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Lummi Island 2017

Welcome back to The Unblog!

So, last year I started this here blog and then promptly forgot about it and moved onto other projects. This was, in part, because I’m working on a million things at once and also because posting without the personal feels inauthentic to me. So, I have decided to write posts, more often, that  feel good to post, not just blatant efforts to keep my website on the Google radar. I do have to blog, it’s part of my job but it doesn’t have to be over-curated posts that contain Pinterest perfect images that make everyone feel like crap in comparison. Instead, I will offer up some images from my private life that I love. The images below are of people that I love and that my husband and I have known since high school. Kids being free in nature. It’s my thing. This summer we rented a house on Lummi Island with our friends who spent time there growing up. Four families in a house on the beach and 9 kids.

 

Welcome to Heaven.

 

 

My son Traves on the left and his new friend Willa making a splash.

 

 

This is Willa (above). Her Mom grew up on the island and was also visiting when we were there. I absolutely loved shooting her.

 

 

Billie, my son Traves’s friend. It’s real towhead love.

 

 

My son Traves making a splash.

 

This black and white shot of Willa is one my faves from the trip.

 

 

Love me some Rosie. She’s a friend, fellow photographer and one my favorite muses.

 

 

 

Rebecca takes Frida to see the resident deer.

 

 

Billie Bobcat. (above)

 

Watching Ryan face paint with the kiddos is pretty sweet.

 

 

My daughter Jasmine in her happy place. (above)

 

 

Love me some almost dead flowers.

 

 

This is Bobbi (above). My friends knew her when they were growing up. For me, one of the highlights was meeting the ladies of Lummi Island. They are all amazing women. Total powerhouse Mama’s with huge hearts and old souls.

I would rather spend an evening with any of them with a glass of wine than go out on the town any day. You know they all have crazy island stories to tell.

 

 

Bobbi let the kids loose with the face paint. She’s such a gem. And just so beautiful inside and out.

 

 

 

Emma (above)

 

 

Rosie, Lola and the van. I really want a Vanagon.

 

 

Lola, Outfit of the day. So good.

 

 

My girl.

 

 

Mama Rosie and Baby Frida at the river.

 

 

Nursing on the go.

  

 

Traves and the shark.

 

 

Milo, maxin and relaxin at the river. (above)

 

 

Cousin love.

 

 

Baby Buns are kinda my thing.

 

 

That river life… I’m into it.

 

 

Lola

 

 

Daddy time.

 

 

Lola and Billie, another fave pic of mine from the trip. (below)

 

 

My snuggle buddy AKA Roxanna helping Cousin Billie out.

 

 

We turned these blackberries (below) into a delicious crumble.

 

 

More blackberries…

 

 

Listen Frida, I’m bigger than you and I AM the boss.

 

 

Kid powered at Ria and Basil’s property.

 

 

Ria (on the left) & Emma. Ria is a total bad-ass. She’s smart, funny and confident and gives zero fucks. I want to be like her when I grow up.

 

 

Basil, (below) Lummi resident artist on the left, and Willie. AKA Uncle Wiwwie.

 

 

This little one was another favorite. Such sweetness.

 

 

Basil and Ria’s shop. I could have spent a lot more time in there. Like a lot.

 

 

Ria sleeps under the stars every night. She has an awning for when it rains. Love it.

 

 

Loretta (below) and her twin Roxanna are two of Jazzie’s closest friends and teachers.

 

 

Trav watching his sister. And yes, he was naked the whole trip.

 

Lummi Island 2017

Would love to go back in the winter and enjoy the rain.

Until next time.

 

 

 

(more…)

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    Welcome to the UnBlog

       I’m really starting my blog this time. I have put it off for so long because I just couldn’t get it together to present a “professional” looking blog. On New years Day 2016, I was perusing the internet with my coffee and started reading a blog by a lady who shall remain nameless. I have nothing against her personally, and to be honest, I actually love her work. Go lady on the Internet!! Let’s just say that she is a designer and that she is beautiful, thin and can afford to remodel her bathroom whenever the mood strikes. In her blog, she was sharing some of her favorite moments of 2015. There were pictures of her beautiful home, her amazing outfits and some of her career high points. Everything presented was Pinterest Perfect. And let’s face it, totally fucking unrealistic. I felt like shit about myself for like 2 hours after I read it. Happy New Year to ME! What I have come to realize, is that reading blogs and looking at Pinterest and Instagram can really do your head in. So, I’m going to offer you another option. I am going to offer you my authentic self. My real life. AND some really pretty pictures!

    I’m going to begin by  telling you, straight up, that there is strawberry jam on my sofa (cuz kids) and I’m currently sitting here wearing sweaty yoga pants. Bras come off as soon as I enter the house. Nursing boobs right here. Only one bed in the house is made and my car is full of crumbs, BUT, I did make it to my spinning class. Which I’m super proud of. Mama needs to exercise to be nice. And after having my two beautiful babies, let’s just say that I don’t wear bikinis anymore but I will rock my one piece. You know, the one has lots of rouching. Yep, that one. I can tell you that while I do not feel beautiful all the time, I do sometimes. There are moments, many of them actually, when I look at these two wonderful, amazing and very annoying and messy little children that my husband and I created when I feel profound happiness. And sometimes it occurs to me that there is so much beauty to behold in all of this imperfection and chaos. And then after feeling that happiness, I will go and  clean up the house. THIS is motherhood and this shit is real. This doesn’t mean that I won’t be presenting you with some pretty pictures because, let’s face it, it is my job and I am a lover of beautiful things. But I will be doing so with my authentic voice and my goal here is that maybe you drink your morning coffee while looking at my blog, you have a giggle, see some pretty pictures and know that you are not alone when you think about ejecting your kids from their car seats with the press of a button. I want to make people, especially women, feel good. I want you to know that I am on your side and that sometimes I still wear my maternity pants because that shit is comfortable.

    So for my first post, I am going to present you with some photos from one of my favorite photo shoots this year. And of course, it is a shoot with my kids! I love these photos of my daughter Jasmine. They were taken on a walk, right before a crazy storm was about to hit. The air was brisk and electric. You could feel like something was about to happen. Jazzy was starting to feel a little nervous and as I was shooting her with a long lens, I was with her and yet she was also just having this little moment to herself watching the clouds come in. I just love the tension in these images. And the colors. And maybe I love it even more that she is not looking at the camera and smiling.

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    One of my favorite images from 2016.
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    The storm is coming.

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    A moment of grace.

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    Followed by a moment of smothering. What can I say, my girl loves hard. So fierce.

     

    This guy.

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    Introducing Traves James. Pronounced like Travis. And he is perfection.

     

                      Sticks yo. Such focus.

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    I’m so madly in love with him. The whole Mother-Son thing is beyond words.

     

    She has been an amazing big sister. I couldn’t be more proud.

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    Here I am in all my glory. My friends will tell you that I hate having my picture taken. But I like this one. It’s just me and my cubs.

    This is the end of my first post. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you come back!

    Here’s to loving your messy, stinky poop filled lives and to finding the beauty in the small stuff.

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