Aidyn is Moving to WISCONSIN!!!!!

It is offical....Aidyn has moved to Wisconsin. What an adventure to say the least. Michael and I have finally gotten everything into a storage unit and are in Bayfield, Wisconsin. A bit tired and weary but feeling really good about this new journey that lies ahead for us all.

I wanted to take this entry to thank every single person in Santa Fe that has changed our lives. If I listed them all this blog would be pages long, but I felt it was really important for us both to let you all know how much you truly mean to us.

Santa Fe is a magical place, and it was a perfect fit for us for these past three years, we met a community that took us in and showed us the Santa Fe way. My place of work, the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, has always been special to me and my photography. The healing community led Michael down an amazing road for his current career in Massage Therapy and he is incredibly thankful for that education. Bringing Aidyn into the world, while in Santa Fe, was an honor. The doctors, my doula, and our friends made having Aidyn such an even more amazing experience. Especially knowing that our families were 1300 miles away...you all became our family.

The friends are what made Santa Fe home for us. We will forever charish every single one of you...more than words can ever do justice. Thank you all for your constant love, support, and guidance, and even though we are now 1300 miles away from you all...that does not mean we will not be back! We promise that!

Love and hugs to you all!

Aidyn's First Camping Trip!

Aidyn and Mom and Dad headed out for their first overnight camping experience. Now, we did not decide to climb a mountain or anything, just a simple car camping trip with some friends. We had a ball!!! He loved the outdoors and the people even more, as you can see in the pics. He slept like a champ and even dealt with a small dosage of rain. The best part is the great outfit he got to wear in camp! Nothing like some serious pattern! Enjoy the pics!

Aidyn at the Park

Aidyn is now sitting up on his own and is starting to get on his knees..wanting very badly to move but not quite sure what to do. We spent a great afternoon in the park with our friends..well we had fun until the thunderstorm, but that is another story.

He is weighing in at 19.5 pounds! Doing well, and and as you will see in the video he has discovered shaking his head...which he loves!

hugs to all!

Avocado and Banana...

need I really say anything more?

Doggies, Music, and Water...

Aidyn has been more and more active...he is movin' and groovin'! He has begun to do the army crawl, as I call it. Moving his arms forward and rolling all over the place. Fisher and Aidyn have started working together on sharing space. It is tough for Fisher to know his boundries, but he has been amazing...and patient too.

Bathtime is still a hoot, and if ya watch the video you will see he is learning how to drink water. He wants to drink it, but is still trying to get the whole idea down that he has to swallow it and not let it run out of his mouth.

We are getting prepared for Aidyn to start moving...a whole other world! I can not wait...or maybe I can.:)

A Modeling Career?

So, working for the workshops, you seem to always get pulled into helping out...that usually means getting in front of the camera for our students. Well...I am not one to love being in front of the lens, it is way more fun to be behind....but alas, people have seen Aidyn around campus and he has been called on. It is always a thrill to have photographers around to make some great images of him. Just for you all to enjoy!

Lake Superior, Friends, and Family...what more could you ask for!

So, we as a family headed back to Wisconsin for a VERY short but WONDERFUL visit to Bayfield, Wisconsin. We needed a family fix...or more so..the family needed an Aidyn fix. We got to spend about four days catching up with family and friends. We were thrilled for Aidyn to get a chance to meet his future buds. As you can see in the pictures, there are three adorable little boys...Liam, River, and Dylan...all future buds for Aidyn to play with. Oh the trouble to be had by all of them, I can only image! River is the curly blonde, Liam is the straight blonde, and Dylan is the cutie with brown hair. I do look forward to their adventures together.

Aidyn got to dip his toes in Lake Superior, and see what it is all about. Exploring sand and water is a whole new concept for him, since all he really knows right now is desert...and I am not even sure he knows that.

Best of all, he got to hang with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Kristen...what a treat! We are thrilled to have such an amazing loving and supportive family. There are tons of great pics so enjoy!

Basically...he is cute.

I was thinking about what we should post this week, Aidyn is doing amazingly well. He is eating avacados! He loves them! He is rolling over and over, and teething and chewing. He has found his voice and loves to squeal and scream. As you can see in the picture he seems to have discovered the bottom lip...I have a feeling it is making the teething feel better.

As I mentioned he has found his voice, and it is a total hoot. Our friend Ivan seems to be convinced he says his name...and on some level, I am sure he is trying to say something to Ivan. He has found Fisher, which is quite funny. He is not sure how to handle this furry creature, and Fisher is being a total angel..really just wanting to lick Aidyn to death.

We are enjoying this process, as ever changing as it is. We send love and hugs to all.

Aidyn and Dad Celebrate Father's Day

Aidyn and Dad had a great day together. We must have had some good luck, he woke up with smiles on his face and was squealing and giggling. Seeing that the past three or four days were a bit rough with teething and all. We did the traditional breakfast at Counter Culture, (for those who are reading this and are not from Santa Fe...they have the BEST cinnamon rolls!) So, of course we enjoyed a great breakfast together and finished off the morning with great hike....could have done without the 90 degree temps but we loved it all the same. We headed up the mountain to one of our favorite trails that bring us to water...what a treat here in Santa Fe. Fisher was thrilled to run around we were thrilled to hear the sounds of running water.

Aidyn has enjoyed trying to eat solids, he seems to get a big kick out of it, though once it is in his mouth he is not so sure.

He has also has found his voice...check out the video and see for yourself!

Aidyn Eats Yogurt!

It has been too long, there has been a lot going on in our lives! Aidyn is healthy and well, and has begun slowly eating solid foods...well semi-solid...it is more like mush. BUT, none the less, he is eating some bananas..which he was not so sure about and now he is trying yogurt. He seems to kinda like it, but it is a whole new ballgame eating...a total adventure.

Aiydn Is 5 Months!

Aidyn is reaching the point now where he really wants to roll over, but at the same time is totally comfortable hanging out on his back. If we place him on his belly he will roll over, so we are getting there. He is growing like a weed. Weighing in at 16 pounds, and is 24 inches long...although that was about three weeks ago, so I am betting that he is bigger now. They do grow fast.

Aidyn wanted to show his grandpa that he is ready to fish! This was a onesie that was made for him at my first baby shower, since my dad could not make it, my mom made this for him....pretty darn cute!

He is LOVING bath time! I think mom and dad are as well, as you can see in the picture.

The Extended Version...on request....

I hope you enjoyed the video, I know Michael and I will always cherish it! There have been a couple of requests to see the full version. It is about 13 minutes, if you wanna...check it out!

It is complete...and it is FREAKIN' SWEET!!!!!!

Hi everyone!
I am thrilled to announce we have our movie ready for the world to see! Genevieve has done an amazing job with it, and we have put the shorter version online for you all to watch.

Please allow the movie to download, you will see a play button on the screen, hit it, and then hit the pause button, let it download. Be patient, it is absolutely worth the wait! It will vary with everyones computer and the internet connection speed that you have. The video is about five minutes in length, so give yourself some time to enjoy watching it. I know we are all super busy, but it is a great and beautiful video, and I could not be more excited for you all to see it. If this totally confuses you, I understand that as well, shoot me an email and I will help ya through the process!

Michael and I continue to be blown away by Genevieve's talent, and we will never be able to put into words what it means for us to have this as a archived memory. Kudos to you, Genevieve!!

image © Genevieve Russell, StoryPortrait Media, www.storyportraitmedia.com

Little Slices of Heaven...

Little bits of heaven happen every morning. Aidyn wakes with a smile and we all hang together to start out our day the right way...in bed. He continues to take me on photographic journeys, I can not seem to stop making those images. Here are just a couple. More to come soon.

MOM'S DAY!!!

Hi Everyone! HAPPY MOM'S DAY...one day late. Aidyn and Michael gave me a great mother's day! They woke me up in the morning with a hand made card done by Aidyn...well mostly...and then we went out for a superb breakfast involving a very large yummy cinnamon roll. To work off that cinnamon roll we headed out for a wonderful hike. As you can see, we all had a blast, and he got pretty tuckered out by the end. We send our love out to all the moms we know. It is an amazing journey!!!!