Grace , Idaho | Family Portraits | Mikenna Atkinson Photography | Southeastern Idaho Photographer
I am lucky we’ve handpicked our ‘extra’ family members. Cassie (Nate’s wife) was his girlfriend in high school when we all fell in love with her. She was/is a hard worker, a farm girl, and acted like a second mom to her siblings. I remember watching Nate’s face as he talked on the phone. You could almost always peg when it was Cassie compared to anyone else. I’m also pretty sure he fell asleep on the phone several times, yet she still called. He left on his mission to D.C. she wrote him at least weekly, sent him packages of treats, and treated him like gold. She was still there waiting for him when the two years were up. Mercedes thought she should determine when they married, and ‘A Tuesday’ was her request. You can bet they followed that request. Six years and two babies later, I’m still grateful she came into our lives! Fun fact about Nate, he grew up telling us he would be a dump truck driver with a mustache. Well, he can drive a dump truck, and anything else that requires a CDL, he may not have a mustache, but he does have some hair on his chin. He will eat any and every cookie in sight, loves country music, does not have a Facebook or Instagram so he likes to steal mine to ‘educate himself’ on what is going on in the social world, but will drop everything for the sake of his family.
Nick. He and Megan had ‘unofficially’ been together during high school; at the very least, he was her best friend. There were even late nights he stuck around to help her with homework or chores. We still have a cookie sheet he scrubbed the word/name ‘Megan’ into…We were on ‘Team Nick’ when he headed for his mission. We should have had t-shirts made up with his face on them…Craig and I stayed up into the early morning hours the night before he came home, creating a ‘Welcome Home’ banner. We got to visit him that same night. Nick was always thoughtful and doting on Megan. I loved seeing her letters to him while he was gone; they’d be intricately decorated with calligraphy and little doodles that couldn’t have been more thoughtful. They’ve been married for four years and welcomed their first baby girl into the family this past April. Fun fact about Megan, she loves to bake. Sourdough, fine desserts, heck, recently she made crème brûlée, and her homemade pies are quite delicious! She has beautiful handwriting, and loves shopping at vintage/farmers markets.
Next up, Craig. You may know him, and yes, I may have handpicked him for our family…;) We knew each other when I entered Young Women’s (our church youth group for girls ages 12-18), he was always kind, but we didn’t date until he got home from his mission. After he spoke in our ward (church congregation), my mom asked if I’d like to date him. Nate was an instant fan. He enjoyed his truck and his deep voice and said he liked country music. What more could there be to love? After our first date, we talked daily, and this year, we celebrated our 12th Anniversary and 13 years of being together. Craig is a dedicated daddy and husband. He’s an Ohio State fan but has also proudly adopted BYU as his ‘backup team’- although he’s a more loyal fan than I am. You can count on him for a great cup of hot chocolate, getting me out of ironing a six-month pile of clothes, a killer bowl of Tikki Masala, Authentic Mexican Food, or a good ole American burger. He’s loyal and dependable. He looks tough, but snuggles from his kids melt him like a popsicle on a hot day. Even better, he’s mine.
Since my other two siblings don’t have spouses, I think I should give you fun facts about them…Marina, she is starting her Masters degree this coming year, and she loves all the Korean bands? KPop I think is the official term, she is a fan girl, and loves to travel. If I had a sibling that travelled the world, it would be Marina. She loves the Asian culture, and loves being independent, although I think her two kitties wish she’d spend more time in Grace. Nyler, well Nyler is a smiler. He patiently sits on the floor assembling Lego villages with my kids, and somehow keeps his cool. He loves to bake cakes- and he’s created quite the portfolio! He works hard, and loves all the sugary treats. He plans to go to dental school after his two year mission to Missouri(he leaves at the end of October). We will miss him like crazy.
This family of mine is my happy place. I love spending hours with everyone in one room (or at least in the kitchen and living room), laughing, telling stories, teasing my mother- especially when she comes up with phrases like ‘I’m sweating like a fish!’, watching the kids with ‘their best friends’- cousins, and even watching Nyler and Marina give their all for their nieces and nephews. That doesn’t even mention watching my parents fulfill their role as Grandparents. The grandkids love them; they love to be chased around, tickled, and teased by Grandpa- they may even love the handful of gummy bears, Swedish fish, or ziplock baggy of chips and homemade cookies Papa loads them up with. They love snuggling with Grandma, scoping out her pantry, and helping her in the yard or feeding the chickens. They want to be with Papa and Grandma, and I love it. I love my siblings, I love their spouses, I love my parents, my husband, my kids, my nieces and nephews. I love this crazy family of mine. They are my happy place. Sometimes, we drive each other crazy, but most of the time, we LOVE like crazy.
-Mikenna
XOXOXO
