the pumpkin patch edition: seven on seven

October is here with all the fall festivities!

This had to have been one of the most scenic corn mazes I’ve ever been too, with Smith Rock State Park in the background.

Can you tell the difference between an alpaca and a llama? The key differences — I learned — are the ear shape and hair fluff on top of the head. (Top is llama, bottom is alpaca.)

Just in time for school pictures, we happened to get some of the worst hair cuts the boys have ever had, oops. Oh well, they don’t seem to mind, and their hair grows plenty fast.

Probably the pumpkin cannon was a highlight for my kiddos.

But I really loved the little hike we did at Smith Rock State Park. I definitely need to spend more time there.

Here’s hoping you’re having a lovely October in your corner of the world. Do stop by Kris McNeil Photography to see some Colorado fall beauty and another mention of llamas.

floral interludes: seven on seven

Oh, hello March! Today is the seventh which means I'm sharing seven images from the last month. February was a bit of a doozy. Am I the only one who hits a bit of a February slump? I tried to ward it off this year by treating myself to a couple of bouquets. The above bouquet is technically from my husband, who always buys flowers for Valentine's Day. I just happened to pick them out and order them. Ranunculus are my most favorite.

But tulips aren't far behind.

I could easily post seven solid flower images but I feel like I owe you all some updates. First and foremost, a lost tooth update on my youngest since he lost one of his top teeth last month. Below on the left we have him on crazy hair day at the beginning of the month, and a couple weeks later the other top tooth was gone. Of all the milestones, this one feels so significant, because it so changes the face. There's no going back to baby faces once those baby teeth are gone. 

Can we talk about Instagram? I still enjoy Instagram despite all the algorithim nonsense. But I can't do it on the daily. Three times a week seems to be my speed. I enjoyed playing #colorcolourlovers on Instagram along with Xanthe (and Hula Seventy this year). I drive by this pink bus every time we go to swim lessons, which is often, and #colorcolourpink gave me the excuse I needed to stop and take a photo. 

And one last update: yoga has been a part of my life for many years and last winter I got my 200 hour teacher training certificate while we were still in Okinawa. I subbed a few times in the months before we left and when we moved in to our house here in Oregon, I claimed this little space in our house as my own little yoga sanctuary for my daily practice. My update has less to do with my personal space, I just really love it. The update is this: I'm going to be teaching once or twice a week (tbd) at the Y here starting in April! 

Do hop on over to Kristina Rust to see her 7 on 7!

somebody turned seven: january seven on seven

Oh hey! I'm dusting off this blog again. This time with a monthly feature - seven images posted on the seventh of the month.  I'm doing this as part of a blog hop with fellow photographer friends. I'll leave a link to the next on the list at the bottom of this post. Wild but true, I've known many of the photographers in the circle for seven years! As it were, my youngest turned 7 (7!) in January and a bunch of these gals might remember photos of me in late stages of pregnancy with him. I haven't blogged regularly in ages, and I'm still pretty new to living in Oregon, so this post is a mixed bag of getting reacquainted with my people, pets and new surroundings.

And this is the birthday boy. Note the gap in his top teeth -- his days with at least one of those top baby teeth were very numbered. 

And the obligatory cheesy before and after grin. :D 

If you haven't already, meet Nala. She is our "outdoor" cat. Every time I turn around, one of the boys (my husband included) brings her inside. She joined the family to be our vermin hunter. She looks pretty fierce, no?

The owners of this barn very kindly coated it with a fresh coat of red right before it snowed. Thank you!

Last but not least, I'm not sure I've ever lived so near a National Park. Crater Lake is our neighbor and she's a beauty. I see many more trips to visit her in my future. 

In the meantime, hop on over to Kris McNeil Photography to see her 7 on 7 for January.