a little engagement photoshoot

 If you know me at all, you know I love to take photos.  A lot.  It's always been hobby and sometimes I'll photograph family and friends on the side.  This cute couple are getting married in a couple months and I got the chance to gift them with an engagement shoot.  I think this was my first and I want to do another one!  I know Tarin from church and she's marrying her return missionary and high school sweetheart, Hayden.  Photo overload next because they're such a cute couple and you can easily see their love for each other.  They made my job easy.

They pretty much laughed and kissed and flirted the whole time.  I was pretty much invisible unless I wanted them to turn toward the light or something.  Can't wait to get their wedding invite in the mail. So excited for these two!

Back to School

Elliot 6th grade // Avery 4th grade // Zara 1st grade

I have to admit that this was probably my hardest summer with the kids.  I thinking having 4 kids and a small baby had something to do with it. ;)  After swim team ended the last couple weeks seemed to drag.  But here we are!  3 days into the school year and next week will be their first full week.  As much as I miss them during the day it is so nice having more flexibility and more quiet. :)

We had meet the teacher on Monday.  This is a big year for Zara because she is going from half day to whole day.  I can tell she was nervous but she has come home happy and excited to tell me about her day so she's transitioning well so far.  Mrs. Reger is going to be an amazing teacher for Zara.

Zara's teacher Ms. Reger is new to Franklin East, although she has taught before, and this is Mrs. Bentley's second year at Franklin.  She's Avery's teacher.  Elliot had Mrs. Anderson, although I forgot to take a picture.  It's cool because Avery had Mrs. Anderson in 2nd grade.  This is her second year teaching 6th grade at Franklin.

 Rupert was sad Daddy had to go to work, and that his preschool doesn't start until next week.

Classic bus picture. :)  I thought it'd be fun to look at some past back to school photos.

^ ^   Elliot in 2012.  1st grade I think?  ^ ^

^ ^ 2016 so Elliot 4th, Avery 2nd grade. ^ ^

 ^ ^ 2017 last year.  Elliot 5th // Avery 3rd // Zara kindergarten ^ ^

With school back into motion I've started a new habit of writing 5 things on my to do list each day. Anything extra I get done is bonus.  Some things I'm working on are scripture study in the morning, I started meditating again, and doing yoga.  Yay for catching up on life!

a good friend and a beautiful city

 Wednesday afternoon Geneva picked me up and took me to her beautiful house.  We were good friends in high school and junior high but our families have been friends for much longer than that.  Geneva is pregnant with her 4th child and it's a girl!  It's kind of funny that her kids are girl/boy/boy/girl and my first four are boy/girl/girl/boy, so they're the opposite.  We love talking design and decorating for her home and discussing our next home projects.  I can't wait to see what wallpaper she'll put in her guest bathroom and am so happy for her for finally painting her master bedroom white.  She's go me all inspired to work on our home more!

 I had a chance to feed her two alpacas, Lips and Coco.  How cool is that?!  They seem so laid back.

 Yes, I even got a kiss from one of them. :)

 Geneva has the coolest family and it was so fun seeing Alecia who was visiting.  Before heading back to the hotel we had to stop by Salt & Straw, of course!

 Wednesday and Thursday morning I had some time to walk around before heading back home.  This is where the Mozcon Conference was held.  Such an interesting piece of architecture.  There seems to be a bit of everything in this city.  I loved walking around and seeing all the different styles.

 Tree lined streets!

 Another Seattle favorite

There's nothing like a fresh crumpet!  I loved that you can see where they make them.

 Pesto, tomatoe, and parm!  We can actually buy crumpets at AJ's, although they aren't fresh, but this is a dish I want to repeat at home.

 Oh those views!  We need to go to the beach more often! ;)

 If you can't tell, I'm a big fan of the Seattle Public Library.  I mean, I already love libraries, but those glass walls are just stunning!

 And I have no words for this building above.  The bottom is half the size as the top?!  It just seems to defy gravity!

 This was a few from the floor of the hotel we stayed in.  That's the water peaking between those two buildings.

Thanks for a great time and good food Seattle!

 Here's a view of Mt. Rainier from the airplane.  Yes, I had a window seat. :)

Mom helped the kids make this welcome home banner.  So sweet!  We were happy to be home, but didn't miss the hot weather. ;)  We are also so grateful to my parents for taking care of the older 4 kids so we could have this time.

Seattle day 2

 Tuesday was such a slow easy going day.  It felt luxurious to sleep in and go out to a doughnut shop for breakfast.  We tried Top Pot Doughnuts last time and even tool some home to share.  You really can't go wrong with good fresh doughnuts.  Since it was breakfast I also ordered a yummy egg sausage pasty type thing that was also very delicious.

 It inspired me to try knew doughnut places in Arizona.  Andrew and I actually did try a new place in Tempe on our date last Saturday called Hurts Doughnuts.    Definitely going back again!

 What started out as a nap turned into napping, eating, and snuggling on and off for several hours.  I'm not complaining though!  Just soaking up this baby stage.  Around this trip Beatrix started to be more responsive.  She looks in my the eyes and focuses on my face more and she's smiling and laughing too!

So many nice stores right around the corner from the hotel.  It was so interesting being able to walk to these places on not drive.  There are definitely some perks to big city living.

 For lunch I ate had Shake Shack.  Andrew and I went there last time and it was pretty good.  We also went last summer in Missouri where Elliot had his first bacon cheeseburger.  Sounds funny but at the time it was what he wanted for his birthday so we got it for him a couple weeks early. :)

Good ol' American food!

We ended the day watching the Manning kids while Julie and James got to go out to eat and watch the new Han Solo movie.  Mom specifically requested a picture of the Mannings in front of their house. :)