I love spending time with this family anywhere. They're just THAT fun. But I especially love watching them do their family thing on the beach! 
Watching Ellie see how she felt about sand was SO entertaining!
Watching Noah do anything is always entertaining, but I especially love watching him run wild on the beach. Watching he & Matt play catch together is incredibly entertaining. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he becomes a sports announcer when he grows up. 
Watching them all have fun together is my FAVORITE!
We have an annual tradition of doing age/birthday photos with Noah. This was Ellery's first one. 
Thanks for the beach fun, Schaffners! You guys are awesome!
Willamette Valley Birth Photographer: Welcome to the World, Baby Hayden
I recently had the opportunity to both witness and document my first experience with welcoming a new life into the world. Thank you, Emma & Joe, for including me in this incredibly important moment in your lives. I have wanted to document a birth experience for a LONG time.
A lot of people I shared this goal with thought that I was crazy. They asked if I would faint, if it would be gross, or if it would scare me off from having children of my own.
I didn't faint and it didn't scare me. And, it never occurred to me that childbirth would be gross. For me, this goal was always about documenting the beginning of a life and the growth of a family. That's why I love my job so much. I get to document the growth of families. It's a pretty amazing thing. 
Emma delivered at Albany Samaritan Hospital. They give out 4 "all hours visitors wristbands" per birth. (I wonder if you get 8 if you're having twins?) :) Emma's grandma took matters into her own hands and made her own wristband.
This newborn baby will be the first boy in his family, but he's not the first baby. He has big sisters! Miss Myah was SO excited to meet her little brother! Emma knew Myah would be spending a LOT of time at the hospital, so she made Myah the sweetest care package.
The doctors felt that it would be safest for Emma to have a C-Section. Emma wanted to do what was safest for her baby, so off to the operating room she went. 
Joe wanted to cut the umbilical cord. So, off he went too. 
And, Emma REALLY wanted the moment that she met her baby for the first time to be documented, so off I went as well! I wore scrubs for the first time and the Albany hospital staff were SO kind to allow me into the operating room. PS - it's crazy in there. SO much going on.
Next, it was time to document baby Hayden's birth: his height, weight, time of birth - all that stuff that becomes the first details about a person. Hayden's grandma, who had remained calm and collected throughout the morning, stopped worrying like Moms do and she experienced the wonderful rush of emotion of seeing her grandson for the first time. 
She wasn't the only one. :)
A backyard wedding in Sandpoint: Leah & Gabriel
On June 22, 2013, something very special happened. One of my dearest friends married her best friend. It was a wonderful day.
Leah's sister, Hannah, helped her with her hair and her makeup.
Many of Leah's loved ones from our hometown of Orofino joined in the preparation festivities. Since it was a wedding day, we got all fancy and had our beer in wine glasses. 
Leah's dear friend, Miriam, practiced her music for the ceremony while Leah got ready. We really appreciated having such amazing live music during getting ready time. Miriam ROCKS!
Little Arrow was allowed to sneak into the girls' getting ready room - partly because his mama is so rad and partly because he's just so ridiculously cute. 
Leah is beautiful everyday. But she looked extra beautiful this day. The wrap is from her mother-in-law.
This wedding was handmade and virtually vendor-free (with a few awesome exceptions). 
Gabriel's family flew in from all around the globe to be in attendance, a friendly reminder of how much family matters.
Leah's grandmother passed away just weeks before the wedding, so they chose to honor her with a place in the front row at the ceremony.
Friendly heads up: I'm about to share more ceremony photos than ever. Sorry. It can't be helped. Leah's brother officiated. EVERYONE cried. It was perfect.
One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was watching the moms and dads. :)
Leah & Gabe had their family members bless their rings before they exchanged them. It was pretty cool to see how each family member chose to do that.
Not to brag, but that cute man hugging the bride (lower left photo) is my husband. :)
After they said I DO, their family got a little bit bigger. :)
Gabe suggested that the guys lift up Leah for that ever-popular "groomsmen holding up the bride" photo. Leah told Gabe if he wanted that photo, he could do it. So he did. :) Leah: you're awesome!
Let me just say: DINNER WAS AMAZING! I'm pretty sure I ate an entire pizza. 
I don't usually spend wedding-blog-space raving about vendors (it's about the couple). It's about the couple and their big day. But this pizza was insane. They made pizzas on-site and cooked them in this awesome wood-fired oven. Their service was amazing. My husband is still talking about how good it was. 
The mothers of the bride & groom made all of these yummy desserts. If they were vendors, I'd be telling you to hire them too. :) 
I wish I had this speech on video! Gabe's brother drank what must've been a LOT of tequila and proceeded to give one of the most hilarious "unofficial best man" speeches ever. (It was awesome!)
After toasts, we danced the night away to a wonderful Latin Funk band. See below for some awesome dance moves. :)
Yes, this happened. Yes, it was awesome. :)
Below: Me & the hubs. :) Thanks to the guest who snapped this one of us!
Conga Line!
Pashmina Limbo!
