Thankful...

This has been such a fun week and I just love Christmastime!

A few months ago I got to join in on a photography group. We met at Powell's Bookstore downtown, had coffee and talked about all things photography. It was great! The group decided to do a fun assignment - take 24 shots in 24 hours and post them. Well, I've been really bad about it! I keep trying and keep failing!

As I read Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts I was inspired to snap little photos throughout my day of things I was thankful for. I thought it would be fun to do my "24 shots in 24 hours" and post those things I snapped throughout my day. Well, I managed to snap 10 in 24 hours. :) Then I felt I needed to start over the next day to not break rules... ahhh, my self-imposed anxiety over the rules was turning this fun activity into something I couldn't ever complete! So tonight I decided I'd just post my 10 shots... but I'll still try again after Christmas and get those 24 in 24! :) Is anyone else out there this crazy? Please say yes.

So here are 10 little things I spotted one day, a couple weeks ago, that I was thankful for...









And I'm thankful for all of you too!!
Have a wonderful Christmas with your families!!
xo,
Bethany

Benjamin's 1st Birthday

Benjamin's 1st Birthday was on Tuesday! Josh took the day off and we had a great day celebrating as a family. We had cupcakes after a yummy dinner and went to zoo lights. I also wanted to take a few shots of Benjamin throughout the day.

This first shot is how I always find Benjamin when he's just woken up from his nap... mouth on crib railing. :) And I have some photos over the year of him sitting in this chair with his little buddy.

The kids and I made gfcf cupcakes and decorated them. Yummy!



Oh Benji, I just love your smile!! xoxo

We were really excited to give Benjamin this little gift... Selah has a little pet kitty toy that wags it's tail and meows and Benjamin loves it. He even has a little voice he talks in whenever he picks up an animal toy, that sounds exactly like he's mimicking Selah's little kitty. So we got him a little puppy with spots that wags it's tail and moves it's head. He was SO excited - it was seriously just the sweetest little thing to watch him love his little puppy. :)







Benjamin noticed his shadow as he was toddling by. :)

This is how I roll sometimes... it always makes me laugh when I see a photo of myself with two kids in the stroller and one in the ergo. But I love it! :) We had a great time at zoo lights. Insanely long line for the train! The kids REALLY wanted to ride it, so we braved the line in the chilly weather and it was worth it. We had a great time and Josh and I loved their joy when seeing all of the lights.



A fun family day with great memories. Happy 1st Birthday joyful Benjamin Gabriel!! You are such a gift to us and we love you like crazy little man! <3

Darling Langley

I met Alicia & Colton two years ago when they welcomed their precious little boy Harlen into the world. (...For whatever reason my blog wouldn't allow me to make a link, so here's the link to Harlen from '09: http://bethanyfphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/baby-harlen.html) I loved photographing him and was so excited when Alicia contacted me and told me they were going to have a little girl!

I'm so glad I got to finish out my 2011 shooting season photographing precious Langley! :)



I always forget just how itty-bitty newborns are... there's nothing like those first weeks/months of just cuddling your sweet sleeping baby for hours on end!













We also did a few Christmas photos and I just loved Langley's little hat and outfit!

Harlen is such a sweet big brother!

Congratulations Alicia & Colton! Your family is beautiful.

Ben & Rachelle

Josh and I have known Ben & Rachelle since our college days. Josh and Ben were roommates and have remained close friends.

We're so excited for these two because they are embarking on a new adventure this year! Ben is starting a new career as a chaplain (officer) in the Navy and will be stationed on a Greek island. Not bad, eh?! :) I can't wait to see photos of all the places they will go and travel!

We took these photos in Lake Oswego, and happened upon some really beautiful light. :)

May God richly bless you two in all of your adventures ahead!

Little Rachel

Ed & Diana's wedding was one of my absolute favorites to photograph! It was down in Yosemite National Park and just amazing.

I was so excited when they booked a shoot up here for their baby girl, Rachel!

Rachel stole my heart! She's the happiest little thing with the sweetest disposition!! Which doesn't surprise me, because her parents are so easy going and kind. :)

She loves to show off her mad tongue skills! :) Oh Rachel, you kill me with cuteness!

Ed & Diana, I always love seeing you two, and I'm so glad I got to meet your darling Miss Rachel!