A couple weekends ago, my sister & I & our daughters, headed to Anchorage for the weekend. It was lots of fun & a nice break off our island. We decided it needed to be our first annual trip. While the girls weren't so sure about all the car time, I'm pretty sure they'll like it in about fifteen years. Kaitlin & her mom met up with us a few hours before we flew home, & we squeezed in a very quick photo session before going to dinner. Kaitlin is gorgeous, inside & out. She's radiating that beauty with her pregnancy & it was so fun to see her baby bump. In a few more weeks, she & Luke will get to meet their little one. Congratulations you guys!!
The Last Two Weeks of June
June 16. If she excitedly clinched her fists & shouted yes, I'm pretty sure this is what it'd look like. June 17. His last day of three.
June 18. Happy 4th Birthday, Batman.
June 19. This is what 11:55pm in Alaska looks like.
June 20. Part of the peek-a-boo process.
June 21. Her new favorite seat.
June 22. Mustaches for life.
June 23. Peace.
June 24. One of my superheroes.
June 25. Watching her boys.
June 26. A tiny pocket of morning light.
June. 27. Someone got legos for his birthday, & it wasn't this someone.
June 28. Goodnight, bright light.
June 29. A weekend in Anchorage, pretty sure this face sums up her feelings about it.
June 30. The big jump is about to happen.
Kids Were Here
When I was first asked to be a part of this project, I was admittedly very excited for the group of photographers I'd be working with. They're an amazingly talented group of women. I was also looking forward to documenting a new aspect of our lives, which I gave little (or no) attention to with the camera. Yet it is such a significant part of our everyday. These left-behind toys, the messes, the food, the strewn about clothes; somedays, I think they're staring me in the face, laughing. You vacuumed? ha! You just emptied the sink? Too bad! The entry way has been cleared of shoe piles & coat mountains? Nope, not today! But a funny thing happened to me, with this photo project. I am now pausing more & taking more deep breaths. Do I still enjoy all these messes? If I'm being honest, not so much, but incorporating my photography into the daily disasters has given me a new perspective. I know that 'the days are long, but the years are short,' but sometimes I have to remind myself about the years. Most the time the kids remind me, even though I prefer being reminded by myself. When they do the reminding, it sort of provides a big ole' emotional jerk that I am completely unprepared for. Even though I know it's happening, I'm still not ready for it. I'm not sure I'm ready for all the 'remember when's...' either, but I don't have much choice. So I see this project as the perfect opportunity to help me treasure what's happening now, & embrace it.
Remember when you (Rylee) were so proud of yourself, for tracing your hand & then drawing 'rainbows' all over it. Then you stuck it on the window, proclaiming "It sticks!" (thanks to the double-sided tape that has been on the window for months).
Remember how both you boys love to get measured, & how you (Rylee) decided to circle everyone's names, "...so it was easier to read our names."
Remember when you (Covey) tried so hard to get that life ring on the front of your boat, & I told you it didn't fit, but then you discovered the piece was actually upside down; & so it did fit. 
Remember that night, I built you boys' a fort, with hopes you (Covey) would sleep in your room, all night long. It didn't work, but you love the fort. 
Remember that drawing you (Rylee) brought home from kindergarten, that you were so proud of. It seems to float around the house, specifically your bedroom; the other day I found it your window. 
Remember the day you (Rylee) climbed off the window ledge in your bedroom, & brought the wooden dinosaur bank down with you. The now headless dinosaur bank. 
Remember that saturday we shared a table with friends at the Farmer's Market, where you (Rylee) sold your greeting cards.
Remember all those glow-in-the-dark stars on your (Covey) bunk bed, the ones that you like to peel off regularly.
A Walk to the Store, with the Fords
'Where we love is home,home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.'
Some good friends came home for a visit recently, bringing with them some Hawaiian sun, lots of smiles & a renewed appreciation for this island we call home. I was fortunate to spend an evening with them, walking to the 'Little Store,' & enjoying the adventures along the way. It was refreshing to be outside, breathing in the beautiful summer air, & watching the interactions between Monica & her sweet kids. There was lots of talking, lots of laughing, a few tears shed, but best of all, it was them.
Happy Birthday, Batman
On the 18th, one of my superheroes turned four-years old. It's a little bit scary, as I can remember so clearly when my oldest turned four. Somehow 2.5 years seems to have escaped us. I don't know how or why his love for costumes materialized, but I love it! It started last fall- I think it started with an Ironman costume, but I can't really keep track anymore. It's been Batman for the last few months, raggedy old Batman. I have to steal it away to wash it; the seams are coming apart; it's stained & ripped. But none of that matters to him.
Covey-O, my free-spirited, loving, wild, snuggling, comical, goofy little guy, who was relieved to discover he still has ninja fighting moves at four-years old (his words, not mine). Happy Birthday!
The Last Day of Three
Covey turned four on the 18th, so I decided to document bits & pieces of the day before- his last day of three. I think we'll always remember it as one of the nicest days in Kodiak, ever. The weather app on my phone said 79 degrees. That's a big deal for our little island. In fact, I'm not sure it's ever happened before. We took full advantage of our day in the sun, spending it on the beach in Pasagshak. Followed by an impromptu overnight there- the perfect ending to three & a sweet beginning to four.
