Good 'Ole Summer Fun

Sandcastle Waterpark

The Deer loved Kian for some reason and he got such a kick out of them licking his hands.

In the beginning of the summer we were sooo busy with baseball and getting the house ready to be put on the market. Finally, since the house is done and baseball is over, we have been able to be carefree and thoroughly enjoy our summer. Most days are spent swimming and playing with friends but a few recent outings we've had were going to the zoo (with my friend Julie, who was visiting from Texas) and going to Sandcastle Waterpark. Our zoo just delivered 2 new baby elephants, we got to see the first one, Angelina, she was so cute! At Sandcastle we rode water slides and played in the wave pool for over 5 hours. It was a blast! We ended the day with one of the kids favorite restaurants, Red Robin. Kian kept saying "I don't want this day to end"

Next week we are off to the beach. I can't wait to get my camera there. I will have one of the most beautiful landscapes to photograph.

I LOVE my new camera!!

Kian, "finding something to do" while at the Mayors Cup Tournament game that Landin played in on July 19th.

Kian's classic pirate face that he loves to show.

Caught eating berries instead of picking 'em

Kali is one tough cookie, pulling Kian and Logan for a ride.

Like a naturalist in the wilderness with her subjects, I have let my children become so accustomed to my camera, they no longer notice it as a mechanical object. It is an extension of their mother's eye, no more obtrusive to them than my eyeglasses. Just another tool Mom sometimes has to help her see. When its lens takes them in, it is my gaze they perceive and respond to, not the camera (and sometimes their response is to ignore or be silly).
Shooting them has become a form of caress, as natural as reaching out to brush bangs back from their eyes. I see my reach in the photos. There is nothing objective about them. "This is how I see you," is the caption written invisibly on every one. "This is how love sees you." It is how I think we all wish to be seen, all our lives, even when the aperture narrows or is jammed.

During the past few weeks I have had so many opportunities to spend quality time with the kids and my camera (mostly Kian since Landin was away/busy.) It has been so fun and rewarding!

What about you? What portraits reveal an exchange between subject and photographer, the trajectory between the eye of the beholder and the one so carefully held?

How photogenic do you allow yourself to be?

I once read that "photogenic" is nothing more or less than a measure of the soul's aperture. Children are so photogenic (and so vulnerable) because theirs is open wide. The difference between a photogenic adult and one who is not, is a difference of consent. You cannot "take" a beautiful picture of someone, it must be given, like in this picture of my aunt and her granddaughter. My aunt will be the first to tell you she “does not like her picture taken” but here, it is undeniable that she is allowing me to capture her beautiful moment.

Mike is also allowing me to be a part of his special “Kian and daddy time”

A week of fabulous camps!

The ginormous water slide.


A nervous and excited smile


Last weekend my baby left us for a whole week! Landin was off to Calvary Camp, in Conneaut, Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie. This was always a favorite camp of Mike's when he was a child. Landin's days there were spent eating pancakes, playing ultimate frisbee, swimming in the pool, hangin with friends, playing trivia games, drinking (a little) bug juice, singing at campfires, making leather braclets and enjoying lots of competitions. One of his most memorable moments was when he competed in a 400 meter race and placed 5th overall, ages 8-16, and 1st place for the 11-12's. Landin had an amazing time, noted by the fact that he hasn't stopped talking about it since he got home! He was missed by all, but mostly by Kian.


While Landin was away, Kian enjoyed a local camp through the community church we attend. He sang lots of songs, played paint ball, archery, soccer and capture the flag. Slip and slides galore and a ginormous water slide were 2 of the main attractions on water days!



Kian will be old enough next summer to go to Calvary Camp, but will he be ready is the million dollar question??

Happy 4th!

We love the 4th of July in our house. It usually signifies great BBQ food, homemade fresh picked berry pies, buying tons of fireworks and time spent with family and friends. This year Kian had become completely and utterly obsessed with buying as many fireworks as he could get ANYBODY to buy him (mainly daddy and grandpa Den.) He makes quite a sales pitch, talking your ear off, then you cave; just so he'll zip his lip! When he is into something he is INTO it, no commitment issue there. Once July 5th came he was over it, on to the next holiday I guess.

In awe of one of the greatest fireworks display in the country, downtown Pittsburgh

When it comes to our 2 boys, my husband Mike is much better at entertaining: he will play and do projects with them for, literally, hours. Weekends are usually filled with bike riding, roller blading, hiking, all sports, and doing experiments. If it involves playing, Mike is game on! He's the fun one. If I'm not involved in the activity (it's about a 50/50 chance) I'm often found in the house, creating, reading or tending to the more domestic duties such as laundry, meal preparations, and organizing.

But when it’s time to talk, I’m the go to gal. Every night we spend time reflecting on our day, together, as we discuss our “highs and lows”. This is what I call the "window of opportunity time." They are so eager to share their most intimate thoughts and so receptive to hear your words of wisdom. In the afternoons when I'd pick them up from school, we'd spend some time discussing current events. Subjects can be lighthearted, like what happened that day or why it’s tough to decide which is a better sport, hockey, football, or baseball. But sometimes we talk about much deeper subjects, like how parents will sacrifice things and relationships to protect their kids or why the Golden Rule is so important. I guess Mike and I just love them in our own special way. Thank goodness.

On occasion I have been known to be the chosen “fun” one. I can display a side of silliness that resonates with each of my kiddos. Here is a picture Mike took on our way to the fireworks that captures the lighter side of our relationship.

disclaimer-The shutter speed was really slow due to the low light setting. That's what gives it that moving blurr effect, I thought it was kind of cool, Mike was a little more self critical.