Family of Four

Looking at the pictures around our house, you'd never know we're a family of four. When I saw Katie Hall Creative was offering spring mini sessions, I scheduled one as quickly as I could! I opted for the latest session she was offering (I'm a sucker for good evening light) but that meant keeping Ibbie up a little late. With a little prodding and tossing, Ib warmed up to the camera and we got some lovely images. Cole loves the camera and she loves fruit snacks, which Katie was kind enough to reward her with.

All images by Katie Hall Creative

Pictures of Flowers

Earlier this week, I asked Cole if she wanted to go see flowers and take pictures. She did. Enthusiastically. After nap time, we zipped up to Longwood Gardens for an afternoon photography walk. Cole took pictures of flowers and I, mostly, took pictures of Cole.

When we got home, I downloaded all of our pictures. I was surprised to find a number of Cole's pictures came out, albeit in her signature constant toddler movement style. 

I like to have Cole practice naming colors when we look at flowers so here we have purple, yellow, and blue flowers.

Cole went out of her way to get this photo. She took four pictures from this position shifting her hands a bit for each shot.

The main event was the blue poppies which only bloom for a few weeks each spring. Cole, as I suspected, loved the blue flowers. We looped back three times on our walk to get more pictures.

After our photography walk, Cole needed a rest so, as she's done before, she hit the floor and rested. Oh, the life of a hobbyist photog. It's exhausting.

Lest you think she was left behind, Ib chilled in the stroller. She's just a go-with-the-flow kind of gal.

Blue Poppies!

Come On, Spring

This weekend we visited our local state park. Its close to the Pennsylvania line so it has a few hills, which is nice. We'll need to explore a bit more before we really have a handle of the place. While grays and browns are lovely tones, I cannot wait for this park to be littered with healthy, green foliage!

Longwood Gardens

On New Year's Day, we took a trip to Longwood Gardens with Ibbie and our little hazmat crew member/gnome/Oompa Loompa, Cole. Cole's little outfit was so precious on the hanger then so odd on. But she loves it and really likes to keep the hood up. I really don't like to fight about what she wears (seems pointless) so we didn't.

Longwood Gardens is easily one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. We'll be back. And often. Our zoo options are limited here which is a bit sad considering our love and frequent trips to the Memphis Zoo but the gardens help. They aren't right around the corner so it's an adjustment but adjustments are to be expected. 

The Green wall was very cool but I just kept laughing at the ridiculousness of the scene. With Cole's outfit, the various doors (all bathrooms), and the plants growing off the walls it looked like something out of a Brave New World or Hunger Games. 

The conservatory was nice and warm so we took our time wandering through.

Outside was cold, very cold. We moved quickly and didn't linger.