On where I've been:

Posted on | August 19, 2015 | No Comments

Hello out there! Long time no blog, I know. It's been a whirlwind of a summer with camping trips, family visits, and the girls being simply busy as ever. Hazel is now 3.5, and Juniper turned 16 months today. It's crazy to even write that! I've also began a very exciting endeavor and started a photography business - Little Trees Photography. Back in April I took an 8 week course to really improve upon my photography skills, and it inspired me so much creatively that I decided to finally jump in and start this business. I've discovered my true passion and niche of photographing ordinary moments that prove real life can be just as beautiful (really more beautiful) than posed, smiling at the camera images.

So that's where I've been folks. I've dedicated so many late nights to make this dream a reality, and am beyond excited about it. I will update my blog over there most of the time, so add me to your reading list if you feel so inclined :) www.littletreesphoto.com

I hope you are all doing wonderful! Hope to hear more from you soon.

Xo, April

Category: life , Photography , sisters

2012, a review:

Posted on | January 1, 2013 | 5 Comments

If I could I would scoop up 2012 and give it kisses over & over again. This year was really, really good to us and we are so thankful for that. Our blessings, they are immeasurable.

January

This was a time for cherishing & waiting. The weather was a mix of lovely & crazy and we spent our last weeks in a mix of being in nature then curled up next to our new wood stove. I prepared for my birth by rehearsing, visualizing, & listening/reading my hypnobabies with great anticipation for sweet Hazel to come earthside.

February

Oh February, you were my absolute favorite! At 2:30 am on your first day I went into labor. Six short hours later our beautiful daughter was born. This month was spent in pure baby bliss. My mother came to visit on valentines day, we took our first family trip (to the coast) when Hazel was only 3 weeks old, and B's parents came to meet Hazel. Again February, you rocked.

First smile at 3 weeks old

March

This month was spent with Brad going back to work & me staying home with the baby for the first time. Things went remarkably well despite B really missing his girls! We got a massive winter storm that brought a tree down on our house and our power out for a few days as well. Talk about making a new mom nervous! Hazel started smiling more & more

April

This was my last full month off before going back to work. I spent each & everyday playing with, studying, & loving our little girl. We took her on hikes and daddy made toys for her. My grandmother passed away towards the end of the month, so we made an unexpected trip back to Michigan for her funeral. H flew on a total of 6 planes & did fantastic on every single one. She also got to meet her aunt and my entire family (including seeing her grandma again, yay!).

May

I celebrated my first mother's day in May. My husband planned a beautiful hike for all of us to go on, and we went out to a local Italian restaurant for a family dinner. I also went back to work part time this month - May 9 - and it was easier than I expected although I still missed H terribly. Hazel went swimming for the first time, and she also visited the redwoods & loved it!

June

June was spent enjoying some warm, nice weather. Brad and I started our wacky work schedules where we only had 2 days off a month together so we cherished our time as a family even more starting now. We took Hazel on her first camping trip to the North Umpqua River at the end of June & she did phenomenal. We had a blast with our friends The Rods.

July

We continued to enjoy the outdoors in July with the weather finally staying nice (June was hit or miss, as usual). Hazel & I went to the Oregon country fair and had a blast! We brought Hazel up to the cascades just a bit east of our house & showed her the lava beds Oregon has to offer. Hazel also met mommas best friend Katie who came out with her boyfriend Garret, and we spent some time on the ocean.

August

Hazel turned six months old on August 1st, and I think I was having my first case of mama in denial. I couldn't believe how quickly she had grown into this little person! This month we went camping again, and we visited Crater Lake which is certainly one of my favorite places on earth. We also started giving Hazel solid food, but she was way more into playing with it than actually eating it.

September

September was absolutely lovely. The weather was superb and we were able to celebrate our fourth anniversary on the coast as a family! We hiked, visited the aquarium, and socialized with friends. I can't wait to bring Hazel back to the aquarium - she went nuts for it. Hazel started officially crawling this month, and boy did she get fast quick!

October

I brought hazel to the local hazelnut orchard by our house when she turned 8 months old - she had a blast playing in the dirt & momma had a blast snapping away. We visited many pumpkin patches throughout October, most notably roloff farms. We threw a costume party at the end of the month and dressed up as Star Wars characters, which I will forever remember!

November

My sister visited at the beginning of November, and it was a much needed visit! We played in the leaves, went to the coast (we do that a lot, huh?), and had some one-on-one sister time. We also had a joyful thanksgiving filled with friends and babies.

December

December was a month full of fun in the snow and holiday preparation! B had surgery on the 10th, which was very successful and luckily he had the holidays off of work because of it. We went snowshoeing on christmas eve & had a quiet christmas day with just the three of us at home. New years eve we had a lovely night at home and Brad & I had a bonfire and lit sparklers on the deck at midnight. Cheers!