Hmmm....

Xoxo

Rowan

Love those RAINY Days of Summer!

I know I have mentioned before how RARE a rainy day is, here at Fort Irwin. Well guess what!! It FINALLY RAINED!! YAY!! So many people thought I was crazy for getting so excited about rain.. The people in the community here always make comments like. "Hey whats that liquid stuff falling from the sky?" Or when some one moves back to what we call "The Normal Part of the Country" and they post pictures we say "Hey what are all those tall green things in your pictures?" Brown is what we get out here, and plenty of it. :O) So as soon as I looked outside and say the rain, I grabbed my camera and who ever would go outside to play with me.. Of course my Little, is always all about going outside. He and my Hunny were all about going outside with me. The two bigger kids, were too busy playing and didn't really care at that moment. So I took Lucas and out we went, followed by Daddy to come out and play with us.

"Mommy, I just want to be naked and free." I love being about to let him run around in his diaper on hot days, just enjoying life.. Today was no different, even though it was raining, it was still just as hot.

Daddy came out to join us just as the rain was stopping and went and found a great big puddle to jump around and splash in.

He even grabbed the camera from me and snapped a shot of mine and the babies feet. Thanks Daddy!!

He found an awesome perfect Lucas size place to sit and stomp his feet in the water. This and the picture below are my favoites. :O) I love just capturing his littleness.

His little giggles and squeals just brighten my day. He had so much fun. We found a tennis ball and he played catch with us and ran around playing chase with Daddy. he got made when the ground started to dry up, which didn't take long, so we turned on the out door faucet and he started giggling all over again. I love this age.. I just want to freeze him here, for just a little while longer.

Thanks for coming and reading. Until next time!

Xoxo,

Ro

Desert Irony

A few weeks ago the other photo gals and I took a little ride out to the dried lake bed close to post. It was an AMAZING time. We took things with us that are just out of the ordinary for the desert. It was really fun to just get out there and have fun with out the pressures of a session and just play with our craft. So here is some of what I captured. ENJOY!!!

Desert Irony

This is I think one of my favorites from the day.. Love the umbrella. It VERY rarely rains here. We asked her to stand like Mary Poppins and her response was "Um, I don't know who that is." Lol. This little girl has such a wonderful personality, I could sit and photograph her all day. With her adorable expressions and dancing around.

I LOVED the pictures with the Kayak! What is more ironic than a boat in a lake without water! We totally didn't expect him to get into his full wet suit gear and get in it! It was sooooo hot outside. But HEY! Who am I to complain, I mean seriously how awesome do these look. The one on the top actually kinda looks like he is floating in some seriously muddy water.

My friend Jen snapin away with her camera.

I think the only other thing we needed was a blow up kiddie pool. The bold colors on such a bland, neutral backdrop. The desert; as far away as we are from everything definitely has is own beauty. Whether is be the cracked dry lake bed, the or the mountains, it is definitely gorgeous.

Some of the photo girls at the end of our day. Thanks for an amazing time ladies! Can't wait to go do it again!

Xoxo,

Rowan

Lazy Days of Summer

I've slacked a bit on my blog entries this summer. I've been so busy with the kids, that yes even I have been one of those moms where the pictures stay stuck on the camera card. I've been photographing everything that we do, but when it come time to actually get them onto the computer to edit them, that's about as far as I get.

It has been hot, hot, hot here in the high desert. I think I have

mentioned before how dry and hot it gets during the summers, and how rain is an extremely rare occasion. The triple digits sometimes make it difficult to even go to the pool. So we've been finding different activities to do in the house. We've had quite a lazy summer so far, but it's been very relaxing. Aiden has spent much of his time hanging out with friends, it got to the point where he was rarely even at the house. So we came up with a rule that; Yes he may play at his friends houses, however he has to wait until after lunch time. This way we still get family time in. I am so not looking forward to his teen years where all he wants to do is be out of the house and only with his friends. So hopefully this rule will last, and he will appreciate the time spent with his brother and sister. He has also adopted the "I'm bored" comment about every 10 minutes. He loves to sit and play his video games, but I refuse to let him become one of those kids whose brains turn to mush, from constantly looking at a computer, television and or game console. So the first thing I did this summer was create a summer schedule. Sometimes the tasks get switched around to different times, but every day, we get in, story time, crafts or coloring, and clean up time. Aiden helps with chores and Chloe helps to keep the living room and her bedroom clean. The best part about it, is that now Lucas starts to put things away, as well as handing me his plate when he is finished with what he is eating, instead of throwing it. LOVE IT!!

Last week I decided to make some play-dough. I was so tired of buying it, because it always ended up mixed together, and all over the backyard

and dried up. I am, like many others completely addicted to Pinterest. You can find a tutorial for anything. I found a few recipes on Pinterest, so I decided ok lets go for it. Two batches make enough for all three kids to play with. I only made two colors, because well, I'll be honest, lol... I ran out of salt. It seriously took me 10 minutes to make both batches,and yes, I will include the

recipe at the end of this post.

The kids had so much fun with this. Lucas had lots of fun squishing the dough in his hands and between his fingers, and Aiden had lots of fun showing him how to use cookie cutters to cut out shapes in the dough. Chloe decided she needed to make cookies for a tea party with hers. They didn't even mix the colors this time.

I love seeing the way the three of them play, and how their creative little minds turn the same toy into 3 completely different concepts. Aidens pizza pies and he was flipping the dough in the air. Chloe even make chocolate chips for her cookies, and her butterflies came to the tea party. Lucas was a little gentler with his, he loves balls, so he loved having it roll around. When he was done, he grabbed the bowl I had brought it out in, but his in the bowl along with the cookie cutters he had been using, pushed it a

way and said, "all done." He was for sure ready for a nap.

__________________________________________________________

PLAY DOUGH RECIPE!!

You will need:

1 cup of flour

1 cup of water

2 table spoons of Cream of tartar

1/3 cup of Salt

1 tablespoon of Oil

( the recipe called for Veggie Oil, but I used Canola, worked perfectly)

Food Coloring

This recipe makes quite a bit. When I divided it for my three kids, it equaled what three jars from the store would have bought you.

1: In a 2 quart sauce pan, add your dry ingredients. Yes, you will

need the full 1/3 CUP of salt. This will keep the dough from sticking to the pan as well as to help preserve it.

2: Add your water and oil. Turn your heat on to medium heat. Stir constantly, It will be a little lumpy, but that is ok.

3: Once you have your ingredients mixed well (it will look like a really soft paste) add your food coloring. The more food coloring you add the bolder your color will be. I only added about 5 drops of blue and it resulted in making a turquoise color rather than blue.

4: Continue stirring, it will start to solidify, and you will end you will end up folding it more that stirring.

5: Take the dough out onto a peace of max paper and let cool.

Happy Lazy Days!

xoxo

Rowan

Jen Wrecks the Dress

I had so so much fun with this photo shoot. The minute she emailed me and asked me to photograph her and what she wanted to do, I was completely ecstatic! I immediately went to Google and researched Wreck the Dress photography. I could hardly wait! We went out in the evening so we could catch some awesome sun action as is was starting to set, but not set so much that it was already behind the mountains. The results were amazing, and made it so difficult to deside which ones to use as her preview. I loved them all! Catching her "proud of herself" expressions, and as she laughed as she and her daughter joked, really brought out who this gorgeous woman is! Shes fun and carefree, and just really enjoys life and her family.

For her "Wreck the Dress" was her way of saying "Goodbye" to Fort Irwin. Her husband has been deployed for the past year. So it really became a perfect statement of "We made it through one more crazy deployment strong as ever." Plus I mean seriously, how many of us can fit back into our wedding gowns years after our special day to give it one more dance in the sun.

As Jen sees it, "This is its last hoorah, it already has a big ole chocolate stain on it, so I mean, what else am I supposed to do with it, I want to go have some fun with it before I literally throw it away. It just ends up as an extra box on the moving truck during a PCS"

We brought 5 gallons of water, lets face it, we're in the desert literally in the middle of no where, there is not body of water for miles, and I mean MILES. Heck the nearest real town is 35 miles away down a two lane road. Plus doing these in the desert was very important to the statement and memory that she wanted to make. This has been their lives for the last 2.5 years.

So she brought some spray paint, an old trunk, a pair of her hubbies combat boots, an American Flag, and a bottle of her husbands favorite Bud Light. The amount of people that honked at her while we were on Fort Irwin Rd was crazy! I dont think we stopped laughing during the entire shoot. Once we got to the dried lake bed; as a good friend says, izzz onnnnn" Her daughter and a friend dumped 2 gallons on water on her and the ground. We wanted to make sure the ground got nice and muddy. So she knelt down right in the puddle we created and as she lifted the front of her dress, she was very please with herself. I mean it was like thick clay had stuck to her dress. We went to town, she rolled around on her stomack just having a blast.. We poured more water on it, which really actually helped to spread the clay and make it look dirtier. She sat down; poured beer on it; and then; oh yes we spray painted the words "Adios Irwin" on the bottom on her train. "Peace Out" kinda became her staple for the shoot, so her daughter sprayed a big peace sign on the front of her dress and went crazy with the back.. They were so completely happy with what they did to this dress. She said "It feel liberating!" I would do another one of these shoots in a heart beat!

This last photo really became one of the favorites. Perfect in black and white. It really brought out just how dirty we got this thing. You can see all the details from the dress just perfectly. From the embroidery, to the lace and tulle. Her pearly bracelet and bare feet in the muddy cracked floor added the perfect touch.

Jen, I can't thank you enough for the opportunity to help you create this memory. I had such a blast with you! Have an amazing time at your new duty location, I know you'll have fun where ever you !

xoxo,

Ro

"We Are No Longer the Knights Of Ni"

The Foster Family

Words can not describe how honored and humbled I am to have gotten the privilege to photograph this family. Most especially because this is not only just a customer, she is a friend and a fellow photographer. Not to mention, she is one that I look up to so so much. So for her to come to me and ask me to photograph her family is quite an honor. She is also the photographer that photographed my family at the train station in my last blog entry.

I've known her family pretty much since we got to Fort Irwin. She has 3 beautiful daughters, Rhiannon, Shaelynn, and Rowan. No I didn't accidentally type my own name. This is the first time I have ever met someone with the same name as me. Pretty cool. This family is a mountain of fun. They are intelligent, love the theater and being in theatrical performances, love to create art, and you will often find the girls putting on their own plays in their home. They totally let my nerdy side out. I too was once a drama/choir geek, and in many ways I still am, and I LOVE it!

We ventured out at about 5:30 PM so we could get the pretty sun as it was starting to set. Got some really gorgeous sun flares and warm light. I also got to learn a few new tricks from my favorite photographer. We started at the school, so we could get the fun architectural lines and include their pup. The oldest wasn't really interested in getting her picture taken, but we really got some really wonderful images. Anna thank you for allowing me to capture these memories for you.

xoxo

Rowan

Now its Our Turn

The last few months I have been so lucky to be able to step onto the other side of the lense twice with my family. My kids and husband are all over this blog, so I am so excited to actually get into the picture with them. So two photo sessions by two awesome photog friends, Kelly Gagnard and Anna Foster. I love both styles, each gave me something completely different. Anna also did my maternity and newborn shots of our little Lucas. So it was just right to also have her do more a year later. Ladies thank you both so much for spending the time with my family to capture such wonderful images.

So here is a small glimpse at my wonderful family.

(The first set is done by the amazing Kelly Gagnard)

My rambunctious kiddos all piled up on the couch. They were ready to jump up and run wild, it was hilarious, and Kelly was great about getting them to finally hop up there with us to get a family photo.

This one is one of my favorites from the session, I love how much Lucas is cracking up in the picture, like they were playing "lets see how long until I can escape from Aiden and Chloe." Not very long, haha.

This is my all time favorite from the entire session. Chloe and Aiden are always hugging each other and posing for the camera, so I never have to worry about what they are doing. Lucas, is just hilarious. He got so mad every time we leaned in for a kiss and at one point actually started hitting Doug. "Don't kiss my Mommy!" I think the majority of the ones that I absolutely love from this session are in Black and White. I think black and white has such a wonderful way of really freezing the moment. Every time I look at these I will smile and laugh. One because my dear friend got to really see my kids in rare form that day, they were running every where like they'd never been allowed out of the house in their lives.

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Chloe and I. Probably my favorite one of the two of us since she was a baby. She is definitely my cuddle bug, well she and Lucas. I wish I could freeze her at this age for just a little longer. She is perfectly sweet with the perfect touch of Sassiness. Her smile sends me over the moon. I think every Mom needs a daughter. She loves to be affectionate and help. She loves to be in the kitchen and help make whatever I am making. She even takes it upon herself to take her own clothes up to her room, and "put them away" They end up in whatever drawer she can stuff them into, but I will definitely not complain.

Now onto our latest session, by the ever so talented Anna Foster.

I've know Anna, pretty much since we got to Fort Irwin. She's is one of those photographers that inspires me to be better. My families true nature came out in this set. From Chloe's "need for the spot light" Aiden's sweetness, and Lucas's well he's just adorable, to mine and my husbands funniness. These pictures were done at The Harvey House/Barstow Train Station where I often take MY clients to be photographed. I felt that in part that these needed to reflect how I spend my time as well.

One thing about me, is that I am absolutely afraid of heights. More so as an adult. Even with a rail between me and the edge, haha, it doesn't matter. So this picture, as adorable as it is, completely freaked me out. I was maybe 3 feet away from him and up on the train with him, but never less. Doug was trying not to die laughing because I was being such a baby about it.

Oh, there are those silly kids again, all three of them in on the act.

Every single time I see this, it just makes me happy. They had been blowing bubbles and he was just sitting there absolutely cracking up. I'm so grateful that she captures this.

Haha! Oh, our true nature as a couple comes out. A photo session wouldn't be complete without a crazy picture of Doug and I together. He makes me laugh every single day, and you can pretty much bet, that even on a bad day, he knows exactly what to do to make my laugh.

This is us, we're loud, rambunctious and love life and love being together. We love each other with everything we have. We love to let the kids be little. They are only this little once, I mean look at Aiden, he's already 8 and Lucas is already walking and trying to make words.

I am so grateful for the life that I have. So grateful for the everyday adventure on being their mom and the wife to an amazing US Soldier. I love the life that he has given me, it has brought me more richness than money could ever buy. And yes, even though this base is far away from everything I have met some of the most amazing women I have ever met in my life. Amazing friends, and colleges like Anna and Kelly. Ladies thank you again so much. I hope that one day I can return the favor.

xoxo

Rowan