Thank You!

Wow! What a year it has been. This past year has been a journey in self discovery and creativity. I want to take this time to thank everyone for all their support in my first year of business as a custom photographer. Especially Doug, my husband who has been nothing but encouraging. I have had the opportunity to photograph many people. I was able to capture both friends and family and new clients as well. It has been so fun meeting new people through photography. This has been a beautiful year and I look forward to what 2012 will bring. We have lots of exciting things planned for ESB photography! I hope to see you all soon!

Christmas Ship

Beware of photo overload. I loved so many photos from yesterday that I couldn't control myself. We went to the Christmas Ship with our friends and my parents. Yet another fun and free Holiday evet in the Seattle area.

For any of you photogs reading, I shot in RAW for the first time and am super excited about what I was able to do in ACR after these were shot!! Nothing fancy, just simple WB and exposure adjustments. Love how photography pushes me to learn something new every day!

Christmas PJ's

I could not get a good shot inside so I made them come outside in the morning wearing their matching PJ's. I figure I only have a few more years where they will allow me to put them in matching PJ's so I better capture it.
I also wanted to share his letter to Santa. He told us that he forgot to ask Santa in person for a gift on Fina's behalf. He had Doug write out this letter and then he signed it himself. I love how he writes his name. I love how considerate he is. I love how much he loves his sister.

Happy Holidays!

A Little Girl

Fina's hair is taking it's sweet time growing in. I realized that the back may be long enough for two pony tails and gave it a go. I managed to get her to sit still long enough to achieve pigtails! She was not a fan and quickly pulled them out. Before she did I grabbed my camera, grabbed Doug, and took her outside. We had to capture this moment. When Doug saw her with her pigtails he said "it just dawned on me that we have a little girl and I don't know if I am ready for that." He said that he is happy to say that he hasn't treated her any different then Cooper but with the little pigtails in he realized that she is in fact a little girl. I can't help myself but to do girly things with her! She can rough and tumble with her brother and Daddy all day long but she may have a few pony tails and a pink shirt on while she is doing it. Sorry, I can't resist. I also can't resist taking photos of everything that she is doing right now. Her walk is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. Her chubby hand is to die for. I love her so much I can't stand it!

Can We Do It All?

There is a wonderful campaign going on over at Clickinmoms, the forum I belong to. It is called the "I am a photographer" campaign. It is honoring all of us photographers weather it be novice or pro who tend to try and do it all. For every photo submitted, they are donating one dollar to RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization.
This campaign came at a perfect time. A time when I am reflecting on myself and all that I do. What I strive to do is give 100% of myself to everything that I am dabbling in. What I realize is that giving 100% to so many things isn't possible, which is why there is a mountain of clean laundry on the couch and why I tripped over a toy while getting my coffee. I am a mother, a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a homemaker, a co op chair, a nurse, a photographer, that's to name a few of the things I am. I am thankful for all of the things that make me who I am but sometimes it becomes a bit much. This project has brought on some major self reflection. I have been so excited about my new path as a photographer that I forgot how important my role as a nurse is. I worked very hard for my BSN degree and love the work that I do. I take care of peoples precious newborns and help those babies into the world. Pretty great job. So in the campaign you were to write  a noun on a white piece of paper other than mother or photographer (we are all both of those over at CM), that represents who you are.  I chose NURSE. Today, I a proud to be a nurse AND all of the other things that make me, me. What makes you, you? I challenge you to do this, even if you aren't a member of CM. Post it on your blog and pass it on. We women take on a lot.

Holiday Madness

We have been on holiday overload lately but I love it. The holiday season is so special and magical but as you grow older you get caught up in life and it's easy to forget about the magic and wonder of the season. Having kids allows you to relive. We have been having so much fun making the season fun and memorable. We are trying to lay down our own family traditions that our kiddos will pass on to their own children one day.
Last week on Tuesday, Ann and I took the kids downtown to do all the downtown Seattle activities. We hit the Teddy Bear Suite at the Fairmont and the Gingerbread Houses at the Sheardin. The theme this year for gingerbread houses was train stations which was a big hit with Coop. On Wednesday night we had dinner in Bellevue Square and did the Snowflake Lane evet where they actually make it snow every night. Pretty fun for us here where it seldom snows. We have been busy making garland out of cranberries, snowflakes out of paper, and handmade Christmas cards.
I was not rocking my camera in the Teddy Bear room. O well, it's the memories, right?
Happy Holidays!

Snuggle

You will often find us here, snuggling. Cooper asks 100 times a day to snuggle and Fina asks just as many times to nurse. So, we nurse and snuggle all together. Love.

Merry and Bright