Stephanie was one of the first people I met when we moved to Waldorf.  She was a part of a Stroller Striders group that I somehow hooked up with as they disbanded.  We had a lot in common, two kids (girl and boy), although they were different ages, but a toddler is a toddler.  My son has known this family since he was three months old.  We both liked to work out with running being our favorite mode of exercise, she was born in the great state of Ohio (but grew up in Wisconsin) and went to an Ohio college (although I would have to say the less cool Ohio college than the one I attended ;-)), and she's an amazing masseuse and I LOVE getting massages.  One thing I can say is that she's just a great friend.  Before they moved farther south, we were able to spend tons of time together, lunches at each others houses, playdates and sharing in the agony of the horrendous HIIT workouts at the gym we both went to or just pounding out some miles during training runs.  I do remember one time she watched me climb a ladder to my second floor, squeeze myself through our tiny bathroom window because I locked us out of the house.  Since their move, visits have been less, but it's always wonderful to see those who befriended this new girl in a new city.      

For their portrait, I thought we could go to the Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood, Maryland.  It's a beautiful setting, you've got everything...a plantation house, beautiful flower gardens, water in the distance, hills, lots of open space.  

Enjoy!

Over the course of the three portraits I had last weekend I observed something curious, especially with the daughters...they are growing up.  Sad but true.  All three families have girls as the first born, and I watched all three girls do their best to calmly help their little brothers get to where I needed them for their pictures and listen closely to me as I directed them.  I caught glimmers of their total sweetness and love for their little brothers, and then I saw their playfulness as they tackled them or played tag with them or made crazy faces at them.  It has been something I have seen in my own daughter the past few months.  

It's hard to put into words, what her friendship has meant to me over these almost 6 years and I'm so happy I was able to photograph the Magill's one more time!  

Thanks for stopping by...and reading my ramblings, it'll only get worse as I wind down my days in Waldorf, MD!!

Mackenzie