Jessica Lemmons Photography Blog, Longview Washington (Wa.) photographer.

A few favorites from my second round of mini-sessions at Tam O’ Shanter Park in Kelso.

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Back in November I ran a facebook special that went over so well I had to do it twice!   This is the first round of mini-sessions from way back then, of course I had to wait until now to post them as all of these families used photos from their sessions for the Christmas cards and I didn’t want to spoil the surprise for anyone.

My friend and I decided to take a trip down to Cannon Beach with all of our kids (well most of them that is).  We figured we’d make an appearance on the beach and let the kids fly kites or something like that until they were frozen and then pack up and hit some candy shops.  We dressed warm (it was November after all) grabbed our kites, kids, blankets, sweatshirts, coats and wagon and headed out on the beach.  Once we got on the beach we realized that A. There was no wind so kites were out. B.  It was REALLY warm so sweatshirts were unnecessary.  And C.  The water looked really inviting to those kids.   So we all un-bundled ourselves and started playing.  I’ve never been to the Oregon Coast and had it 1. Not be windy, or 2.Be warm.  It was both.  At first it started out with “let’s just let the kids get their feet wet” and next thing we knew all of the older ones were soaking wet, laughing and having a great time.  Now I thought that once they were wet they would get cold, but no…it was really that warm.  They got out of the water, played in the sand for a good long time, got BACK in the water, played in the sand some more and then repeated it until the sand in their pants started to rub their legs raw at which point we finally decided it was time to pack on up and get those kiddos some dry (and un-sandy) clothes.   I think we were on the beach a good  3 or 4 hours which is also probably the longest amount of time I’ve ever spent on the Oregon coast as it’s always windy and cold out there…..this day was the first exception I’d ever seen and I loved it.

Olivia giving me her “Can I please get in the water????” look.

Tristen (being a typical 7-month old) had to taste the sand.

From that point forward it was a losing battle between me and sand.

Such a cute little sand monster! (and I think I went through a case of wipes on him)

The older boys all covered in sand from hours of road and sand castle building.

The 5-year-olds : No we didn’t let them get that far out without one of us close by – my friend is just out of the shot.  ;-)

All-in-all the beach was a huge success.  Dirty exhausted kids.  Worn out parents. And some super fun memories with photos to boot!

He’s 4 months old.  He laughs and babbles like crazy.   He just started eating solids.  He’s 17 lbs.  He started saying “mama” the other day, and he hasn’t quite saying it since.   He’s learned how to throw a fit when he doesn’t get what he wants.  But that’s not often because we spoil him.  Bad.   He melts my heart when he snuggle into my arm every night as I rock him to sleep.   My oldest said to me the other morning “I’m so glad we have Tristen, he makes it so fun here, he laughs and plays and pulls my hair and I just love him.”  sigh…….my boys know to how to melt this mama’s heart.

Ok…….so before ya’ll start critiquing my lighting and the fact that the second shot is out of focus….let me explain.   I set little man down to meter in my camera and took a quick test shot.  My lighting = bad.  But then before I had time to fix anything out of nowhere he decided to roll over.  For the first time. EVER.   Yep…got it on camera in front of a drop and everything.  Nevermind that it’s poorly lit, and out of focus. I got the FIRST ROLL OVER EVER!!!!!!!!!

And here he is in all his fat little cuteness.   Don’t you just want to kiss those chubby little cheeks??????

Tristen D!  Your the best and this mama loves you to pieces!!!!!!!

She turned 5 last month.   They say time flies once you have babies.   I think that’s the understatement of the year.  She is the bravest, strongest, toughest little 5-year-old I know.  Honest and wise beyond her years.   Funny and adorable as can be.  She has been through a lot for a kid her age, and she has come out on the other side smiling and laughing and praising Jesus. (Yes….she loves Jesus with all her little heart!)  She give’s me courage to keep on plugging away.  I know someday that God has very special plan for her precious life.   She wants to be a missionary when she grows up (or fashion model depending on the day!) and she loves to play orphanage and care for all the “babies” (her doll, chicky, teddy bear and our poor dog who get’s roped into all her make-believe -Huck).  I love her to death, am so proud of her, and can’t believe that my middle-child is 5.