Christmas Tree Hunting

On Saturday we went Christmas tree hunting! After a stop at Starbucks where we met our good friends, Kelly, Lance, and Naomi, we all headed north to Arlington and arrived at the Highlead Plantation.

The train ride was one of the big draws to this particular farm. Abby LOVES trains right now -- the train Daddy takes to work, the Polar Express, the train tables at numerous toy stores -- so we thought this would be a treat.

Just before boarding, Lance and Naomi snuggle.

The mamas and kiddos riding the train down to the trees. Kelly is 39 weeks pregnant here!

And the exploration begins!

Running, running through the mini-forest.
Wally looks a bit grumpy here, but I love those lips!

A rare moment when Mama hands the camera over.

We told Abby to pick a good Christmas tree out for us. She chose this little one. I so wished we could have got it, but with all the trees the same price regardless of size, it just didn't make sense. Grandma and Grandpa Peterson said that she could pick a little tree out from their backyard next week, so she'll get her little tree.

My favorite shot of the day. Peeking through the branches.

Naomi was dressed for the drizzly cold day from hood to rainboots. I love the wary expression as she looks at the tree saw.
Lance prepares to cut their chosen one.

The whole family and their Christmas tree. Pretty soon we'll be taking photos of the baby under that tree.

A sweet moment. I remember holding my two year old at 10 months pregnant. Kelly, I hope you got some rest later that day!

Trev and Abby off to get our tree.
Hitching a ride for the tree.

Even rarer than a shot with me in it: our whole family. Thanks, Kelly! Now we have a shot to put on the bulletin board at preschool.

Wally wore his new bear suit and stayed toasty warm. Plus the mittens taste good! (Thanks, Grandma Peterson.) Oh, and this hat is the second thing I EVER knitted!

I couldn't bring my camera out and not get a shot of those blue eyes.
A final shot with the train before going to lunch.

This is such a fun age for outdoor adventures. Wally goes along for the ride in the Ergo, and Abby takes off to explore on her own. I hope that we can make this a yearly event. Yes, I'll get a picture of the tree up and decorated one of these days. And yes, I'll get some four month shots of Wally up here, too. I know I've been rather absent this month. Happy holidays!

Flying

Another three months have flown by, and Miss Emmeline is now nine months old. Just a year ago I was talking to Angel and Eric about the possibility of doing their belly and birth photos. Can their daughter really be nine months old already? Apparently. Emmeline is full of new tricks these days -- crawling, pulling herself up on things, signing. Sigh. Babies grow too fast!

During our session she was fascinated by the leaves on the ground.
And the leaves on a bench.

Big girl!

Love this smile.

A tasty stem and beautiful light.

Shortly after this Angel decided that shoes might be good.
A face shot that we can duplicate as she grows. Gorgeous brown eyes and how about those cheeks?

Where's Mama?

Sweet Emmeline, if I'm freaking out about how quickly you are growing up, what must your parents be doing? It sounds like they are enjoying every precious minute and that you are truly the light of their lives. I'd say I'm looking forward to our next time together, but that is when you are a year old, I don't know if I can handle that.

Sunbreak

More fall family fun! Julie, Brett, and their kiddos, Reese (3 years) and Connor (4 months) met me at Bothell Landing this morning for some pre-Halloween fun and pictures. After the torrential rain last night, I wasn't sure we would be doing photos today, but when I woke up I saw actual sunshine! It has been a while that I've had a session with any kind of sun, so I was thrilled to see some today. During our shoot, it dodged in and out of the clouds, but the bits we got made me SO happy.

We'll start with a family shot. I'm jealous. I've got to find a way to get one of my own. I don't think a tripod and remote are going to cut it.

See how Reese is looking at Mom and Dad?
Reese came up with this pose for me. I love it when the kids do the work for me.
This reminds me of Abby and Wally. Look at those eyes!
Baby chunk and smiles!
Thumpity thump goes my heart.
Gorgeous Julie! We hit the light just right on this one. While we were shooting, we ran into the photographer who photographed Brett and Julie's wedding NINE years ago. I'll bet it was fun for him to see this couple with their beautiful family.
A father-son shot, with a bit of drool for fun.
I can see a lot of Julie in Reese. Is it just me?
Mother and daughter in boots. I like how Reese's legs are twisted.

Blue, blue eyes and drool!
This girl really gets into the swinging. I've got another shot with her feet going up over her head.
We had a full morning and wore little Connor out completely. All of a sudden he was asleep. I adore a sleeping baby.

I love starting the day with sunshine and a fun family! Julie, I hope you like what you see here. There are a bunch more, too. Happy Halloween!