Zoe London

Last Friday, the 27th, I spent a fair amount of the afternoon and evening at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, where my friend, Janea, gave birth to sweet little Zoe London.  She had asked me weeks prior if I would photograph the birth, and naturally, honored and delighted, I said yes.  For as long as I can remember I've wanted to witness a birth, not to watch the bloody gore of it (I saw that in 10th grade Health class, not to mention experienced it firsthand with the birth of my own two), but to just be in the room when it happens; to witness reactions, facial expressions, the bonding between mother and babe, and simply take part in the wonderful and spiritual experience.  I have also, especially for the past six months, grown to love the idea of birth photography.  I am actually to the point, now, where I'd consider doing it solely if enough opportunities presented themselves.  The idea of capturing raw footage of such a glorious occasion, being surrounded by happy people anticipating the long-awaited arrival of a sweet, perfect, new baby, and being able to provide these people with treasured photos they'll hold dear to their hearts forever sounds rewarding beyond measure.  No huge concerns about exposure, perfectly posed shots or coordinated outfits, but rather the real and now of those precious and tender moments, which SO INSTANTLY vanish.  It seems there's a new movement with birth photography, and I really would love to hop on the bandwagon.

Well, while Janea wanted to attempt a VBAC, in the end, she had a c-section (for reasons irrelevant to this post).  The hospital had extremely strict rules, including only allowing 3 visitors in the room at a time, which explains why I spent several hours sitting in the waiting area surrounded by some of Modesto's most interesting residents.  At one point I was able to go back while Jared and Janea waited on the final word from the doctor.  I snapped some pictures, then headed back to the waiting area.  Shortly after that I came home for a couple hours.  Then, just before Janea was wheeled in for her c-section, I headed back.  I was NOT welcome by hospital staff to attend and capture this part of it, which we were all bummed about, but rules are rules.

And after little miss entered the world and Janea was taken to recovery, back I went to snap more pictures, this time of big brother, Taylor, meeting his new baby sister for the first time.  It was just so neat.  All of it. And, on a side note, I can now say I have watched Olympic Opening Ceremonies from a hospital waiting room!

Thanks, Jared and Janea for allowing me to be a part of this very special day for your family.  And welcome to the world, sweet Olympic baby girl, Zoe London!

4th of July mini shoot

A couple weeks ago, I tagged along with my friend, Misty to this awesome patriotic wall in Escalon so she could scope out the morning light for some upcoming mini sessions she had scheduled, and also to take some pictures of Lorilee's kiddos.  While there, I snapped some pictures myself.


Here's Chloe with her little friends, Dylen and Sydney.  I am really sad that Brooklyn and Nikell are not in these pictures, but they were in Utah at the time.  :(  I can't say enough how grateful I am for Chloe's friends.  I think it's every mother's wish that her children have good friends, and my wish has, no doubt, been granted.  They are all such sweet girls - every one of them! - and they've built some fun memories together.  I still need to share pictures from their ballet recital in May!

Left to right: Ryan, Chloe, Dylen, Ryder, Caleb, Ethan, Max, Sydney, and Ashley 


My favorite  :)



"America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." -Harry S. Truman

The festivities of the July 4th are fun and all, but like any holiday, it's sometimes easy to lose sight of what we're really celebrating. I am grateful for those courageous souls from centuries ago who fought for the freedoms I enjoy today, and for those who continue to make great sacrifices to maintain those freedoms. 

To those individuals, thank you!  And to America, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Temple with the girls

Living in Ripon has had its ups and its downs.  Among the ups and surely at the top of that list has been the many sweet friends I've made.  On the 1st of February, I had the opportunity to go to the Oakland temple with Misty and Lorilee.  It was very last minute, and required some juggling with the kids, but all three of us felt a strong urge to go, and so we made it happen.  I am so glad we did.

{Not a bad shot, considering we propped Misty's camera on the fountain and set the timer.}

My heart was particularly full that morning, and I entered the temple with a prayer that I might leave with greater clarity and peace about a couple specific things that had been troubling me.  Sometimes the Lord's timing is just incredible.  I say that because I had an experience as we were leaving that provided me that peace and at least a level of understanding I'd been seeking.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to attend the temple.  And I am so grateful for the many friends I have, both near and far, who lift me up every single day.  Without these things, I'd be hopeless.

A spontaneous drive to Sac and an aspiring photographer

Speaking of perspective, on Monday Chloe had a chance to share hers with the rest of us.  After a full week of driving to and from Sacramento to help cover cases at Kaiser for a co-worker who was on vacation, Neil was looking forward to a less chaotic week of staying within a 25 mile radius of our house and his own territory.  That is, until he got a call from the same guy Monday morning requesting his help later that afternoon.  With this job, it's common for a surgery to get pushed back or rescheduled at the last minute, sometimes resulting in double-bookings.  And because it's impossible to be in two ORs at once, helping hands are often needed.  Unpredictability is a frustrating reality but just part of the job.

We barely saw Neil last week.  He was out the door as early as 6am and home as late as 7pm from Tuesday on.  And to make matters worse, both Neil and Ryan caught the same crud Chloe had the week prior.  So even when Neil did make it home by 6, he was in bed by 8.  Anyway, Monday morning when he told me he was heading back to Sac, yet again, I asked if we could tag along.  It's a solid hour's drive, so I figured it might be nice for him to have some company in the car for a change.  Plus he wasn't expecting to be there long so we could easily occupy ourselves while he did what he needed to.  While this made a great excuse to spend a little extra time with Neil, I was also just plain anxious to get out of the house.  Between Ryan's potty training and cold bug last week, we didn't make it out much.

I promise I'm going somewhere with this story.

One of my dad's oldest friends, David, who in our family goes by his middle name, "Alfred" and his wife, Grace live in Sacramento.  My brother and I call Alfred "[our] Mexican uncle".  He and my dad were in the Air Force together eons ago and became close.  In fact, Alfred, who was the chief photographer for the Vallejo Times Herald for several years, took this beloved picture of my dad and me when I was just a few days old, as well as the one below of Grace holding me when I was not much older.

We've seen Alfred and Grace a handful of times since we moved to California, and I figured since the kids and I were going to have some time to kill, why not give them a call?  So I did.  Grace was working so Alfred and I took the kids to the mall for a bit while Neil did his thing. Then we all met up for dinner a little later when Grace was off work and Neil was finished at the hospital.

I got my camera out while we were at the restaurant.  Chloe has recently expressed a greater interest in taking pictures and lately has asked to use my camera practically every time she's laid eyes on it.  This was no exception, and I reluctantly handed it over.  Luckily I just had my small, light 50mm on there so it wasn't too enormously heavy for her.  Now after looking these over I'm really glad I let her carry my camera around.  Out of the dozen or so shots she captured, she got a handful of true keepers!

I especially love this one of Grace.  The angle and overall composition (particularly the placement of the subject with other items blurred in the foreground and the Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling, which are also blurred), not to mention Grace's expression, which is so telling of the sweet and nurturing woman she is.

Here are a couple more taken outside the restaurant.

It was a bit of a spontaneous drive up to Sac, but definitely a worth while one.  Neil even mentioned he was glad we came so he could drive in the carpool lane.  :)  It's really cool being so close to loved ones.  Alfred and Grace have been a part of my family longer than I have!  They will always be my "uncle" and "aunt," and I'm grateful Chloe and Ryan can grow up knowing and seeing them frequently.

Day 16 (5 days later): Zumba Goddess

My friend, Pam, whom I work with in Young Women and whose family Neil home teaches, recently became certified to instruct Zumba.  In the process she started teaching one class each week at the church so she could "practice" on some of her friends.  I had been wanting to try Zumba for several months so when I learned she was doing this I was overjoyed.  It really is so fun, and she's a natural at it.

Pam recently approached me about doing some pictures for her profile page on Zumba Fitness' site, so last Wednesday we got together for a mini session.

I have really enjoyed getting to know Pam.  She is a warm and giving person, always looking out for others.  It was fun photographing her, and I can't wait to get my Zumba on again soon!

Guest blogger

My friend, Brian, whom I've known pretty much my whole life and have recently been reconnected with (thanks to blogging and facebook), asked me to be a 'guest blogger' a couple weeks ago. His mom and my mom worked together in the school system for several years, and our families were in the same ward in Vacaville, CA (where I'm originally from). The entire Mickelson family is a pretty amazing bunch, I'll have to say!

Brian shares my love of photography, and has inspired me greatly with his work. In addition, he's been beyond gracious in answering my many, many photography questions. I like to call him my long distance mentor.

Yesterday he posted my "interview" on his blog. Read it HERE, if you're interested. Or just check out the blog to enjoy his humor and amazing photography. Thanks Brian!

Long time no see!

This evening Neil and I headed to Denver to meet up with my childhood friend, Char, and her little family. They are visiting her sister-in-law, who lives just West of Denver, in Lakewood. We drove about equal distances to meet up, and enjoyed a nice visit over a good meal! I honestly can't remember the last time I saw Char, but I know it's been at least 9 years.


Funny what that kind of time can do to you! Here we are with, between the two of us, 5 kids!

{Her Lyndie and my Ryan are 3 months apart.}

Char will always be special to me, and she knows why. It was great to see her and catch up for a couple hours. Hopefully another decade doesn't pass before our paths cross again.

Baby Grant

Look what I got to photograph today. My first newborn.

6 days old. Could he be more precious?

{I was going to save these for my photography blog, which is in the works, but I simply couldn't resist. Hoping to have the blog up and running by this weekend. You'll see more from this session there. Stay tuned.}

Kozy Kreations

I just wanted to give a shout out to my friend, Carrie who recently started her own business: Kozy Kreations. She's been making baby blankets for months, but recently added to her "kreations" these darling aprons!

They come in child and adult (both male and female) sizes. These aprons would make a great gift for any little girl, or even a matching mother/daughter set. Check out Carrie's blog for pattern options and pricing. She does an excellent job, and deserves a big pat on the back!

Since receiving her apron, Chloe had demanded to wear it almost constantly.

She LOVES it, as if it isn't perfectly obvious...






{Rolling pin and 3 year old, not included}

Here is the blanket Carrie sent me when Ryan was born. The back side is blue.

It's one of my favorites of his blankets.

Way to go, Carrie! Keep up those kozy kreations of yours!

Happy Birthday, Wendy!

Happy Birthday to my best friend, Wendy, whom I've known and looked up to since I was four-years-old! While our friendship has primarily been long distance, we've somehow managed to remain close for over twenty years. Each summer growing up, we took a trip to Salt Lake to visit my mom's family. Naturally, being that we're cousins (our moms are sisters), we'd cross paths and spend as much of those short two weeks together as possible before it was time to say goodbye for another year. We made endless memories during those Salt Lake summers, many of which I will NEVER forget. Forever live the blue bra! :)

Our lives have had many parallels and we've supported one another and shared in just about every milestone and accomplishment. I don't know what I'd do without you, Wendy, and I hope you know just how loved and admired you are!

And now, a journey to the past...

Summer 1988

Summer 1995 (?)

I can't believe I'm posting these. I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist!

1999

2000 (with Britt)

Our wedding days (February 9, 2001 and August 28, 2002)

July 2005 - both pregnant and both due in November (typical of us)

February 2006 (with Chase and Chloe, who were born 16 days apart)

February 2006 (3 months)


June 2007 (7 months)


May 2007 (18 months)

June 2008 (two and a half)

Happy Birthday, Marco! Or is it Eugene? Wish I could treat you to a Fiesta burrito from Armando's Kitchen! Raincheck?

May our friendship continue to produce lasting memories. I love you so much!