Ok, so I’ve had a pretty busy month. (poor neglected blog!) Half of that time I was on vacation. Two lovely vacations. Refreshing, wonderful vacations. But before I can talk about them, I really need to post about our vacation from a couple months ago!
In the past few years, we’ve spent too much time at home, and not enough time out in the world. We’ve decided to change that, and get out whenever we can. We took a weekend in April and went camping in Morro Bay. We had such a nice time. It was a place we’d never been, and it was such a delight to come to love a new spot in this world. Beautiful.
Our campsite:
It was actually kind of funny… a parking lot turned into a campground, definitely better for RVs than tents, but we managed to find a spot for our tent (and we knew not to expect more… it was a last-minute Memorial Day weekend trip, so better campgrounds were full!) But the cool thing was the beach right next to us. Listening to the waves all night, and having the awesome ocean breeze blowing in on us, it was great.
I don’t know if this picture makes other people feel this way, but it makes me feel all happy and peaceful and relaxed, the light- my happy light. Even when I’m not taking pictures, this kind of light makes me happy.
I like this next shot because I love how the shadows tell the complete story. I feel like it’s a self-portrait of sorts, showing me doing what I do.
One day we took a little ride in a boat with a window in the bottom. They guaranteed that we’d see fish (because they feed them right outside the window), but the fish didn’t come that day, so next time we go to Morrow Bay, we’ve got a free ride on the boat again.
But… there were a few cool animals living on that pipe thingy, so it wasn’t a complete loss. And even without the dumb fish, the ride was fun.
The paparazzi was out, capturing Dave, even though he was in disguise. Still handsome, even in disguise.
Climbing around Morro Rock.
I captured this shot of this cool bird…
in the park museum. 
Next up: Hearst Castle.
This kid is not the typical photographer’s child (who is so sick of having his picture taken and runs when I pull out the camera). Maybe because in the last few years I’ve filled that creative need by working in my business, so I don’t pull out the camera daily anymore. When I do start taking pictures, he doesn’t want me to stop. Take this one, mom…
And this one!
One thing that bums me out is in addition to all his firsts, I’m kind of tracking all of his lasts… because as my youngest, he’s the last one to hit all the milestones. Last baby. Last one to walk. Last diaper. Last preschooler. Last one home with me before they’re all in school and I’m left to fend for myself. It makes me all sentimental. This month, I’m thinking, it’s my last month to have one kid with me all day. I’ve started calling him my “assistant.” He comes with me everywhere. It’s much easier than having four of them with me all the time, easier than having a toddler destroying everything in his wake… it’s like the dessert at the end of a big meal.
On the other hand, it feels SO good to be on this final stretch! Being a stay-at-home mom has been the most difficult and rewarding job in the world. Some days, I was dying for someplace to go, something else to do. I had my first baby almost 12 years ago and it was a big change… we had no money, Dave and I were both students, but somehow we made it work. I always knew I wanted to be here, be a part of their lives, to be the one they were attached to and needed. Sometimes their need was overwhelming and suffocating. But I sure love these little buggers, so it was worth it. I know this is not an option for so many people (and that staying home with kids is not necessarily the best for everyone) so I feel lucky that I have been around so much for the first five years for each of my kids. And now, in the home stretch (yes, I know they’re not out of the house and off to college, but still, it’s a big step), I feel kind of victorious. Like I’ve accomplished something huge that I’m super proud of.
Finger kiss!
I love these both… so I’ll show them both…
Making whistles out of grass…
yum yummy flare…
She’ll probably get smooches from her “brother” too…
Just for kicks… 
This baby is three months old. And she uses a potty. Can you believe it? This is one *smart* baby. (and mommy.)
(those blocks in the windowsill are supposed to say “smile” but they’re always getting played with… which is ok!)
Dave was so smart in the way he translated my vision of using this useless doorway as a little bookshelf thingy… you almost can’t even tell it was a door! This is going to change, actually… the family pics will find a new home above my desk, and more client images are going here. (ran out of time before the open house to get that final detail finished!) But I’m going to hate to move it because I love it!
by shannon
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