Sunday, November 30, 2014

12 Ideas For Your Elf on the Shelf | Personal | Fayetteville, N.C. Photographer

Our lovable Elf of the Shelf, Raheem, came back to us the day after Thanksgiving this year. Usually he waits until December to show up but I'm thinking he missed us oh so much, or maybe my eldest needed a lil' more surveillance to ensure he makes the nice list. Either way, he returned and we are looking forward to all the shenanigans he'll get into this year!


The first night he returned, he must have bumped into the Tooth Fairy because he wrote a note to my son and said that the Tooth Fairy left money AND his tooth as a souvenir. LOL. Which is the Tooth Fairy's way of probably apologizing since she didn't come the night before to exchange the tooth for coins ...


The next morning we found Raheem roasting marshmallows! Haha! He's a sneaky lil fellow!


Raheem was also found playing football, sporting a new jersey! What?! My son couldn't get over that! He was super stoked that Raheem had a football jersey AND was playing football. The next morning we couldn't find Raheem ... until we went to get milk for our cereal! That silly elf! Must have been too hot for him ...or a late dash to move positions before my eldest woke. Also, he had a little fun with my boy, who's a Carolina Panthers fan, on the bathroom mirror!


One night, Raheem enlisted four green army men to help with his surveillance AND showed up with a naughty and nice meter! He looks a lil' bored here doesn't he?

So what does he do next? He grabs The North Pole Buzz, makes a hammock and relaxes.

He must have heard us talking about Operation Toy Drop, because the next night ... he was flying paper planes and a buddy was parachuting out! (notice his new jacket as well!)


Raheem must have thought that being a paratrooper looked like fun so the next morning we found him parachuting in!

My son took Raheems advice and learned about a new country the next day ... he chose Korea. :)


Here, Raheem appears to be daydreaming in his tissue box bed. 

After a tantrum the night before ... Raheem had to take matters into his own hands. He came back with a report from Santa. My eldest apologized for the attitude and remains on the nice list ... "For Now" Santa wrote.

Naughty or Nice PDF can be found HERE -- I found "warnings" after the fact ... which would have worked better ... but HERE is that link if you need to set some warnings!

A little over 2 weeks left for Christmas and Raheem seems to be taking this years shenanigans pretty light ... I'm curious to see what else he has up that red jumpsuit of his!

(majority of printables were found using Elf on the Shelf's idea emails!! Sign up today!)


** Please remember that all images are copyrighted to Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC. Please do not copy or alter any images without SWP, LLC consent. ***

Monday, November 24, 2014

The Long Wait For Daddy | Military Homecoming | Fort Bragg. NC Photographer

Every family has a story to tell ... and every homecoming is special in it's own way. This is why I love what I do. I want to capture each story and let the photographs tell it ... But sometimes words need to fill in the gaps ...


This little boy was super excited to be reunited with his "Papa." So much, that he even took off from his momma a couple of times to see if he could find Papa quicker! He and momma had driven a LONG distance to get here and welcome daddy home, but now he had to wait longer?! Man! But never fear, momma packed fun toys and games from him to stay busy with.

Even cuddle time with momma was needed as the stars shined brightly over the flight line. Now, waiting this long for any lil' boy is hard ... but I want to let y'all know something else about this special boy. He's autistic. I'm not telling you this to make him any more special than he already is, I just want to paint the picture for y'all as you scroll down further in this blog.
Finally the time came and the doors opened and Momma pointed out where Papa would be marching in!


But wait ... now I have to wait for a SPEECH?! Lol, he was getting soooo tired of waiting and even slightly fell asleep while waiting! ;)


But finally his Papa was released, and even though it was super loud in the hanger that he had to cover his ears .... he walked right up to Papa and HUGGED him!





What a relief for momma AND papa!


Papa even came bearing gifts!! LOL A Skylander and fun glow sticks!!

Yay! Papa's home!

But here is where it gets sappy... as the Soldiers were forming back up to get on the buses to turn in weapons, this little boys began to make a peace sign ... frantically. I didn't know what was going on, but momma's face said it all.

"It's two," her voice cracked. "He and Papa have a special sign and it's 'two ...' because it's the two of them."

She picked him up and began signing with him for Papa to see.

"I can't believe he remembered this!" She said with tears in her eyes.

And that's when I had to catch my breath ... I have seen many homecomings, seen many happy  tears and heard many people ask how I never cry at these things ... well ... this little boy melted my heart and finally let a tear roll down my cheek.


** Please remember that all images are copyrighted to Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC. Please do not copy or alter any images without SWP, LLC consent. ***

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Can't Wait for Daddy | Military Homecoming | Fort Bragg, NC Photographer

That moment the plane lands and pulls up right in front of your hanger ... it's priceless. Can you tell which one is my client?? LOL The one looking longingly out into the daylight? Oh yes, that's the one!

Here, big sister is pointing out the C-130 that is carrying her daddy. Yes, I said C-130. Now, I've done a TON of homecomings and there's only one thing that remains consistent ... NONE OF THEM ARE THE SAME! Haha! 


I can tell you what I've experienced, but I will always say, "Each unit is different!" And boy it's the truth! Here, the guys landed, got off the military plane (usually a civilian contracted plane) and walked right into the arms of their loved ones. It was awesome! No long waiting, not long ceremony, just sweet sweet reunion!

Big sister just couldn't contain her excitement! She just wanted daddy and boy was she gonna get her daddy!

I mean, look at that sweet face! She was so happy to see her daddy, she was crying. <3 LOVE.


Of course lil' sister and momma were just as excited! ;)


Lil' sis was just too cute holding her daddy's finger ... <3



 Have I mentioned how much I LOVE homecomings?! This was TWO of THREE homecomings in this week ... and the first of that DAY's homecoming ... the next one was later that night!

** Please remember that all images are copyrighted to Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC. Please do not copy or alter any images without SWP, LLC consent. ***


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Late Night, Last Minute Reunion | Military Homecoming | Fort Bragg, NC Photographer

There's nothing quite like a Starbucks and friends to keep you company when waiting on your husband to arrive on a late night plane! ;)

One of my favorite family's contacted me last minute to see if I was available for a late night military homecoming. Of course I said YES! (that and I was lucky enough to have my mother in town to watch the boys!) This is why you should always just check with me when you get your final date and time ... just in case I have availability!

He's momma was SOOO excited when she watched him march in!
He just lit up when he saw the two ladies in his life, his wife and his momma! 
He's boy is sorta camera shy ... lol, I learned that last year while photographing them for their holiday pictures! :) He kept hiding from the camera and shining his flash light at me, throwing off my focus ... oh ... but I still got the lil' bugger! ;) He makes me giggle!

LOL ... he was much less thrilled about the family photo after the end of all the excitement ... ;)

This was the beginning of my hectic THREE homecomings in one week! Mom couldn't have come at a better moment! Stay tuned!** Please remember that all images are copyrighted to Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC. Please do not copy or alter any images without SWP, LLC consent. ***

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Sunlit Growing Family | Family | Fayetteville, NC Photographer


What's cool about the people I surround myself with is that we help each other out. Stephanie is a fellow local photographer. She can take as many photographs of her family as she desires ... but with four young boys ... and being pregnant, it's difficult to set the camera timer, run back to the family and make sure everyone is smiling when the timer stops and the shutter releases.

 That's where I come in. We got together real quick at my favorite location at my FAVORITE time of the day and we wrangled everyone in (gramma and grandpa included) and took the ONE picture she couldn't get on her own. A family photograph. Granted ... I did have to blend a few images together to get THE image ... silly boys. BUT I believe I did her justice and I cannot wait to see her new bundle of joy!


Also, I couldn't resist getting a cute shot of her and (at the time) hubby-to-be!

** Please remember that all images are copyrighted to Sharilyn Wells Photography, LLC. Please do not copy or alter any images without SWP, LLC consent. ***