Looks like I’m going to try to keep this Life Stories project going another year!  We’ll see how it goes.  Briefly, my amazing photographer friends and I decided to do a monthly project documenting our own lives.  Our everyday boring lives.  Could we make it look magic?  Because, ya know, it is.  Our everyday boring lives ARE magic because they are filled with love for our families.  And so we embarked on this photographic journey that we named “Life Stories.”  It’s been a year since we started and many of us wanted to continue because it’s been nothing short of amazing.  So proud to be part of this group.

It’s been a year since I posted images from our trip to the Pumpkin Patch.  It was my first Life Story.  You can see those images RIGHT HERE if you’d like to take a walk down memory lane.  And now it’s that time of year again.  My kids are really into pumpkins and really, what’s not to love?  Brightly orange colored pumpkins littered all around the ground.  So many to choose from and only ONE that is right for you.  My daughter, especially, takes her pumpkin finding responsibilities very seriously.  We found our way back to Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch. 

It was a bright and sunny day.

They quickly got to the tasks of choosing their pumpkins.The little guy dropped his pumpkin and the stem scratched his knee.  He wasn’t happy about that.  I went to get him a bandaid from my camera bag and simply couldn’t stop myself from taking some shots of him sitting amid all those pumpkins.

Can you blame me?  Look at him!

He was a bit annoyed with his crazy mom who takes pictures of sad boys.  He refused to smile for me.

But I worked my mama magic.  Look at him pretending he isn’t listening to my hilarity.

My little guy.  I love him.  I love his toothless smile.  I love his personality.  I love loving him.

And look at this sweetie.

She has this thing about baby pumpkins.  Ever since she was a cute little toddler, she’s just loved baby pumpkins.  When she was little, she would carry a little pumpkin around with her all.day.long and put it right at her bedside when she slept.  It cracks me up.  She treats it likes it’s a baby.

My kids are goofy.

I have no idea from whence this goofiness comes.

Total mystery.

I adore my kids.

Now all we needed to do is ride those pumpkins to the car and head home.  Another great visit to the patch.

I’m already looking forward to next year.

Next up is the amazing Northern Illinois photographer behind Heather Wilson Photography.  She never disappoints! Head on over for some beautiful images and then click your way through all the links to find your way back here!…

There’s not much better than vacation, but now that school is in full swing, we have to cram our entertainment into our weekends.  Admittedly, some weekends are spent just chillin’ in the house, but not this last weekend.  This past weekend was a busy one for the kids.

Our daughter has gotten very interested in tennis.  She was excited to try out her new tennis skirt. 

Tennis is serious business.

The dude isn’t really into tennis, though.  As you can see, he’s sporting his bike helmet.  Not because we’re afraid he’ll get whacked by a rogue tennis ball, but because, for the most part, he was ridin’.

And she was playing and practicing.

She worked up a sweat.  Can you see the beads on her cute nose?

Daddy needed a turn on the bike.

And then the little guy contemplated how on earth he was gonna get up those stairs.

That was Saturday.

Then Sunday rolled around, and I somehow got conned into taking them to the park on a hot day at noon.

Glad I did.  We had fun.

Biking was a serious adventure that day.

At least my daughter could manage a giggle.

Maybe we should try the swings to see if we can get the little guy to lighten up….

I’m not sure it’s possible for my kids to be unhappy on swings.

Poor guy.  He looks so miserable….

Time to leave the park, and gosh, they gave me quite a gift at the end of our park adventure.  I’ll show you in a bit.  But first, I’ll show you the reward I got them for being so nice to their mama.

Cold Stone Creamery.

And because my car was dirty, and my kids love the car wash….

And why did they get ice cream?  This is why.  Look at this.  I haven’t gotten a picture of the two of them smiling AND looking at the camera AND holding each other in a long while.

So there you have it.  Our weekend.  This Life Story was the last of the series.  We started last October and have made it full circle.  In case you don’t know what this Life Stories thing is about, I’ve been participating in a blog circle with other amazing photographers from around the globe for the past year.  Every month, we share images about our own family.  It’s a chance to be sure we’re taking the time to capture our own moments. I have LOVED this year.  Loved it.  I have learned how to capture my family doing what we do without forcing them to pose for me.  I have practiced shooting in less than ideal portrait lighting.  All the pictures shared in this Life Story were shot from around noon to 2pm.  Not the best light, as most photographers prefer to shoot in either morning or evening light, but still, it feels good to know I can shoot in it and still create images that I love.

I’m not sure I’m going to continue this project.  I want to.  We’ll see if I can find the time….  Do you think I should?

Next up, from down under, is Liat Biderovsky of Lee Bird Photography! Click on her link and see her amazing Life Story and follow the links at the end of each post to make your way full circle.  You’re in for a treat!

You can follow me on Facebook where I’m usually better at posting pictures.  Thanks so much for looking!

 …

In my former life, I lived in Hawaii.  And so did my boyfriend. That was a long time ago.  Long before kids, long before I did photography.  That boyfriend is now my husband, and our very most favorite place in the world to vacation is there.  Back to the island where we lived for just a short time.  Whenever we go there, there’s a feeling of familiarity.  The humidity is like a hug from an old friend.  The welcoming skies surround you with peace.  The warm ocean water welcomes you with cradling arms.

I love Hawaii.  We love Hawaii.  Who doesn’t love Hawaii?

So, this summer we embarked on our trip to visit this beautiful island…to visit a piece of our past…where life was simpler.  Hawaii is any photographer’s dream, but  I went resolved to let the kids be kids.  No forcing them to pose for pictures.  I went simply wanting to capture our days.  While I did hope for one teeny weeny photo shoot while there, it never happened.  And that’s just fine. What did happen was still magic.  Life happened.  Love happened.  This will likely be my first installment of pictures.  I still have pictures I haven’t even seen yet.

The kids were pretty excited.

I can hear the song they sang for months before our trip: “Hawaii!  Hawaii!  We’re going to Hawaii!”  

Their first touch of Hawaiian waters.  Waikiki before the crowds.

Our first breakfast at Eggs ‘N Things.  My husband wistfully looking out at the waters of Waikiki–a place where we both learned to surf.

(and if you look closely, you can see my son hiding under the table, playing with his daddy’s phone).

We have wonderful friends that live there.  We haven’t seen them in two years, but, our kids always seem to be fast friends.

They have a really cool tortoise.  

And some really great tree swings.

And a pretty awesome zip line!

We went to the Farmer’s Market.  And dang, we ate a lot of mangoes.

We climbed Diamond Head.

We went to Byodo-In Temple.  And honestly, for me, this was a highlight.  It was so peaceful.  We took our time and took it all in. We let my daughter take her time feeding the birds and the koi.  No rush.  Just quiet and lovely.

There were many quiet moments like this–my daughter patiently waiting for the timid birds to eat food from her hand.  Years ago, the birds were trained to fly right to you and eat the food off your hands.  They’re no longer trained, so to enjoy the special moment of having a bird eat from your hand, you.must.be.patient.  And my sweet love is incredibly patient.  I loved that she enjoyed this experience so much.

My husband and son may not have been into patiently feeding the birds, but they were into having a bamboo battle.

My daughter preferred to just relax.

My son pondered how he could get his hands on a huge bamboo stick.

Gosh, look at this…. A blog post about Hawaii and hardly any beach pictures.  Believe me you, we went to the beach A LOT.  But my camera didn’t make it to the beach a lot.  Most days we were out of the house all day, and I didn’t want to worry about my camera getting wet or sandy or stolen.  But I DID bring it on this glorious day.

And how crazy is this sunflare?

Such a gorgeous beach.  That was a beautiful day.  Last shot before reluctantly getting in the car.

I’ve got loads more pictures, but I think I should stop now, huh?

And in case you don’t know what this Life Stories thing is about, I’m participating in a blog circle with other amazing photographers from around the globe.  Every month, we share images about our own family.  It’s a chance to be sure we’re taking the time to capture our own moments.  I am honored to be part of this amazing group and am happy to send you on over to Amy Lenhart’s blog right this very moment! Read her story and then follow her link to another photographer.  Follow the links all the way around, and you’ll end up right back here.  It’s a lot of fun!

And often, FACEBOOK is where I first post my images, so head on over there and like my page.

Thanks for looking!…