Sometimes I Take Portraits

The Wades at Halloween

The Laflans at Christmas

Cybill before her Mission

The Carters at Christmas

Peter the Cowboy

The Laflans before Sarah started Chemo

Spun Paradise Cotton Candy

Noah at 1 Year

The Spencers at Christmas

The Hardys

Headshot for Michelle

The Snyders

Meg at 8 Years

These are some of my favorites from the past 2 years since moving back here. I randomly take pictures for friends. It's never been something I solicit. But I think I'm ready for that to change. After years of telling myself I just want do this for fun, I realized I still want to do it for fun. And money. I would love to turn this into a business. I have so far to go and that's overwhelming. But I think about it nonstop. In any free time, I read photography blogs, books, and magazines. I listen to podcasts. And I watch tutorials. Hoping to find someone I can mentor with. It's all kind of nuts! But I'm excited.

A New School Year

Owen started 6th Grade and his first year at middle school.

He got in some good locker-opening practice and was proud to say he had no locker troubles.

He found all his classes okay.

But was definitely overwhelmed by the crazy crowded halls.

Likes all his teachers.

Gave his first day a B.

I definitely shed a tear after he left and thought about him all day.

2nd grade for Sally and 4th for Drew.

Drew wasn't excited about the teacher he got, but I think she'll be fine.

Sally got a really great teacher.

Everyone came home happy.

 with our neighbor Nathaniel

Drew's first priority isn't matching.

Both Sally and Drew found their friends right away and I was no longer needed.

I'm happy with all the kids teachers this year.

Yet another reason for Justin to find a job here so we never have to move.

Praying.

Side note: I forgot how much the kids have entertained Auggie all summer.

This lovely Monopoly mess greeted me after cleaning all morning.

8/5

Last Days of Summer

Carmel Beach and a bonfire with friends are good ways to end the summer.

 Cal, Owen, Nathaniel, Drew, and Nolan.

Auggie really likes dogs, especially strangers' dogs.

And he also likes to yell at the top of his lungs while racing to the ocean.

Monique is the best.

Auggie would agree, since she is the source of unlimited chocolate.

8/3

Owen and Drew were too beached out from the bonfire to spend their

last day of summer at the beach.

They chose to run errands with our neighbor instead. What the.

So Sally, Auggie and I enjoyed Lover's Point with the Laflans.
And Auggie took over the boogie board house the girls created.

Meanwhile, Justin has been spending the free time (that he has too much of - job please!)
working on his Jeep.

8/4

Beach, Bach, Big Sur

7/20

Happy to be back at the beach after our trip to Arizona.

7/21

7/23

Trying out Justin's new camping hammock (Father's Day gift).

7/24

Nolan (Owen & Drew's friend/our neighbor) took this picture and added the caption.

7/25

Sally and I went to the family concert at the Carmel Bach Festival.

By this picture you might think it hokey or cheesy, but on the contrary!

(I use fancy words when writing about Bach)

Those performers were so amazing and it was the happiest hour of my whole week.

Not the hugest orchestra, but their sound completely filled the Sunset Center.

Seriously so good.

The flutist and the opera singer:

     

And the ocean themed Bach Festival photo booth.

7/25

Fireworks over the ocean for Feast of Lanterns.

(and every year we lament over how Pacific Grove has no July 4 fireworks, but they do have them for this festival)

7/27

Big day: Owen got registered for middle school.

He practiced his locker combo at least 10 times,

and has been back a couple times since to make sure he's still got it.

7/27

We have aquarium annual passes again thanks to Sarah.

This is quite possibly Auggie's favorite place in the world.

He walks around like he owns it.

7/27

This kid is weird.

7/28

We crashed our friends' campsite at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Spent the day with them at the Gorge and the river.

7/29

Another day at the aquarium.

And another day at the beach:

7/31

 Owen and Drew discovered the van's back-up camera.

8/2

Down another kid in Sunbeams - today was David's last day.

8/2

And Sally's cute.