Mojave Resort

My friend and I decided Sunday evening to go to Palm Desert for a few days. It was a fun little trip away and just what I needed.

Edith

Adventure Club

Porter and Liesl were not huge fans of our yard for a long time. When we built the tree fort they would go out there with friends but, rarely alone. Our trip to Portland changed that and they are outside in the yard almost every day. Recently they have been eating dinner outside, not wanting to break from playing to eat. Everywhere we go they collect things to bring back home. I can't count how many palm fronds, shells, sticks, leaves I have stuffed into my car over the last few month. I had to get over my initial response to say "no" to their requests, I didn't want my car to get dirty. I hate to clean and I try really hard to keep everything clean as long as possible. I would ask them why we needed to bring them home and they were so convincing I had to agree. Now it is just a given that they will be bringing something home from every outing. Porter with some chicken bones Liesl had to save from dinner a few weeks ago. Rocks they were grinding down and a flag pole. Porter has asked me to make a flag for it that says Adventure Club. Shells from the beach.
Porter's legs hanging out out of the trap door.

the kids

letting go

Earlier in this parenthood journey I would have never let my children walk down the side walk and into a store without shoes on.

It was a restless night sleeping in a tent with no air mattress but we made it! A birthday party in the park! Me and my girlfriend's checking out the eclipse today.

mother son

This evening we met up with two of Porter's classmates and their moms for a mother/son camp out at the YMCA. It was a really nice experience and just a fun time for me to connect with Porter. Porter is difficult, strong, sensitive, loving and kind all at the same time. It is hard to be his mom, I was just like him as a kid. I know that I need to make the connection now because I am determined not to lose him when he is a teen. It was a really nice time and as we were leaving he asked me if we could do it again next year.

Wednesday through Friday Jason works from home. Today it was so sunny I really wanted to just lay by a pool. We have a hotel about 5 blocks from our house so we went there for the afternoon before I had to pick up the kids. We laid by the pool, had a drink and enjoyed each other. The kids are out of school soon so, we have to enjoy the little free time we have left.

Liesl at the wedding

My little brother got married a few weeks ago and I had the honor of photographing the wedding along with my friend, my SIL's brother and cousin. Four photographers walking around the Hotel Del Coronado with a bride and groom got a lot of attention. I will share the photos of the wedding soon but, here are a few of Liesl. I had to be at the hotel at 10AM, wedding didn't start until 4:30PM so Jason had to get kids ready on his own, he was amazing. Unfortunately, Liesl was not happy and by the time the wedding started she refused to walk down the aisle because I told her she couldn't take her shoes off. I should have just let her walk down the aisle barefooted, would have better than her not walking at all. I hardly got any photos of my kids but here are a few of Liesl.

and one of the bride and groom.

after the storm

wise words

‎"the most important thing about life is having fun and you should't worry about how dirty you get" -Liesl

PDX

Liesl at six...

does not like to have her photo taken

Birth Photos

I once again had the privilege of watching and photographing a birth.  It was in the early morning on Feb 12th that my nephew was born peacefully in the water.  The lighting was really bad and I didn't want to use my flash so, I am really disappointed with how the photos came out.  When I had Liesl I hired a birth photographer and the flash was so annoying I didn't want to do that to my sister.  I am sure she will post some on her blog but, here are a few for now.