Just a month or two ago Erika sent me the best text ever : "I've been looking for a family photographer here & can't find one I like, so Jake suggested we fly to Colorado for you to take our pictures. Would that work?!" Of course I responded in all CAPS - to show my excitement, people. I've been told I wear my heart on my sleeve. I think all CAPS says a lot about me. Anyway, super excited to have her sweet family out here for a long weekend. Especially in the fall, the all-around best time to visit Colorado. Or really, probably anywhere - October is the best month to travel "they" say. But October is best in Colorado. The weather, the leaves, the pumpkin-crazy everything, the fireplace in the mornings.
I digress. And elaborate. Basically, the Jacksons came to visit. And it was amazing.
Friday morning we loaded up our little munchkins and headed south to a little adorable apple farm we'd never been to before. It's called YaYa Orchards!! The weather was perfect. The babes behaved, mostly. We wandered around feeding the horses & donkeys they have there, observing chickens & a giant white turkey. We sampled everything - cider, donuts & apples. We even took a fresh apple pie home for a post-dinner yummy. And of course, we walked through the apple orchards. The flatirons near Boulder were in beautiful view for us and we had a great time laughing and hanging out for a couple of hours there.
Erika took some beautiful pictures of our little family. Love these so much. The property was so perfect for our backdrops which was a great surprise.
One of my faves ever. He's such a big boy now.
Josie was a brave little peanut - feeding carrots to the animals. I don't even like getting my hand that close to their teeth, and Brady didn't really like it much (too boring for someone who needs to be down exploring at all times). But Josie would have spent hours doing this! So sweet.
Exploring is better when you have a donut in hand.
This is going on my gallery wall. Big.
Taking photos of two toddlers is no joke. This was one of 500 taken on the bench, and the only one that's decent of at least one of them looking :)
I love this picture, and I love being together with our families so much.
Erika & I first started hanging out when we were both in high school. We were babies. Now we have our own babies & we are still so close. It's such a blessing when our lives overlap the way E's and mine have. We haven't lived in the same town for ten years but we have shared so many special moments & conversations & seasons of life together since those days and I am so grateful. She is the best mama & I learned so much being with her and her family this weekend.
When you're a mama, you aren't behind the camera very often. I treasure these photos with my little man because they capture what our every day is like. Snuggling, chasing, kissing, wrangling him. It's exhausting, beautiful, sacred work and I am so grateful to get to do it. Thank you for these, Erika. I love them so much.
I of course took a zillion photos as well. Go Cards!!!
Bubs loved the wagon.
I love these two girls.
Apple donuts + apple cider is good for the soul.
Hi, chickens.
Brady & Josie taught each other all their best tricks. JP decided being down & walking was way more fun than she thought once she saw Brady running all over the place. She became so much braver with her steps over just the few days they were in town! And she started wriggling to get down when previously she was content to be carried everywhere. Josie returned the favor by teaching Brady how to eat an apple whole.
Mike snapped this of me when I first set Brady up on the tractor seat. I wasn't sure what he would think being up high when he hadn't ever sat on one before - but like a good Price baby he LOVED it. He kept turning to me like this & grinning, like he just couldn't get over how fun it was. So adorable, baby! Your Grandpa & Great-Grandpa Prices would be so proud of you!
Cutest family ever.
After the apple orchard we headed into Boulder for lunch & walking around. Love this pic E got of Brady in his winter hat. It was a chilly afternoon!
Random crib party with Earl.
For their official we-flew-to-Colorado photo session, we headed out into our yard for some beautiful pictures of them. Josie was in the best mood & everyone looked amazing.
Fave. Ever.
Brady came out to help with the session & gave JP props for her good photo-behavior.
Miss Independent these days!
My sweet Tiger family. Mizzou upset Georgia this day and we were soooo happy & proud!!
Love you, friend.
And now for some outtakes. Which is the best part of any photo shoot I think. There were so many to choose from with these little wild toddlers!
Really he was just wrangling to get DOWN from the bench (he had things to do) when he fell, but it looks like Josie gave him a kick. And she's so proud!
Who hasn't done the binky dangle??
Containment is Brady's idea of hell.
B goes "boneless" if I try to lead him somewhere by the hand that he doesn't want to go.
Baby down!
Thank you friends for coming to see us - all under the guise of doing some photos :) We had the best time with you three!! Come visit again soon...or just move here.
