getting there

Now that Max is almost 18 months old, he is FINALLY starting to walk!  Just before we left for Sand Point, he started walking back and forth between Danny and me. We were so surprised at how stable he is! When he decides to do it, he does great. I think he has taken six or seven really good steps at a time and can stand by himself for long periods of time before he gets started. We are so proud of our little walking man!

visitors...

I'm super glad that baby Owen and his Mommy came to visit me this week, I wish they didn't have to leave TODAY!!  =( 

we're baaaack

Danny and I got back from Sand Point tonight and we were so excited to see our little Maxter again! We had an amazing time- it was the perfect trip to relax, recharge and reconnect. Details and photos to be added later. 

Also, my best friend Btittany and Max's new best friend (he doesn't know it yet!) Owen are coming to visit bright and early tomorrow morning! We can't wait to see them and we hope they don't miss their flight at the crack of dawn. Owen is so excited he couldn't sleep tonight. hehe. 

ahhhh...

Sand Point

courtesy of google images

I can't believe this day has finally come- Danny and I are vacationing at my parents' lake house in Sand Point ID (on lake Pend Oreille near Cour'd Alene). Just us and a couple friends.

And NO. Max was not invited. =)

Though I do miss the little guy, I am so looking forward to relaxing, waterskiing, hot tubbing, and generally doing nothing. And having my husband all to myself! And I'm not going to lie, flying without car seats and diaper bags was amazing. My only carry on was my purse and camera. WHAT?? Yep. You heard me. Oh, and when we go to dinner, I don't have to pay a babysitter.

Maxter is having a fabulous time with Grandma K and doesn't seem to miss us much. Which I am mostly happy and just a little sad about. =) The little guy is sleeping like a champ and having lots of fun with his cousins, so hopefully he will maintain his good behavior.

So I guess this means we wont be around this week to recieve new callings since our ward split on Sunday (with 700 active members it was about time). But the rest of civilization has our cell numbers and e-mail addresses and can reach us that way Until Monday.

who stole the cookie from the cookie jar...

WHO ME??!

p.s. what do you think, should I go BIG with the pics on this blog from now on?

new phase, new face.

Max is going though a bit of an attachment phase at the moment.  While he used to watch us walk out the door without a second thought, he now cries and acts like he is never going to see us again! He does this at all of the expected times, like when I drop him off at the gym day care, or when we leave him with a babysitter. But the best is when he gets so sad when Danny leaves for work! One day last week, I HAD to document our little morning routine.

Max was sitting in his high chair eating breakfast when he noticed Danny by the door gathering his wallet and keys. The following is a step by step of how his face slowly melts in to his new "sad face!"

I have to say, we laugh every time he does it! This afternoon he even did it when 

our neighbor left the house. haha!

Of course, we rush out the door to give Daddy one more hug...

and a big fat kiss! he has become very generous with his kisses. Sometimes he will sit 

between us and go back and forth between the two of us for a kiss. 

Another funny departure story:

We have our fabulous next door neighbor (Kaitlyn) babysit for Max off and on. It is basically the most ideal situation ever. Usually I walk over and our conversations go a little like this:

me: "Hey Kaitlyn, how are ya?"

she: "fine, hi Max!"

me: "umm, would you be available to watch Max in like... uh... five or ten minutes?"

she: "sure!"

me: "okay, great. just head over when you're ready."

I know. I am lucky.

So anyway, a few days ago I had her come play with Max outside so I could get some editing done. He had a little fall, so he got to come see me for some quick snuggles until he felt better. After a minute, he starting pointing to the back door. Carrying him toward it I said "are you ready to go outside and play with Kaitlyn?" The three of us stepped out onto the back deck and Max started laughing and patting my boobs (he does that a lot). Then he looked up with Kaitlyn with a smile and sarted waiving bye-bye. We were both cracking up! He thought he had it all figured out. Little stinker!

A couple of days later, Kaitlyn came back over so Danny and I could head out for the evening. The doorbell rang, and Max bolted for the front door, no doubt assuming it was his little girlfriend Heather coming to play. When danny opened the door and he looked up to see his babysitter, his face slowly melted (see exhibit one) and then he hung his head and started to cry! One look at her and he knew what was going on!

For the record, Max actually adores Kaitlyn, and she is a fantastic babysitter. The initial departure is just a little rough for him! Thankfully, he gets over it after we are out of site for a few minutes and the little booger went right to bed for her at 8:30! And no. I will not share her with the rest of you. Find your own babysitter!

the new do!

I finally took a couple pics of Max's new haircut this morning! I have to say I think he looks pretty cute, but I do miss all those crazy curls! Doesn't he look grown up too? I'm a little sad about that part! At least now it's all even, so I can grow it out better from here. I am so glad my neighbor Amy came over to get the job done right, I was amazed at how well she did with my squirmy little dude! He kept wriggling, she just kept cutting. It was pretty impressive!

just call me sampson.

it once was looooong...

very very long

too long, really...

if I could have just kept it so sweet and curly, I would have never done it. But most often it was quite the mop. or maybe steel wool pad? I called him "velcro head" (see first picture). Danny was taking a liking to "baby trump"

so we did it. she did it (meaning his nana).  you know. snip-snip?

I know. TRUST ME. it was traumatic for me too. "MOOOOM! not TOO SHORT!"

 

there have been many touch ups ( and one big one thanks to my fantasic visiting teacher). STAY TUNED for the FINAL REVEAL (remember that t.v. show, THE SWAN?).

Seattle, in no particular order.

I was lucky enough to go HOME  earlier this month for twelve whole days! It was amazing. Danny and our friends Matt, Celeste, and little Sawyer came for the first few days, then Max and I were on our own with all the Rands crew. We had a blast!

Snoqualmie Falls

took this shot on the hike down to the bottom of the falls. I had never done it before abd it was SO pretty!

Veiw from above

just the three of us

the end of the hike to the bottom

My boys hiking down

Celeste and Sawyer at the bottom

I loved this fire hydrant we found in this GORGOUS neighborhood in Seattle, it was completely covered in moss! Well, I guess most things are covered in moss there. 

the rhododendrons were blooming everywhere! THey are so bright and beautiful. 

Max fell asleep during our hike (told you these were out of order). This boy LOVES his daddy!

Jordan and Mom, helping me check out the location for the wedding I was shooting on Alki beach. 

I had to be discreet when I took this shot inside the AMAZING CUBAN SANDWICH place in Freemont. It cracked me UP!

At Salt's in Alki. Most perfect place for a reception!

where I am from, we deal with this a lot. 

Max discovered my mom's piano and couldn't get enough!  He and Sawyer played some fabulous duets, I must say.

What a team, she turns while he plays.

just call him miles davis. 

look at that concentration!

My beautiful sister Mackenzie on the way to 9th grade graduation! It's not the best lighting, but I did her hair and makeup and she seriously was such a knock out. She's almost 16, look out!

Max and aunt Kenz sharing a most delicious crepe at Pike Place. I am drooling just thinking about it! I love how much my baby loves my sister. They have the sweetest connection!

Making progress: Max still doesn't like most dogs, but he LOVES Wilson! He is always crawling around the house looking for him, and loves to be right by him. 

Wilson needs his space sometimes. Obviously Max has a hard time understanding!

A day at the pool

Today we had such a fun afternoon at the pool. It has been so hot and Max was so cranky when he woke up, we just had to get out! 

laying on the lounge chair, talking away and playing 

with mom's sun glasses (the best pool toy ever)

hey there blue eyes...

nothing better than some raisin toes

just catching some sun

Of course there are no pictures of us IN the pool, since I can't really hold my camera and him without one of them drowning! I am proud to report that he goes under water like a trooper! Though I can't say the same thing about keeping his sun hat on...

Studio 5

Whew! Glad I have that done with! Thanks to everyone at Studio 5 for a FANTASTIC time, they couldn't have been nicer! Also, thanks to everyone who replied to my post with questions and suggestions, it was so helpful! For those of you out-of-towners or for anyone who missed it, here is the link to the STUDIO 5 WEBSITE, where you can read some of the tips we talked about!

Of all the dumb things to do, I forgot to bring my camera on set so I could get a pic with the fabulous Brooke and Darren. Duh!

busy busy

because I'm working on these.

I know. I have so much to post. Max's first hair cut, Seattle adventures, Tylerisms, visiting my family, MAX"S FIRST TIC BITE (yes. it's true). I am overwhelmed just thinking about it. 

But listen. Here's the thing. I am up to my ears in pictures at the moment, with a ton to edit and another wedding next week, not to mention the preparation for the little event tomorrow morning (see below), I barely have time to breathe, let alone blog. I am available by e-mail, I'm just a little slow replying at the moment. Hope you understand. 

I promise, more is coming. Someday.

tune in. laugh at me.

sometimes I really wonder how I get myself into these messes. But yes. I will be doing segment on KSL's  STUDIO 5 this friday (show airs at 11:00 am).  I will be discussing PHOTOGRAPHY, particularly, how to find/what makes a good background, both indoor and out, as well as how to set up some DIY indoor backgrounds.  Basically, the idea is to help moms take better pictures of their kids with the help of a few tips!  

So here's the thing. I normally wouldn't take the time to announce to the world that I'm about to make a complete fool of myself ( I like to keep the public humiliation factor to a minimum), but I am asking for a little help from all you photo enthusiasts out there! We are in the process of putting together the dialog of the show with some of the producers, so what I want to know is...

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE? what would you like to know how to do with backgrounds. Is there anything specific you would want to see discussed on the show?

Please share.  No question is to basic or complicated.  So let's hear it!

Oh. and I am also accepting advice on what I should wear. Or how to do my hair. Or how not to look chunky....? Or how not to trip, drool, forget my name, you know. That sort of thing. Anyone want to go shopping this week??! 

qjkzdghip

listen. i do not like these silly blog security thingies. I vote that you all remove them from your comments. they are a bother. and i for one would leave you very smart, witty comments all the more if you did. and who doesn't love a comment? especially from me. =) ha.  

in the land of the tree huggers...

image courtesy of google images. 

Just wanted to drop a note to say that I'm off spending some time with my people in the great North West and won't be back for over a week! I won't come back empty handed though, I promise to bring plenty of pictures of my own, as well as a few fun family shoots and a wedding! We will back before you know it and if I have a sec, I'll try to post an update.  

i've been painting...

my living room. see??

though you probably wouldn't know by looking at my house, I looooove decorating. I would prefer shopping for things for my house more than for clothes pretty much any day. The only problem is that I have the hardest time committing to decor in my own house. I have been agonizing over paint colors for far too long, so I decided to just take a risk and go for something different in my formal living room. So now I have some lovely chocolate brown walls instead of being surrounded by white. It's not quite finished yet, but here's a little preview of some of the details- new paint color, pillows, rug (not pictured, but it's aqua blue with a white scraggley tree silhouette), and a BUNCH of vintage frames that I refinished. I can't wait for it to all come together!

Here are a few other things I've been inspired by lately

 (these pics not from my own home. unfortunately.)

I will DEFINITELY be attempting this- either in the living room or Max's room. Haven't decided yet. via apartment therapy.

I like the idea of this eclectic collection of plates and the way they're hung. 

I think my kitchen needs this. via blueprint.

My friend Caroline turned me on to Orla Kiely wallpaper. I LOVE her bags, but who knew she had the wallpaper of my dreams?? These are my two favorites- the top one I would LOVE in my bedroom, the bottom one, I don't know where I could put it. I just like it.