A Mitchellish Christmas

Phew ! I can't believe Christmas is over all ready. I am always a mix of emotions this time of year. I love the Christmas lights , and the hustle and bustle of Christmas. But i am also ready for it to be over.

I have to say though , this was one of the best Christmas's I have ever had. Christmas day was spent with My awesome in laws at their home in Phoenix. The kids were spoiled as usual and the food was AMAZING ! I think my favorite part was playing Band hero with my hubby and all of his siblings.

The next day we had our Mitchell Christmas. The kids played with all of their cousins and had so much fun ! It is so special to be apart of this family. I grew up a only child and holidays were always kind of lame. My mom did her best , but I always felt the loneliness of wanting to be a part of a big family. I am so happy that my three girls get to grow up in a family filled with so much love.

So Merry late Christmas from laurenJean photography !! 2009 was awesome and I have even bigger things in store for 2010 ! Too kick things off next weekend I have a engagement shoot in Greer Arizona. SNOW !!! I am so excited !!! I can't wait to show you all the pictures.

In the mean time here are some snapshots from our Christmas. And at the end is my first attmpt a video. this is another avenue of photography i am excited to explore and learn more about in the coming year!

May you all have a blessed and Happy New year !!

Ashlynn spreading some Christmas love



Great Grandpa. I really like this picture .`


Great Grandma and Grandpa


The older cousins. Arent they all gorgeous ! ? And Myka with Uncle Brandon


and I hope this video makes you as happy as it makes me !

A Mitchellish Christmas ! from kennagurls on Vimeo.

If we are the body .

Sometimes I ask families to do some crazy things during photo shoots. I may ask a sister to give a brother a kiss on check. Or make you put your neck in a really uncomfortable position and tell you to ” smile and look natural “. One of my favorite shots to do with families is have them lay on the ground with their heads together and look up at the camera.

Most people look at me like I am crazy. Moms worry about double chins girls worry about hair getting messed up. Dad worries he wont be able to get back up. But when i asked the Runzo family to lay down , they all eagerly agreed. I made my usual disclaimer that they may get a little dirty and their oldest daughter looked at me with big eyes and smiled when she said ” it’s ok , we have lived in some dirty places “.

When they were all in place and i looked through my lens I almost cried. On the other side of the camera was a family who has given up everything for a higher calling .

There is a song by the group Casting Crowns that pops into my head whenever I think about the Runzo family. The chorus asks a very simple yet very profound question:

But if we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?

And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them
There is a way? There is a way?

This family is answering that question. They are going . They are the hands and feet of Jesus. I met Scott and Lisa when I was 11 years old. Scott was the youth pastor at my church . I remember when they had their first baby. Who is a teenager now !!! Yikes , I feel old. I also remember when they made the decision to move their family which included three small children to Latvia.

Being a mother of three small children myself I can’t even imagine what that must have been like. To leave my family, to leave the comfort of everything familiar and to move somewhere where they spoke a different language. Had different traditions and customs.

But they did.

They followed God where he led them, and they trusted him.

The internet is awesome for so many reasons. Over the years I read Scott and Lisas e mail updates and eventually their blog. They have been so honest about the ups and the downs of being full time missionaries.They have faithfully shared their joy and sadness with the whole world.

As they start a new chapter in their lives i was so honored that they asked me to help document some precious memories of this time for them .

Scott and Lisa, it has been a pleasure knowing you and you and your family will continue to be in my families prayers as you start your new adventure. thanks so much for hanging out with me and my camera !

Enjoy.

p.s if you are interested in finding out more about Scott and Lisa new adventure C.A.L.M click here