Project 52: Week 16

This is late getting up...the weekend was spent traveling, then when we got home, I got busy.  Typical excuses.  However, I (we..meaning my husband and I) did take out the camera this weekend.  This is actually a photo he took, but I'm using it for my week 16, because there was no way I was getting up at 5:15 in the morning to go fishing.  Which is what my husband and daughter did with my father last weekend.

Grandparents & Grandkids: Moses Lake Family Photographer

Over the weekend I was back at my parent's house helping put on a bridal shower for one of my absolute best friends.  Which, by the way, was so much fun.  I am sooo excited to help my friend celebrate her marriage to the love of her life in just a few short weeks!  After the shower, we took advantage of the nice weather and literally took 3 minutes to snap some photos of my parents and their three adorable grandchildren.  Because I am a *major* slacker, I failed to purchase them birthday gifts (both have birthdays in August) so they are settling for a nice canvas of one of these photos instead:)  On the plus side, their Christmas photo is already done!

What to wear?

So...You're thinking you might want to do a photo session with your family this spring. But what do you wear? There are so many cute options out there right now, the possibilities are endless!

Here are a few tips:
1. Start with the hardest person to dress then on to the easiest.
2. Incorporate color, but not too much. Have a couple of main colors, then a fun accent to mix it up.
3. Layers! They always look great in photos and add such amazing texture.
4. Most importantly, be comfortable! If you feel uncomfortable, that will always translate into your photos, so dress for comfort.

Here's an idea:

If you love any of these, good news....they are actually in stores right now!

Where to buy:
Mom // bangle, skirt, blouse, shoe

Dad // shirt, pant

Girl // sweater, top, pant, shoe

Boy // shirt, pant, shoe

Hope you found this helpful and inspirational!

A Dear Old Friend: Moses Lake Lifestyle Photographer

This girl.  And her daughter.  They are near and dear to my heart.  I've known Kristin since I was probably 5 or 6...and we've been buddies ever since.  We grew up together through elementary school, camp fire, summer camp, high school and college.  She was in my wedding and I was in hers.  Even though we don't live near each other or even talk every day, whenever I see her and her family it brings me back to a place of comfort.  I was so lucky to get to spend a couple hours with her and her daughter on Easter while I was home visiting my family.  Her hubby was at work so unfortunately he's not in any of these photos, but we'll make sure it happens next time.  (Kristin, can I just say I L O V E your daughter - seriously, she makes me melt.)

Cookies! Moses Lake Lifestyle Photographer

So here we are at Michael's Market & Bistro in Moses Lake.  My mom had purchased a cookie decorating class at an auction a little while back and thought it would be fun to do it with family while we were in town for Thanksgiving.  It was such a hit with Aila.  She was crazy about decorating the cookies and thrilled that her little buddy from Moses Lake could join us.  They giggled, screamed, ate tons of frosting and generally had an awesome day.

I seriously learned a lot about decorating cookies and how to make this type of frosting.  We walked away with like a 10 page handout with recipes, photos...all kinds of good info.  Just in time for Christmas baking.  Oh, and it didn't hurt that we had an unlimited supply of wine during all of this:)

Another Weekend: Moses Lake Family Photographer

We went to Moses Lake for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We were only there for a few short days but we sure did pack in a lot.  We got there Wednesday evening, unpacked and settled in.  Thursday was obviously turkey day, so we spent the morning getting the house ready with my parents.  Unfortunately I didn't help make too much food since I was keeping the children entertained, but we did manage to sneak outside and get a few photos in the pasture.  I hung some candy canes from the bare trees out back and told the kids it was a candy cane forest.  They enjoyed it for all of 10 minutes!

Friday was spent doing a little holiday shopping (I am NOT a super Black Friday shopper so we went around 11 to two local stores).  We also had a cookie decorating class at the local bistro which was tons of fun!  (Photos to come soon.)

Saturday it was time to head back home, but had to sneak in a holiday photo op with my parents and the grandchildren.  I managed to get a couple of my brother and his beautiful little girl as well.  All in all, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and friends.

P.S. Check back soon for cookie decorating photos!

Precious moments...

Those moments when your kids aren't looking and you see them just totally enjoying themselves...I find myself lurking in doorways and peeking around corners to catch a glimpse of those little moments that bring me back to a time when I was five.  I stop in hallways to hear those precious words being spoken to dolls and animals...and little sisters.  As parents, we have to capture these moments.  When my kids are 30, I want them to be able to see themselves how I saw them.  Curious.  Strong.  Creative.  Loving everything around them.  Stop and take a minute and take a picture of your child, when they aren't looking.

{Hirai Family} An Eastern Washington Session

This family is just wonderful.  And so much fun.  They came over to my parent's house in the morning and it was pretty cold outside.  And a little damp.  But they were such troopers during the whole thing, and even played a round of horseshoes.  Nothing like photographing a family playing a friendly round of horseshoes:)  After tossing around the 'shoes we changed locations and went to their family friend's house, who happens to live on Crab Creek.  Can you imagine going outside everyday and this being your backyard?  A little slice of heaven right there in Moses Lake, who knew?

Oh and don't even get me started on how adorable Brooklyn is...that smile just melts my heart.  She is absolutely adorable.  Love love love.