Easter Extras

Just a few leftover Easter photographs to share.  Our Easter was relatively traditional -- boys got to play with their Easter goodies first thing in the morning, we got all dolled up and went to church, had brunch at my parents' home, visited the hubs's grandma, and then spent the rest of the day enjoying the decent weather (no rain!) in our backyard together.  That's a win in my book, friends.

{Family Photography} The Johnson Family

Such a sweet family, I met the Johnson's when I first took baby doll Norah's newborn photographs (see HERE).  Now, just over three months old and this family was ready for a few Spring/Easter-ish photos.  We lucked out with a little nice weather for a few outdoor shots at the park, as well as some in their home.  These are just a few of my favorites... but we walked away with a good solid 50 shots.  I hope they enjoy the photographs as much as I had fun taking them!

{Week 14} The Boys

Kingston, Week 14: Trying a different "silly face" while mama practices taking pictures of eyes.
Cole, Week 14: Zooming around the house, backwards, in his car.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

#TBT: A Very Happy Thanksgiving.

Don't the holidays just scream posed photographs?  This is the best we could do back in November.  And I'm pretty sure the hubs got after me for this one.  Posed photographs are a no in his book.  

Another posed gem.  I have to say, though -- love Noni's smile in this one (the hubs's grandma).  We definitely captured some happy people.  The holiday was celebrated with the hubs's parents, grandma, and a few other family members.  Nice and relaxed, how every holiday should be in my book. 

And this is what the boys really wanted to do outside... shake the bamboo in the secret garden.

I can't remember everything we were thankful for on that day, but I know for sure I was thankful for my little family.  I'm thankful for all three of my men each and every day.  What a lucky lady I am.

#TBT: Fall Fun with Leaves

My "Throwback Thursday" post this week goes back to the end of October... on a beautiful sunny Fall day.  We went to our usual spot where we are always sure to find beautiful leaves (and lots of them) for a mini-photo shoot.  The boys didn't seem to mind this one... possibly because they got to have a fun leaf-throwing fight the entire time I took photos.

The first one is probably my very favorite. But I also like the one of Kingston standing by the tree looking up as if he is almost the little boy in "The Giving Tree."  These photos remind me how much I love Fall.  Is it too early to be ready for Fall again?!  

Sneak Peek: Baby Norah's Newborn Session

Last Sunday I took a few photos of this little beauty, at only two days old!  She was such a sweet baby... and surprisingly kept her eyes open and alert for most of the photo shoot (except for the last 10 minutes or so, when this photo was taken).  A black and white photo, complete with the headband flowers in color, was a special request from her momma Rachel.  I was unsure about the idea at first, but am pretty pleased with how it turned out.  

Oh, and I'm only sharing this photograph... for now.  I have a bit more editing to do before I deliver the final product (a CD of this darling baby girl) on Friday.  So be sure to check in next week to see my favorites from this shoot. 

Hanson Photo Shoot

Last weekend we traveled down to Portland to visit sister and her hubs.  While we were there, we had an impromptu photo shoot to find something she could possibly use for their Christmas card this year.  We may have trespassed onto a field near their home to take a few photos, but I think they turned out pretty great if you ask me.  I especially love the first one, in black and white.

Family Photos {Cogdell Photography}

These came in the mail yesterday and I was sooooo unbelievably excited to see them!  So many great images, I chose just a few of my favorites to share.  

While on vacation this year, we had Melisa take photos of us on the beach at the Oceanside Pier, a place that is very near and dear to my family's heart (it was one of my Grandpa's favorite spots).  What we thought might not have been such a great idea after all... i.e. a toddler distracted by the sand because he loves it, a baby distracted by the sand because he's not a fan... turned out pretty great in our book.  

I chose a few photos from this session to create a cluster display on our dining room wall: 

{For more information on Melisa and her photography, click HERE.  To see our family's post on her blog, click HERE.}

California - Oh how we love you!

Our summer vacation this year took us to Southern California and we could not have been happier.  We stayed one week at my family's timeshare - a resort I have been vacationing at since I was four.  In fact, the whole time I was there I kept thinking how my almost-four-year-old was swimming in the very swimming pool where I learned how to swim.  Pretty cool.

We didn't do Disneyland or any of the major theme park; instead, we hung around the resort and enjoyed beach life.  No set wake-up times and plenty of morning walks along the beach boardwalk, hot tub/swimming pool time, and afternoons spent at the beach.  

Somehow I managed to sweet-talk the hubs into taking some family photos while we were there and I cannot wait until we get them in a week or two (the two photos in the left column are from a sneak-peek our photographer posted).  

Oh, and when we came home last weekend, Kingston asked me a few times when we were going on vacation again... so I'm thinking he enjoyed himself too.  Cole, on the other hand, was very unsure of sand (no sand ever came remotely close to his mouth) but did enjoy our room and the resort playground. 

California - we cannot wait until we see you again next summer!