May 23, 2011

hold on to sixteen

Hold on to sixteen, as long as you can.

(I was sixteen when that song came out.)

(Please don't do the math.)

(Pretty please.)


My baby.

In a few weeks, he'll be a senior.

In a few weeks, he'll be seventeen.

Say it ain't so.


I have found the key to getting my boys to pose for pictures.

Can you guess?

A cute girl. And seriously, could this girl possibly be any cuter?

When a fella gets double-teamed by the cute girl and the mom with the camera, he stands no chance.

It worked with his big bro, and it worked again yesterday.


Adding a vintage soda to the mix doesn't hurt either.

Junior loves the vintage sodas.


Life is good.

Summer's coming.

School's almost out.

They have plans for picnics and swimming and ice cream.

(He has plans to make her play Nazi Zombies on the X-box, but I think for each game she plays, we should get a photo session in exchange.)


Hold on to this time, kids.

Real, grown up life is right around the corner.

It will come soon enough.

Just. Hold. On.
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57 comments:

  1. elizabethMay 23, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    The photos are FABULOUS! Can I ask where you found the straws, I've been looking for that type.

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  2. Rachel GreeneMay 23, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    These are SOO cute!! Love it :D

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  3. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleMay 23, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Oh, so true and aren't they adorable.

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  4. UnknownMay 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    What great photos! I was 14 when that song came out. What memories. I wish I had listened and savored those moments... it goes too fast.

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  5. Sallie @ Texas CottageMay 23, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Adorable photos! You are so right about getting boys to pose for pictures. The girlfriends can always talk them into whatever Mom wants.

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  6. Mrs. MeansMay 23, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    No need to do any math. I was about the same age! Ha! Love the pics. They are gorgeous and so are the models.

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  7. AnonymousMay 23, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Well, Teresa, if I had a) backgrounds like yours, b) hunka-burning-love sons like yours, c) a camera like yours ... I might be Teresa and have gorgeous pics like yours! I am hoping and longing for a camera, and when I get the dollars for it, I am coming back here and score your entire blog for all the camera deets. P.S. I think your son is cuter than Nick Jonas! Ha!

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  8. NanMay 23, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    What a darling couple, yes they do grow up so fast then before you know it like myself you have a grandson graduating from HS in Kodiak Alaska!!

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  9. AnonymousMay 23, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Oh and tell your son (and his girl) not to worry ... I was way more than sixteen when that song came out!

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  10. StitchforkMay 23, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Oh, great tip and I will have to try that with my three guys who avidly avoid my camera lens! Youngest came in second yesterday in a 5K for the 20-25 year division -- and it caused me to pause and say, how could my baby be 20??! Handsome guy you have here with a very cute friend!
    xo Cathy

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  11. Privet and HollyMay 23, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Laughing at
    the Nazi Zombies,
    as my boy is into
    that and his older
    sis will play, too!
    Honestly your photos
    blow
    me
    away.
    xx Suzanne

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  12. Shannan MartinMay 23, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    He's Ca-Ute!!! And she's gorgeous, but duh.

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  13. FlourchildMay 23, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    My oldeste is graduating from High school June 2. Im happy for her but so sad she will be moving out and going to college. I still have two more at home but they are growing up much to quickly. I love your post and I love your photos..I got all teary eyed:) It's hard on us moms!

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  14. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovementMay 23, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Teresa, you take great pictures! Your son and his girlfriend are adorable!

    My youngest just finished her last day of high school on Friday and graduates on Sunday. I'm sure you already know this from having older kids, but boy oh boy does that senior year fly by! Wow! Hold on tight. :)

    Have a great week!
    Pam

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  15. jewels in the garden +: )May 23, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Teresa, you are one smart, clever, sneaky momma!

    Ah to be that young
    in love
    in the summertime
    in meadowbrook farm
    sigh~

    and your pictures are so tack sharp it's like you pull us in and we are right there standing next to you as you click away!
    Amazing!
    Julie

    ps.. I love your baby's hair!!

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  16. LisaMay 23, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Those pictures are precious! I have a 16 year old son and deal with the same thing regarding photos and the paparazzi (that would be me)...I'm going to have to try the vintage soda trick the next time his cute girl(friend) comes over!

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  17. KarMay 23, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    What great pictures Teresa! You always take beautiful pictures.

    I won't do the math either because I was in high school when that song came out. :)

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  18. debMay 23, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    So gorgeous!! I agree - it goes so fast - I'm a g-ma now...

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  19. TerrellMay 23, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Simply gorgeous pics!! I love how simple yet so catchy they turned out!! You always have amazing pics and I love checking them out! Congrats to your son and here's to a wonderful summer!!
    Terrell

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  20. NanEMay 23, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    What cute kids Teresa and your photos just capture the essence of the anticipation of Summer perfectly. Hugs and blessings, Nan

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  21. Tonya @ Love of Family And HomeMay 23, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Such cute pictures!! Love the vintage soda bottle!! Your sons are all so handsome & their girlfriends are always adorable as well!! When is the big wedding?! I forget! Oh yeah...I agree with you on the video game exchange for the photo shoot...I always hated sitting around watching my boyfriend play video games in high school!

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  22. Pam KesslerMay 23, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    So I won't google the song and see when it came out then. The first photo looks like it could be an ad for the soda. Great sharp, vibrant colors!

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  23. LorileeMay 23, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Beautiful photos and wonderful subjects! My son loved to have his photo taken when he was younger. Now that he is 16, he is SO uncooperative!
    Blessings,
    Lorilee

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  24. DeborahMay 23, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Sweetest post eva!!
    Oh they look adorable together!
    What a handsome young man you have...
    Yes remember those days?
    Enjoyed this so much!

    Deborah xo

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  25. Love Being A NonnyMay 23, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    WOW....HIS HAIR is Gorgeous! And she is too! LOVE the pictures! WOW!

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  26. Lib StewartMay 23, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    If I know my music - that makes you still a youngster. My son was 15 when it came out!

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  27. nateandkatesmomMay 23, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Beautiful pics! Very cute girl, and very handsome son, with curls to die for I might add. My son turns 9 in a week. I know 16 will be here before I know it, he's more than halfway there. :-( Yep...hold onto it as long as you can!

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  28. Simple DaisyMay 23, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    What a sweet post!!! He is so cute and she is too!! Oh to be young again.....you really don't appreciate it until you're much older:)

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  29. Sally @DrinkingFromMySaucerMay 23, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Cute. Cute. Cute. Love the vintage soda bottle. and... (wait for it) CUTE. These are great pictures, Teresa. =) ~Sally

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  30. Janie FoxMay 23, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    The girl is beautiful and He is man pretty. That is a good thing. You're wise my friend and your pictures are amazing!

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  31. corners of my lifeMay 23, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Could these youngster be any cuter?!

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  32. Robin JohnsonMay 23, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    Your so sneaky! But it works! Love the photos, they are just so cute together.

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  33. MoaMay 24, 2011 at 1:33 AM

    Such sweet photos! I loved the ones of his big brother too :)

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  34. Lynn BMay 24, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    Nostalgic sigh... :)

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  35. Jen KershnerMay 24, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    How cute are they? T, you make beautiful boys. The end of the year is such a bittersweet time, isn't it?

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  36. AnonymousMay 24, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    The above poster was right. He is cuter than most celebs! That hair is to die for too.

    Can I ask where you got your vintage soda??? Thanks so much! Jenniferparkcox@yahoo.com is my email. Thank you!!!!

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  37. kellyMay 24, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    You're so funny! I think you have found the secret! (p.s. I didn't have to do the math...I was seventeen when that song came out and had to insert my proper age into the song whilst singing it. :))

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  38. AnonymousMay 24, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Or you could just post here if you don't want to email about the vintage soda? Thanks!

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  39. AmyMay 24, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Wow. Gorgeous pictures. Beautiful mountains in the background too. We are holding on as well. Holding on tight for a little while longer and then we will have to let them take flight. Not ready. Blessings.

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  40. bucolic beautyMay 24, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Cute, cute, cute pictures! The water looks so inviting.

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  41. Into VintageMay 24, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Beautiful as always! Picnics, swimming and ice cream ... sigh. Good times! :-)

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  42. JoybirdMay 24, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    T, I first fell in love with your blog when someone shared a shot of your kitchen. Magic. Reading this I realized it's not just the delightful color cupcakes you whip up in each picture (really, your use of color is phenomenal) it's that your pics plain make me grin...each and every time.

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  43. StephanieMay 25, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    terrific, terrific photos! Love them. What cuties!

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  44. MarthaMay 25, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Handsome-gorgeous-sweet-and you are seriously good behind the lens! Oh and the scenery is fabulous too!!

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  45. AnonymousMay 26, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    You must be about my age, because I remember that song coming out around that age, so I won't tell! heheheee

    Absolutely fantastic shots... you're right, he didn't stand a chance! LoL! =)

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  46. AnonymousMay 26, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    PS I LOVE the barn pic in your header photo & I want to invite you to participate in Barn Charm on Mon evenings/Tues... swing by & check it out! =)

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  47. AngelaMay 26, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    What great photos! They make great models! I really like the last one with the beautiful mountains in the back!

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  48. patsyMay 27, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    beautiful pics....your baby boy is one cutie pie :)

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  49. Tasha HorsleyMay 27, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    so cute!

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  50. Valerene Matthews, MalaysiaMay 29, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    So glad I came across your post thru Centsational Girl. I recently wrote about my daughter too, so yes, I wanted to sob. Val
    http://tree-shades.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-baby-does-things-behind-my-back.html

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  51. Lisa PorterMay 30, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Oh my gosh I have one of those. When my daughter was sixteen life seemed like a race...everything and every second was confusing. She was confused too and always asking herself, should I do this or should I be that...
    When my son turned sixteen.....thank you God....life got mellllllooowww. So did he...oh and he found a girl too. Gosh that sure changes things doesn't it?
    Thank you for posting your wonderful photos on your beautiful blog. We have much in common, including hiding the Oreos!
    New follower, Lisa

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  52. Ami at A Sierra HomeMay 30, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Oh man. Now you got me all choked up. I, too, have three boys, 11, 9 and 4. I'm just about crushed as it dawned on me that as this school year draws to an end next year will be my oldest son's last year of elementary school. Oh, how will my heart stand it when my youngest celebrates his 16th birthday?? Lovely if tear-jerker post. :)

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  53. LadyJayPee at Eating, EtcMay 31, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    It wouldn't surprise me if Bubble-Up approached you/him/her to do an ad for them based on your beautiful photography and their good looks. :-)

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  54. tree-shadesJune 4, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Thank you for your comment on my blog where I had written about my daughter turning 17. it's hard....

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  55. LynneJune 10, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    Oh my, sixteen, first love . . .HE is adorable, SHE too. YOUR photography is inspiration! What an artist you are. I scroll through each and all of your posts.

    Looking forward to zinnias . . . your MANY and my FEW!

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  56. AnonymousJune 10, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Teresa,

    Where ever did the time go... It was just yesterday, he was curled in the corner of his crib, sans blanket, sound asleep. You a wise mother of three, thrilled! Me the newbie, first time Mom and total rookie... shocked. How could it be that he was left upstairs "all alone and cold".

    Now they are nearly 17, Senior year ahead, taller than us, terribly handsome, and of course, so much wiser...LOL

    Much love, and holding tight to only the best bittersweet memories! :-)

    Jeanette

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  57. AnonymousJune 10, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Oh... and Dalton lets me play Nazi Zombies with him and his buddys, but only because I "have skills".

    Not denying, It's a badge I wear with pride!

    JD

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