Archive for July, 2008

Derrick took the kiddos on their very first fishing expedition (well, it was Miss K’s second time fishing as she’ll very politely point out).

We traveled really far to Lake Sacajawea. I say “really far” meaning it sarcastically since we live so close to it.

The kids had a really good time with their daddy. The baby just kind of sat there, but he was at least in good spirits about it. Mr. I had just got a new “cars” pole and he was REALLY excited when daddy helped him catch his first fish. Not bad for a $10 toy from Wal Mart.

It was a good time.

serious about this whole fishing thing…

silly girl…

The baby being very involved in this whole process

A fish!!!

Mr. I’s first fish!!!

So most people assume that it’s easy for me to get good photos of my kids.

Let me be the first to tell you that it’s not.

I have literally hundreds (maybe thousands) of photos of “outtakes” of my kiddos. I can spend an hour with another child and get tons of smiles, and DAYS with my kids and get crazy reactions. Maybe it’s because they’ve been my test pilots over the years, or maybe it’s because I’m their mom.

Whatever it is, I’m not going to quit harassing them any time soon. They’ll just have to get used to it and I’ll just have to work even harder to get some good photos of them.

Here’s the latest of my efforts. I hope you enjoy 😉

Here’s my “Tinker.” We call him that because he’s a stinker (but it wouldn’t really be nice to call him stinker).

This is a very common reaction when mom pulls out the camera… “look mom, see what I can do?!”

You’d think being the baby, “Button” (as my hubby calls him), would be more cooperative… not so.

He’s already got that look.

And finally we have “Nuh Nuh” (yeah.. I don’t even know about that nick name… you’ll have to ask hubby)…

She’ll give a pretty face for maybe one out of ten photos. It usually takes bribery of all sorts to get her to work with me.

Here’s her being over-dramatic when telling me she doesn’t want any more pictures taken…

So yeah… there you have it. The truth behind all the lovely photos.

So don’t feel bad when you’re trying to take nice pics of your kids. It’s not just you.

I met this gorgeous family out at Lake Sacajawea here in Longview to photograph them together as a family. Little baby B is five weeks old and already has his parents’ complete attention. I couldn’t wait to do this session knowing how much fun this family is. They’re always laughing and having a good time. Little B is one lucky guy to have such awesome parents. And I’m one lucky photographer to know them.

I hope you enjoy your sneak peek…

This little shirt means “kiss me.” I thought it was just perfect of Bri to choose it!

I was the lucky one to be able to photograph this gorgeous little chunker for his first professional portraits. He is five weeks old and such a delight. He let me mess with him for quite some time and didn’t get cranky. He even fell asleep we got great sleepy shots.

It sure helps when mom and dad are relaxed parents. They were tolerant with me as well 😉

Thanks guys for sharing your baby with me. I hope you enjoy your preview…


this one is just for fun…

Today Derrick and I will celebrate seven years of marriage together. I really can’t believe how time flies so quickly. Although at times it’s felt like a hundred years 😉

We’ve had our ups and downs over the years. We’ve been through the Army life, separations, moving, kids, and every other thing a couple goes through in marriage. There were times we didn’t think we would make it together, but God’s grace got us through.

I can honestly say that I married the best man. I’m not normally a mushy person, but when it comes to my husband, the father of my beautiful children; I can’t help but be mushy. I love him very much…

On July 14th, 2001 we got married in Carmel, California in a small ceremony on the beach. We had thirty five of our closest friends and family with us.

We ended up spending six years moving around the country and living in various different places. We moved an average of every six months. It was hard, but quite an exciting life! We had our daughter in San Angelo, Texas, our son in Honolulu, Hawaii, and our newest baby was born here in town. I am glad we got to have such an adventure in our first few years together.

Now we’re settled down In longview, Washington. I never thought I’d move back home, but after having kids, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than at home near our family.

So here’s to many more years of marriage!!!

I love you, Derrick.

Here’s us on our wedding day… (we look SO young… course we WERE young…)


Here’s a family pic when it was just us and our daughter…

Here’s when we added our first son to the family…

We haven’t done a family picture since the baby was born, but here’s a pic of the three kiddos recently….