Once again, epic fail in the blogging department...

I really, honestly thought that after school I'd somehow find time to blog. Apparently not since it's been TWO MONTHS. And the best thing that's happened in those two months... I became an auntie!!!!!! I have two brothers and my husband has three brothers, but no babies until my brother-in-law and his lovely wife welcomed their little girl earlier this month.

Cora Belle

The whole family is so totally in love with her. Even my sweet husband, who normally doesn't enjoy babies, totally adores her. We are so blessed.

I really sucked at blogging this month... | Kent Dog Photographer

So to get back in the swing of things, meet Wesley Green the brown, sometimes emo (growing out of this) dog. My brother adopted him a couple of months ago and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE him. He was pretty shy and skittish at first, but he's really started to settle in. They came out last night to celebrate my graduation (woot woot!) and I got this shot of Wes -


Isn't he such a love???? I want to keep him, but being gone 11-12 hours a day is just mean to a pup.

A-slash | Seattle Photographer

Sometimes my darling husband calls my brother Adam, A-slash. Or maybe it's A/, I'm not entirely sure. My husband has a talent for creative nicknames. Whether you call him Adam, JAM or A/, he's always brother to me.

Brother has become one of my most treasured words over the past ten years. I'm fortunate to have two wonderful brothers. They would do just about anything for me and they know that it goes both ways! God knew better than to give me a sister growing up. He knew I'd need these brothers. They did an EXCELLENT job preparing me for my three brothers-in-law!

To commemorate Adam's 29th birthday, we went out and got a few shots of him in his "festive" (I think that's what he calls this) attire before his birthday celebration. I *finally* got to really try out the equipment I got for Christmas to get my flash OFF my camera! I doesn't belong there. ;) It belongs on a light stand! Or a monopod. Or in the hands of a trusty assistant. ;)

My mama...

Every year my FT job gives us the week after Christmas off from work paid and not vaca, woot woot! ;) Most of the last few years I've been fortunate enough to participate in hectic, ever more time consuming air travel to spend that week in the much sunnier state of Arizona. I can't tell you how many times during the year I think to myself, "I really wish my mom lived here. I bet she'd want to run by the mall and look at _______ (leggings? boots? anything?)" But alas, her path took her to AZ while mine has kept me rooted in the county I was born and raised in. And now that I've been to Phoenix in the month of August (back in 2007) I can say that without a doubt, I'm a Pac NW girl. If life led my husband and I down a path the ended up in a sunnier or warmer place I'm certain I could adapt. ;)

One of the skills that I am constantly working on is understanding light and how to make it do what I want. I find myself often drawn to the concept of rim lighting. My mom makes it look good. :) Isn't she stunning? Can you believe she has a daughter that's 30?

I know I'm behind on my thankfulness...

But it's all on facebook, I swear! I'll get it over here soon. ;)

In the meantime, here's a new favorite image...



Love them. Love their love. Love the fog. Love that they're family.

It's a lovefest!!!!!!! :)

One side of the family!

I've got a post started for an awesome session I did with my brothers... But it's not ready yet. ;) So, until then, here's a shot from this past weekend with my husband's family. The kids gift to the parents this year was a weekend at the OR Coast. We went to the place my in-laws took the boys every year growing up. What an adventure! I set us up and had Jake's aunt click the shutter for us a few times. It only took 42. ;) I wish I'd taken time to look at the LCD and make some changes, but all in all it came out pretty well. Can't wait to blow it up big for our wall!

A family I just LOVE...

When I was in elementary school (I don't remember exactly when) my parents found a new babysitter for my brothers and me. Nini. Well, technically her name is Jeannine, but we were little kiddos! So, she became our Nini. All three of us just ADORED her. Seriously, seriously adored her. Now, that's not to say we didn't test the boundaries, we did. But there was something special, something magical about being with her. The year I was in 6th grade, she ended up living with us. Talk about heaven on earth!!!!!! She had this awesome water tube bed that we just stuck in our living room and called it good. It didn't take long before I talked my way into sleeping in Nini's bed at night. Sleepover every night - SCORE! We haven't been great at keeping in touch over the last 10 years, but last month I had the extreme pleasure of spending a morning with them and capturing a family photo as well as documenting her other little girl who just mastered sitting up. :) Her young man refused to cooperate with my camera, but after a trip to the zoo, I've got him figured out.

So if the wrong person sees this I could be in trouble...

But that's okay, I've been in trouble before. ;) Right after Christmas (yes, I'm going still that far behind) I got to go to Arizona to spend a few days with my mom and grandma. My papa, uncle and auntie were there too, but I spent the most time with my mom and gram. One of the things my mom asked me to do while I was there was to shoot some pictures of her and her husband. That was interesting. ;) The sun was out in FULL FORCE which I'm not used to here in the great gray NW so I didn't get as much as I'd like. I did get this image of my mama that I just LOVE.

Isn't she gorgeous? You'd never guess from this image that she turns 50 in the near future would you???

Time to catch up!

So before Christmas my dad and my stepmom requested that I take some photos of them. YAY! I LOVE photographing the people I love. So awesome. :) We picked out the date a few weeks in advance... And when it arrived it was at the end of a ridiculous cold snap that we had. I'm sorry, but I am NOT a girl made for the temperature to be in the teens. No thank you! Besides, I'm cold if it's below 70, so getting below freezing is especially cruel. I digress. I got some images of them that I just adore. Enjoy!

Two of my most favorite people...

I just love these two. This is one of my husband's brothers, Mark and his AMAZING wife, Serena. The brother's pretty good, but Serena is one of my greatest blessings. As in-laws go, I completely SCORED. My brothers-in-law are all good guys, but when you get the 4 of them together (yes FOUR, no I'm not sure how his mother survived ;)) they're such BOYS. Thankfully they all have spectacular taste in women. Mark & Serena were married less than a year after Jake and I were. So, since the very beginning Serena and I have been in the family together. Over the last few years she's become one of my nearest and dearest friends, confidants and best of all, she's family.

We got together in the middle of a stormy Sunday to grab some shots of them. One awesome thing about shooting people you know so well is that you know, without a doubt what a genuine smile looks like. You also have seen some of the special looks they save for each other. We had a blast, even if Mark and I did bicker the whole time. We clicked as siblings from the start! ;) Enjoy!

Yes, her skin is THAT beautiful. Don't hate her!

No, I did NOT ask what he was whispering...
Some things you definitely don't want to know about your siblings. ;)

Had the BEST WEEKEND!

Friday morning I flew down to Phoenix to spend Mother's Day with my mom and my grandma. I've been looking forward to this trip for MONTHS. Friday afternoon I went to lunch and shopping with my mom and then in the evening we spent about an hour and a half in the sweltering heat with the one of the most rad women I've ever met, Keri Doolittle. She did us the favor of capturing some images of the three of us, celebrating 3 generations. You can see our sneak peek on Keri's blog. She seriously, seriously rocks. :D Enjoy!

Thanks Mom :)

Earlier this week my sent me this email. I guarantee you, I heard at least 90% of the statements that follow. Enjoy!

25 Reasons to love your mother……...

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC .
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT .
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY .
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA .
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY .
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY .
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who
don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION .
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze
that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP .
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR .
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to
me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS .
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS .
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM .
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE .
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you."

About: Jeremy...

I bet you all thought I'd forgotten about my baby brother! How could I? One of my parents favorite stories from my childhood was the birth of our Jeremy. I was just over 3 at the time and was CONVINCED I'd be getting a baby sister. I already had one brother, thank you very much, time for a sister. It was not to be. My response to the birth of another brother was to smack Adam over the head with a broom while crying despondently, "She's a boy!" :(

One of the things I love most about Jeremy is his ability to turn on the charm. That kid can pour it on THICK. He also tells one heck of a story. Sometimes it only takes 2-3 sentences before I'm laughing hysterically. He can be quite the performer when he feels like it. It wasn't until I was in high school and my girlfriends were complaining non stop about how their sisters kept stealing their clothes, makeup, shoes, you-name-it that I realized how blessed I was to have brothers.

Dearest Jeremy, I love you buckets and am so glad you aren't a girl. ;)

The song I posted with Adam applies just as much with Jeremy. Check it out here!

Look at that smile! Who could resist that grin???

ABOUT: Adam

There's so much that could be said about J. Adam. He's Desomniac, he's growing stuff, he rides the bus a lot, he wants people to be inspired and to act, he brews his own beer. And those are just the blogs he writes/contributes to! Adam is wonderful in so, so many ways. He's kind and generous. I could call him ANY TIME, day or night, happy or heartbroken and I know that without a doubt, he'd be there for me. If I wanted to overindulge he'd help me do so safely. ;) I don't, but it's nice to have the option.

I am so blessed to call him my brother. He's smart, interesting, HILAROUS, thoughtful, totally amazing. I don't know that I'd survive our family without him. I also kind of like that in some ways, he still needs a little caretaking. I love being his big sister. On Saturday I encourage everyone to wish him a very happy 27th birthday. Holy crap, we're aging. :D Bro, I love ya. More than I could possilby articulate.


Almost forgot to include a song!! Here it is, Leann Rimes "Family" -

Mamma's crying again here baby's no where to be found
the world has gone taken her away
Daddy went and ran off with some white trash half his age
left me at home to pay for his mistakes
My sister held my hand when that bad boy broke my heart
Ain't no miles ain't no man could ever tear us apart

Here I stand on roots that deep
We laugh we cry we hurt we bleed
We're best of friends and worst enemies
We're all to blame, were all the same, make no apologies
This is my family

Can't forget the night that uncle William passed away
we were forced to recognize his weird disease
I ran away and ran around with a man twice my age
ain't it funny how some things never change

Here I stand on roots that deep
We laugh we cry we hurt we bleed
We're best of friends and worst enemies
We're all to blame, were all the same, make no apologies
This is my family

Don't you try to shame my name
Cause til the death I will defend
Yeah their blood runs through my veins
It's where I start and where I'll end

Here I stand on roots that deep
We laugh we cry we hurt we bleed
We're best of friends and worst enemies
We're all to blame, were all the same, make no apologies
This is my family

Not the best recording, but I don't think she recorded a formal video for this song. Enjoy anyway!

About: Dad

What to say about Dad... He's pretty awesome. I am so thankful for him. One of the many wonderful things about my dad is the way he helps me see a bigger picture. He challenges me to *really* think about what I think. My dad calls me on my stuff. ;) Sometimes my dad calls me just to chat. I love that. Some days he calls to say he's proud to be my dad. I really love that. There's a country song that goes -

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin'.
Daddy's hands, were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.
Daddy's hands, weren't always gentle
But I've come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy's hands

Most of the song doesn't quite apply, but that does. I remember as a little girl that when I woke up from a bad dream, I always went to Dad's side of the bed. And as a teenager he told me that if there was ever anything I didn't want to do but my friends were bugging me about to just tell them my dad said no. He offered to be my scape goat. I don't remember ever having to use him that way, but I love that he was willing to be the bad guy.

He's not a perfect man or a perfect dad, but he's mine. I may not have been allowed to be a princess, but I'm definitely my dad's girl. :) At my wedding my dad and I danced to the following song. Every time I hear it or someone mentions the artist, I remember that day and how much I love my dad.

You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Yup, that's my daddy.

About: Mom

I love my mama. And as much as I love her, I miss her. Now, it's nice to know that anytime Seattle is too cold I can find a plane ticket and head down to the warmer region of Phoenix, AZ. But, it means, I miss my mama. A lot. And my grandma, my papa, my great-aunt, my uncle... Basically my mom's whole family. I am glad they're together at least. My mom is a pretty special gal... We had a really rough patch that started when I was 13 and didn't *really* end until I was 23. I'm guessing that's relatively normal right??? ;)

My mom had already moved to Arizona by the time I got engaged. I was SO EXCITED to get married. I called my mom every day to every other day for 15 MONTHS. I'm sure there were days that she would have preferred I not call and yak her ear off for 2 hours about favors, table decor, dresses, etc. If there were, she never let on! She was extraordinarily patient with me. I am so, so thankful that we got through the rough decade to the place we are today. My mom is one of my best and dearest friends. I love that. I love her. This song always reminds me of my early childhood before mom went to work -

Somebody's Hero by Jamie O'Neal

She's never pulled anyone from a burning building
She's never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans, screaming out her name
She's never hit a shot to win the game
She's never left her footprints on the moon
She's never made a solo hot air balloon ride, around the world,
No, she's just your everyday average girl (but)

She's somebody's hero
A hero to her baby with a skinned up knee
A little kiss is all she needs
The keeper of the cheerios
The voice that brings Snow White to life
Bedtime stories every night
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero

oh oh
She didn't get a check every week like a nine-to fiver
But she's been a waiter, and a cook and a taxi driver
For twenty years, there at home, until the day her girl was grown
Giving all her love to her was her life's ambition
But now her baby's movin' on, and she'll soon be missin' her
But not today, those are tears of joy runnin' down her face

She's somebody's hero
A hero to her daughter in her wedding dress
She gave her wings to leave the nest
It hurts to let her baby go down the aisle she walks right by
Looks back into her mother's eyes
And that smile lets her know oh oh oh
She's somebody's hero

Thirty years have flown right past
Her daughters' starin' at all the photographs
Of her mother, and she wishes she could be like that
Oh, but she already is

She's somebody's hero
A hero to her mother in a rockin' chair
She runs a brush through her silver hair
The envy of the nursing home
She drops by every afternoon
Feeds her mother with a spoon
And that smile lets her know oh oh
Her mother's smile lets her know oh oh
She's somebody's hero

ABOUT: Jake

So, after writing the entry about Tianna, I decided to do a whole series on my family. They're all pretty awesome. The one I'm most thankful for is my husband. I'm not sure that there's another person who could live with me for nearly four years and still love me as much as he does. I'm so blessed. I married a bright, wonderful, incredibly hard-working man. I'm enjoying each day of our marriage and thrilled about what lies before us. Thank you my dear, sweet husband. I appreciate you so much.

ABOUT: Tianna

I have the greatest niece in the world. She's awesome. She's young, bright, fun and best of all, SASSY. It's been a long time since I've had her in front of my camera so you're getting an old image.


There are so many things I love about this girl. The way she laughs. The way she tries to hold her own with her gramps. How tight she'll hug. How small she once was. That for a space of time she thought I was pretty awesome. ;) She's got such a good heart. There's a song that comes on the radio periodically and EVERY time I hear it, I can't help but think of her.

Fingerprints of God by Steven Curtis Chapman

I can see the tears filling Your eyes
And I know where they're coming from
They're coming from a heart that's broken in two
By what you don't see
The person in the mirror
Doesn't look like the magazine
Oh, but when I look at you it's clear to me that...

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by God's hand
And perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what He's been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living breathing priceless work of art and...

Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
Oh, and God's not through, no
In fact, He's just getting started and…

I hope and pray that Tianna will always know what a treasure she is and how deeply she is loved.

10 on Tuesday: Thanksgiving Edition!

Today's 10 on Tuesday will be 10 things I'm thankful to have in my life...

1. My husband. Jacob is a such a good guy. He'd have to be to put up with me! I am constantly impressed by how hard he's willing to work. I'm also regularly amazed at the way his mind comes to solutions.

2. My parents. They're all wonderful in their own ways. My dad is the greatest. Every conversation with him I learn something more. Whether it's about faith, politics or relationship management, he always has a unique perspective that I had yet to consider. I'm so thankful that over the last decade that I've gotten to be friends with my mom. Our relationship is one that I treasure. No one else gets certain things except for her. ;)

3. My brothers. They're a trip. Sometimes we'll be out doing something and they will SOMEHOW forget that I'm their sister and say random, less than appropriate crap. I wouldn't trade them for ANYTHING.

4. My in-laws. I am blessed to have married into a family full of fun, laughter and insanity. Jake has 3 brothers, who just so happen to have the most AMAZING taste in women. Seriously. It's wonderful.

5. My niece. Miss T is a crack up. I just adore her. She's turning into such a remarkable young woman. I hope that as she gets older she still thinks I'm as awesome as she did when she was 5. :P

6. My grandparents. I was lucky enough to have 4 grandparents and 2 great-grandmas when I was born. I still have three of my grandparents. I have learned and continue to learn so much from them.

7. My friends. I have several groups... Close/personal girls I've known a long time, girls at work, nesties, live journalers, facebookers, photo board girls, small group ladies. I could go on and on. I'm so very thankful to have so many terrific women in my world.

8. My home. I am SO GLAD that Jake and I decided to buy our house before we got married. Yes, sometimes it's a stretch. And sometimes being a homeowner is a total PAIN in the you-know. But I love having our place. :)

9. My job. I have the GREATEST boss. She's incredibly caring, thoughtful and understanding. I have the best grad assistant on campus. M is an impressive young woman. She is bright, funny and otherwise fabulous. My faculty members are great. They are hilarious. I had no idea how much laughter was missing in my day. It's glorious.

10. My faith. I so appreciate my parents for taking me to church and feeding my faith as a child. Yes, it's ebbed and flowed over time, but what doesn't? I think I'm on an upswing.

In the spirit of giving, check out this giveaway for a funky apron!

Also this weekend...

Saturday morning I had breakfast with my dad. We then spent some time cruising around downtown Kent to get him some new facebook pictures. Yes, my dad's on facebook. It's awesome. Here are a couple of favs:

You know he's gotten some!