When we were on our summer road trip I sneaked (is that a word?) in a couple of impromptu pictures of my four little blessings.  These were taken right around the corner from my best friend’s house in Oregon.  Yes, I am jealous of the Northwest and their gorgeous scenery, so I was happy to take advantage while I was there.

I love me some yummy warm light.

This last one just makes me laugh…so classic of my four kiddos!!  It’s one of my favorites!!

I am super excited about a BIG revamp coming at the end of the month!!  Can’t wait to show you!!  Have a GREAT weekend!

Blessings,

Janelle

Honestly, I don’t feel that my camera can capture the beauty and breathtaking wonder of this remarkable creation.  The Coastal Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world.  When you look up at them it is almost dizzying as they seem to touch the clouds.  The canopy from these trees allows little light to pass through them and even when the sun is shining it is this soft beautiful light that filters down.  We spent the first several days with clouds and a few sprinkles, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying our surroundings.  The kids enjoyed the fabulous junior ranger program that is available at a lot of the California State Parks.  They did nature walks, campfires and fun projects like making animal tracks.

The Eel River runs along the opposite side of the Avenue of the Giants from our camp and we were able to drive down to the river and have some fun the last day we were there.  The water was a little chilly for me, but didn’t stop the kids (or hubby).  The weather that day was absolutely perfect.  We enjoyed our week in the Redwoods immensely…really hoping we can convince our extended family to join us one of these summers!!

One little side note…after we left Santa Cruz we decided to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.  The only problem is when you are vacation you forget days of the week…who goes through San Francisco with an Excursion & trailer on a Friday, well we do.  Tack on two hours to our drive…it’s all about the adventure!!

Cool view, but not sure we’ll go back through on a Friday - Ha!

Daddy got right to work with a fort!

Gage was out collecting a stick for the fort…gives you an idea of the greatness of these monstrous trees.

I have very few pictures of me and my kiddos, so this was sweet of my hubby to capture.  {love}

I have a picture from three years ago of Gage & Sadie on this same bridge…

Yea…for a tire swing under the bridge…score for kids!!!

Avenue of the Giants…AMAZING!!  Our camp was just around the next bend.

The Eel River

Love the Bob the Builder towel…#1 Daddy!!

One more post tomorrow as we made our way to our sweet friends in Oregon!!

Blessings!

Janelle

I can’t believe that summer is already starting to wind down.  I am happy to say that we had an AMAZING three week road trip with our family and are back in the hot (& muggy) Southwest.  Ugh.

Every time we are up in the Northwest we try and figure out how we could live there…it wouldn’t work out now, maybe one day.  So, for now we will just keep visiting!!

So, here was the itinerary for our family fun…LEAVE the HEAT!!

Our first camping spot was in Santa Cruz, California at New Brighton State Beach.  It really is amazing how you can be up in the pines (right off of the freeway mind you) and walk down to the ocean.  The temperature was a little chillier than we expected (I guess I just couldn’t wrap my mind around anything cool with all the heat at home…I only packed one sweatshirt).  The kids didn’t mind the chill in the air…as they ventured out into the water.  I however, stayed put on the beach!!  We spent some time at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk as well, which was a great time.  It was especially fun for me to remember being a kid at this same place!!  Here are a few pictures of our Santa Cruz fun (and no these aren’t edited…most of them are with our handy dandy point & shoot - Ha!)!

This was the campground over looking the ocean…

The beach right below us…(on a side note, this is a very steep hill and I forgot there were 100+ stairs at the bottom that my poor husband had to go up & down with the double jogger stroller!  Oops!)

Goofy kiddos

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

My husband looks really intense about his fire…

There were lots of amazing climbing trees at our camp

Sweet Gunnar… :)  He couldn’t help, but stick anything and everything in his mouth when he was put down…I think on the beach he ate several handfuls of sand…yum!

Tomorrow…The AMAZING Redwoods!!  Seriously, the camera can’t even capture what we saw, just breathtaking!!

Blessings!

Janelle

Meet part of my husband’s amazing extended family that I married into.  Uncle Freddy, Aunt Gale, Courtney, Olivia and McKenzie.  At the beginning of April they all piled into a less than big enough rental vehicle and traveled roughly 1900 miles to Arizona for me to capture Courtney’s senior pictures.  Honored?  I think so.  Of course, I think that my children were the real draw!! 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this family.  We already miss them so much {tears}!!  They blessed us throughout the week with loving on our children and just being with us.  The last time I saw the girls was when Gage was eight months old and we took him to Michigan in December (Hello, I am a true Arizonan - why did we go in the winter??  I was an ice cube the entire trip!).  So, to say that they have grown up a little would be an understatement.  Although here in these images you get to see their outward beauty, make no mistake these girls are the real deal inside and out.  They too have a passion for Jesus, dance, softball, family and possibly boys!  ;)  Girls, we were so blessed by you and can’t wait to see you soon!!!  xoxoxo

Uncle Freddy & Aunt Gale, what can I say…your girls are beautiful a reflection of your love for them, each other, Jesus & life.  You both are amazing.  We enjoyed every moment we had with you and are praying for what God will have for you in the future.  Oh to have you closer to us would be incredible.  Thank you for making the trek all the way here for Courtney’s pictures it was a great excuse to spend time with you.

We love you!!

Ok, because they traveled so far…they will get some extra love…we did three separate shoots, so throughout this week you will get to see their family AND Courtney’s senior session.

First up, part 1 - The Family (& a few with us too!!)

Courtney

Olivia

McKenzie

Beautiful Sisters

The start of Courtney’s Senior Pictures…

Family…(Thanks, E for the pic!)

Hard to believe that these two girls were the flower girls in my wedding when they were just turning FOUR!!  BTW, Gracie is a dead ringer to McKenzie at this age!! 

More to come in the next few days!!  Have a great Monday!!

Blessings!

Janelle

I remember seven years ago very clearly.  Well really seven years ago yesterday, ;)  I think I remember everything SUPER clearly since I felt EVERY contraction!!  That’s right, this kid came out without any pain meds. I kept reminding myself, especially at the end of my labor that this would end and I would be holding my first born in my arms.

At 7:47pm, Gage Warren was born placed on my chest and it was everything I imagined it would be.  Relief that the pain was mostly gone, that my son was healthy and so thankful for this amazing blessing.  It’s still hard to believe it really was seven years ago because I feel like it was just the other day.

The first week was spent like this during the day, but at night baby Dracula appeared. 

But then he started to do something that I said he couldn’t, his first act of rebellion…he started to get bigger.

and Bigger…

And then little sister came…and Gage became a BIG brother.

Here are a handful more of Gage as he has grown…

One of his FAVORITE things…CAMPING with family!

And here he is as a BIG brother to three siblings…God knew he would be the perfect fit!!

We are so proud of Gage.  He has a kind spirit, loves others, makes good choices, loves his family and loves Jesus.  We love you, Gage.  Happy SEVENTH Birthday!!

(on a side note, remember mom said to stop growing, now would be a good time!) 

Jennifer makes pregnant look good.  She is absolutely glowing as her baby boy is cooking away in there.  Her smile is contagious!!  These two are so excited to welcome a baby boy in May into their lives.

I met them on a Saturday morning just after the sun was up…the light was so pretty coming through the trees.  I am not a morning gal, but this made me wish I was.  There is something amazing about the light at sunrise.

That last one is my fave!! 

I enjoyed our time together J & J!!  I pray that you have an awesome experience welcoming your little one into the world!!

Blessings!

Janelle

From our family to yours…Have a Sweet Valentine’s Day.

XOXO

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails …

Blessings,

Janelle (& family)

Another decade down…good-bye 2010, welcome 2011.  I think that all of us at some point yesterday, today, or sometime soon will take a moment to reflect on the year(s) passed and look to the future.  Some of us have a lot of excitement and change on the horizon (like my sister-in-law, Becca, who is ready to deliver twins ANYDAY - how about 1-1-11 birthday for my niece & nephew??) and some a little unsure of what this next year will hold.  My hubby had to work last night and today, which makes us do our reflections in a day or two, but my only real resolution is to live with intention…to let go of the everyday mundane and to live with purpose.  My dad always says that if you are still taking in air then God has a reason for you to be here…a purpose.  That is my mantra going in to 2011.  So, here is my family wishing you a Happy New Year!!  May God be present in your life, may you rest in the knowledge that although we don’t know what this 2011 holds, He does and He loves you more than we can understand.

Thank you, Erin for capturing this one of my family and hubby & me!!

Those of you that know my Grace know how perfect this picture is! 

Gage lost his bottom two teeth this last month!!  He looks way too grown up here, but I love his smile…it’s contagious.

My sweet Sadie-Lady who has a tender heart for others and her family.

My firecracker, Gracie, she keeps me on my toes and has a precious soft side that I love.

Little Gunnar, who just passed SIX months…I can hardly believe it, but he is a delight to all of us.

My husband and I will celebrate ELEVEN years married in a week.  We have learned to enjoy the “everyday” moments, especially when you have little ones around and to cherish the quiet times when it is just the two of us.  Although if you know me this might be hard to believe (ha!), but I am not always the best communicator when it comes to my feelings…sometimes I write it better.  I am thankful everyday for Jason, he works hard at his job and provides for our family, he protects us, he loves to be with us and he can’t wait to come home after his shift, he loves me unconditionally (even when I am a pain - which is practically never ), he loves our children without reservation, He chooses to be a man of his word, He chooses to put his relationship with Jesus first, he LEADS our family, and trust me the list could go on.  God knew just what I needed and I am thankful.  I love you, Babe.

Happy New Year, Friends!!

Blessings!

Janelle

The last two days have yielded a little less sleep than I have been getting.  A couple of sick kiddos, one being a congested baby, meant the sleeping situation was a little different.  So, I have to say that although this has been my friend for quite some time…the last few mornings, even more so.

It is kind of a love-hate relationship.  Love the pick me up I get in the morning after a hot cup of coffee and yes, hot even though it is still hot outside (however, that is changing…yeah!)!  But hate because after the 9am hour I have now depleted the caffeine that once ran through my veins and I can barely keep my eyelids open with toothpicks.  Why Starbucks hasn’t come up with some type of “patch” yet…you know, you put it on and it time releases the caffeine when necessary!  In all seriousness though, this morning was amazing…I got to sit outside with my coffee (only for approximately 8 minutes, but none the less) with my hubby and there was the most amazing breeze.  We chatted briefly about our day and then realized our son would be late for school if we were out there a minute more, but I savored the moment.  Amazing.

I just got the most amazing cross from a friend, she makes them (click HERE to see her stuff) and they are beautiful.  I had her pick colors that would match my kitchen.  I have it resting on the back of my counter and this morning as I was getting everything ready for Gage to head to school and pouring my cup of coffee there it was staring at me.  Seriously, it was staring because the beads pick up beautiful light that reflect right back at you.  It made me think for a moment about the light.  Jesus is the light of the world.  Those of us who believe in Him should be reflecting that light.  Yes, my kitchen was the perfect place for this cross.  A reminder every morning that I can choose to reflect the light of Jesus in every facet of my life.  Starting with my family, my friends, my business…and extending to all I will come in contact with throughout the day…Thank you, Lois, it’s beautiful.

I am preparing my newsletter to head into email boxes this week.  It has all the holiday session info, as well as when my mini shoots will be this year.  I am debating a few other items before I finish it up, but if you are one of my clients…look for it this week!

The little guy despite a little congestion is still sweet as ever!!  His hair is continuing to grow and lighten up and I had to sneak a picture this morning of it and of him in his AC/DC onesie before he is way too big for it, which will be next week I am sure!!

I hope that you are having an amazing Monday.  If you live here…I hope that you were able to spend a moment outside with the cool breeze!

Blessings!

Janelle

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that my kids have cousins their same ages.  Gunnar was born just a month before Belle.  Here he is giving her the sweetest kiss…or maybe the “you might be food, so I am going to try and eat you” kind of kiss…

And this is big brother Greer and my sweet Gracie…they are four months apart!!  This photo pretty much sums up the personalities here!

Hope you are having a fabulous Thursday!!

Blessings!

Janelle