This amazing little family – I can’t even begin to tell you how overjoyed it makes to have been able to document so many milestones in their lives. I still remember my very first meeting with Dawn to discuss her wedding – we talked about travel, and bicycles, and food (so much about food!) and I seriously walked out of that meeting feeling like we were old friends. I had the opportunity to photograph their engagement session and wedding, then maternity portraits when Dawn was carrying little Ryder, and this session, where they’re expecting their second little boy. He’s since arrived and I couldn’t be happier for them!

At the last moment, Dawn decided to bring the teepee from Ryder’s room, and I loved how it turned out in photos! :)

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. – Tenneva Jordan

This post is a bit belated but I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to give thanks to my mother, the single most strong, kind, & positive-minded woman I know. The person who drove me to countless music lessons, ice skating lessons, orchestra practices, tennis games – who never missed a single recital or awards ceremony. The person who filled our home with laughter and the sound of her singing voice {she was always singing} wafting over from the kitchen. My mother who always found the time to be silly, and to relax, and to thoroughly enjoy life.

And most importantly, to never let the little things (or the big things) get you down. There have been times in my life when I was down about things that seemed monstrous to me, and though it’s wonderful when people sympathize with you, my mother always took a slightly different role. She always somehow, someway, turned it into no big deal at all. There was always another chance. There was always some other path I could take. There was always a bright shiny side to the situation. If I didn’t like something, I could change it or I could walk away, and that was fine. Everything always turns out okay. Life is too short to be unhappy.

And this meant the absolute world to me. I didn’t always have a carefree, adaptive, & endlessly positive attitude, but my mother did. And this turned me into someone who could pursue my dreams & chase after my goals. Who never felt pressured to be someone I wasn’t, and who felt that no matter what I pursued, I could have a 100% successful and happy life. And a mother who supported me no matter what.

And every time I see her now (including yesterday), she tells me how happy she is that I am pursuing something I enjoy, how my “job” seems filled with creativity & love & new experiences (which it is :)

I love her dearly and am so thankful for this life she has given me.