She came, she saw, she devoured. This lively lady had quite the birthday. You'll see what I mean if you keep scrolling.
Happy Wild One Little K!
365 Photo a Day- Month Two
Our February was
2 Birthdays, lots of Treats,
Several Archival posts, and a new place for my work on Etsy.
This Month's 28 images:
A Good Time in the Fall (in the Spring)
Being young is a wild and wonderful ride. It contains constant new experiences, running the full spectrum of emotion. It's messy, it's fun, it's intense, and ultimately rewarding. Hopefully, with guidance and love, childhood is something we look back on with fondness. I have a feeling these kids will.
365- Month One
On the first of January, I started my second 365 project this time on Instagram. The first was derailed 6 years ago by pregnancy symptoms, and since there are no more littles planned for us, I figured 2018 was as good a time as any to hone in on my skillz every day.
So far, it's been a successful one. I've had a few days where I need to pull from my archives, and sometimes I double up if we have a particularly hectic day in the world of parenting and life. Overall, it's encouraged me to keep thinking photographically, especially since I'm not full-time in my photography work.
Here's the January bunch!
Change, Even in the Smallest Form
Some years you can feel it. The atmosphere asking, even begging, for a new beginning. This one of those years I think.
Sure. 2015 was the year. 2016 was the year, 2017 was the year...BUT how about 2018 actually being the year for us all. The year we each grasp our desires and do the thing. Where we each take a brutally honest look inward, disassemble what we aren't proud of, and reshape it. Make a new beginning, for real this time.
Or don't, and choose to be truly content. Because that act is a movement of progress in itself. Honest introspection on what you have, or who you are, coupled with acceptance, can bring about a profound change. Sometimes, "to have what you want, you must want what you have." My husband said that. (<3 him)
Either choice is difficult, but this resistance can help us grow in ways we wouldn't otherwise. Either choice can mean a rebirth, if that's what you're looking for in the coming months.
My best to you in 2018, whatever you decide :-)
Siblings
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you.”
― A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
He's a creative, thoughtful artist, and she's an energetic, industrious princess. With a sibling relationship, there's so much potential. You have an accomplice, an adventure buddy, and a forever friend. It's a special bond. These two have it for sure.
This fall in Bellingham has been one for the books, colorful and lingering. I'm so thankful I was able to photograph these two back in October during full vibrancy and pleasant weather. Mom wanted a Fall session with pumpkins and color and I was more than happy to oblige. We're friends with these littles and their parents, and the opportunity to shoot this special time was a treat :-)
Thank you Kidd Family, for being such warm and generous friends! And thank you for the chance to photograph your children!
Halloween in Bellingham 2.0
Get ready, this is a long one, folks. ;-)
Bellingham does Halloween right. It's been a while since I could get excited about the holiday, but now that we have a safe, fun, simple, family-friendly place to take the kids, I'm hooked. I've always loved this time of year. Trick or treating in Fairhaven is like going to a neighborhood where everyone knows each other and gets really into the holiday. And it starts pretty early, which is super helpful for those of us with young kids.
Eliza was very funny with the whole event. She didn't quite understand what was going on, but about halfway through, she looks up at me after getting something in her bag and says, "more?" She had a great time. Don't worry though, didn't give this little owlet any of the candy. She doesn't even have all her teeth yet.
We saw several of our friends out this year, some pictured, some not. Charlotte, of course had a fantastic time, but seeing so many of her friends was icing on the cake.
Charlotte and Charlotte (aka Goldilocks).
A fairy and skeleton share a hug!
David S. Pumpkin's everybody! If you have any questions, look up SNL season 42, Episode 4.. I can't guarantee any answers, but that entire episode is pure gold.
Eliza thought our neighbor-friend's skeleton costume was hilarious. She wasn't bothered by it at all, the little hoot.
A carebear brigade, made up entirely of middle school aged boys.
Guys^^^^ The mom was a golden ticket, unfortunately hidden behind Wonka in this candid shot. Don't know these people, but based on the costumes, I kind of wish we did!
Candy from a storm trooper. Umm, YES!
She's done with trick or treating, and we got the photo to prove it!
This Halloween was magical. Watching The Great Pumpkin, trick or treating in Fairhaven, pizza delivery when we got home, pumpkins painted (instead of carved, because 4 and under) and Stranger Things 2 after the girls went to bed.
A fantastic way to start the holiday season!
A Mom & Her Girls
This is Haley. She runs an online clothing company (Blushing Willows Boutique) out of Lynden Washington, just north of us. I met her via Instagram, and we decided to collaborate on some photos two weeks ago. The fall colors were a perfect backdrop to this sweet mom, her little girls, and a few of the cute products she has to offer.
These photos really show just how affectionate these three are. They're a smiley bunch, full of sunshine, without even trying. I find their positivity absolutely magnetic, and hope to work with them again to get more great lifestyle photos.
Thanks for working with me Haley! I LOVE these photos :-D
Space in Black & White
Each man should frame life so that
at some future hour fact and his dreaming meet.
- Victor Hugo
Sheng Family
This is Sheng, family of 5: husband, wife, grandmother, child, and pug. They're in a fun season of life, with a shy little guy who likes bubbles, balloons, and snacks (don't we all?). I had a great time at Larrabee State Park with these folks.
Thanks for letting me photograph you, Sheng Family!
PNW Kids
In this season of our life, there's space for them to explore. And if this place didn't give us anything else, this would be enough.
Being a kid in the Pacific Northwest has its perks.
Baby M Comes Home
Bringing home a new baby.
It's a true definition of adventure. Parenting isn't an easy job. It's never-ending, expansive and full as more little folks are added. New babies create a time of exciting adjustment, sprinkled with sleep, playtime, messes, hugs, diapers, half consumed cups of coffee that have been microwaved 27 times.
Babies alter the lives of those involved forever. A mom and dad have kids now, not just the one. A little girl becomes a big sister. The family has expanded into something very different and just as wonderful.
As hard as it can be to take on more in parenting, these new little people are a rich ingredient to a fruitful life. They're something to be cherished and cultivated. As a parent, you have the most important external role of shaping this person...your person. Watch how life, how these little lives, have such a big impact on your world.
Parenting is a hard job, but such a worth while one. And I do love documenting it :-)
Larrabee Sunset
Over the last few days a yellow haze has settled over Bellingham. Current weather conditions have channeled smoke from Canadian forest fires all along the i-5 corridor, instead of up over the Cascades to the east. The look of this place is changed.. So much so in fact, that hardly any of the surrounding hills and mountains are visible.
Back before the BC wildfire smoke set in, before hazy streams overtook the blue, clear skies of a Bellingham Summer, I headed to Larrabee to catch a sunset.
It was quiet and calm, despite the number of people who also came to watch. The water even followed suit, with gentle subdued waves, despite a quickly rising tide. Rebellious gulls however, had quite a bit to say, and descended into a huge feeding frenzy over the water as the sun tucked under the horizon. Even so, it was a nice evening. It gave my ever-churning introverted mind a bit of rest.
Looking forward to clear, clean skies again. And, sincerely wishing those affected by the fires in Canada a swift return to some sort of normalcy.
A Changing State of Evergreen
Sometimes a park description won't cut it for a post. This is one of those times. So, if you enjoy amateur (emphasis here) poetry, whoomp there it is.
Light and sound
the mist it shrouds
the heart that beats
while evergreen.
The constant sprawl,
will rise then fall,
this never changing
feels obscene.
You sit in boxes
day and night,
feeling lesser
for some plight.
You think it ill
remember still
natures rhythm
there unseen.
The answers come
and feel untrue,
with nothing left
be cold and blue,
a turning point
you are still you,
and nature has her evergreen.
12
As of yesterday,my family and I have been in Bellingham WA for a year. A year! A whole year!
We've realized a dream and now, here we are, a year later. (did I mention this? I don't think I did) The last 12 months have brought many things into focus for us. We have a reasonably clear picture of what we want and where we're headed. The how is still a little blurry. So, we're trying things. Jumping into new working arrangements, getting our food in different ways, tweaking a knob here, turning a dial there. Basically, committing to new processes for a time to see if they get us closer to the life we'd like. I'm enjoying this experiment, honestly. It's a low pressure way to adopt something new, adjust as needed, try something else, and practice taking the uncontrollable in stride. I'm liking the variety of it all. I'm thankful for the opportunity to live life this way.
Moving was a good decision. We've had many challenges along the way, some stemming from the decisions we've made. Others have simply come because life is indeed, a box of chocolates. If this last year has taught me anything, it's that you *must* take the good with the bad, the mundane with the amazing. Neither can exist without the other as a measuring tool. This life, our life, is one I'm happy to be a part of, with its own unique set of challenges, but also its unique set of rewards.
SO, without further adieu, a visual year in review, if you will (and you will, you have no say here. Also, I love you and thanks for reading, really).
**End note** One image a month doesn't seem quite fair. We've had many visits from family, made friends, taken side trips.. All of our life isn't reflected here. Many times I've purposely chosen to put down the camera. I also don't want to exclude anyone... OR I've already shared the images in another post... OR I don't want this post to go on for days.
July- the most whirlwind month of our lives and many "firsts"
August- several visitors and bunches of exploring, all on virtually NO sleep (three words- six month old).
September-a chill month, both literally and metaphorically.
October- the gateway into what felt like constant sickness, but fall is so beautiful in the PNW
November- back to AL for a visit!
December- a white Christmas, lots of packages, a birthday, many colds, but we enjoyed the season!
January- can't remember too much from this month, because we were sick constantly. Welcome to new germs.
February- we celebrate a year with this one, who, as it turns out, is a cake-enthusiast.
March- the sun shines again!
April- more visitors, fun places, and great spectating (not us with that hang-glider, just FYI)
May- Bryan has a big birthday and we drive through Cascade National Park. Next time, there'll be more hiking.
June- Parks, friends, art-projects, and some preschool home-schooling going on!
July- Happy 4th, and woah, wait a minute, where did the year go?!
Jaxon
Jaxon. 12 weeks (ish).
He was such a gentleman, well-behaved and friendly, with so many smiles. AND to top it off, content to just sleep when he needed it.
Babies. Happy Babies. They spoil this photographer.
Skagit Valley Spring
Some friends of ours invited us on the Skagit Valley Tulip Route back in April. We were a little early to the tulip party since this past winter was colder than normal. Still, it was a fun trip. I didn't get too many photos, obviously. Between keeping an eye on kids in the crowds,making sure the one strapped to me was happy, and conversing with our travel buddies, there wasn't much time to shoot. That's totally fine. It was great to explore a new area with some great friends we've made.
...
It's windy, or sunny, or overcast, or all of the above. This place has many emotions. Lots of things it may or may not choose to reveal through light, texture, and color. Last Sunday, for example, was a beautiful variable. A misty, wet morning, which gave way to a cerulean sky and mild temperatures. The northwest can't decide some days. This is a place that changes, shifts, and grows as much as we aspire to. It's mysterious, and uncertain, but at ease..
Kate & Charlotte
Meet Kate & Charlotte. Two independent, smart, energetic, and stylish gals who make a trip to Boulevard Park super enjoyable.
Charlotte is an expert runner, climber and explorer. And man, let me tell you, Kate can keep up like it's nothing, all while growing a human. I'm impressed. Growing people is hard work.
So glad I was able to photograph this special time before Charlotte becomes a big sister, and Kate has two to chase after. Thank you for being great photo companions, ladies!
Larrabee State Park
Galavanting in Larrabee State Park on a day when it wasn't raining.
Fresh Air is a Key
to a short but fulfilling
Time on this Earth.
