Everyday Life | August

Lots of time spent in and near the water this month...my favorite moments are from an afternoon spent at the Riverfront Park Fountain, our vacation on the Pend Oreille River, a day at Silverwood Theme Park, and last but not least....annual Pirate Day over Labor Day weekend; a tradition my parents started years ago and a hit with all the grandkids!

I started Everyday Life, a monthly blog post, in January 2014 as a personal commitment to keep shooting, editing, and sharing my family photos. Follow along on Instagram too at @leavingamarkphoto or #oureverydaylife2014.

Read the July Everyday Life post here.

I started Everyday Life, a monthly blog post, in January 2014 as a personal commitment to keep shooting, editing, and sharing my family photos. Follow along on Instagram too at @leavingamarkphoto or #oureverydaylife2014.

Everyday Life | July

After a very busy + amazing FALL season, I am excited to get back to some personal editing and the Everyday Life blog posts. Lots to catch up on!! It's only 28 degrees today, but it sure was HOT in July. We spent time up at Greenbluff picking strawberries, a wonderful 4th of July holiday at our family cabin, a fun little tea party with friends, and lots of time at home playing with water! We have the best evening light in our backyard! :-)

Read June Everyday Life post here.

I started Everyday Life, a monthly blog post, in January 2014 as a personal commitment to keep shooting, editing, and sharing my family photos. Follow along on Instagram too at @leavingamarkphoto or #oureverydaylife2014.

Saying Goodbye

My family gathered this past Sunday morning to honor and celebrate the life of Barbara Ellen Johnson. Known to me as my sweet Grandma Barbie. She passed away in October at the age of 97. She lived near Edmonds Beach and it was one of her most favorite places in the world - the perfect place for us to gather in her memory. We shared stories. We laughed. We cried. We prayed. And we said goodbye. She was an incredible woman and lived life to the fullest! Married to my Grandpa for 68 years, an amazing mother of 3 (and mother-in-law to 3), a grandma to 7 (+7 spouses), and great grandma to 16. Altogether there are 36 of us! My grandma loved her family with great intention. She always made you feel special and important and gave away her most precious gift to each one of us...her time. She always made time for you. 

Without a doubt, she is dancing up in Heaven in my Grandpa's arms at this very moment. I'm willing to bet that "I just want to dance with you" by George Strait is playing in the background. :-)

She will be deeply missed. What a legacy she left. 

Love you so very much Grandma! xo

Back to School

Tomorrow...we are BACK to packing lunches, homework, earlier bedtimes, setting our alarms, riding the bus, dance class, and wearing new fall clothes. Hello routine...I am so ready for you!!

So excited for my girls to start 8th grade!

Everyday Life | June

Little by little I am working my way through personal edits which always seem to take a back seat to client images, but still SO important to me to capture bits and pieces of our everyday life! And just when I need a little encouragement to keep moving ahead with this project I find out a friend of mine and amazing photographer in Western Washington, Lisa Jump, is joining me in capturing and posting her Everyday Life as well! Take a moment and check out her blog here! 

A few of my favorite moments from June...first nail polish for Emily, summer evenings in our backyard, band concert, Twins turned 13 (how in the world is that possible?!), playing in the Spokane River, celebrating with my Dad on Father's Day, a Frozen Princess Party (thanks Jill!), and a weekend at the cabin.

I started Everyday Life, a monthly blog post, in January 2014 as a personal commitment to keep shooting, editing, and sharing my family photos. Follow along on Instagram too at @leavingamarkphoto or #oureverydaylife2014.

Everyday Life | May

May brought warmer temperatures, several outdoor activities, and more great family moments. Life is full + good! Editing & working with my personal images truly reminds me of just how blessed I am. My favorite images from this month are....sisters sharing the iPad, walking Bloomsday together, watching my daughter march in the Jr. Lilac Parade, (stuffed) puppy love, Memorial Day weekend fun with family, hanging out with friends, and chores.

And just to keep things REAL....the twins are literally in the basement fighting and yelling at each other over who knows what at this very moment. Seriously. Thank goodness we have a basement and I can close the door and tune them out. Life doesn't always look like these photos - trust me. I just choose to focus on the happier moments. 

I started Everyday Life, a monthly blog post, in January 2014 as a personal commitment to keep shooting, editing, and sharing my family photos!