First Friday is one of my favorite events in downtown Bentonville. Each month, the square is filled with great music, food, arts and clothing. If you’re a shopper, artist or foodie, you’d absolutely LOVE it!
But, with the exception of Rayna’s obsession with TrickDilly’s smoked pork taco with shaved apple, radish, goat cheese and chipotle aioli, she has never, ever asked me to buy her any of the awesome goodies lined-up for sale each month.
…UNTIL we discovered Freckles and Sunshine. I was busy admiring all the cute leggings and sweaters when Rayna quietly came up to me holding a simple, flower headband and said, “Mom? I’d wear this.“
Aside from that being the sweetest way to indirectly ask for something, Freckles and Sunshine has a great story and loves to pay it forward, so I was thrilled she found something she loved there!
A week later, I realized I had: (an extra 45 minutes before her gymnastics) + (beautiful sunlight) + (Rayna alone), so I asked her if I could ‘test-out’ the pretty field across the street from our house.
I grabbed my camera and she grabbed her new, favorite accessory...
My doorbell rang in the middle of a hot Saturday. And although my mind was already on over-load with all the unpacked boxes and the numerous problems with the house we just bought, I was actually already feeling a much heavier burden than just exhaustion, a broken air unit and a backed-up septic tank. I was starting to worry about Ross and Rayna.
Yes, they loved our house and all the fun things we were discovering in Arkansas. But, even though they are extremely close to each other and love to play together, I could sense they both were starting to really miss not having friends their own age to play with.
So as Matthew and I hung curtains that weekend, I silently prayed for the kids. And ironically enough, before we could get the last mossy-green curtain hung in our bedroom, we were interrupted by the sound of our doorbell ringing.
Standing on our front porch was a neighbor who came by to say hello. Not only was she incredibly nice and genuine, GUESS WHAT?
She had a SON Ross’ age…
a DAUGHTER Rayna’s age…
and the cutest little boy you’ll ever meet who is Ruthie’s age! (And a younger 4th!)
Since that time several months ago, we’ve traded kids, arranged car-pools and watched the kids scheme sleep-overs. It’s been a BIG blessing.
One Sunday as the girls and I were headed out to Sidewalk Sunday in Downtown Bentonville, we grabbed Noelle, Rayna’s new buddy, and couldn’t wait to introduce her to our favorite tree…
Thankfully, Noelle is a lot like Rayna. Yes, she still loves dressing-up and pretending, but she’s not afraid to climb a tree either (…barefoot, none-the-less)!
I wouldn’t let Ruthie climb as high as she wanted, but she was still happy to hang out with the ‘big girls‘…
Okay, I’m going to do the world a favor and NOT to say anything else about Downtown Bentonville. (You’re welcome.) But, please tell me you’re starting to understand what a neat place it is….
“Sidewalk Sunday” is a kid-friendly event each week held outside the soda shop. It’s free, hands-on, informative and FUN! We’ve done pottery, homemade ice-cream and a few others…
It’s funny… I have the SAME series of photos of Ruthie from when we first moved here. The only difference?!?
Since the summer-fountain photos, she’s decided to try to be funny. Yeah, putting her head, apparently, wasn’t enough. Now, she tries to DRINK the fountain water!
[…] this move to Arkansas, it’s been really incredible to see how NEW blessings are given during times when we all REALLY need them. I woke-up on this particular morning and […]
[…] along with connecting with a family who, now feels like part of our OWN family, we also met another wonderful couple who rescues furry friends. (She’s even written a great […]
With only a few weeks left of nice weather (…and a sleeping baby and a husband that would gladly skip an art museum to stay at home with her and watch football), I told Ross and Rayna to load-up and we headed out to explore two of my favorite places!
I’ve written about Crystal Bridges before, but, it’s truly a wonderful experience. Not only is the art museum and gift shop incredible, the outdoor trails are just beautiful…
Indoors, there are plenty of exhibits to engage the kids. The exhibit below was designed by artist Alberto Aguilar. (You can click here to read his daughter’s first impression of Crystal Bridges and Downtown Bentonville when her family recently visited.)
I’m not really sure, but, I’m thinking if you discover a random frame in the middle of a wooded-trail, you’re suppose to go ahead and take a photo with someone standing behind it. So, that’s what we did…
A day of walking and exploring? There’s NO better place to relax than Downtown Bentonville. (I’ve also posted lots about this place here and here and here and here.) If you’ve been, you most likely agree and look forward to the next time you’re there again!
Although this photo of Rayna looks VERY FAKE‘posed’ to me (which I hate), this is REALLY how Rayna was people-watching as Ross and I sat on the concrete and looked at the cute dog that passed us. I grabbed my camera out of my bag and yelled, “RAYNA!” She’s my FAVORITE subject to photograph because she’s always so natural in front of my camera!
When we got home, Ruthie was awake and ready to play outside! Look what landed on Ross! I would say it’s the same butterfly we grew in our kitchen a few months ago. But, I read they don’t live that long. So, maybe a cousin?!?!
I was at Starbucks when the girl sitting beside me took a chance and asked if I was a photographer. We started talking and, when she asked if I was taking photographs here, I quickly and eagerly without ANY hesitation, said, “Yes! Absolutely!” Within a few minutes, we were talking about clothing, locations and her girls. We were BOTH super excited!
And, I couldn’t have hand-picked a SWEETER family to have as my first in Arkansas…
[…] who you may remember from my 1st family session in Arkansas, needed head-shots for her business and had the SAME goals as me: Photos that she’d […]
I attended a photography workshop recently where Sandy Puc offered her students a challenge. The idea was that professional photographers often get burned-out from ‘having‘ to take the same ‘standard‘ shots for all of their clients. Her advice was for us to get the ‘standard‘ shot for our client, but then ALSO take a creative photograph that WE (as the artist) LOVE.
Even though I thought that was EXCELLENT advice, I realized 2 things:
1. When you’re lucky enough to get to photograph lil’ kids, there’s NOTHING ‘standard‘ about ANYTHING! Every session is crazy, busy, funny and TOTALLY unique!
2. If you truly LOVE photography and find yourself constantly excited about each child’s unique personality, you’ll never, ever get burned-out because each experience is an adventure in itself!
As I was photographing Guillaume, Erin, Isabella and Bridgette, I took lots of pictures of the girls looking straight at the camera and with pretty smiles. But, the truth is, the photos that ILOVE the MOST are the moments in between.
It’s when we’re all laughing… Or taking a break… Or not looking at the camera… Or just being really silly…
Remember a year ago when I wrote about that warm-and-fuzzy feeling I got after a session?!?!? If you missed that post, in a nutshell, I photographed a family who was JUST as SWEET and KIND as they were GORGEOUS and PHOTOGENIC. Oh, and this wonderful couple had this ADORABLE little boy named Jack (…who I wanted to keep forever).
So tonight, a year later, as much as I’d love to write about Matthew, Catalina and Jack (and how much I appreciate them contacting me MONTHS ago to schedule a trip back to Georgia for Jack’s photos), I’ll simply say the SAME EXACT thing that I said the last time I photographed them:
I love this couple.
I love the true emotion and love they demonstrate towards one another.
I can’t not stop looking at these pictures Christy. They are so amazing! Thank you so much for doing such fantastic work capturing our family! You are a blessing in our lives!
Christy! This is the sweetest story. Reminds me of me and my mom. I just love these photos. So stunning. Miss you guys!