10 days after the move over the pond, Lindsey caught the eye of an Englishman.  He quickly won her over with his witty humor and (I'm guessing) accent (I mean let's be honest.  What woman doesn't love a good accent?!).

Years down the road, I'm not surprised she married a smart diplomat with the last name "Fairweather"... it's just too perfect.  And 6 weeks before I had the opportunity to meet up with them back in Farmington, their family grew by means of a dashing young baby.  A baby who went past his due date to have the same birthday as his favorite photographer (ahem... favorite, right guys?!), May 23!  Here are a few of my favorites.

Even without being happy the whole time, little Walter still managed to be awfully cute!

A personal favorite. That face!

It's always one of my favorite things to see new parents be gentle, and loving their tiny babies.  This time was no exception.  There's just something about a fathers love, and a mothers nurturing, that never gets old.





We had a sneaky little helper-cousin along with us as well.

This is when we "lost" him.

Thankfully he came back for a picture with his cousin!  Look how cute these boys are!

Family is such a special thing. 

There were so many special moments that day.   Little glimpses into a loving family.   Here are a few more since that I couldn't wrap this post up without sharing.

Thank you so much for letting me get some pictures of your sweet family! It was such a joy!