I have had a couple of people over the years purchase gift certificates for friends and family.  Last Christmas this amazing family’s sister bought them a session with me.  We finally were able to hook up and make it happen.  They were adorable & so much fun to spend the afternoon with.  And I am super excited that I get to give them something that means so much…

And just to stay on the whole giving theme… I have an adorable outfit from Lillipops Designs to give one of YOU.  Remember this cute little number?

Well- the shirt, skirt & cummerbund (size 6) will go to a random commenter here!  Just make sure you’ve ‘liked’ Lillipop’s page and friended me (just make a note that you are a blog follower on your friend request) and leave me a comment below.  I will pick a winner Thursday (10/27) night!!  Not gonna stop there… she has a precious Holiday line up right now (perfect time for those Christmas card shots) and if you order now through Nov. 10th with code HOLIDAY11, you get free shipping!

portland | OR

to my face.

Yep- I am old enough to need wrinkle cream and I decided that was the perfect time to do a little throwback to the teen years and get braces (I keep telling myself it makes me look younger- not dorkier) ha ;)

I have WAY more respect for all those kids sporting these things… smiling is awkward, eating is messy/painful/gross, flossing is nearly impossible (best purchase ever would be this) and (though I’ve gotten over this part) it has been the first time in my life I have woken up in my own pile of drool (yeah- super sexy… I know ;)) and last, but not least, the inside of my mouth closely resembles tenderized meat at any given time.  BUT- all that said… five months later I have STRAIGHT teeth.  They weren’t horribly crooked before but break-the-floss tight.  I am sooo happy to say  that is no more.  I still have a few months to go but- wow… super impressed and happy with the results.  I have to admit, I never would have done this if it hadn’t been for photography… not the in front of the camera pretty smile type photography, but the behind the camera and I have amazing clients types photography.   The Moses family has been clients for years and when I finally got off my duff to go into the office and see Dr. Moses, it was a no brainer.  His staff is amazing- sweet, friendly and helpful.  He has made the whole process quick and easy.  Heck, I am so happy we are going to start the whole process over with my son!

I went to pull an image of my ‘before’ teeth.  Apparently I didn’t like them very much because I have about two pictures with them showing.  If you look close though you can see my wonky front tooth and my new & improved smile…

please excuse the iPhone pic… wrecklessgirl took the other, hard to compete ;)

Wondering where I am going with this story?  Well, it was my lead up to introduce you to my wonderful orthodontist and his adorable family :)  We hung out on Sauvie Island for a bit last weekend and did this…

If you live in the area and want him to make your teeth pretty too, just click here ;)

sauvie island, portland | OR

Other than missing the convenience of turning to my iPhone for every need (dang international rates), I absolutely adored it.  I learned that Canada has way better planes (USB ports, outlets & touch screen TV’s makes traveling très agréable).  Speaking of… I also learned that the 4 years I spent in French class had virtually no lasting effect and that Canadians are very sweet people- except when they drive… got a defensive driving crash course downtown Toronto.  No worries though- totally aced it :)  Really though- beautiful country, city, people… the whole package.

A little snippet from my first day…

toronto | ON CANADA

DRUMROLL…

the winner of the Kelly Moore bag is Rachel Allison.  Congratulations!!! Email me and I will tell you how to get your bag :)

Be sure to read to the end of the post… another amazing give away for you families!!

Now- it is time to get back to work :)  I just spent the last week road tripping through Montana, Canada, Idaho & Washington.  I got to finally meet Kelli Trontel in person (just as marvelous as I had pictured her!!) and visit her at the Red Caboose (coziest, cutest, BEST little coffee/frozen yogurt house I’ve been in).  If you are anywhere near Whitefish MT you need to find it :) If you don’t already know her, you might recognize Kelli and her husband from their recent appearance on HGTV (one of the few times I really regret not having cable).  Kelli and I… (and yes… I always look stoned in pictures orrr maybe I do in real life too??? haha)…

We will be hitting up Whitefish again… such a cute, friendly city.

Second stop was Calgary where I got to hang out with Ms. Short & Sweet… Dana Pugh.   I adore this talented lady and once a year in Vegas is not enough.  No pictures of us but there will be a whole post dedicated to her adorable kiddos in the next couple of days!  (gotta finish this post so I can edit- yay!!)

Such beautiful scenery through Montana and Canada…

We also made a pit stop at Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho.  I had never heard of it before and was expecting a permanent state fair (I have been spoiled by having Disney trips my whole life… everything else is unfairly compared- ha) It totally surpassed though!  It had great rides jambed into a fairly small, easy to navigate park and my kids thought the water park was the best part of the whole trip ($42 for both parks was good for me too- take that Disney) ;)

The distance covered in the time allotted though left a LOT of hours in the car.  Pretty sure the car and hotel rooms were where we spent more than half the time.  If it weren’t for the Solars there could have been some really unhappy kids.  Before we left we bought the Adventure in a Box.  It was the best $129 bucks spent on this trip.

I do look quite good in a mustache (if I do say so myself) :D

The goodness started before the trip even started with the Happy Family Movement emails (fun ideas to easily incorporate into your day that keeps your routines from being… well, routine).  They know how to illicit giggles, laughs & all around good times.  The Road Trip kit started with a manual that walks you through your planning process from beginning to end.  It  included choosing where to go, what to pack (and what to leave behind), how to make the most of each day, and what to do when everything goes south all at once. (Hint: it involved their very best pulled-over-by-the-side-of-the-road-game.).  The Road Trippin’ box includes activities with detailed instructions. Lots of ‘em. All wrapped up and assigned for specific times of day during a seven-day road trip (we modified and used it over 5 days in the car- worked perfect!).  My kids loved having these little surprises to look forward to and excuses to stop and have some fun during the boring.  The activities are great for little to big kids… it is genius (I love that I didn’t have to do any planning- just opened the box once we were on the road!).  A little sneak peek of what ya get…

And guess what?  The Solars are giving away one of these kits to a lucky reader!!  All you have to do is comment to let me know you want entered in the random drawing :)  I will announce the winner Wednesday night.

And even better?  If you can’t wait and want buy one right now all you have to do is enter ‘sewell’ at checkout and they will give you $30 off!

Back to good ole photo posts this week!

whitefish | MT

banff | AB Canada

I get to share a type of shoot I don’t normally get to.  Nope- I’m not opening up spots for family shoots.  Still just a plain ole kids photographer ;)  Lucky for me though, I am my own boss so I get to make executive decisions and make exceptions where i see fit.  So I did :)  I ventured up into the Snoqualmie area… part of Washington I’ve never been in. And holy heck- it is beautiful.  Always in awe of what a paradise the Pacific NW is… so lucky to live here :)  I hung with this delightful family playing, s’moring & just enjoying the day…

teepee & tug-of-war rope provided by: ZozoBugBaby

snoqualmie | WA

It was a jam-packed visit- I got the chance to hang out with Renee & photograph two of the cutest little girls, photograph one of my favorite families and meet a new family that I can’t wait to photograph again.  I also got to hang out with Kiki (The Measure Designs) and Jen (The Trendy Tot) for a night at Cheers.  (Yep- those are two Trendy Tot originals on the girls below… check the end of the post for a GIVE AWAY!)

Boston charmed me… I can’t wait to return ;)

And a couple of family sneak peeks… ;)

Now for the GIVE AWAY!!! Do you want the adorable dresses in the first session?  All you have to do is @reply me on Twitter or Facebook or comment here and tell me which one you want… I’ll pick a winner Thursday!

wardrobe: The Trendy Tot

boston | MA

Anne won the lion hat!!  & Paige won the adorable Lady Knitster headband… email me with your address guys!! I hope the recipients of your kindness are still basking in the love ;)

And just cause I don’t really know how to post without pictures and I am trying my very best to get through this last session before I leave, I thought I’d share a little sneak peek at my latest session.  She is my very favorite red head in the entire world (wouldn’t you just die for this color hair??).  She holds a very special place in my heart (can’t believe it’s already been two years since this session…).  And I have to show off her sweet & adorable baby sister… ;)

portland | OR

I still have give aways but since I’m off I am thinking I might do them on Twitter or Facebook so keep an eye out ;)  And if you’re not my friend on FB… leave me a little note with the friend request.  I try to only accept friends that I have friends in common with or recognize as a fellow photographer.  Thank you!!! Have a lovely weekend…

~S

Happy Birthday little one ;)

And yes- I am on a Brendan James kick.  He has been on repeat the last couple of days.  His positive messages make me smile and feel so appropriate right now in my life.  So forgive the bombardment of his lyrics for post titles… can’t help myself ;)

portland | OR

This shoot was my NYC stop.  I met up with the most stunning family… we were there to shoot some images of their jewelry line (beautiful pieces!!), for their dental practice, their language program… and portraits too (of course!) I got my first taste of the NYC Ace Hotel-  amazing decor (and shooting by a 60Watt light bulb was a fun change of scenery)-  a little walk through Central Park… it was a whirl wind day that left me needing several more hours to accomplish all the ideas running through my head ;)  So get ready NYC… I will be back.  Soon.

new york city | NY

“…She treasures photos as art.  She also now realizes the true value of a photo because her husband, also a soldier, was killed in Afghanistan at the end of August 2009.  She has three children…all under 4.  Two sons and their daughter was only 2 weeks old when her husband died…he was never able to hold her.

Her attitude through the whole process of finding her new normal has been amazing.  She is an amazing example of a gold star wife.  I know she has days where it is hard for her to catch her breath when she thinks of what life has handed her, but she has handled everything with such style and grace.

I know she would truly value the gift of art she could receive through this program.  In no way would it replace John…or her photos or memories of him. But it would simply symbolize her new journey that she started with her children without her husband, John.”

I was born on a military base, I grew up with a parent in the Service, I married a military man… the military lifestyle is very familiar to me.  I know the sacrifices… still- absolutely nothing prepares you for reading those words.  John gave his life for our country.  His LIFE.  And there, to make their way without him, are Lisa and their three beautiful children.  It only took a couple emails back & forth for me to see that every word written about her was true.  She is an inspiration & example for us all…

“John’s a rock star and he’s my husband…  He’s the foundation of this new path we’re traveling.  I’m scared, but I know where we’re coming from is solid.  I know he’s waiting for us on the other side… so for now, we just get through and try to laugh and smile as much as possible, knowing that the goodness of John lies behind us, in us, and before us…”  The week we met was particularly a momentus one… it was homecoming for everyone that served with John in Afghanistan.  As Lisa wrote: “This week everyone has their homecoming pictures and stories… everyone is beautiful for their husbands with their adorable children holding their welcome home signs… I long so very much to have my own pictures of us welcoming home John… because of what those pictures represent… the life that we are supposed to be having now….  We don’t get our welcome home pictures, but I am so glad that we will have special family pictures from this week.  It seems fitting.”

I left that photo shoot feeling so blessed that she was brought into my life.. so blessed FOR my life…

I am so happy to be able to show you these photos…

this one cracks me up.. cause- yes… we all have those kinda days…

this makes my heart just melt… doesn’t matter if you’re wearing your best polka dot dress, get down in the grass & wrestle cause moments like this can never be replaced…