chloe is TEN! {SnapShop winner}

Wow. I can't believe I'm a mom to a ten-year-old today.

Chloe is smart, witty, responsible, stubborn, creative, and an amazing big sister. I remember the words "It's a baby girl!" like it was yesterday.

When did she become a young lady?
Happy, happy birthday Chlo-bo! I am so lucky to be your mom!

Also celebrating today?

carrie!

Whoo-hoo! SnapShop or bust!
September registration closes this week, so go sign up while you have the chance!
(carrie- email me.)

Thanks so much to Ashley for offering such an awesome gift!
Thank you to those who chipped in to bring Davis home.
{including carrie... funny how that worked out!}
Thanks for all the fun & inspiration-y comments.

It has been an insanely busy summer!
I hope to be back to "regular" blogging SOON (whatever that means!).
Lots of party and wedding goodness to come...

Happy snapping!

captured: cole is ONE! {SnapShop giveaway}

I don't know how it happened, but my baby turned one on Monday. Cole (aka Bert) is the definition of a mama's boy... big & happy, always flashing that buck-toothed grin, walking more each day, making mischief any way he can, and still hardly sleeping a wink. He truly completes our family, and we are so thankful.

I am blessed to have amazing photographer friends like Mel, who help capture special occasions and milestones. I think I can snap a decent photo, and rarely leave home without my dslr... but the truth is, I have never so much as thumbed through the instruction manual. It has long been a goal of mine to learn to actually shoot in Manual, but- not unlike many other aspects of my life these days- how will I ever find the time?!

Enter Ashley Ann's SnapShop. This online photography course is a self-paced, 3 week workshop for beginners, focusing on the basics, composition, lighting and more! (Click the link for more details.) How perfect does that sound? Do you want a chance to dive into the curriculum along with me?

I thought so! Super sweet Ashley is giving away one spot in her next online SnapShop, which will run from September 5th through September 26th, and is a $200 value. So exciting! Jumping for joy!

To enter simply leave me a comment telling me why you, too, NEED to take this course. What inspires you to capture the beauty of the everyday?

For extra entries, go visit my friend Amy and click that little ChipIn button on the right! For every dollar donated toward bringing their new little guy home, you will receive an extra entry! (Just leave ONE extra comment with your total dollar amount, please.) I was lucky enough to spend a weekend in January with both Ashley and Amy, two incredible ladies who have forever touched my life (and who did lots of Cole-cuddling so I could get a little CRAFTing in).

That's it! Comment away!
I'll pick a winner at random on Monday 8/29 at 4pm pacific time... also known as my biggest baby, Chloe's TENTH birthday! It's a big week around here.

{I particularly love the inspiring story behind SnapShop, and I think you will too.}

...one-year photo shoot by Mel Larson.