*hard to believe*

Owen's just about to turn two!

I had a little party for him this past weekend and I know *certain family* are waiting to see a few pictures, so here goes...
I thought it would be fun to fill up a ton of those "punching balloons" and put them all over the room. (apparently the kids agreed too!) Owen had such a great time with all his friends and his new toys. He was even upset that we made him stop for cupcakes! (until everyone started singing to him anyway). He is very much into anything "boy", but sports and tractors seem to be a few of his favorites.


It is quite bitter-sweet with every day that he gets older. I'm loving watching him grow into a "little person", but a part of me want to hold onto that "little boy".
"I'll love you forever...my baby you'll be".

*highlight of my day...*

...and it came in the form of a 10 minute puppet show.
This week has been incredibly busy, but good.
Owen's celebrating his second birthday tomorrow with friends and some family.
(We miss you mom, dad, corey and collin!)
As I've been trying to prepare for that, and finishing up with the move, today was especially busy!
Hurrying up and down the aisles of the store this evening, I spotted the cutest (and simplest) puppet making kits. I knew the kids would thoroughly enjoy the one-on-one time that this would entail, so I grabbed a few and threw em' in the cart.
What I didn't know is how much their "show" would mean to me.
It was in the moment of Dakota and Taylor re-enacting the "Little Pig(s) and the Big Bad Monkey (aka...wolf)" that I simply remembered what life is all about. In these moments...I am most proud.


"Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." ~Lao Tzu

*perseverance*

running the additional 4.6 miles...
when your ready to quit after two!

*i've found my place*

It's a great feeling when you leave a session with *new friends* and not just new clients. Here's a sneak peek of what I was up to this afternoon...

Amanda and Chad are SUCH a fun, and gorgeous, couple! Thanks you two for a wonderful afternoon shooting. Your fun and outgoing personalities made for some great pictures!

*an afternoon well spent*

I am really loving these sunny days!
I ran to the store and picked-up a few warm weather favorites around our house...bubbles and side-walk chalk. The kids and I had such a great afternoon playing outside,
and just enjoying this SUN!

Dakota had so much fun dancing around and seeing the different forms his shadow would take on...this was one of my fav's.

*the gift of life*

Filtering through thousands of pictures on my hard drive, I had this nice surprise come across my screen. Every now and then, as much as I LOVE my job and editing pictures of other people, I have to take a few minutes and look at some pictures of my people for a while. They serve as a constant reminder to me, to always strive for the *very best* life has to offer.

*because I said I would...*

I just had to post a few more from Danny and Bethany's engagement session. Love this couple and can't wait for the *big day*!

*nike+ipod=happiness*

confession: I get really excited over little things.

With my new found love for running, and my ever-growing love for music...what could be better?

As my mileage continues to increase, this will be a fun way of helping me track my distance and keep up on the goals I have set for myself.  Plus, with getting my new mac for Christmas (LOVE you mom and dad!) all of my recently downloaded music won't convert to my "generic" mp3 player...so technically, I really HAD to buy a new ipod, right?!?  

and just because a blog post from me wouldn't be complete without some type of quote...

"You will never put more into running, than what it gives back"...SO TRUE!!!

*my valentine sunset*

I could get used to this view from my office window...

"nature is a photographer's best friend"

*taylor's purple sparkle school*

aka...Hockinson pre-school. 

 I'm still not too sure how she came up with the name, but nonetheless; Taylor started pre-school on Wednesday.  I finally gave into her asking, every time we took Dakota to school, if she could go too.  The few hours in the morning, with one less strong-willed child, is quite nice actually.  But moreover, she was just ready to go.  That was certainly reiterated to me upon picking her up, when I asked the teachers how she did on her first day.  Their reply..."she acts like she's been here a million times".  I am so proud of my confident and adaptable little girl.  She has a personality that will take her so far in this world...I anxiously await seeing what she will conquer.

I love the way Dakota is just watching Taylor in this shot.  This speaks so much to his character.  He is such a great big brother with an incredibly caring heart...I think he was just as excited to walk Taylor on her first day, as she was to go.

I am truly blessed.