THE JOYS OF PARENTING

A few weeks ago I posted on Facebook that my backyard was a monkey graveyard thanks to Stig. Well, my house has also become a monkey graveyard. This is what I come home to when I leave daddy alone with the kids...

J & J SOCCER UPDATE

Soccer season is underway and the boys sure are enjoying themselves. I say enjoying but what I really mean is Jordan is enjoying running around a field, completely oblivious to the game he's playing and Joshua is enjoying pushing other kids around. Ahhh, makes me want kids of my own...NOT! But I really do love these boys. Jordan's team is The Dusters and Joshua's team is Spidermans and no, that is not a misspelling :) I don't know why they smile like this but it doesn't make them any less cute!

JUST A STROLL ON THE TRACK

His dream is to become a MotoGP racer.  Until then, he's got to work hard and practice harder. David's first race was a couple of weeks ago and I am pretty darn proud of my man (snap, snap)! We worked on the track together Saturday and Sunday, while he raced, I worked again (they call it "corner working" but not that kind of corner working... where's your mind!?) Anyways, I was actually ON the side of the track and silly me, forgot my 70-200mm in the car so I was stuck shooting with my 85mm 1.2 and let me just say, this lens is far from ideal while trying to capture a bike going 170 mph on a track. But I made due with what I had and this is how those images turned out...

                                                   
They look like little ants in a great big world. I was disappointed in myself but knew cropping was always an option...

Then I was able to get a little closer at a different angle and get these..

While I struggled to get some decent shots, one of the photographers on the track came by. Brandon Bones was his name and he was crazy and kind enough to lend me his 70-200mm so I could catch some sweet pics of David. Here's how those came out...

I'm excited to be able to capture more great moments of my even greater husband :)

SARAH + CAIN : WEDDING

One of my favorite aunts, Sarah, was married in June and I brought my camera along to snap a few photos. This wasn't my first wedding to shoot but BOY, was it a learning experience for me. Although I didn't do everything right, I'm thankful that my aunt and uncle appreciate that I tried :) After all, it's always humbling to photograph photographers! Here are a few of my favorites!

FAREWELL SATURDAYS...AT LEAST FOR A WHILE

It's that time again! Oh, you know, that fun time when you spend every Saturday for months toasting in the hot sun! Yes, you got it! SOCCER TIME! We just started practices for both Joshua and Jordan and I think they will have a blast this year! I thought I'd show some of my excitement by posting some photos of last season. Joshua was too young to play then so I'll have some photos of him in his soccer swag in a month or so. Until then, please enjoy a few photos of our time at the soccer fields!

This is my beautiful little sister Naomi...all of us family know her as Yvette.

Right above you will see my wonderful mom aka my bff! This guy down here is Joshua, staying hydrated!

Break time! They know how to stay cool (notice their make-shift tent made out of the chair baggy things.

I love when all the kids chase after the ball in a group...it reminds me of The Big Green!

Stig and daddy came by to enjoy the heat :)

Jordan, leading the pack!

Let's not forget my awesome big sister, Lorina. She is currently enjoying the cool weather in Alaska! We miss you!

Bring on the new season!

LIFE IS WORTH LIVING

A few weeks ago I was feeling really down. I felt like nothing I did was good enough and everything I tried doing turned out suckish. I'll admit, I am my own worst enemy. I doubted my abilities (an everyday struggle for me) and doubted where my life was headed. I don't consider myself a negative person but David would beg to differ. In the midst of my sulking I received a phone call from my sister. Joshua wanted to spend the night and I was up for a fun sleepover. I needed it. Once he was here, my selfish feelings of inadequacy quickly dissipated. We stayed up watching cartoons, coloring, playing with superheros and hanging out with the dogs. He reminds me that life IS really good.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Coming up with a business name is so important. When David told me it was time for me to come up with a name I cringed. I'm not very good with words, they don't come naturally. Even now  I'm trying to think of ways to make this more interesting to read...no luck yet. Anyways, (I like using 'anyways' as a transition) I wanted something different and easy for people to remember. I didn't want to use my name because it's way too long and somewhat difficult to remember for people who've just met me. After several stinky ideas (Happy Photography, Simple Studios, ICantthinkofaname Portraits) David told me I was over-thinking it. So, we sat down and he gave me his ideas (which were super boring!) then we decided to make the name more personal.

When we were married I brought my two dogs, Lokie and Brownie, into our family. David (with his brilliant mind) decided to put their names together and go with Brokie...but that sounded funny so we stuck with Bokie :) What a great story, huh? David got with his graphic designer and had my logo made...A YEAR AGO! Yes, I've had my logo for a year and I've just decided to use it. I guess I didn't want to show it off unless I knew this photography thing would work out. Well, there's only one way for things to work out and that's by actually WORKING on them. So, that's what I'll continue to do. I'll work on this, one step at a time, and expect only the best.