212

bacon s'mores?! 

yes, we went there. you should, too.

day 211

210

barefoot in the mountains. i love our little redheaded hippy.

we brought friends with this time - a classmate of jb's and his little sister. perfect day for a lunch on the hillside.

209

after the full weekend defensive handgun course, i needed a day to recoup. so thankful my beings got an ounce or three of my homebody gene...

day 208

cast ON - let the healing and new bone growth commence!

day 207

yesterday, it was raining buckets. i would glance down at my stance, and it was as if a glass of water was being poured on my head, the run-off from the brim of my hat! 

but this morning, ahhhhhh, glorious! sun shining. actually sunburn and freckles. tan lines. great day to sling some lead. i can practically smell the powder...

day 206

mama + her twins

so thankful to be watching these little ones grow!

day 205

this summer, we have put on many miles, driving up to hatcher pass. it's so fun to play in the mountains! plucking wildflowers to tuck behind your ear, berries to be gathered, trails and "shortcuts" all leading to the top.

i love that my kids are living the life i always wanted. i savored the seasons with my cousins; hiking flattop and biking the trails, dodging moose and having mushroom fights, skiing down alyeska, eating at the bake shop, sledding at kincaid. but a few weeks a year, never made up for my inner urge to live here.

love that i found my way home.

day 204

more scouting for "new" locations... 

puffy clouds, tickling the talkeetnas. 

day 203

today, i had a session with a mother + son at this family farm. these two beautiful beings are in my heart and covered in prayer, daily. truly an honor to spend some time, capturing their smiles.

day 202

day 201

man, these days & weeks just fly by... it's disheartening! i'm trying. i'm snapping away but making time to sit in front of my screen is last on list, considering the leaves are slowly changing.

i know.

don't get me started...

but back to july, 20th - fireweed blooming all over the hillside, along the highways and throughout our yard. so perrrdy.

day 200!!!

200 days?! i've actually committed to this silly challenge?! while i've taken more pictures with my phone than i wanted, sometimes, it's purely about the moment. like these below.

my dear sweet baby tess. 

tessie boo. 

boo boo. 

this one-day-shy-of-16-months-old goodness, climbed out of her crib and fractured her arm. put aside my severe mom guilt, tears and inner turmoil - she is fine.

back to climbing, running, crashing into me at top-tessie-speed. she's a maniac. and gosh, i love her incredibly so.

thank you, great grandma, for accompanying us on this saturday afternoon!

great grandma with all her great grand babies 

day 199

for the past few weeks, my mornings begin with a steaming cup of coffee, clad with snuggling bulldogs and jimmy. yep, mr. fallon. 

laughing is the best way to start the day!

day 198

one year ago, i received a call from my mom that rocked me to my core. 

well, shit. i have cancer. 

my mother, not one to swear, but - that emphasis is sometimes required. we've had one heck of a year, but look where we are now!

a much-needed, well-deserved celebratory drink

i love you, momma. so proud of your grace throughout your cancer journey.

day 197

oh, these 3.

i love the bond at such a young age! it's been a challenging first year, but i'm so thankful for these beings. 

BIG KID! made it from one side to the other!

day 196

sometimes it is way too nice outside to mess with this mess inside.

i have all winter to clean...

day 195

left the kitchen for a millisec, only to return and catch these two knuckleheads enjoying breakfast together. apparently, bananas & bulldogs go perfectly together. 

day 194

had a shoot here this morning. 

i like to arrive early, check the lighting, find just the perfect place and snap a few personal pictures. people are lovely, but i do love nature as is.

day 193

scouting new locations. while i wouldn't plan a shoot on railroad tracks, i'm not opposed to them in the background. and well, bridges? they're the prefect element for background interest. love that mix of nature and structure.

day 192

hatcher pass glory

day 191

i'm forever looking for –shaped rocks. 

hearts are my favorite to find.

day 190

cousin pictures down at the hay flats!

more to come...

day 189

day 188

hiked the butte with my big brother and nieces. gorgeous day, beautiful beings and a lunch in the sunshine. nice little monday.

day 187

we drove up to talkeetna this early, drizzly morning - zip lining fun with the cousins! with such a large party, we were split into two groups. this allowed benji & i a little time to ourselves (!!!) to grab a bite, enjoy complete conversation AND warm (un-reheated!) meals.

i love this man.

day 186

family reunion at our crib! more pictures to come, as this was just a smidge of the fun. 

oh, i love these incredible beings.

day 185

independence day in willow

happy 4th of july!

playing at uncle bob's cabin

day 184

lake lucille.

my funny cousin casey with his two and my first.

day 183

cousins in the AK!

day 182

lately, we've been on this puzzle-kick. and, when i say we, i mean me. i can't help myself! it's a nice way to relax and zone out. 

1,000 piece wizard of oz puzzle. 

finished in three days with the help of benji, jack and my niece averee. we're already on to the next...