thinking about key west

and wishing i could have stayed longer.

i photographed mike and kate's wedding in key west a week ago. we were there from friday night to sunday afternoon; enough to make me want more. let me just say, if you haven't been to key west, you really should put it on your list. nice people, pretty weather, beautiful sights, small enough to ride a bike everywhere, and delicious food- can't ask for more. (more on mike and kate's amazing wedding soon)

quick trip to tulsa

i like to travel. i especially like road trips. i especially love road trips with deacon. he's been traveling with me since he was just a couple of weeks old and really loves the road. he never complains, just hops in his car seat and off we go. i'd rather travel with him than with most adults. we play i spy, talk about everything under the sun, look at roadside wonders, listen to hip hop- and talk radio, and if we see something that sparks our interest, we stop.

i've been trying to see my friends in tulsa since september when austin was born, but somehow work and then having pregnancy sickness put the kabosh on my plans. somehow the stars aligned and deacon and i made it to see our friends, and meet a new one. a quick trip but well worth it to snuggle a baby, take some photos, eat greasy food, read a book or two, and take a solid car nap.











i realize i look more frightening than excited in this picture, but i was really into it.

although deacon isn't much of a hugger, he really warmed to addison.

carter likes cows..

...and other farm animals too. his first birthday party was farmed themed and if i know his mother, it was amazing. we had fun playing in the wide open, pretending to be farmers for the afternoon.

it's beyond me the experiences one has in the first year of life; growing at an unbelievable rate, scooting-crawling-standing-walking, getting teeth, forming language, learning what food tastes like, learning to trust, and there's that whole birth experience. it really is amazing we ever make it. i pretty much think after all that you deserve to get a whole cake to yourself, and yes if you want to smash it into your hair, more power to you.





















carters first photo shoot
http://meredithgutshall.blogspot.com/2009/05/generations.html

friends at a distance

my friend morgan is precious to me. we went through our first pregnancies together and i've always admired her confidence and the way people seem to want to be just like her. i've grown to love her family over the years, her husband is just as incredible as she is and langley makes me melt. they moved back to their home town this winter, and i'm so sad knowing she's not close but love that she is home with her new baby boy, torsten.

they came for a quick visit last week to see her best friend that just had a little guy too. normally during an infant shoot it's all about the baby. but i love that morgan makes such an effort to make langley feel like she plays just as important of a role in taking care of him and loving him that she does. especially love the honesty of langley, her 3 year old personality totally present.

chasing and being chased

these are the nights i live for.