As we all sat around the kitchen table eating our vanilla ice cream and enjoying the quietness of the kids being outside, Michelle looks up with raised eyebrows and asks, “Is it just me or was today really weird?” 

Yes, I think it’s safe to say we’ve undergone a series of unusual events. 

• The kids and I found a crying baby deer with 3 broken legs.  Matthew’s dad had to ‘take care of him’ (don’t ask!) while I tried to explain to the kids that Grandaddy was actually ‘helping’ the deer.  Tough concept for a 3-year old.
• Austen and I decided to explore the rocks and caves at Crystal Lake.  I was about to take a short cut up a rock when I approached some type of medium sized animal who hissed at me behind a rock.  We quickly got back, but decided to send Matthew back for another look.  (I think we decided it was a very large and angry bird.)
• Michelle found a baby bird during a horse ride.  He’s safe with his bird-family now, but the kids did get to enjoy him for a few minutes.  (See pictures below.)
• We ‘broke-in’ the newest addition to Martin Farms.  Their newest horse, Cowgirl, did awesome as we put a saddle on her, led her into the horse trailer and put lots of weight on her back (ME!) for the first time.
• Rayna decided she was tired of me and Matthew wasting time looking around Crystal Lake.  She moved over to the driver’s seat of the Ranger, jumped down to where she could touch the gas pedal… and away she went without us.   Luckily we caught-up with the Ranger and explained, “Although your dad and I drove early, 20 months is just too young to operate a moving vehical.  Maybe next summer.”
• Oh, lastly, Michelle wrecked the 4-wheeler.  (And boy does she have the bruises to prove it!)

Okay, so it’s established:  We had a really wierd day.  Wouldn’t you agree? 

Since I can’t break my blog rule (‘Gotta post pictures!’), I’ll leave you with some from today…

Austen (my nephew and cave-exploring pal) and the tiny bird…

One of my favorite places… Crystal Lake.  I’d really love to book some sessions here for next year.  It’s got some great backdrops, but most importantly, I’d love for my clients to be able to either jump in or wade through the creek like my kids always do.  (How pretty would that be?!?!?)

Gotta’ throw-in a picture of Rayna with her cousin’s John Deer cowboy boots on…

This place HAS to be my favorite hidden spot.  The first time I came here years ago, we were riding horses through the creek.  I was blown away by the beauty of the rocks, clear water and large rock walls.  The kids love catching fish and crawdads with the net.  Oh, we also spend a lot of time finding rocks and trees to jump off of.  I really like this picture of Matthew.  He’s the coolest guy I know.

Rayna’s happy just about anywhere there are snacks.

I take it back about Rayna being happy as long as she has snacks.  She was pretty happy out of the freezing-cold water and in her Granddaddy’s arms.  I LOVE that little girl!

Please excuse the wetsuits all of us (excluding the maverick Matthew) were wearing.  Actually, we all really love freezing-cold water.  (Honestly, it doesn’t bother us at all.)  We just randomly decided to try these wetsuits on right before getting in.  I guess we all forgot to take them off before easing into ice-cold stream. 

This moment happens all day long here.  Just last night as we finished dinner, we glance out the big windows and see Ross petting one of the horse in the pasture.  I LOVE life in the country!

I hear the 4-wheeler and Ranger outside.  That means it’s time to fill up the big bath with four kids under 4 years old.  Can’t beat a week in the country with all of the family together!

Make-up is not required.  (Some days, it’s actually frowned upon.)
There are lots of kids running around.  (Most of which are usually semi-naked.)
Swimming holes keep the kids happy for hours.

We are at Matthew’s parent’s house! 
Each year, ours and Michelle’s (Matthew’s sister) family spend a week in NW Arkansas.  The week is filled with adventures, good food and lots of little dirty hands and feet at the end of each day. 

Ross and his cousin Joseph were happy to help us out by getting some of the horses back into the pasture.

As you can see, some horses are a little more stubborn than others.
Later that day, we took the kids to this incredible spot just down the road.  It’s filled with rocks, caves, rock walls, water holes, creeks and big bugs.  The PERFECT spot for 3-year old boys! 

…PERFECT spot for little girls too.  There’s only one problem, the water is calling Rayna’s name and she’s not wearing a bathing suit.  Never fear!  Our kids are very happy in the buff.

Rayna is the best lil’ kisser in the world.  Matthew and I ask for them from the minute she wakes up until she lays down each night. 
The boys found these hats in one of the bedrooms…

Matthew’s dad got his hat when he saw the boys having so much fun with theirs.  (Another good reason to always have your camera handy.  I really like this picture of them together.)

As our day started to wrap-up, Kenslee and I hung-out while everyone else rode the Ranger and 4-wheeler.  As you all know, I can’t hang-out with a happy baby, sitting on a beautiful wooden floor, without grabbing my camera and pulling her diaper off for a quick photo.

I have more pictures to post tomorrow!  Check back to stay updated on our little adventures!

Here’s the conversation I have with my sister-in-law’s voicemail each month:

“Uhm, Michelle… Yeah, I know you’re busy… but, it’s time for pictures… again.  It’s been over 4 weeks since Kenslee’s last session.  Soooo…. let’s make some plans.”  

It’s not completely normal to have your photographer bugging calling you every month to update your child’s picture, but I can’t help it!  I’ve got some cute nieces and nephews that NEED some camera-time each month!   

I love the catchlight in her eyes… I love the texture of the old bucket… I love those baby-fingers… I love the peacefulness of this image. 
It makes my heart happy.
 
The first time I saw this old bucket on my parent’s front porch, I already knew:  
Old yellow bucket + Kenslee (diaper-only, of course!) + big, open field =  

Thank you for a FUN session, Kenslee!  I’ve got you on my schedule for your 8-month session!

I’m so happy to introduce Parker Ryland.  If you follow this blog, you will see a lot of Parker in the next 10-15 years.  He is not only my sister’s baby, he is Rayna’s new favorite “BABY!”   It will be all too soon when Parker is running around the house with Ross and Rayna.  Until then… enjoy some sweet newborn pictures from the hospital.   

As you can see from this picture in the hospital, he’s very alert.  (I love how he’s holding on to Hannah’s finger.  How sweet is that?) 
Hannah and Jason enjoying Parker…
Ahhhh… the smell of a newborn!  Can’t you smell that-baby-powder-skin….yummy-smelling-breath… ‘Yum’ isn’t the right word, but YUM!

Kissable lips…
Hannah, Jason and Parker came over a few days ago for lunch.  I took a few more pictures of him while everyone else was at the pool. 
I love old things.  My grandmother used these scales to make sure her babies were gaining weight.  The scales were then used by my mom for myself and Hannah.  Hannah and Jason recently used them to make sure he was getting enough to eat.  I love things that have been passed down and used by several generations. 

Sweet lil’ smile…

Pretty normal morning… I made breakfast and was in the process of getting the kids ready when I remembered the storm we had during the night.  I grabbed my camera because I knew the rain probably did a lot of good for my thirsty vegetables outside.  Before I headed out, I got a picture of Rayna with my camera lens cover her new favorite toy.  

I headed outside to visit with my beautiful new bellpeppers, tomatoes, squash and onions.  (And, yes, I really think my vegetables are beautiful.)  I couldn’t resist this perfect, green tomato.  I plan to see it again tonight at dinner.  It will be fried to a golden brown, ready to be dipped into a little Ranch dressing. 

I was about to go back inside when, just a few feet from me, I spotted this guy just hanging out above my garden…  

I grew-up with my dad catching snakes and was pretty sure this particular one was non-venomous.   Nevertheless, I am still a girl.  As a girl, it’s embedded into our DNA to scream or run (or both at the same time) whenever we see a snake.    
On the other-hand, I am also a mom to a 3-year old little boy.  The non-screaming side of me wanted to catch this snake where Ross would think I was the coolest person in the entire world.  
 
When I walked a little closer, thinking I could at least get a close shot of his face, he made a very quick movement which involved his mouth opening and his body tightening up.  

THE GIRL SIDE WON.  I ran in as fast as humanly possible.  (I’m pretty sure I also woke-up a few neighbors with my screaming.)

I went inside to get Ross and my telephoto zoom lens.  At this point, I’m outside shooting the snake (a LOT farther away) with a 300 mm lens vs. the 50 mm I had just a few mintues before he decided to open his mouth at me.  Can you tell I’m really nervous now?

To make a very dramatic story a little less… well, dramatic , Murphy (our dog) some how got outside as Ross and I slipped out.  He also quickly discovered what Ross and I were looking at.  Murphy decides he wants to try to LICK this interesting thing.  I’m yelling at Murphy to STOP and go inside.  As always, Murphy doesn’t listen.  The snake had all the licking he could stand and decides to lunge after Murphy.  Murphy starts running… TOWARDS ME AND ROSS.  The snake is chasing Murphy (and kind-of me and Ross who are running beside Murphy). 

I’m carrying Ross and running faster than ever.   
My camera is flopping around my neck.
Oh, and I’m screaming, AGAIN. 

Thank you, 300mm lens.  Here is a close-up of our old friend. 

Oh, I must also note Ross’ prayer tonight: 
“Dear Jesus, Uh, 2 things:
Thank you for the slide at the pool.
(laughing.  trying not to laugh.  laughing more)
Thank you for not letting Murphy die when the snake bit him.
The End.”