Dave & Jamie are in L-O-V-E.

Back in February I offered a free couples session and Dave and Jamie won it.  It was fun to have them win since I have literally known Dave since kindergarten.  And Jamie is THE perfect woman for him and anyone who knows them knows that they are one powerhouse of love and AFFECTION.  Speaking of which - be forewarned that there may be some kissing in this post... We headed over to their neighborhood - Daybreak - and spent the evening wandering through it's prettiness.

These guys are seriously fun to be around - they are laughing all the time and totally clever!  When they were first married and without television - by choice I believe - they would take turns reading to each other.  I love it.

So thanks for the great time, guys!  Wishing you many many more years of happiness!

The Gypsy Family

You know, I think my family is a band of gypsies in disguise.  Why?  Because we found out that we are once again moving.  This time to Spokane, Washington.   It will be our 13th home in ten years and three of those ten years we lived in one place.  We move too much.  Obviously.  This move will be different for me though - harder.  Every other time we moved it was an answer to prayer - a prayer for better employment, a better climate, a better place - but this time there was no such need.  At least not enough that we were praying for it.  If you remember this post - you'll remember that I am really happy where I am.  I've got the best neighbors IN THE WORLD.   I live in a dreamy cul-de-sac.  We have beautiful sunsets, great running routes, and the best of friends.  And we are leaving it all.

But it's not all bad.  In fact, it's kind of exciting.  See, Spokane is a smaller city - roughly 250,000 people - and it's surrounded by rolling farmland.  Yup, rolling farmland.  Which if you know anything about me you know that I've been dreaming of just that for a long time.  So, we'll see.  We go up in a couple weeks to house hunt.  And then once we close on something we move.  So, maybe 6 weeks from now I'll be a bonafide farm dweller.   A farm dweller who is crying because she misses her old place?  Most likely, yes.    

California.

Last week we went to California for our first official family vacation.  Of course we've been on trips and the like - but they were always to a family reunion or something like that.  This was our first ever trip that wasn't related to anything else but fun.  We went to Capitola, California and it was wonderful.  Here are some pictures from the trip.  I went 99% film on these - except for a shot in Muir Woods that I couldn't get with my 50mm lens so I had to use my digital camera. I still have some things to learn about film - even though I was consistently shooting 3 stops over they are still a little underexposed.  Oh well, there is always next time.  So, here goes with the LONGEST post EVER...

Since Capitola is on Monterrey Bay the mornings were chilly and misty.  Our first morning there we went and explored the town and the dock.   The mist was actually really beautiful and created such a soft light.  Perfect weather to take pictures of one-legged pigeons.

Once afternoon arrived the mist would burn off and leave you with PERFECT weather - and I mean perfect.  So, of course we'd set up camp at the beach!

It was wonderful.  The next morning we headed out early to explore the tide pools at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz.  Tide Pools are full of sea life that's right at your fingertips.  They're always worth a visit.

After that we headed over to the touristy Mystery Spot in the redwoods above Santa Cruz.  It IS a tourist trap but it's worth every penny.  I won't reveal too much about the mystery except that it's really cool and fun.

On our final day in California we went to San Francisco and it lived up to all the hype.  It was beautiful and interesting and colorful and dreamy.  I hope we get to visit there again some day.  For lunch we ate in Chinatown and to my surprise my kids GOBBLED up their totally authentic Chinese cuisine.   After lunch we rode a street car across town only to find out it was a one way trip so we had to hoof it back across town.  Even though none of use planned on walking a few miles across the city it was a great way to really see and experience San Fran - and it's never ending hills!

After the city we drove across the Golden Gate Bride - which was hidden in a beautiful chilly mist and drove up to Muir Woods.  My old friend Lindsay and her darling boys met us there and we walked through one of the most beautiful places on earth.  Though I wish we could have stayed longer than we did, our two tired babies were done so we ate some amazing food, said our goodbyes, and headed back to Capitola.

On our way home in order to spread the 13 hour drive over two days we stayed in Reno at a casino.  The boys loved it and thought we were staying in the lap of luxury.  It was fun and was the perfect way to end a beautiful week.

Film is not dead.

More of my new obsession(film).  Taken at last night's neighborhood BBQ.  Love the look.  So tempted to give up digital photography.  These images were barely touched in photoshop - mostly I just added some warmth to the black and white.  I love that these look so creamy and beautiful straight out of the camera. 

These were taken on my Canon AE-1 with 400 Speed C-41 Black and White film.  Processed at Walgreens - which I hope to never repeat.

Elijah is 9.

Nine years ago today I became a mother.  When they brought Elijah to me I had no idea of the joy that he and my other sons would bring me.  I had no idea how much love a heart is capable of.  I think both Mike and I would say that the day he was born was the day our lives really began.  I just wanted to give a birthday shout-out to Elijah in pictures.


Elijah was a totally happy baby.  He loved to play with anything that wasn't a toy and to spend time with other kids. 

Elijah around 9 months old.  You'll have to excuse the awful quality of these older ones...

Elijah as a halloween cowboy.

Can you believe how much like Peter he looks?

Elijah was the only child of the family for a full 3 and a half years.  He got every moment of our attention and was showered with affection.  I was worried when my second baby came that he would have serious issues with him but he didn't.  Not even once did he show any anger or aggression towards Andrew.  He was overjoyed to have a brother.

Elijah with 6 day old Andrew

Four years old!

Always always always curious.

A classic Elijah face - slightly mischievous, slightly embarrassed at the attention.

Elijah is always ready to laugh - he's layed back and optimistic.

And he's very very loving.

Baby teeth GONE!

Cheesy pic - first grade!

Harry Potter and Superman! Andrew looks JUST like Peter!!!

Elijah has always been really good at solo play - he's curious and self assured - and always ready to explore new places.

Elijah age 7 - always a good older brother.

Elijah also has HUGE feet and he's really tall for his age.  Here he is last year.

He's often silly but can be really clever too.

He's a mega absorber of information - and he wants to learn EVERYTHING!!!  All I have to do is leave a book lying around and he reads it - his favorite subjects are science and history.

Sweet boy.

  I don't know if it's because Elijah's homeschooled or if it's his personality but he is still so kind and innocent while not being weak.  He's a boy through and through but also a real gentleman.  He loves exploring, has no problem picking up large snakes he finds on the ground, and is obsessed with his future career as an inventor.  And yet, he's sensitive, has a firm testimony, and is always ready to talk.  I'm so so blessed to have him - he is unlike anyone I've ever known and I love that I get to be a part of his life.

I love you, Elijah.