My Natalie girl turned 4 in May and I always try to do a photo shoot with her around her birthday. To be honest, I was dreading it a bit. Any photographer can tell you about PCS, Photographer’s Child Syndrome. Our kids are always the hardest to photograph. I dreamed up this vision of what I wanted
her photos to look like this time around, bought specific outfits and accessories. I knew I’d get maybe one or two photos because of PCS. Let me tell you, I was wrong, wrong, wrong. If 4 means loving to have photos taken, then I’m loving 4!

Plenty of silliness!

The ears! LOVE HER!

Ever heard of the I Heart Faces site? They hosted a nation wide photo walk a few Saturday’s ago where a gathering of Boise peeps interested in photography (professionals and non professionals) met up to walk a mapped out course ending with lunch. It was a great time and I look forward to the next one! Why you ask did I mention the word rebels? Let’s start with the qualifications.

To qualify as an IHF Photo Walk Rebel, you must:
1) Be ten minutes late, when you were supposed to be ten minutes early – missing out on actually meeting everyone.
2) Not pay attention to where you should be going even though you have a printed map highlighting the route – ending up making your own route. Wait, does that make us rebel pioneers? Awesome. The Photo Walk Rebel Pioneers!
3) Order alcoholic drinks at lunch when everyone else gets water and sodas.

Thanks to my friend and assistant, Stephanie and my good friend Brittany for embracing the rebelliousness with me!

Now, on to some of the photos!

Partners in crime – I made them do some “engagement” shots. lol!

This is Clayton he got “lost” with us, but wasn’t late and didn’t order alcohol.

One of our stops was the Boise State Stadium!

The short story – I turned 30 in Vegas last month & went for the Supercross finals. It was awesome. I love Vegas.

To the people that know me, please try to pick your jaw up off the ground. I cooked. I mean, I am a self proclaimed awesome baker, but cooking is a whole different ball game. When JR demands that it is my turn to cook for once, my response is usually, “where do you want me to order from.” I just don’t enjoy it and feel totally lost trying to put a delicious meal together. Tell me to cook healthy, I can cook healthy. Tell me to cook lunch, I can cook lunch. Tell me to cook a yummy dinner, I likely will break out in a sweat and nervously laugh at you. Well, I totally didn’t cook dinner this morning so breakfast was made full of love and non sweat. Plus, super easy (are pancakes technically cooking or baking I wonder). These pancakes were seriously sooooo good, like I need to go for a run because I stuffed myself good. Try them yourself…I dare you!

The line up:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup banana, mashed
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon in a large bowl.

After mixing well, stir in milk, mashed banana, lightly beaten egg and vanilla and mix well again.

Add the chocolate chips and stir ‘em in. Then cook in 3″ circles on a griddle.

Then stuff yourselves. I added a side of turkey bacon as well. Enjoy!

The other day as we were riding in the car on our way home from Natalie’s dance class photos, Natalie says out of the blue, “I love to listen to Cherry Underwear!” After a bit of questioning and cracking up, we find out Cherry Underwear is apparently the same thing as Carrie Underwood, Ha-ha! Love my girl and because a post just isn’t as good without a photo, here’s a snap from my girl’s 4th birthday party a couple weeks ago. 4 years old. Time sure flies, especially when you’re rockin out to Cherry Underwear.