'Some people walk in the rain,others just get wet.' -Roger Miller
Two minutes with Ella outside equals two minutes of non-stop puddle-jumping. I actually don't think she walks in the rain, I think she runs. Soaking it all up as quick as she can.
At Home with the Trenery's
When people ask me what a story session is, I sometimes feel like I jumble a bunch of words together & it doesn't always come out so clear. After the sessions, I feel like a little kid, giddy with excitement, as I scroll through images. They're full of so many different emotions, dynamics & adventures. The images make me smile, they make me laugh, they make me so content, all because these people shared a glimpse of their real life with me. Allowing me to preserve this moment in time is pretty dang special. The Trenery's are our very awesome neighbors (& possibly the inspiration for our chicken & duck flock). This year their oldest went into middle school & their youngest started kindergarten. Big milestones. Before these new adventures began, we spent a few hours together one Saturday evening.
The Last Two Weeks of August
August 16th. Breakfast. August 17th. Saturday morning.
August 18th. The one-eye spy.
August 19th. Ella's not so stoked I'll be gone for a couple hours.
August 20th. Wooooo.
August 21st. He requested a photo with is bunny.
August 22nd. The last day of summer vacation.
August 23rd. Digging for worms.
August 24th. Pasaghshak weekend.
August 25th. Not ready to head home...
August 26th. She's running away & finds it funny.
August 27th. Batman on my bed.
August 28th. Baby belly.
August 29th. She's part monkey.
August 30th. Huckleberry's eye.
August 31st. The pantry-lurker.
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- it's the perfect opportunity to really treasure what's happening now, & embrace it.
Remember when you, Rylee, started first grade, so full of excitement!
Remember when you wore your name tag that first day of school, Rylee? & then I found it stuck to your dresser that night.
Remember when you, Ella, loved to take your shoes off & run around barefoot. 
Remember when you three pushed each other around in the wagon, until you laughed hard enough, then filled it with toys. 
Remember when you, Rylee, drew hopscotch at the park 'just like the one at school!'
Remember when you, Covey, loved everything superheroes.
Remember our weekends in Pasagshak, making smores with oreos; & you, Ella, snuck some & licked out a bunch of frosting before dropping them in the sand.
Remember all your superheroes, you boys laid them out on the towel to dry off, after some outdoor battling. 
Remember when we made salmonberry jam, from all the berries we picked that Sunday, & every time I asked you boys what you wanted on your waffles or pancakes, you always said 'the jam that you made!' & that always made me smile.
At Home with Lisa & Morgan...
It's been almost two weeks since my Soul Shooting workshop. If you haven't checked out that post, you should. Part of the day included hanging with this family- so full of life, laughter, beauty & fun. During this time, we heard words of advice & encouragement from two amazing storytellers (Molly & Sarah); we had the chance to ask these storytellers questions & we had the opportunity to photograph things as we saw them. It was special; it was exciting; it felt like the perfect fit- documenting real life with the camera just feels so complete.
The First Two Weeks of August
August 1st. Her little hand. August 2nd. It's raining, it's pouring, batman is roaring.
August 3rd. Self-portrait, as I head off to my photo workshop.
August 4th. Little legs getting around way too well.
August 5th. Waiting for her Papa.
August 6th. We've had a long day of travel, & aren't home, yet.
August 7th. Happy to be back in daddy's arms.
August 8th. Force-feeding the chicken worms.
August 9th. Her mini-mini-skirt.
August 10th. Five chickens in a frame.
August 11th. Morning Star Wars games.
August 12th. Pre-bed smiles.
August 13th. Snacking.
August 14th. Our newest additions- Roxanne & Rosabelle.
August 15th. The last days of summer vacation.
