52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 30

Spring Lake, California, we love it. We camp there with friends every year and make wonderful memories with our children. I'm not sure who looks forward to it more, I mean the preparation is a lot of work, but then we get there and the kids are laughing and playing and riding bikes and swimming. Nobody nags them about being dirty, or needing to clean up. Their best friends from birth are by their sides, the daddies aren't leaving for work, they get to stay up late and make s'mores. They go to bed stinking of fire smoke, exhausted, but oh so happy.

This is what summer memories are made of!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 29

So, around here, with all the hills on campus, they bring in sheep to 'mow' our lawns. Each summer they come. The kids, giddy with excitement, announce their arrival and we pay them multiple visits. Of course I say 'summer' loosely, this is Mill Valley after all!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 28

This child brings so much joy to my life and her smile truly is a gift, even in all it's gummy, missing teeth glory. She is kind and affectionate and thoughtful and sweet and she loves to sing and make others laugh. My days are going to seem a little longer when she starts school and is no longer by my side. She makes me smile, she makes me happy.

Then there are her eyes. She's just an amazing child.

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 27

He may not be mine, but he's pretty adorable. This little guy knows how to charm the ladies.

There's enough cuteness, the tiniest traces of babyhood left, yet the earnestness of a boy on a mission, to learn, to explore, to endear him to us all. Such a fun age!

52 Weeks of 2013 - Week 26

We are already half way through this year!

I love making my kids laugh, they are so cute. My girls, as of this week have matching missing teeth, in spite of the two year age difference. Well of course I had to capture it, before it changes (any excuse).

They are sweethearts and they do humor me. I have learned over the years that if I keep our little shoots lighthearted and fun and short, everyone is pretty happy. I get a few shots, I do it all before they have a chance to start whining, I make them laugh (yep, I can be pretty funny), I capture them together and we're done...before they can complain that they're bored. I try to make it a positive experience, that they can enjoy and therefore maximize my chances of a favorable response the next time I ask them to let me take photos. Now sometimes, I will admit, there are groans when they see the camera, but for the most part I think we've found a little rhythm and that makes me incredibly happy.

Love them SO much!