Mt. Cutler Hike - September 19th

Jon had a high school senior who wanted to hike Mt. Cutler for most of his senior session. It's a fairly short hike up this smaller mountain, and the trailhead is in Cheyenne Canyon. Jon loved this hike, so a few days later, we did the hike as a family, with Aunt Julie along too! This was Natalie's first mountain to peak on her "own feet" (and she did do pretty much the entire hike herself) and Tyler's first peak ever (not at all on his "own feet" of course). It is the perfect beginner family hike, and we loved it! Enjoy the pics...

-L

Our happy boy lovin' the outdoors!


Natalie and Aunt Julie using "fast feet" on the trail...


Natalie in a tree...


Tyler & Mom...


Family pic! These are hard to do with little kids!


Aunt Julie and Natalie (Natalie has quite a dirty face from throwing dirt on the way up...)


Still a happy guy at the top!


Couple more family pictures on the bridge...thanks, Julie!

Tyler at 10 months...

Here's favorites from Tyler's 10 month session as well as a few of Natalie (of course!)...



Another time with the traditional Chinese outfits from Nana & Bobo's second trip to China...












Tyler loves to bang on pretty much anything...


And he was great at "high 5"...


"I look just like my daddy!"

Estes Park & Cheley Camp

The Sunday before Labor Day, we headed up to Estes Park, Co to see family, friends, and do a photography session! It was the final day for Cheley Camps' 90th Reunion weekend, so it was really fun to connect with some old camp friends, especially Holly (though the visit was MUCH too brief!!). My dad, sister, Aunt Jane, and cousin Dan were there as well, so great to spend a little time with them too. And then a college friend of mine, Jill Mitchell, had contacted us a few weeks prior to say that she and her family were coming to Colorado for a visit and wanted family portraits. So, we thought they'd love a session in Estes and met them at Lily Lake for their pictures and then for dinner after. It was a short but good trip up there, and it's always such a beautiful place!

-L

Natalie loves her sunglasses and almost always puts them on upside down!


Cooling her feet off in the water in this neat area in downtown Estes...




At camp...

Tyler at 9 months...

Look at us updating this blog!! You have a few posts to catch up on since I'm doing a handful tonight. Exciting for you!

Here are favorites from Tyler's 9 month session. We did this one on the back deck. For being fully capable of standing with a support for these, he sure was a bit uncooperative. You won't be able to tell from these pictures, but we did work hard for these! And, like always, Natalie has to have some pictures of her as well.

Just yesterday he took his first independent steps! Yea! But...I'm told that it doesn't count toward the contest we had among Jon, Nana, and myself since the bet winner is determined by the day Tyler takes his first steps without any initial assistance (my last day to be the winner was yesterday). When he took the steps yesterday, I was helping him and then pulled my hands away and he kept going a few steps. I think this definitely counts for the baby book. Weigh in on this if you like. Does this count for the baby book as the day he walked independently or do we wait for him to initiate it fully on his own??

-L

Natalie in a traditional Chinese outfit brought back from Nana & Bobo's second trip to China to see Uncle Andy...

We Love Nana!

Jon did some pictures with Nana and the kids...enjoy!

-L

Nana's Visit in August

Nana (my mom) came out to visit in August and helped us out for a wedding day and multiple appointments and sessions. August is a HUGE month for the photography business, so we put her to work!! She got lots of time with Natalie and Tyler, and they loved having her here! We did a day trip to the Prison Museum in Canyon City (figured we'd get our kids an early lesson in following the rules... ha, ha, ha) and then went to the Royal Gorge (see...you're expecting this now!). Natalie rode the burro. Pretty cute. That same day we also celebrated Aunt Julie's birthday.

-L





Everything is always in focus when a tourist takes the picture for you...


Storm moving in while on Skyline Drive...


Happy Birthday, Julie!

August Night - The Moon over Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods

Casey & Marcus Come to Visit!

Toward the end of July, Jon's cousin, Casey and her boyfriend, Marcus, came to Colorado Springs for a short visit. It was great to see them! They took Jon out climbing at Red Rock Canyon and then the kids and I met them and we took them to the Royal Gorge (we told you everyone would get to go there with us!). Thanks for coming out guys...you are ALWAYS most welcome for a visit!

-L

Tyler at 8 months...

In July, Tyler was eight months old. We'd just returned from our Houston trip with this new baseball outfit from Nana (in Cardinals red, of course!), so we thought we'd do some "little league" pics for his 8 month pictures. Enjoy!

-L







This one just is 100% little boy...




Tyler's been a thumb-sucker for a long time. He had his first two teeth months ago and just in the past 3-4 weeks got in his top two teeth. With those in, I'm seeing less thumb-sucking, but he still does it occasionally. Back when this picture was taken, it was a VERY typical way to see him!


In the Wiese Basket. This is a basket that has been handed down through my dad's side of the family for over 100 years now. Pretty cool. The names of every baby who has slept in it are recorded on a paper with the basket...including me!












Unable to be left out of any event, Natalie had to have her picture taken as well!