Category Blogging
It’s that time of year when we start breeding fall cows. Last week Josh and the kids worked cattle together. It reminded me of the cow work we did in the spring. Basically, it was all the same routine, just a different season. The cows were sorted into different breeding groups and the calves separated from them. It’s much easier …
While we may be a long way from Texas, the Longhorn breed reminiscent of cattle drives and western movies has found a home in the Gem State. “I had always wanted some Longhorns,” says Nick Noyes of Running N Longhorns in Fruitland. “I kept seeing a herd along the highway in Rigby and finally decided to buy some. Our family …
We moms—we women—put so much pressure on ourselves. We’re bombarded with choices to make for ourselves and our children the minute the pregnancy test shows two pink lines. Breast or bottle, work outside or stay home with the kids, jarred baby food or homemade, co-sleep or crib, cloth or disposable diapers—the list truly goes on… and on… And …
Oh how I love these girls! It was so fun they all celebrated a milestone “Sweet 16” birthday within a couple months of each other last fall. (Yes, I realize how behind I am in blogging, but hey, maybe #quarantine is good for something…like catching up.) We decided to commemorate the occasion with a friends photo shoot. They each are …
By Dolly, She’s One! I can hardly believe she’s had her first birthday party already! This little dumplin‘ is the sweetest thing. Her mama came up with the cutest idea for this girl’s first birthday celebration—who doesn’t love Dolly?! I was so excited to design her custom invitation to match the theme too. Hannah thought of so many fun details …
From Tween to Teen! We recently celebrated this girl hitting a milestone birthday! Planning a 13th birthday party for girls is so fun, especially with the help of my party planning SIL, Stephanie. She did amazing putting our patio and decor together for the event. Emma had requested a backyard movie party, similar to her sister’s 13th birthday party. We …
I love custom designing invitations and other paper products for our family’s personal celebrations, as well as using client images to create one-of-kind invitations for their special occasions. The paper invitation gives the first impression of the upcoming event. It shares a hint as to the style and theme, whether it’s casual or formal. It also provides important details like …
Our boy had wanted to show a pig in 4-H ever since he was six years old. Jayten talked about pigs all the time. His first oral presentation contest talk was on the cuts of pork when he was a Cloverbud (not old enough to compete, but could do projects for display). He loved helping his friend with his pigs …
It’s hard to pick a favorite from this senior girl’s portraits as Miss A is such a charming, funny, beautiful young woman. We had fun finding locations and clothing to highlight her favorite activities and her personality during her YOURStory senior portrait session. Softball was important to her during high school, and we captured some unique images highlighting the …
We feel very blessed with our life and raising our kids on a cattle ranch. We are able to have a rural lifestyle that allows for lots of time outdoors in the fresh air, running around, doing outside chores, learning responsibility by taking care of animals and the land in our care. Other life lessons that just come naturally with …
This is my favorite season! Not only is it time for pumpkin spice everything, apple cider and fall foliage, it’s fall calving time! Our cattle herd is divided into two breeding groups—the spring cows calve January through March. The fall cows calve August through October. And while anytime a new calf is born is cause for celebration, the fall calves …
I cried all the way home. It was the first time that had happened—not the crying, of course, I am admittedly an emotional girl—but it was the first time I cried after a first-day-of-school drop-off. My youngest started kindergarten that day. I knew the day would come. It’s time. She was ready. I was not. I always drive my kids …
When I think of the one person who knows boutique fashion, it’s this gal! She’s a rockstar! I love Jessie’s style, or more importantly, the confidence she has in her style. Plus, she’s down to earth, an awesome boss babe and a great cattlewoman. I’ve been fortunate to work with her professionally and to call her a friend. We got …
A few weeks ago, three of us hosted a Boho Baby Shower for our sister-in-law and our newest niece. It was a team effort for us to spoil Hannah and Baby O. I love how everything came together. We decided on a theme, and Stephanie, of My.Party.Style put her amazing party planning skills together to bring it all to life. …
What’s on your Christmas list? If you like to stay organized or know someone who does, a 2018 planner would be a great idea! I learned about the Heart of the Farm Planner in 2016 on Instagram. Late in the year I purchased my first HOTF planner and really liked the design and layout. Cory has a really neat shop …
A few months ago I put some of the thoughts swirling around in my head on paper in a personal essay. Usually they just remain on the pages of my journal, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone and share it with others. I want to be an encourager, especially of women, as we all need a …
How can it be the end of 2016 already? I’m not sure about you all, but sometimes it seems the days are long, but the years fly by! 2016 was no exception. I am thankful for the clients I captured in front of my camera this year. I purposely took less sessions in order to finish a large project I …
While I admit, I have been somewhat in denial our first daughter was turning 13 this year, I also knew I wanted to plan a fun and special party for her. When I asked her if she had any ideas she said she wanted an outdoor movie party. I enlisted the help of one of my fabulous, event-planning, party-giving sister-in-laws, …
Another Idaho Junior Beef Expo has come and gone. It was such a great weekend with family and friends! Jayten was so excited to show “Lily” in the PeeWee Hereford showmanship. Thanks to our friend Emilee for letting him use her heifer. So very proud of these girls! They did a great job in showmanship. MJ won her class and …
May was a busy month for sure! We had several end-of-the-year school activities, celebrated two family birthdays, enjoyed a wonderful visit from my parents, picked up the 4-H sheep, attended a cattle show and participated in a livestock clinic. Whew! It was a whirlwind month, but full of memories. Sometimes the only camera I had with me was on my phone, but …
Usually by April we are seeing more signs of spring around the ranch. The grass has greened up, flowers start blooming and the weather gets warmer. My little miss loves helping water the flowers and I couldn’t help capture her trying to wrangle that big ol’ watering can. She was very determined to get it done by herself. I also love …
I realize several of “My View” photos from March are from the same scene. I guess I couldn’t pick just one from our trip to the ocean over spring break. It was the first time my kids and I had been to the Oregon Coast. It wasn’t the best of weather, but that didn’t stop them from playing in the water …
I admit since having an iPhone, I use it to capture every day moments of my kiddos a lot more than I did before I had one. You use what you have and what you have with you. I do love having grabbed quick snapshots with my phone. But I also want to get better at picking up my DSLR and …
This year I decided to share some more of the every day moments and views I experience from my little place in this world. Some will be landscape as we live in a beautiful place and I really try to capture and appreciate all the nature around us on our ranch. Others will be of my family and the simple …
Leaving the Interstate, the exit sign read Paradise Valley. And as I reached the ranch where I was photographing, there was no denying that was an accurate description of the place where my clients live and work. Not being an Idaho native, I am still struck by the beauty of this state I now call home. Even after living here 13 …
One of the most fun parts of photographing littles is seeing how they grow and change, and that’s why I especially love my baby plan clients. I got to capture the brand new babe with wrinkled hands and tiny toes in the loving arms of his parents, then a chubby, smiley 6-month-old followed by the toddling, sometimes wobbly one-year-old with his sense of …
It’s been a couple weeks since our county fair and as I go through the photos, the memories come flooding back. The whole week was exciting and exhausting, but well-worth all the hard work and effort. Fair week is the culmination of a whole year of work. This was our oldest’s fourth year and our second daughter’s first year in 4-H. …
This was the first summer we attended the Idaho Junior Hereford State Show. We had a great time! Besides the show, they have lots of contests and activities to enjoy like team fitting, team marketing, photography, judging contest, speech. The kids did their best and learned a lot. Both girls learned more about fitting and had the chance to practice …
One of the activities we enjoy as a family is showing cattle. Our kids are starting to get more involved in junior breed associations and 4-H events so several weekends from May through August are usually spent at a livestock show. It’s a lot of hard work, not only the day of, but also at home in preparation. However, it’s …
These photos represent lots of family memories for us. Each year our family heads to the Idaho Junior Beef Expo show in Filer, Idaho. My husband, his brothers and sister, used to show there, and now our kids have the opportunity to compete and enjoy the youth activities they have planned each year. It’s a great show with a family-friendly …