Winter Forest

Shortly after our snow day, (yup this post is two weeks late) we decided to go have a forest day to see how the terrain changes in the winter. The boys were excited and we bundled all up to prepare for the cold temperatures. As I was getting the boys out of the car I got a text from Max saying that it would be his last day at his work and I would need to pick him up. This kind of made me a little anxious. Honestly we were planning on him leaving his job at some point during this year but it happened a lot sooner than expected. So our whole outing I was kind of distracted by this and wasn't able to make the phone call to get more details as my boys were running wild. (There will be more on this in a future post but just know this has been an amazing blessing and the Lord is truly aware of our family's needs and desires, and we are so grateful for the the time Max has spent with Grow construction and the knowledge he has gained)

The point is, I was a little stressed during this outing not knowing the details of the job situation. We had fun regardless.

They were climbing when we were still in the parking lot.

We ran into a preschool group which was fun because they showed Charlie and Miles a lot of cool things about moss and moles. But they also annoyed me because the teachers (there was only one other kid and 4 adults)  kept talking over Charlie when he was trying to participate in the forest discussion.  

We had some good playtime on the giant root. 

I think this hollow stump is Miles' most favorite spot in the whole world, or maybe it's right up there with a cardboard box!

 I'm tempted to take him back to this stump for senior pictures...but I'm pretty sure it won't last that long.

And they found a gigantic worm.

The boys went of the beaten path a bit for a little exploring. I love that they did it together.

 And then the funniest thing happened. Charlie observed a large pile of moss at the bottom of a tree, we discussed that maybe an animal put the moss there for a cozy bed. Charlie and I had kind of moved on from this conversation and then we look at Miles who is lying down on the ground to get cozy in the moss. After a mouthful of cold moss he got pretty mad, and started crying, I had to take pictures first but then I cuddled him and cleared out his mouth.

Over the last couple of weeks, it's been blowing my mind that Miles isn't really a baby anymore. He is just so little, but he does big boy things like run and climb and talk. It's so fun to see my boys playing and having fun together.

And then we put our muddy selves in the car and went home. 

Portfolio

I've been denying that I'm actually a photographer, it's a title I don't really feel like I deserve since I know so many people better than me. But then again, there are tons of people better than me at the piano and yet, I'm still a pianist. I got my camera two years ago for my birthday with ambitions of having better photos of my children. I had no idea that I would love the thrill of catching a perfectly authentic smile or a tender moment with my children. I didn't know it would make me so happy that I could share photos with my friends and their kids that I happened to capture during our play date.  I'm always thirsting for more knowledge and wanting to improve my skills. I did not expect to crave beautiful locations and lighting. So, here I am, loving photography and sharing this growing skill with others.

I never thought I would have the skills to make this vision a reality....

...a vision I had in my head for a long time. The point is, I am a photographer, I even occasionally get paid for my photos, so I guess that makes me a professional.

So here are some of my photos. Some, I am really happy with the composition and others are just special to me for other reasons. Like this one....

I have it printed and sitting on my piano It was a beautiful memory of Miles on his tip toes reaching as high as he could to plunk out a few notes. His chubby baby hand...it all just makes me so happy.

Most of my photos are of my family, what can I say?  they are my favorite! (These photos are in no particular order, just how they ended up when I uploaded them.)

Thank you to Max for this one (and thanks to that gorgeous sky!)

Another one of my absolute favorites.

I have also had the privilege  of doing some family photos and I have enjoyed this more than I ever thought I would.

And more of my kids, and other family!

And there you have it! I'm constantly learning, Even among these pictures I can see growth from the few that were taken in the beginning to what I can do now, yet I still see a long path for me to follow to just get better. I'm excited to take my photography to the next level, come March as I participate in a Photo storytelling workshop in one of the most wonderful and deeply beautiful places in the world...Gyumri Armenia!

In the meantime, let me know if you need some family photos:)