OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION DAY

I am a volunteer for the United Stated Coast Guard, an OMBUDSMAN for the Coast Guard Cutter Fir. A Bouy Tender stationed out of Tounge Point in Astoria, OR.

It is such an honor to serve the Coast Guard as a Volunteer. I support the wives and families while the Ship is deployed keeping our waterways safe, and SAVING the lives of those who become victims of the sea.

Today is the day that I am recognized for something I love doing, supporting families, a way for me to support my wonderful husband and his career of over 20 years.

To ALL the Ombudsman who VOLUNTEER for their spouses Duty Station~HAPPY OMBUDSMAN DAY!!!

The Flowers I received today from the Command, Ward Room and Crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Fir...these arrived at my door, about brought tears to my eyes. I have an amazing Command, there dedication to the Crew and ther Families is above and beyond.

Always behind the camera, never the one in the photo

not today!!! My friend Jess, Karen and I took the boys out to Longview, WA to a beautiful Park. There were play areas, beautiful trees in bloom and tons of ponds to throw rocks, dirt and what ever else a little boy can find.

While the boys were playing Jess and I played with our cameras and took pictures of each other. This shot Jess took while I was swinging on a gate in the park.

Check back, I have a bunch more pictures from Sacajawea Park to share.

We had a half way sunny afternoon last week so I took the boys and a few friends for a little walk and adventure. We had sticks, dirt and best of all BUGS!! Here is a shot of Drayke hanging from the branch of a tree~super adorable. There is more to come, so check back soon.

Alaska Monopoly

who's up for a game of Monopoly and blast from the past????

the water district building

Another weekend down and few more weeks to go before the Boat returns home from Dry Dock. The sun was out and it was later in the afternoon~the perfect time for a shoot. So, after taking Dave to meet the Liberty van, we drove over the the Astoria water purification building. It is an old stone building with beautiful architecture, here are a few of my favorite practice shots.

I am not a GIRL!!!

I absolutely adore Owen's long hair, my husband can't stand that it gets in his face all the time. My husband cringes when Owen uses the back of his hand to push away his hair snot and all~just too cute. I have to admit, it does need to get out of his face so I can see his big beautiful eyes. Hats are great for keeping hair away from the face, as well as mommy's hair clip, see how all the hair is way from his eyes??~hee hee!!!

the little old boat house

There really is an old boat launch, with this amazing old Boat House. We were able to walk up a rickety old ramp to a door that has been pad locked shut, peer around anther old thing and get a few shots.

the little old boat launch

My friend Jess and I love to go out and "scout locations" to photograph. This day we drove out to Clatskanie, OR and found this little old boat launch . I shot this amazing photo of Colin, his eyes blow me away. He is the perfect little model and is always ready and willing to have his picture taken. Check back for more photos from the "little old boat launch".

A hunt for the perfect PRETTY UGLY CHAIR...

is over, I have found it. Where you ask, of course at a Flea Market in a small town called Clatskanie, OR. I walked in 3 kids in tow ohhing and ahhing over all the toys and junk that they think they have to have~yuck, then...there it was in a back room up against a table in all her glory. I had to have her, I made a deal and got the price down to a wonderful $15.00.

Of course, now that I have this amazing chair I have to find the perfect location. So off we go up a road around a few bends, past signs warning that it will be this windy for the next 4 miles. Just when I think I am ready to turn around, we come to a dead end. There is a Shooting Range to the right and the most perfect old country road to the left. Off we go up the road, park the Yukon and get out. I carry the chair through the mud in my adorable brand new red patent leather shoes, but I will do anything for this shot with the perfect "pretty ugly chair". Grab Owen, take off his boots, place him in the chair and WOW, there it is, the most amazing site...the perfect PHOTOGRAPH!


Now for the picture...are you ready???? Are you sure???? Okay, here you go~

So, I have been away a few days longer then I wanted~my life is always super busy and with the weekend came...BUSY~NESS! My dearest best friend and BIGGEST FAN Nikki sent me a message on Facebook asking where all my new pictures were...so this one is for her!!

Credit for this photo goes to my dear friend Jessica Baker. She took the photo with my camera and I have processed and posted this with her permission.

Out and About

It's that tine of year again, Parent/Teacher Conferences. We went this morning, I had back to back conferences with each of the teachers. Since Dave is gone I had the pleasure of meeting with each teacher alone with the three boys~how fun. :-). I managed to keep my sanity despite Owens love of exploring new surrounding, keeping everyone happy and my attention focused on the task at hand. Each boy received great reports from their teachers and completed goals to achieve from now until the end of the year.

Since there was no school today and we had our conferences first thing this AM, I decided to take the boys on a little location scouting. Once I spotted the perfect site, determined it could be county property I had the boys get out so I could take some test shots. Here is one of my favorite spots I used today, an old gate along a rural road outside of Astoria.

with age...comes beauty

fee, two, one

I was reminded again today how fast how my baby is growing up. While we were laying in bed bed at 5:00 AM this morning, Owen started counting~one, two, fee, four, five~fee, two one. WOW, he actually remembers what he is hearing.

I am reminded daily how lucky I am to be a stay at home mom, to experience the firsts of everything my children discover.

This picture is a great example of Owen's imagination.

A note...

I have been super busy for the last few days, so you will noticed several new posts below.
It is never easy balancing a family and your passion, but you make it work b/c you want it so bad. Demands of everyday life can get in the way and sometimes you just need to take a step back, take a few breaths and then carry on. I never sweat the "small stuff", it never seems to be in my control, something I can not change. Life moves by you so fast, slow down and cherish those you love.

I can't thank my family and friends enough for their support, compliments and belief in my photography.

A Da-ee's good bye

Dave's boat has been in dry dock since January, it is always a treat to have him home. He was able to make it home this past weekend, the boys had fun and we enjoyed being a complete family.

It is never easy to say goodbye, but I was able to capture this moment while Dave and Owen were saying goodbye.

Karen's Head Shot

Karen is so fun to work with, she loves to have her photo taken...except she does not smile easily. :-) Even without a smile, her face still shines

It's always Playtime

It is always Playtime at our house, laughter, noise and FUN!!

I love to watch the boys use their imagination dressing up to be a Race Car Driver or just being tossed around in between daddy's legs.

Colin and the Chair Lewis and Clark River

Colin took some amazing photos during this shoot, here is another share for you. I have more to post, be sure to check back.

The River and The Chair

These are a few more that I took of the Drayke along the Lewis and Clark River. The chair is what I call a "pretty ugly chair", I got it from my dear grandparents who are so support of my photography.

Enjoy!

Childhood Tag

I love where we live, the beauty, outdoor adventures, fresh air and the feeling of being free.

The boys and I went out to Nuetal Landing located in the Lewis and Clark State Park, it runs along the Lewis and Clark River and is part of Oregon's Fort-to-Sea Trail.

After throwing rock into the river and letting me shot a few shoots, the boys began running in and out of the bike racks, swinging and going through them like a tunnel.

oh, how free it is to be a child.

In Deep thought...

I always wonder what goes through the mind of a toddler, they are always so curious, so adventurous. Owen is a one of a kind child, self confidant and always on the go. These photos offer a rare glimpse in to the calm side of my little man~Owen.

Creative things Boys do

I love to watch my boys play, and am always at "awww" when I see them use there imagination.  I had the camera out today , (it was a beautiful day) I caught a few shots of the Drayke and our neighbor Tristin riding down our backyard hill on a metal TONKA truck, or in Draykes case his baby brothers "little tykes" quad~a boy can always dream...REAL BIG :-)

And I wonder what he was planning to get into next

that look in his eye tells me he is getting ready to go on another adventure.

I have the most amazing husband who has the most amazing eyes and these pictures prove it :-).   He has a birthday in a few days, I can't believe this beautiful man will be 42~he looks nothing like 42.