Little June Turns 8

Just before JD and I were married, my soon-to-be mother-in-law took me to a department store and bought me a set of pearls.  

Even though they bought them for me, my in-laws would call me "June Cleaver" when I wore them -- all in the name of good-natured teasing.

Valerie, my mother-in-law, died 3 years later, and 5 years after that we had our first daughter.

Starting when she was 6 months old, I began photographing Katie wearing the pearls that would one day become hers.  I know Valerie would be incredibly proud of her, and would encourage me to keep taking her "Little June" pictures.  So, this morning when we awoke to a dusting of snow, Katelyn Valerie raced to put together an outfit that represents her this year.  And here we are.

-8-

Before you see the rest of this year's photos, here is one "Little June" pic from each of her previous ages:

-6 Months-

-1-

-18 Months-

-2-

-3-

-4-

-5- 

 -6-

-7-

-And again, here we are at 8-  

Katie is exactly the same person she has always been:

Strong,

 Sensitive,

Adventurous,

Funny,

And still refusing to change who she is to please others.

I wouldn't have it any other way.