Talk to any parent, and she will tell you that her child is a blessing. Whether that child be the first, the second, or the eighth, every child who graces this world with his/her perfection is a gift from above.  So, what happens when a parent is doubly blessed?  Doubly gifted? What happens when she gets the ultimate twofer? Is her joy throughout her life doubled?  Does she get to experience this life with the uniqueness of raising the two children simultaneously?  Is everything in her life doubled?  

You bet it is!  

And when you find out that the parents already have the prodigal son...well, you start to wonder what they did in this life to deserve such riches.  Whatever it may be, it must have been good because this family just about blew me away when it comes to just how amazingly wonderful, amazingly beautiful, and amazingly perfect they are.  And that they called on me to photograph their amazingness at Top Dog?  I must have done something right!

I wish I could tell you what makes the world's newest and greatest sixteen year olds so wonderful.  From their laundry list of impressive activities that not only showcases their individual talents but their commitment to helping others, to the kind and generous way they treated EACH AND EVERY guest at their party, to the way they loved on their parents in front of their entire social grouping.  It's enough to make you want to say, "What did you do to raise such awesome children and how do I make sure mine are just like yours??"

And any time I get to see my babies, my former students, is a great time for me.  I have to admit that I had a hard time keeping on my "business" face when I heard so many familiar voices calling out my name and so many familiar arms reaching out to me for a hug.  Had to take off the photographer hat a few times and put on the jubilant I-know-I-didn't-birth-you-but-you'll-always-be-my-baby teacher hat.  But that's not weird for a photographer to hug her sixteen year old clients, right?

And now, to present some of the greatest sixteen year olds around!  For the record, I am in no way biased when I say that.

2013-12-23_0074 2013-12-23_0075 2013-12-23_0076 2013-12-23_0077 2013-12-23_0078 2013-12-23_0079 2013-12-23_0080 2013-12-23_0081 2013-12-23_0082 2013-12-23_0085 2013-12-23_0083 2013-12-23_0084 2013-12-23_0086 2013-12-23_0092 2013-12-23_0087 2013-12-23_0088 2013-12-23_0090 2013-12-23_0089 2013-12-23_0106 2013-12-23_0108 2013-12-23_0101 2013-12-23_0112 2013-12-23_0109 2013-12-23_0110 2013-12-23_0111 2013-12-23_0114 2013-12-23_0116 2013-12-23_0115 2013-12-23_0113 2013-12-23_0102 2013-12-23_0123 2013-12-23_0124 2013-12-23_0125 2013-12-23_0126 2013-12-23_0128 2013-12-23_0127 2013-12-23_0129 2013-12-23_0117 2013-12-23_0131 2013-12-23_0130 2013-12-23_0091 2013-12-23_0093 2013-12-23_0096 2013-12-23_0094 2013-12-23_0098 2013-12-23_0097 2013-12-23_0095 2013-12-23_0099 2013-12-23_0100 2013-12-23_0103 2013-12-23_0104 2013-12-23_0107 2013-12-23_0105 2013-12-23_0118 2013-12-23_0120 2013-12-23_0121 2013-12-23_0132 2013-12-23_0122