Never ever have I seen SUCH devotion wrapped up in the body of someone so young.  To his beloved train.  Conductor Doyle.  And his amazing family.

Nate and his family came through town two years ago to pay his respects to the 4449 and I was fortunate beyond measure to share in the moment.  He had spent the better part of his young life ferociously battling the heartbreaking diagnosis of neuroblastoma and despite the special occasion, that day was no different.  Cancer doesn’t do vacations.

Fast forward two years.

Lucky me…since day one, I’ve watched this fabulous young miss pass by my house multiple times a day during her neighborhood strolls {parental attempts at getting her to sleep…shhhh, don’t tell her}.  With enough personality and sass and sweet cheeks to match, she’ll have no problem running the world someday.

For now, she’s honing her skills on her folks…and neighbors.

I took a walk with a boy, his dog, and a super fairy girl.

How do you define a family?  Let me photograph the ways…. {and then I’m going to see about getting myself adopted into their fabulous little clan}.

In all their entertaining and beautiful glory!