Crazy Busy

Whew!
I'm trying to catch my breath in between photo shoots,
and apple cider making,
and crafting for the Christmas Bazaar,
and actually attending the Bazaar,
and homeschool,
and Christmas shopping,
and consults for ortho,
and planning for Countdown to Christmas,
and
and
and

But I had to pop in and share a session from last weekend.
My poor photography blog gets even less attention than this blog,
so it's probably time to just consolidate, and post here.

Alrighty, less chatty . . .
Check out this GORGEOUS family
{who just happen to BE my family}

Seriously beautiful family inside and out!

And with that, I am off to sew a Christmas gift,
put the littles to bed, and prepare to start another busy day!

 

Cider Time!

It's Cider-making day, hooray!
Our 2nd annual Cider press!

Chili is made, and in the crockpot.
Cornbread muffins are baked, and cooling.
Dip is ready to meet chip.
I have four loaves of bread to bake,
and one more pot of soup to put together . . .
and then we are READY!

I ♥ FALL!

November, already?

Well, hello there :)

Days are flying by at the speed of light, as usual.
We had a fabulous Halloween weekend, and are moving right along toward Thanksgiving.
How this is possible, I'm not sure. But my calendar doesn't lie.

Halloween night we Trick or Treated
{which is code for: we stopped by grandparents houses,
 and then stuffed ourselves on candy while watching The Great Pumpkin}

I think Kam was the only one of the girls who stuck with her original dress up idea :)

We came up with Sissy's costume idea, literally, an hour before heading out.
May I present: The White Witch from Narnia

 

Saturday evening was spent down at the church for the Harvest festival, which was SO much fun.
It was kind of quiet, but I won't lie, that's how we love it.
It was comfortable, and casual, and the girls belted out worship songs onstage.
Ahhhhh. Makes my heart happy.

So, what else?
Life has been busy with photo shoots, schooling, and the like.
But we managed to fit in a few photos for ourselves:

I call this, Christmas Card Photo, Take One . . .
 

My silly girls.

Next up?
Family is coming for a visit this weekend, and
cider-making is on the calendar for Saturday.
We can't wait!
I'm making chili, soup, bread . . . and of course, the main course will be cider ;)

Life

 So.

In between chasing puppies . . .
 

{We kept two, ahem}


And picking out the perfect pumpkin . . .
 

We've been enjoying an absolutely gorgeous Fall.
 

Granted, it's flying by at the speed of light.
I've been kept so busy with photography sessions this year, on top of our already busy schedule, that days are just flashing right by.

But I can't complain.
I love what I'm doing.

We even made time for our own photos the other day.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Oh these little loves make this mama so happy!

If there are any of you left out there,
{and I'm quite certain there aren't},

What have you been up to?
Have you had your Christmas card photos done yet?
Have you started Christmas shopping yet?
Or are you a normal person who is just focusing on Halloween at the moment? ;)

I know I've been a terrible blogger for, like, the last 2 1/2 years.
But I really hope to be around more.
Especially around the holidays.
I can't imagine not sharing in Countdown to Christmas this year.
Anyone want to join?

 

 

 

 

 

Get Away

I realize I'm a terrible blogger.
I'm making peace with that.
There is so much going on around here, just in our day to day, that there simply isn't time.

But I had to check in because . . .
Jeremy and I got away.
Overnight.
Without children.
Pretty much for the first time in eleven years.

Jeremy had a conference to attend in Tahoe, so away we went!

 

 

It was gorgeous.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Chilly.
But gorgeous.

Look at these colors!
Try as I might, I couldn't quite capture the beauty.
But I definitely tried.
 

 

 

We had a fabulous time.
I missed my girls big time.
And we texted approximately 5,872 times in the little more than 48 hours we were gone . . .
 

 

But it was wonderful to have some alone time with my gorgeous hubs!

 

 

 

 

 

Girls Trip 2013

 Life just isn't going to slow down, is it?
I often wonder how I had time to blog so regularly before,
when it's all I can do to whip up a bi-monthly report these days.

Such is the season of life.
I'd better choose to embrace it.

So. Our annual Girls Trip with Grandma has come and gone.
With so many happenings in early September, we couldn't get away until this last weekend.
We headed to Central Oregon on Sunday, and what a fabulous time we had.

Geri had chosen the most beautiful town house at Eagle Crest Resort.
And if you know Kam, that's her favorite part.
She LOVES a nice hotel room or beautiful vacation home.
She could care less about any of the activities.
Just give her a well-appointed place to kick back, and she's one happy girl!
Goodness, I love that child.

We shopped until we dropped on Monday, ordered take out, and headed back to the house for some R&R.

 

 

 {Do you notice little Miss Taylor-Diva?!  She's such a kick these days!!}

 

 

On Tuesday morning we headed home.
A quick stop in Sisters for a bit more shopping . . .
 

 

and a quick photo shoot outside the town house.
 

The property was gorgeous.
This was, literally, right outside our back deck:

 

 

Oh how I love our Girls Trip.
It's an outing we look forward to each year.
 

 

 

 A big thank you to Grandma Geri for planning such a fun getaway!
{And I'm bummed to say I don't have a group shot of us. 
Geri does, though, so hopefully I'll get ahold of one soon!!}

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Puppies ~ aka, The Cuteness is Overwhelming

 New fun fact I have been made fully aware of : Puppies are a LOT of work.
 

 

But holy moly are they adorable.
 

 

Since it is elk season, we girls have been on our own {such is the life of a hunter's wife!}.
Which means the puppies {and all of the other animals, consequently}
have been solely our responsibility. 
Well, actually, Sierra's and my responsibility. 
{That Sierra, have I mentioned what a tremendous help she is??}
And my, the puppies are fast!
They get into all sorts of mischief if you look away for even 1 second.
 

 

We're going to miss them terribly when they go to their new homes.
But I think we'll manage ;)
 

 

 

Miss A!

We're watching Miss America tonight
{In crowns and sashes, no less!}
 

 

How about y'all?
Who are *you* rootin' for? 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Silly Girl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Day of School

 

First Day :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I had to include an extra of Tay, 'cuz I just love it . . .
 

 

 

 We're easing in to our school year, but so far, so good!
How about y'all?
 

 

 

 

Beach Trip

We got to spend a little time at the beach last month, and it was just the getaway we needed.

Jeremy gets away to go hunting.
The girls and I get away for outings fairly frequently.
But we rarely get out all six together.
Those moments are treasured, indeed.

I could spend every weekend at the beach, I think.
I just love it.

I love the walk to the sand . . .
Watching the girls' anticipation.
 

I don't much love rolling around in the sand, the way the girls do.
But, to each his own, I say!

 

 

Little Miss Mermaid.
 

 

 

And I LOVE, love, love, evening strolls along the boardwalk.

 

Yep, I think it's my favorite place to be.