Montana

So next week I am headed out of town for a photography workshop in Montana.

If you wonder why a professional photographer would need to go to a workshop ... the answer is quite simple.

I never want to stop learning. 

If you want a peek at my teacher, and some of the shots she got during last week's workshop, 

Click Here.

Here's my favorite sample image that Barb posted:

I cannot even tell you how excited I am.

Shooting whimsical, fresh, and unexpected is what I have always tried to do. 

Working with kids & families are my favorite 

(but you know I love a good engagement shoot - so fun)

and I hope to come back inspired and full of business savvy (I would MUCH rather shoot than talk about branding or marketing ... although both are very important, obviously.).

Anyway.

Wayne is recovering this week and we've made dinner reservations at a couple of places that we've never been before ...

Root Down

and 

Fruition (impossible to get a reservation here - so excited!!)

I plan on dressing up. Being out past 6 pm. 

People watching... and really talking to Wayne.

20th High School Reunion | Sturgis South Dakota | Class of 1990

Wayne made it to the reunion (well the Saturday part)...

...and found his way to the ladies. :)

And then (reluctantly) to his buddies.

 

Weekend Update.

This little berry colander comes in at least 5 different colors at the store and has 3 online. I have some for all the berries I end up washing everyday (and then just put the whole thing in the fridge. The air holes allow the cold air to circulate and you will have icy cold berries and no mush).

Even when not in use, just seeing them stacked in my cabinet makes me happy. That blue shown above is my absolute favorite color.

via anthropologie

Thought this hanger was a brilliant way to display the ever changing art that we produce around here. 

via Poppytalk


Want to vacation here:
via Simple Song

My good friend Michelle brought over a plate of food (and the best pineapple bran muffins; if I can get the recipe I will share!) last night that I have to replicate. She is always cooking up something fantastic (and like me, likes to cook as healthy as possible). I might be making this salad to eat again today. It was that good.

Found it here:

The lemon dressing is soooo good with the feta cheese. 

Seriously, put this on the menu this week.

Salad Link via Martha Stewart

The greek yogurt dipping sauce is soooo good, as is the marinade for the pork.

Pork Link via Martha

Wayne and Caeden are having a great time in Rapid City. Wayne tells me he feels fantastic.

Claire and I have been busy:

Farmer's Market for cherries and tomatoes

Church for the inside.

Gym for the outside.

Going for walks (for time with my daughter).

Napping (I have been napping and sleeping when she does. Wow. SUCH a luxury.)

Enjoy your day!

Making It.

Wayne got a transfusion today. Feels great. It's amazing how quickly he can turn around.

In fact, he is hopping on a plane tonight and going to 

South Dakota to catch his 20th Reunion. So happy for him!!!

He's making it...

Claire Bear and I are chilling here this weekend. Maybe baby pool and lots of pictures ... :)

Made some ice cream tonight that I wanted to share the recipe for (via Sweet Action Ice Cream in Denver). I tweaked it a bit (omitting liquor) ...

Colorado Peach Ice Cream

(serves 4)

Peaches:

2 C. Peaches, finely chopped

1 1/4 C. Sugar

2 TBSP. lemon juice

Ice Cream Base:

3 C Heavy Cream

3/4 C Sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (I added a tad more ... yummy)

Allow peaches to macerate in the sugar and lemon juice for at least 3 hours.

While peaches are sitting, mix cream, sugar, and vanilla in saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved (uh ... I boiled milk because I wasn't paying attention. Still turned out.)

Drain Peaches (do not use juice)

Combine peaches and ice cream base, pour into ice cream maker and churn.

YUM! 

Update On Wayne

Wayne has been spending his days in the hospital and coming home at night to sleep.
Tomorrow he gets a blood transfusion and it should make him feel much better.
His appetite is finally coming around.
There's no way he can make his reunion but the outpouring from his friends has been tremendous. Each and every text, email, Facebook ping ... means the world to him (calling is not so good).

Thank you for checking in...

38.

We are supposed to be in Rapid City today.

Wayne is supposed to be celebrating his 38th birthday with smiles, and hugs, and presents.

He is supposed to be celebrated. To feel like being celebrated.

But that isn't how it is happening.

Yesterday he was in the hospital here in Denver.

A fever, dehydration, and total nausea had his Oncologist wanting to admit him to stay there.

But he wanted his own bed. 

His pillow.

The smells and comforts of home.

His kids.

He wanted to come home.

My kids were split between two girlfriends (to whom I will always be thankful for)

so that I could get to the hospital.

And I took him home.

In the meantime, his parents raced down from Rapid City to be with him. With us.

They are here now.

His Dad, unlike me, is able to get Wayne to eat.

His Dad brings a silent strength to the house and it instantly eases Wayne.

His Mom scoops the kids up, holding them tight, not as a substitute to Wayne, but as close as it gets to Wayne for her. She loves on them and plays with them. And they her.

And Wayne.

He turns 38 today.

I have known him for more of his life than I haven't known him.

And today he didn't have the strength to open his cards or presents.

Today he walked out the door, back to the hospital, with his Dad.

And the candle ... that he did manage to blow out ... still sits on the table.

We hope he is better this afternoon, and that he can let us celebrate him.

But if can't, we know there is tomorrow.

And we are all holding out for a better tomorrow.

Wide Open Spaces

(Posted this image on Facebook already, but it's all I've got at 5:30 in the morning)

This morning we are on our way to Rapid City.

Wayne's birthday is tomorrow.

Will probably celebrate it in Deadwood like we did last year.

His 20th Reunion is this weekend.

He's really looking forward to it (so am I).

Photoshoots this week to keep me busy.

I'll be taking lots of pictures and will post them along the way...

P.S. Just a random little something ...
Claire still only has 6 teeth.
Trying not to think that is strange ... but it IS strange, right?

Pretty Things & Ideas.

Came across this free download. Absolutely love this idea:

Print graphic and frame under glass...use a dry erase marker to write your meal plans.

Download here via Ollibird.

I love this sweet and simple idea for dining outdoors. A flower chandelier.

via Sweet Paul

And finally, a sweet image I am going to totally recreate up in South Dakota this week.

Except going to try and get Claire in front of it with her baby doll ...

I get spoiled in SD because I can just walk outside the house and shoot 

in locations that look like this. Love that.

via Design Mom

Pride.

This morning I explained to Caeden about the symbolism of fireworks and why the 4th of July is special. He took it a step further. And it went a little something like this:

C: So, I am proud to live in America. I am proud to live on the earth. We should take care of it and pick up litter!

So that's what we did. 

After eating donuts (a weekend tradition at our house) we headed outside to the field directly behind the house to pick up litter. 

Seriously. I could not be any more proud of my son. Love him. 

And here is C Bear rocking her Matilda Jane outfit of the day. I think I have a close up of her so you can see her chocolate frosting donut stains on it ... 3 minutes after getting dressed. :)

Oh yes. Two of them. That's how we roll, people. 

Is he not the cutest little man? This outfit is his favorite, and I have to wash it daily so he has it to wear. So funny. But really, don't blame him. His t-shirt is limited edition Matilda Jane and is super, super soft. You would think I owned shares in MJ the way I talk about it, huh? But I adore everything about that company. The owners are visionary and as genuine they come. 

So that was our morning. 

Supposed to be at church right now, but Claire couldn't wait for bed ... up at the crack of dawn, that girl.

So, to all of you who attend SE Church, did you know you can  

download their sermons on iTunes? 

I have eight downloading as we speak ... so cool!

Timing.

1. Wayne is done with chemo for a week. It falls at a good time for him because we've got the 4th, his birthday (38th), and his 20th High School Reunion next weekend. 

Perfect timing.

2. Yesterday Caeden spent the day with his new buddies, N and E. They came over for a play date and we had a blast. They managed to team up on me and show me no mercy. Baseball bat, water guns, etc. were used to make me surrender over and over. 

They were so cute ... but hostile! :)  

N said a prayer before lunch and it was one of the sweetest prayers I've ever heard. I could listen to him say, "Miss Valerie," over and over. Such a honey.

These pics were taken with my humble iPhone, but you get the idea of what they were up to.

Where the water fight started ...

(no helmet to fit her so she just pushed it around)

Band aid covering a scratch somehow obtained from riding in the motorized truck.

This pic was taken just as I told Caeden that he was invited to go along with N and E's family to a baseball game (his first ever) and watch fireworks. They jumped around and hugged because they were so excited. Even made a secret hand shake. 

Melted me.

N asking what would happen if he ate a fly. Looks like he was really thinking about it, huh?

And of course, the truck. 

3. A couple of weeks ago I became the recipient of a running injury. Sometimes it is so bad that I cannot walk (but have found Vicodin and it helps so much), or involuntarily cry out when I step on my leg. It's pretty bad. I have been going to PT and it seems to be helping, although running is completely out of the picture. So I have been walking on the treadmill instead ... and watching as everyone else runs ( I am the loser "working out" at a snails pace - I promise never to judge a walker at the gym again!! - Not that I ever did, mind you...)

Bad timing with so much going on (Miss you Jami! Wish you were all here!!)

4. C-Bear has been styling in her Matilda Jane outfits 

(came home with a suitcase full of goodness for her). 

Doesn't matter where I take her - the grocery store, Target, just out and about at the gym 

... I get stopped and asked where I get her outfits.

You, too, can dress your daughter in MJ ... 

and you might want to get some on the 7th when they have a 40% sale!!

Click here for all things good at MJ

Great timing, wouldn't you say?

Funny, I stick this pic in when Claire is NOT wearing MJ. Still funny though, cuz all this sweet little chub wants to do is eat. LOL

5. Headed up to Rapid City on Tuesday. Photo shoots, old friends, new friends, Grandma and Grandpa, Lucy Goosie Bad Dog, Deadwood, Sturgis Reunion ... we will be there soon!

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

A Girl.

This is all I can really say about her ...

1. She is just as beautiful on the inside.

2. She is nine.

3. Her Mother does a crazy good job of raising her and her siblings (and home-schools her, too).

4. We were connected at the hip the entire Matilda Jane weekend.

5. She would call me on her Mom's phone to see what I was doing. 

6. She came to the hotel room to see where I slept.

7. Had the most amazing response to the camera. I could say, 

"Smile with your eyes, darling..." and she knew just what to do.

8. Adore her and miss her.

9. She makes me look forward to watching my Claire Bear grow.

That's all I can say about this girl (privacy).
But I hope my words make it clear how great she is.
And I hope it's enough.

All Mine.

Tonight after I put Claire to sleep, Caeden and I headed to the creek.

Not one to pose (or let me pose him, I guess) I get a lot of shots that look like this. No face. Or an annoyed face (takes after his Dad on that). Or just a "please put the camera down" face.

So we skipped rocks.

Found sticks to draw in the sand.

He explored the water while I sat on the bank and watched him in his sweet five year old way that he has about him.

Couldn't love him anymore, but then the next day, I do.

These kids. They are my everything.
No one warned me...
And the surprise of them never gets old.

And while I get lots of these (not going to smile) shots, I love them all the same. 

Because truth be told, when you have toes like this, a smile on your face is way overrated.

And when it was all said and done, he grabbed my hand and we walked back to the truck together. "Mom, I really love you. Thanks for the special date."

Thinking that I love his manners ... and the way he speaks .... and thinks ... and loves.

And I think, even when I doubt myself ... and what I am doing to make my family better ... happier ... safer ... I look at Caeden and know I am not doing so bad.

My everything(s). Together we will get through anything.

Well Hello

So sorry I have been MIA. Last weekend was crazy fun and amazing. I met the most brilliant and creative and fun and uber cool people this weekend. Had to pinch myself many times because I couldn't believe I was hanging with them!  :) More on them tomorrow...

Can I just say I will always and forever be loyal to Matilda Jane?? Always!




I have been trying to play catch up with all the session editing and finally posted last client session online so I feel like I can blog and not feel guilty about the million things I need to do (as my children fend for themselves right now ... ha!)

I have so many pictures and stories and experiences to share. I want to do it right and give you great blog posts this week, so I will take some time today and organize and edit ...

...and be a brilliant blogger this week!

First up: Wayne is doing okay. He is in week two of chemo and is functioning great. Not eating much but is trying. He will be on break next week but that is usually the week he feels the worst. Caeden drew a picture of him this morning and there was hair on his head. Caeden said, "This is Daddy before...."

Killed me.

Dan Patrick, a colleague of Wayne's ... and a friend to us both, is riding 90 miles for Wayne in the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin, TX. It's Oct 22-24. We will do our best to get there to support him. (It was awful not to be in Seattle for LIVESTRONG to cheer everyone on over Father's Day weekend.)

Second: The kids are fantastic. Loved spending the past weekend with their Grandpa. I wish every day they lived down the street. How many people can say that about their in-laws?

Third: Friendship ... tomorrow's post is dedicated to my amazing friend Jami. Can't wait to tell you all about her and the other wickedly brilliant and creative women I met. 
It was so good for my soul...

Super Short and Sweet

1. Claire in 10th percentile for height. That girl does not take after her Mama one ioda!

2. Editing pictures like a lunatic but still am not going to have anything to show until next week.

3. Because I am headed to Indiana tomorrow at 6am. Will be apart of Matilda Jane Land all weekend long (Thank you, Dad, for coming down and saving my butt with the kids ... there is lots of yummy food for you in the fridge and pantry. I wish you luck.)

4. Crazy about Snooze. Favorite breakfast place on earth. This is what yesterday's witty post was all about.

Claire's strawberry shortcake (made with english muffins) french toast. omg. omg. omg.

5. Packing for a girlie weekend involves a lot of dresses, shoes, and a swimming suit or two. And more luggage than I am allowed to take. Camera ... laptop ... chargers ... curling iron ... being a girl COMES with baggage, people.

6. Meeting up with a long lost High School friend that I would totally link you to ... but she does not blog. Maybe I can talk her into it.

And I am off.

Blogging from Indiana tomorrow.

XOXO.

Tomorrow.

Took 30 minutes to upload new pics with a witty story to go along with it. And then google just ate it. Too lazy to recreate my blogging masterpiece, I leave you with one simple picture and a promise to do better tomorrow.

 

Thumbs Up.

 

For the LIVESTRONG Event on Father's Day.

 

We are so proud of you guys!

 

 

Sneak Peek | Family and Children's Photographer | Colorado | In the Moment Photography by Valerie Koop

A sneak peek because ...

Because, when you are the family, waiting to see is hard!

Because this family gave me permission to share with you all ...

Because these three were so much fun to talk to.

Because I bribed them with candy the entire time.

Because I learned the boys' nicknames.

Because, seriously, I had so much fun.

Because this family is something special.