Newborn Photos:Elijah

I can’t wait to get the full post of handsome little Elijah up for you, but I thought I’d better give you a preview.  This afternoon was a fun day full of newborns photos and big sisters photos.  I only got peed on once (thank you to every newborn client I’ve had to prepare me for motherhood!) and got to dance with a two year old.  It doesn’t get better than this.  Check in soon for more of Eli and his big sis Grace.

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Walla Walla: Wine Tasting

The swirl of the glass lifted the aroma of the bouquet up from the wine.  The legs thick with flavor slowly slid back down to the bottom of the glass.  I looked at Mike.  He smiled.  Our good friends, Jim and Kari, also enjoyed their wine just down the tasting bar.  This was the beginning of a very good adventure.

We had taken the 4.5 hour drive to Walla Walla, Washington for wine tasting, not sure what we would find.  To our hearts delight, we drove into the quant town that has become a booming wine region.  Over 100 wineries sit beautifully within a short drive of each other.  It has become a mini vacation that must be repeated.   And nothing is better than good wine, good friends and good adventures.

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Newborn photos: A little miracle

It doesn’t matter the year.  It doesn’t matter the child.  In every nursery you hear the hush of a whisper “what a little miracle”.  And that whisper is right.

In Breanna’s case, the whisper is not only right, it’s the only way to describe her.  33 weeks into her mommy’s pregnancy, there were complications.  My cousin, Julie, had HELLP syndrome and the situation was life threatening.  Breanna needed to come early, but there was concern at how young she was.  In God’s good grace, Breanna was born perfectly healthy, never needing oxygen or spending the beginning of her life in an incubator.  After three weeks of scary ups and downs for her mommy, both a healthy daughter and mother were able to come home.  Many thanks to all of our friends and family who have relentlessly prayed for both girls.  We have a good God, and he has miraculously brought Breanna safely into this world.

Welcome Baby Anna!

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Here’s looking at you, Cupcake

This last week Mike and I did a series of daycations.  At first I was feeling bummed to not get out of the area, but quickly lost my disappointment as we found adventure at our doorstep.  We were all over the place, Woodinville for wine tasting, Seattle for lunch and coffee, watching Inception (yes, I am in love with it), etc, etc.

The last day we decided to go a bit further off the grid.  Neither of us had been up to Sunrise at Mt Rainier, at least in our known memory, so we headed out.  The day before an extremely thoughtful and loving friend, knowing I am in love with cupcakes and quite enchanted with Cupcake Royal,  had picked up the darling bundles for us at that very place. So we packed those little babies gently in the back seat and headed for the mountain.  I had wanted to take pictures of my precious on our hike, but the mosquitoes were on a rampage that day, and the sugar got their little taste buds blazing.  So, here is my delicate fresh strawberry cupcake overlooking the majestic view at Sunrise lookout.

The summer may feel as if it’s coming to a close, but my love for cupcakes lives on strong within my heart.  There is always summer in the bite of a cupcake (or something corny like that). 

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A Preview: Scott and Jac’s Wedding

This weekend was the perfect weekend of weather and beauty for a wedding.  I’m going to tell you more about this fabulous couple next week, but wanted their guests to get a quick look at of at least one picture from the wedding.  More to come!!

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Seattle: Searching for the best burger

I nonchalantly glanced over the titles on the magazines while standing in line at the grocery store.  Movie stars, reality tv stars, burgers, how to lose 20 pounds in two weeks, WAIT! Was that burgers?!  Of all the titles of all the magazines, could one really be featuring Seattle’s best burgers?  It was a must buy.  A must do.  The list was a challenge that needed to be accomplished.  A savory delight that was begging for a champion. 

Over the last year Mike and I have been working through the list in the article and have found some exceptional places.  The most recent spot we’ve been to was also by far the best.  I must tell you friends, The Palace Kitchen in Seattle has the most amazing, juicy, flavorful burgers that I’ve ever laid my teeth on.  Everything is local, which makes the taste even more intense from the freshness.  It’s a simple burger, but it packs a punch.  The Beecher’s Flagship cheese from the market tops it off fabulously. 

So, this really has nothing to do with photography, except the fact that you better go and get one and take a picture of yourself.  You won’t be disappointed.

(picture is taken from the Seattle Met…I’m offsight tonight and not able to access my own picture)

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Happy Independence Day!: Washington DC

The air hung heavy around my face and shoulders as I wandered through Jamestown.  I wondered what the first English to try and live in such a climate thought.  I know that my thoughts weren’t necessarily, shall we say, positive.  I tried imagining wearing a corset and heavy skirt.  My tank top and capris weren’t giving me enough air, how could a thick long skirt have been bearable?

Hours later I stood on the battlefields of Yorktown.  How could such a small, ragtag army actually defend, let alone find victory, against the world’s greatest army of the day?  Courage?  A dream?  Providence.

Throughout the rest of the week, we were in the District of Columbia.  It’s always amazing to me to see the buildings, the history, the beauty.   At every turn I was struck with wonder at our country, so new and young.  Other countries I’ve been to boast histories of hundreds of years of story, while we just sit at a handful of years.  The journey was amazing to see, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have relived our history right before the 4th of July.

Here are a few random pictures from my week.   They don’t all go together per say, but I do like the story they tell.

These are church benches at the chapel at Jamestown.  I couldn’t imagine sitting here for an hour each week, let alone all day on Sunday and evening services every other day.

The oddity and beauty of Williamsburg, the Colonies’ capital

This is at one of my favorite places, Mount Vernon, our first president’s home

Arlington National Cemetery.  The idea of placing a stone on a grave comes from the book of Joshua in the Bible, where the Israelites were instructed to put up large stones in order to remember what God had done.  To place a stone on a grave means “I remember”.  It brought tears to my eyes to see pebbles on top of  loved ones graves.  They are gone, but not forgotten.

Another of my favorite places is the World War II Monument.  My grandfather served in the war, and was forever changed by it.  I am so thankful that the memory of all who served is now peacefully resting in this beautiful monument.

Looking back at the Lincoln monument from the WWII monument.

The Vietnam monument

The camera of a photographer that captured the moments of 9/11, and then died in the disaster

Our Capital building, crowned by the statue “Freedom.”  She looks East, because the sun never sets on Freedom

There is joy and sadness in our story.  nonetheless, it is a great story.

Happy Independence Day.

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Newborn and 2 year old photos: Isabella and Abigail

Her older sister looked at me with excited eyes and exclaimed “Amba!  Baby Iza-bella inside!”.  We had just finished getting a few absolutely adorable pictures of Abigail when she heard her sister had woken up.  We quickly ascended the stairs to where Abigail’s 7 day old sister awaited her first photography shoot.   There is nothing more endearing (and terrifying!) as a new big sister.  They are full of love and curiosity as they cuddle their infant sibling.  It’s beautiful, until they go for the eyes.  They always go for the eyes.  But as far as big sisters go, Abigail is going to be a great one.  And as far as little sisters go, Isabella is beautifully serene. 

Isabella was a wonderful model!

This is one of my favorites!

I LOVE how Abigail is looking at Isabella’s hand

The big sister

Thank you Burlando’s for the joy of working with your family, and specifically your girls.  They are such a joy!  Congratulations on your newest addition.  She is absolutely wonderful!

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Wedding at The Manor, Lynnwood: John and Heather Jolly

It’s interesting the places you find your soul mate.  It’s always unexpected, and always a cherished story.  I found mine in an old friend, someone who had walked beside me for years when suddenly my eyes were opened.  Heather found her’s on a dance floor.  I’m not sure that’s the first meeting for them, but I know they fell in love as they danced.  Full of laughter and fun, it seems dancing is the perfect place to have their enthusiasm for life take expression and lead to love.

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I loved the contrast of the embroidered leaves of her dress against the real thing

I must tell you, this is my favorite picture!!  Thank you Heather for being willing to get so close to the bumble bees!

And the one that made her laugh and fall in love…

Isn’t Heather’s look precious?

I love diamonds and flowers, so why not put them together?

I’m into the laughter.  I really am.

Again, another of my favs…

The best way to end is to start where they began.  Dancing.

John and Heather, you are beautiful together and we loved working with you.  Thank you for letting us join in your day!

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The Manor, Lynnwood, WA: John and Heather’s Wedding (preview)

She calls him Jolly, not only because it’s his last name, but because it’s how he makes her feel.  She laughed as she told me.  And she didn’t mean “bowl full of jelly” Santa Clause “jolly”.  More the ”I’ve met my soul mate” and definetly the ”I’m in love” type of jolly.  Pretty sure you know what I mean.  And now they’re both Jolly.  Two weeks ago these two love birds tied the knot, and we were invited to caputre the day.  Here’s a quick preview…More to come soon…

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