Not Just A Tire Swing

Four years. That is how long we have lived in our little home. This home has been everything for us. We have loved and laughed here, we have cried and struggled here, and one of us was even born here, literally in the living room. I remember feeling this way when we left our first home in Abq 4 years ago, the home where Cooper spoke his firs words and took his first steps. Now, we have come to a time of change again. I can't help but feel nostalgic when I think of all the memories that were made here.
To document this change in our life, I am taking on a little personal photography project, where I simply capture all of the small things that have made this a home for us. The first photo in this series was taken out back while Cooper was swinging on the tire swing. When we first bought this home and added the play structure, he was barely two years old. He was afraid of the tire swing and unable to climb up alone. Now, he stands on it and swings high and strong. His face has changed from a round baby to a slender boy. His arms are strong and his legs are long. But you know what? His eyes are the same. The same bright big eyes that hold so much trust and hope. Eyes that sparkle all the time. What a pleasure to watch him grow. I hope that spark never leaves his eyes.
So as you can see, this is not just a tire swing. It has a story, just like everything in our home does, and I aim to capture it all.

In The Yard

We have spent the usual time in our yard this spring, planting and grooming. However, it is a little bittersweet this year. This is because we are putting our home on the market this week. We know it is time to get a larger house but this yard will always hold a special place in all our hearts. We work and play together in this yard all spring and summer and it will be missed.

Beach Bucket Cottage

A few weeks ago Doug was on spring break. With him being the athletic director in a different school district than the kids, their spring breaks are never the same. But, the upside was that Doug could work in the kids classrooms while he was off, which was cool.
Our friends have two cottages on the ocean and were generous enough to let us stay in one in exchange for professional photos of the property. Here is the link to their website HERE. 
We had a lovely time. We went with some friends and the kids had a blast together. The big kids played Uno until they couldn't anymore. We had good food and good company. Perfect. Especially since it is pretty hard to relax at home right now with all our moving preparations and my business being particularly busy.
Here is my favorite photo from the weekend away.

*** I am going to make this blog private soon, in the next few months. I feel with C starting school in the fall that I want our family happenings to only be shared with loved ones and friends. If you are a regular reader and would like to follow us still, I will be posting a invite to the private list.
Cheers!

A Daughter

This child of mine. Sometimes I just want to stand up and yell "thank you for this child!!!" She seriously brings us more joy than we can handle. Often, Doug and I, or even Cooper and I just look at her with nothing but complete adoration. She is so delightful. I mean it when I say Cooper adores her too. He does. She makes him laugh and smile all the time! Yes, she drives him nuts too, but not for long. She is too irresistible. I love her so much it hurts. Can you blame me? Look at that face!!

Yellowstone Club | Vacation

Here I am! I keep going MIA from this space. I admit, I do miss it a lot. I miss the reflection it provided but also the documentation it serves. I am going to TRY very hard to keep updating here, even if my viewers have dwindled a bit.
We just got back from our winter vacation a week ago. We are so fortunate that my sister and her husband are so generous. They must like us okay because they keep allowing us to join them at their vacation homes! Ha! This was a weekend of many firsts for us. First time skiing for the kids (more on that in a bit), first time in a private jet, and yes it is THAT amazing, and the first time sleeping at 8000ft. :)
We arrived late on Friday night and drove into the Yellowstone Club in the dark. When we arrived at their amazingly beautiful house we only knew the huge windows would greet us with nothing but beauty in the morning. Well, we were right. Saturday morning was crisp and clear. The views were stunning. We headed down to the lodge, rented our gear and went straight to it. Fina was not a huge fan of skiing, she is only 2 after all, but she did get on skis the first day! Cooper on the other hand loved it and was taking the lift and skiing back to their house on green runs by the third day. It helped that their ski instructors were nothing short of amazing! You can see in on of the pics that she put capes on the kids and herself before they got on the lift to ski home! What kid wouldn't think that was magical?
It was cozy and relaxing. Skiing, good food, hot tub in the snow with panoramic views, pretty much like heaven.
It gets better, we got to hop on their private jet and go back to LA with them and enjoy their company for a few more days there.
How do you thank someone for such a gift? I never know. I am pretty positive that I have been blessed to be born into such a kind and generous family. Seriously, my family would do anything for me. It is a very humbling feeling to know that. My sister and her husband provide experiences for my children that Doug and I could never provide and we are forever thankful for that. They get to travel, learn new skills, swim with dolphins, but most importantly, they learn the value of family and the value of forming relationships with that family, even if they live in another state.
It was hard to get back to reality on Monday but we are adjusting.
Alas here are some photos from our time in Yellowstone. I plan to dump my iPhone here soon too.
It is nice to have this space away from my photography blog where I feel comfortable posting images right out of camera, not perfectly in focus, not edited, just memories, precious snap shots to be treasured for a lifetime.

Rainy Walk

When I come here, to my personal blog, I feel a little sad. This is the space where it all began. Where I started sharing my family and my art with the world. Lately, I have had to prioritize where I spend my online time and this blog has been neglected.
My photography business is taking off, which is such a blessing, but my archiving of my families happenings has taken a serious backseat. I am going to try and keep up more, even if nobody is listening.

It has been rainy and gloomy here in Seattle. Shocker, I know! This time of year is always particularly hard for me. I miss the sun so much my body aches. Luckily, Cooper goes to a preschool where they go outside no matter what is going on with the weather. He goes in rain pants, rain boots, and a rain jacket and enjoys every minute of it. It has inspired me to be outside more too, regardless of the weather. So, yesterday, Fina and I went for a little rainy walk. She was delighted. She stomped in the puddles and enjoyed it very much. And so did I! It felt good to get some fresh, wet air.

Happy Tuesday friends!

We made our own snow!