I finally decided it was time to step out from behind the camera and be in some family pictures with my family. I love taking pictures and it’s often only we are done for a day that we realize I am in maybe one or two pictures. I think for a long time I was putting off pictures wanting to be in better shape or find the perfect outfits for our family, or the boys were getting along exceptionally well, but push came to shove with our timing and I realized that we needed to celebrate this time and season, just as it is. I couldn’t make it into something new for pictures. I asked my friend Lucie at Primrosa Photography to capture us naturally even if that meant the boys were fighting or hanging on us. We wanted to keep it real! And I am pretty sure we did. There were many moments of sibling rivalry, hungry troops, whining, me feeling self conscious and silly taking pictures, Seth being a good sport and humoring my old barn fetish.
We loaded up our wagon with some old vintage suitcases that we normally use for decoration, our favorite quilt, the boys favorite book, a giant wooden frame I found at the neighborhood sale and some other things that we thought really were “us”. We walked down the street where we live to a farm at the end of our road. They have a pretty field of poppies and a few barns. Now you don’t really think we just walked on in do you? Seth went the day before and asked premission to use the land. the owner seemed flattered.
So we got going yesterday. We spent nearly 2 hours taking pictures with Lucie, except for the time spent talking to the 2 farmers that came to check on the situation. It seems someone called and reported that a family had moved onto the land with suitcases and a wagon. When they said “moved in” they literally thought we were trying to move in and occupy their empty barns. Seth reassured them that the suitcases were empty, introduced them to our photographer and tried to put them at ease. The man eventually took pictures of our props and then a picture of us so he would have some record. there must be some law here where you can occupy empty land when it’s been empty for a while. If I could buy it and make it into a bed and breakfast I would do it in a heart beat but I think it might be a bit out of our budget. Swiss chalet Kolb will have to wait, our Virginia cottage is waiting!
Back to the farm, I thought we would be aiming for a great barn door but it turns out there were 3 buildings tucked back there with lots of great spots and lots of neat old barn doors. We are hoping for some good shots. If nothing else we will have some fun Swiss memories to take back with us.
BUT, we have to wait to share pictures because Lucie is still working on editing! So for now you will have to see Jackson and my renditions of our family that we drew about a month back on a rainy afternoon. (I took the liberty to make myself look extra tiny in a sundress and Jackson made every effort to make us look as natural as possible.) I am going to bet that Lucie’s shots are much more accurate!
ps- Jackson does know how to write his name correctly so no worries there. He ran out of room here and decided backwards was better for such a small space! Kindergarten will do him good!
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Posted by Kristen on May 13, 2012 in Photography, Travel | 1 comment
Seth and I had a wonderful time in Barcelona last week! We were so thankful for a few days away! Although we were excited to see a new city we were really most excited about sleeping in, taking naps and NOT responding to Owen’s ups and downs at night. Ironically, our hotel was under construction. So, by our last night we downloaded an itunes noisemaker track and tried to get some sleep. Throughout the night we could hear the trash trucks come through the alley way and we heard people argue and laugh as they left a little restaurant around the corner. It was lively.
We enjoyed the sangria and tapas and we especially enjoyed the warm hospitality that Spain had to offer…of course knowing the language helped so much. We felt a bit old in Barcelona, it seemed so many people were young twenties. When did we get so old?!
We were able to fly from the small airport less than 10 mins from our home. It was amazing to avoid the trams, trains and crowds of people. And when we made it home we were really home we didn’t have another journey.
oh, before I forget, you may want to google a sangria recipe and get it a’steepin. I am including so many pictures that by the time you are through them your sangria will be properly steeped! It can be your reward for this picture session. I promise to be back on here soon with something more useful!
sagrada familia cathedral
(my dad and my brother were on my mind the entire time we were on the church tour…Ryan, you have to add this to your architectural tour of Europe some day)
Park Guell
rick steve’s recommended a tiny place for spanish hot chocolate with the locals…he wasn’t kidding when he said pudding thick..they serve it with spoons and churros for dipping…he wasn’t kidding about the local spainards either…
almost home sweet home. ready to see the boys and refreshed after getting to hold Seth’s hand while we walked and having had the time and mental energy to finish full sentences.
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You haven’t heard from me lately…sorry, the weather has us a bit distracted. It is still chilly this week but it is super sunny and we have been outside as much as possible. Yesterday we took a long walk with a friend along some fields where a shepherd was grazing his sheep. The boys love nothing more than getting muddy and sweaty so it was right up their alley. We came home and I immediately begged Seth to start dinner so I could shower off the smells of the fields. We have busted out the big bucket of toys for the atrium and the boys have reclaimed their little boy kingdom out there. I will give them a few weeks to play “Lord of the flies” before I reclaim it for pretty potted plants!
For about an hour this morning I got a burst of energy and cleaned out a couple more closets. I was in such a great mood thinking it was FRIDAY. Turns out it’s only Thursday. But the sun is shining and a couple more closets are sorted as a result of my day of the week confusion.
Here are a few pictures from our week…
it was new crayon and marker day in our house today…tossed all the old crusty markers and brought out the new packs I was saving for such a time as this. This is big stuff folks!
and someone (who shall remain nameless) COULD NOT resist the urge to feel off all of the papers of our fresh, new, pretty crayons. It is kind of one of those letting them mix the playdough colors moments of motherhood.
my new thyme plant is climbing towards the window! she can’t wait to live in the atrium!
this is blurry but I have to include it because it is a miracle in our house…Owen is smiling between bites of Barefoot Contessa’s lentil soup! I have to share the recipe because everyone in the house enjoyed it and Owen requested it today for lunch!!! Here ya go…Lentil Sausage Soup . It has some kick so if your family doesn’t love a little kick just reduce the pepper. Honestly, Owen is FUSSY about food and I assumed a lentil soup, green lentils at that would scare him away. Nope! Try it!
and while we are talking food I should tell you that Seth brought back some of these goodies from Trader Joe’s. So yum. Thanks, Seth.
So, I have inspired you with not so much and told you nothing exciting today. I guess I shared a recipe! That’s something. Hope you are all well and enjoying Spring wherever you may be!
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he looks so little yet feels so big!
brothers
helping with leaves
looks like he caught something….all of the trees look like they are leaning with him!
he wrapped it up and slipped it into his pocket
hope you don’t mind the company fisherman! they were hooked!
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