Some Favorite Moments of 2015

Holy smokes - it's the last night of 2015.  I can't believe we are here already. From around Halloween through Christmas, the hustle and bustle is real.  Ever year I do my best to slow down and enjoy the cheer of every day. Especially with my two peanuts.....I want them to have special traditions.....traditions of family and the little moments that build the holiday cheer.  As I sit here at the cabin watching movies with some of my favorite people in the world, I felt inspired to share some photos of my fav moments of 2015. And let me say, this was not as easy as it sounds.

Between my family and my friends and the amazing Lauren Oliver Photography families that bless my life, there are SO MANY MOMENTS to choose from. So this post is just a sample of the joy, adventure, love and connectedness of our lives. A reminder of what's truly important at the end of the day.

These moments are shining examples of what I love about my life and photography! Real, fun, full of feeling and memories!

Tonight I raise my glass and say cheers to you all! I love sharing life with you!!! And thank you for being an awesome part of my every day!


































With all my heart I wish you a 2016 be full of life and love and enjoyment of all the little moments!

-Stacy





Nate is 9!

Today he is 9!heart emoticon 

Nate is the friendliest, most enthusiastic person I've ever known in my life. He finds the fun in everything he does and can make anything an adventure! He makes friends in a flash and enjoys every second of his life from sun up til' sun down! He makes us laugh and is one of the kindest, most caring people I've met. He's a lover of all sports and an athlete at heart. Nate loves life and I love him.....so much! 

My sweet son......don't ever lose your zest for life or that light in your eyes! We love you to the moon times a million jillion! Cheers to your last year of being a single digit! xoxo



-Mama

Happy December.....

Happy December.

My favorite month. 

My birthday, Nate's birthday, tradition, Christmas, family, good food, cheer to last us a lifetime. I love it. 

Tonight I'm wishing you all a month of love. Cozy nights, deep breaths, warm hugs and family and loved ones near. 

Wyatt says happy holidays too. He is so obedient, even when I tell him to sit and wait and he has a santa hat covering his face!!! But God help us all if he steals a sock and we want it back...hello Cujo!

Cheers! 

Just a Quick Recent Favorite.....

Geez, do I ever have some things to share on here very soon!

It has been a busy month full of super awesome families, some very cool new collaborations, and fun family time!

Today, however, I just share this image.  I think I might have gasped when I saw it upload. Well, when I took it too!

These three - so meant to be a family! Last year at this time - that gorgeous mom's sweet belly was growing the cutest little boy ever! He's now 7 months old and I'm just SO glad I had the honor of their first official family photo shoot!!!

There are so many more to share - but here's just a taste!

Happy November 10th! Keep lovin' fall!



-Stacy

Halloween 2015

Dinner is cooking, the kids are cleaning their rooms, the dog is looking for something to steal, it's totally dark outside and it's raining. Hello November in Washington. And hello daylight savings. This was definitely the wettest Halloween in a really long time, but the weather gods blessed us with a mid afternoon break and we had a blast.  Cousin time, friend time, awesome grown up time, excellent snacks, wine and mega candy. We loved it!

So tonight, I share some favs from the weekend!!! I hope you all had a spooky, candy filled, fabulous Halloween! And Happy November !






Bestie Cousins!

And we can't leave Wyatt and the mullet wig out! 



xoxo

-Stacy

Halloweens Past......

Well, tomorrow is my 2nd fav holiday ever!

Today I share some of my favs from Halloweens past!

Also - how is it Halloween already?

Enjoy every second this weekend!!!! And I can't wait to see all YOUR photos!!!!!

Happy Halloween!



xoxo

-Stacy

Best Fall Weddings EVER!


To say the last six weeks has been full is an understatement (in the best way). I photograph a select number of weddings each year, and when I do, I work hard to make sure the fit is perfect. I want my clients to love every aspect of their photography experience with me....it's so important. 

Last month I was totally blessed to photography Brien and Nicole's gorgeous day. These two have a long history of love and adventure. Their 'village' is wide and expansive and they are so loved and supported. I can think of nothing better than to start off your marriage surrounded by so many wonderful people! You guys - I feel so lucky to have documented this completely perfect day. You are the best! 



Flash forward 5 weeks and I've hopped a plane to Mexico to photograph my first international wedding! Hello! I'll do that again any day of the week. Riviera Maya was perfection and Sloane and Chris (and Averly) were a dream! For me (a lover of photographing families) this was the absolute best of both worlds.....document this family of three on mom and dad's wedding day?!! OK! I loved it and loved their circle of friends and family who flew from so many parts of the U.S. to share in this celebration. The love, kindness, friendship, support, humor, silliness, and awesome dance moves kept a smile on my face all day and night. Chris and Sloane - meeting you in person (finally) was meant to be and I just completely adore you! Your day was fabulous and just can't get enough of your precious family!


Congratulations and cheers to beginnings!

xoxo

-Stacy

Flying U Ranch 2015. I will always blog about this place!!!

Today we embark on my 2nd favorite month of the year! December, of course, is #1 - Christmas, Holidays, my birthday, Nate's birthday, tradition, decorations, family, food, awesome fun.

Anyways, I can't believe October 1st is here, and I love my fresh monthly calendar all filled out on the wall in orange and black and perfectly decorated by my middle schooler (which is going amazingly, I might add).

Tonight, I'm going back 6 weeks to the Flying U Ranch trip we took. Honestly, I couldn't love this place any more. It's officially family tradition now. The kids go nuts. So some highlights, and then some pictures.

1. Nate. Good grief, this guy. One of the ranch hands lent him a bike for our time there. I'm pretty sure he buzzed around and put 50 miles on that thing. Not really - but practically! He made friends with everyone, managed to talk the owner into searching for predator teeth on Ebay, played, explored, loved on the animals, and crashed so hard at the end of the day - it was almost like he fell over! I described it to someone like Little House on the Prairie. He'd get up and hop on his bike.....he'd go visit everyone on his route, hang out at the general store and scrounge for money for gummy candy and trinkets, he'd visit the barn, hang with the animals, play with the kids, and just let his imagination run wild. Oh, and on the last day of riding - he galloped.........I mean he GALLOPED (insert horrified mother emoji face here)!!!  He and Todd were two peas in a pod. And as I watched them take off ahead I just said a prayer for God to keep Nate on that horse. Bless Crystal the horse and God for keeping him on her! To say the least, Nate had a blast.



2. Audrey. Sweet Audrey. She rode Bo this year. She loves Bo. She played hard too, spent hours at the barn, knew the backstory on all the animals by the end of the week, could tell me which horse was friends with who, who didn't like who, and who was missing from last year. SHE saw a bear on the hay ride. We missed it. She was stoked. She played a lot of soccer....a lot! She practiced with my camera too and had a blast! She has a natural eye for it, her own style and I loved watching her. And even though it wasn't exactly roasting, SHE was the one who jumped in the cold lake every day! Rockstar. Audrey had so much fun.




3. Ken and Jill! We LOVED exploring the ranch with you and we can't wait for next year. You guys are awesome ranch peeps and we adore you!


4. Movie night was The Black Stallion! Imagine the cutest little theater that plays VHS and DVD on the big screen. First one there gets to pick the movie. Anyone care to guess who was there first?


Seriously - how did I forget that there were minimal words in this movie - and yet I was riveted. An hour in - Nate stood up, turned to leave the theater and said, "mom, i have to go to bed now". I followed him back to the cabin and he fell asleep before his head hit the pillow. Which reminds me I need to watch the rest of it!!!! '

5. People come from all over. And they've been coming for years. We met one loving grandpa who had been coming for 50 years. He was there with his daughter who started coming when she was a young girl and his granddaughter who started coming a few years ago. We love the stories. And now my family is becoming one of those stories.

6. Spring Lake. Todd and I got engaged here 17 years ago. No more words needed!


7. Family time. Sitting on the deck of our cabin and watching the sun set and the kids play and run free. There is nothing better.




Oh Flying U - we are booked for next year and the kids are already counting down!  Thanks for the best week ever!



Photo Credit ^^^^^ to Audrey
Shot in Aperture Priority Mode - trying to figure out shutter speed!
She figured it out for this shot!


Happy October 1st. 

-Stacy

Best "We're Expecting" Announcement. EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been sitting on these for a while. 

It's time. 

This family is expecting baby #2. 

This shoot was CLASSIC. 

Sweet K will never remember all our antics - and we (me, Brie, and Mark) will never forget. 

Congratulations to one of the kindest, most awesome families ever! I am so so happy for you! 

xoxo


Twas' the Night Before School Starts - Gig Harbor Photographer

It's 9:05, the kids were out an hour ago, backpacks are ready, first day of school outfits laid out carefully on bedroom floors, lunch boxes out and prepped.....all is right in the world!

So tonight, my thoughts are with my local fams and friends, many of whom I have been so blessed to photograph. 

This blog post is for you! 

I'm always grateful at this time of the year - so grateful to have enjoyed one of the most beautiful summers full of unscheduled fun, friends, family, sleepovers galore!  And also grateful that they are going back tomorrow. Our schools are filled to the brim with some of the most awesome, dedicated, hard working, loving teachers and staff. Our kids (and we) are so lucky!  I mean - they truly just go above and beyond all the time! A's teacher from last year sent her class the sweetest well wishes this week for our about to be middle-schoolers.  Just kind - all the time! And don't even get me started on how excited I am that Natester landed in the very perfect placement for 3rd grade. Happy reunion for mom and teacher there! Sigh, it's just going to be a good year! I'm so excited for them!

So on this eve of transition, I wish all my friends and families that I adore, the best first morning of school! 

I was just thinking of you all and then started digging for some perfect photos for this post!!! 

Hugs!










-Stacy