family road trip 2017: part one

Sitting here tonight, by the fire light
It reminds me I already have more than I should.
I don't need fame, no one to know my name.
At the end of the day, Lord I pray
I have a life that's good.

Two arms around me
Heaven to ground me
and a family that always calls me home.
Four wheels to get there.
Enough love to share and a
sweet, sweet, sweet song.
At the end of the day, Lord I pray
I have a life that's good.
~lennon & maisy

our 11 day road trip out west has now come and gone....

we crammed in a lot but it was well worth it...

and now.....i have to somehow condense about 400 photos.... :)

in this post, you will see a bit of the north dakota badlands, yellowstone river, chico hot springs, entering yellowstone, lamar valley, beartooth mountains, mammoth hot springs, norris geyser basin, old faithful, jackson hole, our Bar J Chuckwagon experience, the grand tetons, and mormon row....with more to come.... ha :)

overall....it was wonderful and it left me feeling grateful....

grateful that the boys soaked it all up and loved it....

grateful that we were able to share a big part of my childhood with them....

to see it through their eyes....

to show them corners of this great big world they have yet to see....

grateful that my parents were able to join....

grateful for the unfailing beauty surrounding us...

life is good...

4th of july

we spent our 4th of july weekend at the lake....

we had to return home before the 4th due to work but soaked up our lake time while we could...

fun, fishing, and friends....

we love our lake time....

* * * * *

sparklers at home & watching fireworks from our boat in the marina for the 4th....

four

way back in june, this little guy turned four....

for me, it seems like the 3rd child growing up just goes by in a whirlwind...

i barely remember the baby phase.....which is quite sad in itself....

and now, i blink, and another year goes by....

he is growing up just much too fast...

our little baby....

who is not so little....who is actually quite tall for his age.....which fools me, at times, into thinking he should act his age...and then i realize he is acting is age..... :)

who never misses a beat.....

he has big brothers to keep up with....

observant, physical, loves a job, fiercely independent, stubborn, mischievous....

but sensitive, sweet, goofy, bright, cuddly....one who loves with all his might....

with the BEST smile....

(he also inherited my sweet tooth....hence the sugar overloaded cake....)

oh gus gus, we love you so....the sweet and the spicy....

never change...

happy (belated) birthday sweet boy....

xo

spring blossoms

yes...you read that correctly....

spring.  blossoms.

pictures from spring.....

i am that far behind on personal photos....

after a long winter, it gives me a little thrill to see the local apple orchard come alive.....

those brilliant white blossoms begin to bloom....

their fragrance fills the air...

i took advantage two times this spring....

dragged the little boys once while owen was at baseball practice....

and a second time for a mini mother's day photo shoot....

being the anne of green gables lover that i am, i can't help but think of the "white way of delight" every time i set foot in the orchard...

"dear old world, you are very lovely and I am glad to be alive in you."

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

* * * * *

a summer's eve at the park reserve

so honored to capture this family once again....

i was there to capture their wedding, and since then....have captured two more of their sweet babies....

hard to believe i started photographing the older girls when they were much younger...

i am quite envious of their beautiful freckles....

and little miss v is already one....i can't quite believe it!

she loves being near her mama or is on the run....no happy medium for her... ;)

i may have gone a little picture happy with her.....she has the best baby chub....and the way she sucked on her two little fingers...i died....

little mr. is one busy boy but busy just loving life...

just one lovely family....

thank you, once again my friends, for allowing me to capture a little bit of you....

cousins

a few weeks ago, i got to spend a little time with this fun group of boys.....

we squeezed in a quick little session before the weather (was supposed) to turn nasty on us....

these boys were troopers....

i'm sure getting their pictures taken is not on the top of their favorite things to do list....

but, they sure like to have fun together....

cousins make great forever friends....

thanks you so much for the honor!!