We are overjoyed to introduce our little Leo:

We love you, sweet boy! xoxo, Mommy, Daddy, and proud big brother Asher

Kristen and Juan, I love watching your family grow and thrive together. I’m so glad we got a chance to do this! Miss you like crazy!!

Los Gatos Family Photographer, Kristen Holly

Love you guys! Happy 2016!! xoxo, Kristen

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k.holly  |  bay area lifestyle photographer  |  los gatos, ca

Love and hugs from the k.holly team: Kristen, Jamie, and Amber

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k.holly  |  bay area wedding and lifestyle photographer  |  los gatos, ca

I am almost 6 months along, and have been loving pregnancy just as much as the first time. There is just nothing in the world like growing a tiny human, feeling those gentle little baby movements, and sometimes surprisingly strong kicks! We feel incredibly lucky that we get to be the parents of another awesome BOY! Yeee!

Asher, who is now 4, (ah! remember when he was just like this?!) is VERY excited to be a big brother.

“A baby BROTHER?! It’s all I ever wanted in the whole world!!” -A  (heartmelt!)

He has even taken it upon himself to name the baby:

On or around January 17 2016, we will be welcoming Little Dorsal Fin! 

“…and then when he turns into a kid, we’ll call him Big Dorsal Fin.” -A

Obviously.

In addition to naming the baby, helping me paint the nursery, and telling everyone he meets that “mommy has a baby in her belly”, he’s also taken the initiative to choose a large selection of his own toys and books that baby brother can have. He loves to talk to the baby through my belly button, and he REALLY loves to blow raspberries on my belly and feel him wiggle. I don’t know how the reality of his expiring Only Child status will actually hit him when it happens, but we’re definitely enjoying his sweetness at the moment. As of now, he’s the most thoughtful and caring big brother a little one could hope for. :)

Now, I’m sure many of you, especially those of you who were with us when that sweet big brother was a tiny terror newborn monster, are wondering whether baby #2 was a surprise or not. Fair enough inquiry, considering we swore up and down that we were One and Done. Family of Three. Our Little Trio. Well, life happens, parents grow up with their babies, and sometimes, they even soften up. It took about a year of conversations, and a very amusing campaign by big brother to decide that we were finally ready to do this again. We haven’t forgotten how hard it was the first time, but we feel much more prepared and equipped than the first time around. I don’t know if anyone can be truly ready for these kinds of life changes, but we’re excited for this next chapter. A Family of Four!

On an (even more) personal note, I just have to talk for a minute about how magical this feels. I know people have babies and grow their families all the time, but I never thought it would happen for us. Over the past 4 years, I often would feel a little urge for another baby, but knew that we had already made our decision to have our one and only. We are/were very happy as a trio, but there was always that feeling there for me. Living far from family, and after moving even further to California, the desire to have more of us became stronger. I never said anything, but Jamie recognized it in me a long time ago. He waited until he knew he was ready as well to bring up the subject. When he DID bring it up, I melted into a puddle of tears. I don’t think I even realized how much I wanted it. I had gotten used to brushing off the feeling as hormonal, or normal doubts everyone has. At every milestone of Asher’s life so far, I had celebrated and savored it that much more, knowing we would only get to do it once. So now that we’re welcoming another family member, and get to experience all of these wondrous moments for a second time… I feel a profound sense of appreciation, gratitude, and pure bliss.  It’s nothing short of magic.

We can’t wait to meet you, sweet baby boy. You are loved, and awaited for, beyond measure.

~ Love, Mama, Daddy, Asher, and Lexi

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k.holly  |  bay area lifestyle photographer and blogger

Aletha and I met via the wedding industry many years ago when we were both just getting started, and have since formed a friendship over coffee dates, kids, stories, struggles, and tons of laughter and camaraderie. She has always had a love for the 50’s era, Mid-Century Modern style and design, and loves a clean updated look. She and her husband found a fixer-upper MCM home in Grand Haven, Michigan that needed just the right owner to bring it back to life. Hand-in-hand, they jumped in head-first. With her killer style, and his impressive DIY skills, it was meant to be. As she was telling me about the house over coffee one day, I knew that she had something amazing up her sleeve. I recognized that twinkle in her eyes, and her grin from ear to ear gave it all away. This house sparked passion in her, and without hesitation, I said that I had to document the process for her. I joined them several times throughout that year, from their first walk-throughs to demolition to planning, to painting, to the final reveal. The final reveal photos are what are published here in Atomic Ranch. Since then, Aletha’s family and I met one more time to take a few lifestyle photos in the home that are also scheduled to be published in a book on interior design in the near future.

Things I love: design, architecture, color, life, family, passion, joy. Check, check, triple check. This project was an absolute joy to document, and the resulting image collection is something I am very proud of.

Even better? Honoring her passion for the era, and her impeccable sense of modern style, Aletha has since opened up True Home Restorations, a boutique design firm focusing on mid-century renovations and interior design. I’ve never seen her more excited and passionate, and I am positively elated for her. Based in West Michigan, she has already accepted commissions and projects across the country. She is going to be wildly successful, I am certain.

Want to see the house? Get ready to fall in love with Mid-Century design. It’s definitely rubbed off on me – I find myself browsing zillow MCM listings more often than I’d like to admit ;)

You can read her post about the feature here, and click around to see more photos from the project on her blog, Mid Mod Mich.

Cheers, Aletha!! xoxo, Kristen

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k.holly  |  san francisco bay area lifestyle photographer… with a love for beautiful interiors and fun projects ;) 

All babies are beautiful of course, but when you imagine a classic “perfect” baby face, this is SO it. Cute round smoochable face, those kissable curly lips, and big bright eyes. Graham is already a heartbreaker, he had me hooked with a single smile! I follow Kristin on instagram and happily get my daily dose of cuteness!!

I love relaxed family sessions like these. Here in the Bay Area, winter is a great time for it! After the rain we’ve had, the hills are gloriously lush and green, perfect for pictures like this. Smiles like these are not ones you ever want to forget :)

los gatos baby photographer

Kristin, you are the prettiest mama in all the land.

Seriously, so in love. This is what a happy little family of three feels like. <3

All my love, you three. xoxo, Kristen

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k.holly  |  los gatos baby and family photography

Raia and Jeff, thank you for welcoming me into your home to capture a glimpse of your life as it is now. It was my absolute pleasure. :) Congratulations again on your wonderful two!

So much love! xoxo, Kristen

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k.holly  |  san francisco bay area family lifestyle photographer  |  los gatos  |  saratoga  |  los altos

xoxo, Kristen

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k.holly  |  san francisco bay area family lifestyle photographer  |  los gatos  |  willow glen  |  palo alto

One of the best parts of traveling back to Michigan for weddings is that I get to spend time with my best friends and see their families grow. (Of course, not getting to be with our best friends on the regular is also one of the worst things about moving out of state, but let’s keep it positive, shall we?) I love that even though we’re on the other side of the country, I’ve gotten to see these guys every couple months. I’ve gotten to see almost all of the amazing little stages of his first year of life, including see him learn to stand and walk on his own, which was happening THIS VERY DAY. I felt so lucky to be there to witness this exciting milestone, and also to be able to capture it for Laura and Jon. This is the very best thing about what I do. Noticing, seeing, feeling these fleeting moments. And catching and preserving them to savor later.

Today is Eliot’s first birthday. He is ONE!! I am there in spirit, little man. Have an extra piece of cake with tons of extra frosting for me! Love you!! xoxo, Kristen

los gatos family photographer  |  palo alto family photographer

Just look at that proud little face. I can’t handle it!! :D 

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k.holly  |  bay area family lifestyle photographer  |  los gatos |  los altos  |  palo alto