family photos + cupcakes

Before Nick deployed in February, my friend and former Miss Missouri Teen USA roomy and line partner (due to our last names) Kathryn Marie Whitney graciously joined the Tago clan for some family time. She just so happens to be an incredible photographer who allowed us the chance to grab some cupcakes at "The Cup" in downtown Springfield while capturing us enjoying each other in our last day together. We hadn't seen Nick since November and the best Christmas surprise that ended up with Nick--in full uniform--at 9am showing up at our doorstep! 

All of the time apart and Nick's sacrifice in the service is now behind us and we have these images to have as a forever keepsake. Katie granted us our wish of having a reminder of how little Kalea and Atalia were before their daddy went on his world deployment.  I'm so thankful for this winter afternoon with Katie and our family. Our first family photos from this time in our lives will forever be treasured. And like the cupcakes, these memories are delicious!