Gretchen Fawn Photo - part of the Snoqualmie Moms Support Collective

Snoqualmie Moms Support Collective

2018-02-12T14:59:00.000-08:00

I am very happy to announce to you the inclusion of Snoqualmie Moms Support Collective as part of Gretchen Fawn Photo. After having my 5th child, I realized I had a strong desire to share my knowledge of 22 years of parenting AND capture beautiful family images. It's my desire to offer support that is much needed to the local moms in my area and also to reach beyond that to support all moms through my blog and one on one appointments. I not only want to share the knowledge I have through pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding, but also my new found love as a Wellness Advocate for Do Terra essential oils.
I have been learning like crazy about using oils for myself and my children for the last 4 months. I have probably sounded like a cliche you have heard, "There's an oil for that!" Whats the deal anyway, you might be wondering! Here's the deal, essential oils take the healing power of plants and allow us to help support our immune systems in a pure and natural way! I have tried them for headaches, ear aches, sleeplessness, body pain, lung tightness, cold and flus. Each time I have been amazed at the results I have seen in 24 hours of use, MAJOR immune support like I have never seen from any of the other natural methods I have tried in the last 22 years of being a Mom. I am so thrilled to be able to bring this to your world.
I have a good friend who heard I was a Wellness Advocate recently and she reached out to me because her 4 year old daughter had a bad cough that had been keeping her up for a week or more. She went to their doctor and he prescribed her codeine cough syrup. For a 4 year old! She was concerned that this would not be the best course for her to take, but she felt a little desperate because her daughter was really sick and had been for too long and she didn't know what else to do. I remember being that same Mom. I was not only desperate for wisdom to help my child, but I was desperate for reassurance from another old and wiser Mom who had walked this journey and could encourage me through my stress and overwhelmed feelings in the situation.
My heart seriously delighted to be able to help her with everything I knew. I was able to suggest several things from each "realm"- 1. Dietary- Cut out sugar while she's sick so her immune system can work to heal 2. Steam her in the bathroom to open the airways 2-3 times per day and run the humidifier near her during the day. 3. Internally- vitamin C, essential oils on feet and spine every 3 hours, lots of liquids and rest. I probably word vomited way to much in my total excitement to support her and encourage her, but I wanted to make sure she had an arsenal of other tools that could really help her daughter. All tools I have learned over the last 22 years of parenting and tools I have personally used with my own sick kids.
Can you guess what happened when I checked in with her the next day?? That's right, she had used some of the tools we talked about and she was able to help her daughter heal and she slept all night without coughing! Does that thrill you as much as it does me??
I hope you hear my heart to serve you Mamas, you're not alone, there's help and encouragement and education right here with the Snoqualmie Moms Support Collective. How can I help you today? Give me a call at 425-922-2324 or email me at SnoqualmieMomsCollective@gmail.com I look forward to capturing the love of your family in photographs or supporting your health and wellbeing during each stage of life. With Love, Gretchen

My boys at the birch tree forest near our house.

What we really do on vacation// Snoqualmie Photographer Gretchen Fawn Photo

2017-10-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

When you say vacation do you imagine endless hours of rest, fun and delicious food? I do too, but that's not always the reality. Traveling with kids makes it a whole different experience. We learn to sacrifice more. To be more patient when we are tired. To be willing to make the baby comfortable by giving him his own room so he can sleep. To tie our schedules even more closely to going to bed early. I guess it's a whole new definition of vacation.
Sometimes I have to ask myself if it's worth it? Why did we come all this way just to do what we do at home? Sometimes it's overwhelmingly hard really. Well, now that two of our kids are in school full time, it's more precious to have this time away with them. It takes us out of our normal routines that are often really separate from them because their schedules are more full of school and work. It brings my husband home to just "be" in our daily world. It gives me time to notice things in the kids I may miss at home since I am busy with so much doing of my own.
I can focus on the "daily things" in a new way without all my distractions.
The tiredness really gets me. I have a dark and gloomy perspective when I get even less sleep than normal. My mind goes to the desperate place that I will never ever sleep again. But today I am trying to remember that I can and do function on little sleep, that this time with my bigger kids is fleeting, that the memories and pictures I want to take with them will be more precious to me in the years to come for a lot longer than some extra sleep.
I have also been working on my Bible studies while I am here. We are missing one night of BSF so I have two lessons and am also studying the Sermon on the Mount. I knew that God would speak to me as I studied, even through my tiredness. And He did. My studies overlapped in a fascinating way and spoke to my heart about a few things I have really been struggling with in the last few years.
So, vacation may mean different things to you and me. I don't get to spend my time on only rest and pleasure, though I want to, I do get to invest more in my family and my thoughts and study of God's Word.
In the above pictures, I took a minute to document what was going on as we sat tired in our condo. We put a mattress on the floor behind the couch so our teen had a place to sleep and our son made a fun game of laying on the couch and falling to the bed. He did it over and over. We all enjoyed this simple moment. Daddy and baby came and sat on the couch. The teens relaxed on their phones. It was semi peaceful and quiet and I do what I love, take pictures. This is life, real, hard, noise, not much space or time for self or rest, but life for the present season. I am sure many of you can relate and as a mom of older kids, grown kids, I can tell you these moments are fleeting and you will barely remember them. Take time to document some of these times, either with your iPhone or by a professional. I would love to come to you and take your family photos as you live your everyday moments.
Until Next time,
Gretchen Fawn Photo
Your Snoqualmie Photographer

My Warrior Boy and Boots, help me! // Snoqualmie Photographer Gretchen Fawn Photo

2017-09-21T14:04:00.001-07:00

My son and his happy go lucky, usual smile!

As he grabbed a little garden stick, something came alive inside him. His inner warrior came to life right before my eyes. He went around slaying all the dragons and saving all the princesses on our walk. It was nice to have brought my camera now that I am doing a 365 photo challenge!
We have had our walks rained out the last few days after a particularly hot and dry summer, it's been a huge shift. The energy that my boy has now is a little overwhelming at times. How am I going to help him use it up when it's raining every day? I don't mind at all walking when it's wet out and we have pretty good rain gear. But when it's torrential downpour and windy blowing the rain in your face the whole time, I know my son won't be much for running around.
And mamas, I have been meaning to ask some of you how do you keep the rain out of the boots? Both of our regular pair of rubber boots and our bogs have gotten rain inside them when puddle jumping and playing in water. Then how do you get them dry? I have had to let them sit somewhere warm for a week or so lately and that just isn't gonna cut it when it's not warm and we need to wear them everyday. Please share your tips with me, pretty please!?
We ended this walk at our local park and I will share some of those pictures another day.
Until Next Time,
Gretchen Fawn
Your Snoqualmie Photographer

Pulling Up Onions, Fall is Upon Us// Snoqualmie Photographer Gretchen Fawn Photo

2017-09-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

My kids got me up at the er, ungodly? hour, or is it Godly hour?, of 6am today. Really guys, no one needs to be up at that time of day. Why can't we all snuggle in until 8? That would be perfect in my book.
Alas, since little munchkins, Daddy and both sisters had to be up for work and school, I dragged my tired self into the kitchen to make them all a wonderful, healthy breakfast. But really, the truth is, I dragged my tired self in for a french press of coffee and I also made them eggs which the girls won't eat. Me and the boys, including Daddy, gobbled up our eggs and enjoyed the semi-silence while teradactyl baby, who only screams at the top of his lungs as a way of communicating something that we cannot figure out, shoved eggs into his precious little mouth. It was great. All 5 minutes of it!
At 7:10 I had completed everything in my morning routine and had nothing but time and more coffee to urge me on. Everyone headed off to their places and I had about 12 hours left. I guess I'll pack up and head to my garden and see what last nights storm did to things. Micah was down for that, so we got our tools and boots on and away we went.
I knew going in that the baby probably wouldn't last long, but I hoped he would be happy for awhile in the stroller and I figured if I get a small section done each day it's not pouring then the P patch will be put to bed in time for winter. If you would have asked me last week if fall was here, I probably would have pulled my shorts up and laughed at you. But today, I pulled out my warmest sweats, my flannel and my warm, waterproof coat and never got too hot. Sunshine, come visit at least twice a week ok??? Wahhhhhhh.....
Here I am sharing my son pulling up onions. He takes great delight in gardening and I hope it follows him in his life as it does for me and my sister! I told him these pictures are my art and he can learn to do art too. His Aunt Julie is an artist and it runs in our family!
Until Next time, Your Snoqualmie Photographer,
Gretchen Fawn

Gotta Make Things Up Some Days// Snoqualmie Photographer Gretchen Fawn Photo

2017-09-19T19:29:00.000-07:00

Let's be honest here for a minute. The days are sometimes long with kids at home aren't they? I'm trying to think of a few things to keep the kids occupied sometimes so I can get to the things I need to do! My yard needed a bunch of pruning, my pots needed watering and so much more. I had these sticks sitting on the porch all summer and this day, I thought of making a quick teepee! I grabbed something to hold the top together and some clamps and my son was delighted! I was too since it gave me a few minutes to do some stuff! You know what I mean!
I'm hoping some summer comes back around. It's been such an abrupt switch this year. I feel so cold! My bones are cold. I was saying I was ready for some rain, after all it had been over 60 days without rain here. Must have been some kind of record. Now I am cold and whiney. Rain, rain go away, come again another day......
I made the best of the rain today and took my 3 year old puddle jumping! Stay tuned, those images will be on their way soon!
Until next time,
Gretchen Fawn, your Snoqualmie Photographer and Documentor of Precious Moments!

Just dancing around the porch, happy for his teepee!

Goofball face!

Inside the teepee, it's a magical place! Check out my insta for a few more images.

Tree of Life and Being A Mommy Matters // Snoqualmie Photographer Gretchen Fawn Photo

2017-09-17T20:42:00.003-07:00

We packed up the kids and the car to it's maximum capacity and headed a few hours out of our way to see the Tree of Life at Kalaloch Campground in the northern part of Washington State. After being in said car with two teens and two littles, I wasn't entirely sure this was a brilliant idea, but we were in it for the long haul and made a day of it. As I am writing I remember my husband Joe climbing on top of the car to find the sweaters we needed and I took a picture. I will post that on my FB page(https://www.facebook.com/Gretchenfawnphoto/?hc_ref=ARTetT4UihadwmnU5eDZV8ivaujnHSeEBsHh3wSRFX2715O8GlTkc7KxOAyBv2nLQDQ) for you to see. Sometimes getting to the place takes it out of me and my energy is all drained, but I purposed myself to get some pictures of our family and try to enjoy the time we had at this amazing place. My 3 year old jumped in with vigor. Isn't that like a three year old? They may have a hard time, get in trouble, whine and complain, but then be totally fine five minutes later. I truly wish I possessed that skill, because to be honest, I hold onto my anger way to long and have a hard time letting go of it. (Something I am really praying God would help me let go of.)

Here is is all sandy and happy as a clam to be at the beach running around!

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Another thing that has been on my heart is to show up in the pictures! It really takes some effort to let go of how I wished I looked and allow myself to just soak up the moment. My son has a tiny little stick in his mouth and he thinks he is getting away with something. Being my 5th kid, I don't worry too much as I keep an eye on his and watch how he feels it with his mouth. He's tasting the salt and I put too many different stripes on him, but I love remembering this moment. I needed a sweet snuggle and I was happy to hold him tight. The beach wasn't cold, it was pretty warm and we ended up ok with our light jackets.
The rocks on the beach were all flat and round near the cliffs where the tree of life was. It was pretty amazing growing there with all it's soil eroded in a cave underneath it. My husband was right, it was a really unique and worthwhile place to go see. And it was just like it was when we saw it in Sunset Magazine.

My boy has the most wonderful, adoring sisters. The come home and scoop him up to get any snuggles he's willing to give them before he's off to explore and play with toys!

Near the tree of life were some old growth beached trees. They were so massive they looked as though they could be the size of whales. I was really impressed with them since I have this thing for trees, I like the downed ones too. So many textures and grooves to feel and explore.

We had had an upset that I was grappling with. I found that when I was at the beach all my emotions came flooding to the surface and I had to voice them to my family before I could relax and enjoy the time we had together. This was unusually hard and I felt defensive and unsafe. But we persevered and we got through it. Here my kiddo got some love from her Dad that she really needed. This is really what vacations are about. Connecting on a deeper level and with two in school full time now, we really need the time together.

We had spent most of the last 15 years homeschooling and it's been some big changes in having two more boys and also having the girls in school full time. Each meal we have together seems special now, and they become less frequent. The beach is always a safe place for me. I love to look out at the vast expanse and just breathe in the air and watch the waves come in and out. In and out. In and out.

This is me and my 9 month old just relaxing in the sand. He loves the texture of it and I guess you can tell we are photographers, because this boy has got his model-charmer-smile down to a 't'. Being his Mommy has changed me. All the times I have a baby changes me, but he imparticular makes me see the bigger picture more clearly that time is fleeting and being his Mommy matters. I want to erase my anger forever and be so gentle and kind. So tender and loving. Show him all the good things in the World. And most days, I can and I do. Some days I fail and flop down exhausted at night and know that I could have done better. I want to do better and I'm glad that I have another day to try it again every time.....

Here is the giant log we are walking on top of. It reminded me of a huge whale.

Little boys with tons of energy and joy!

Geodes with Daddy and Grandpa// Snoqualmie Photographer Gretchen Fawn Photography

2017-09-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and Gramma stopped over for some of their stuff they left here when they were in the process of moving last week. As soon as Daddy came home little man remembered the geode he had been waiting to smash with him that Grandpa and Gramma had sent home last weekend. I said, "Go for it!" knowing I wanted little man out from under foot for ten minutes so I could finish up making the dinner.
I am glad I went out to see and grab my camera, I get shy or lazy sometimes, even after being a photographer for over 20 years, but I never regret taking the pictures. As always, today was no exception. Little mans sweet excitement with Grandpa and Daddy was fun to see.
Actually, my favorite part was when little man insisted he get to swing the hammer and Daddy gave a very, very hesitant ok while nervously giggling. And also as soon as it cracked open after 10-15 minutes of smashing, little man wanted to crack it again! Nothing like that excitement. Makes you want to do it again and again.
That's pretty much how I feel about photography, I get to capture the beauty inside, the memories, the fun times and I never tire of looking back and sharing them with you!
Until next time,
Your Snoqualmie Photographer,
Gretchen Fawn

Daddy is letting, er controlling that hammer.

Wow! Neato

Let's smash it again!

Those glasses! Three generations. Sweet boys

Grandpas hands. I always identify people with their hands.

Look Mom! Awesome!

Just Baby at the Table //Snoqualmie Photographer Gretchen Fawn Photo

2017-09-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

Ten months old and this guy cannot eat enough. He loves tomatoes and beans for now.

I stumbled across the idea of freelensing recently when looking at another photographers images and noticed something different about them. Freelensing allows for some unusual focus points and light leaks. It also gives an extra dreamy feel to the images which become something of a game to see what you can get. The downside is it opens your camera to danger and you could drop your lens. Yikes! I will have to get some gear I don't care about too much to try this more, but these I took with my new camera and lens.
I do love them. Baby sits here each meal, to my left side at the table in his little booster seat on his ancient step up chair. It happens to be pink but we don't care about that. It works and it's a short season till he climbs up to the table in a chair with his brother. We are by far function over fashion here at our house. We don't get stressed about things getting ruined and we live more relaxed and with more money in our pockets. (Who am I kidding? With 5 kids, there's no extra money in our pockets. haha!)
We sing a prayer to the Lord for most meals and we hold hands around the table. The three year old is sure to interrupt and start eating before we sing the 25 seconds, but soon he will be able to focus and sing the whole way through. The baby waits till the AMENNNNNN and smiles and giggles every time. It's the sweetest thing ever and it makes us all smile before we eat. The time goes fast friends, so grab your own camera and capture these everyday moments. How quickly we forget.
Until next time,
Your Snoqualmie Photographer,
Gretchen Fawn

When I met his Daddy, He would curl his toes when he played the bass and I think it's the sweetest thing when this guy crosses his little chubby baby toes when he sits in his highchair.

Escape to the Beach Snoqualmie Photographer- Gretchen Fawn Photography

2017-09-12T22:11:00.002-07:00

Some days I wake up and I just know my soul needs to leave the four walls of my house and go to the Ocean. This was one of those days. My husband was out of town for the weekend and I had had a really hard night with the baby. My 3 year old knows no bounds to his energy! So to the beach, I shouted, to the beach!!
We have a favorite little park near the beach at Alki that we were able to park at and my Dad was able to come over from Burien and meet us too. We strolled down the pathway along the water my tiredness took a back burner. I felt mostly relaxed and I was so happy to breathe in the fresh, not smokey air that we had had a week previous in our area due to wildfires and also relieved to be cooler. I had a jacket on and after this hot, dry summer, it felt great!
I already shared my baby son's sad face on Facebook when my Dad put some rocks on his feet. He fell apart and couldn't recover. (see that here: https://www.facebook.com/Gretchenfawnphoto/posts/510091602675730 ) So take a peek, because he has one super cutie pie sad lower lip.
Anyway, my 3 year old found an older boy who was getting water from the Sound and making sand mud- Smud?- saud?- and he joined in with his usual gusto to play with him. He was very gracious allowing my sweet tagalong even though he was at least 3 years older. His Dad remarked to me, "isn't it the perfect day?" and I knew just what he meant with my whole Pacific Northwest heart when I replied, "Yes, it's perfect! Cooler and no smoke! I love it."
Until Next time,
Your Snoqualmie Photographer,
Gretchen Fawn

Arriving at the shore, he starts to make his plans immediately!

Rocks are simply THE BEST fun!

He asks me all the time if we can see Grandpa. Grandpa loves to show Micah how to throw rocks and skip them.

A Boy and His Dad

2017-09-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

It's the simple things in life that we love to remember through our images.

His hands wrap gently around his little boy. Our surprise baby. His smile lights up the room and his sisters adore him and covet his beautiful long eyelashes. His older brother is just chomping at the bit to play with him. Oh the day when he will run and play and ride bikes. It can't come soon enough. His Daddy scoops him up in his safe, loving arms and carries him around as he does things. He's grown more patient and more willing as an experienced Father of five kids. I love him more everyday and when I realize and remember this journey we have been on for over 20 years together, my heart fills afresh with love and blessings.

Each day I pray for his little being to love the Lord. To grow into a man who loves his family with his whole heart and is a blessing to others. I wonder sometimes what he will look like when he gets to be a teenager. Will he be awkward, all limbs and zits? Will he get smelly and we will have to convince him to shower? But for now, we will relish in the baby days. We will tickle, walk him in the stroller, feed him eggs, he loves eggs.

When we get some sleep, we see the light at the end of the tired tunnel and start making plans to enjoy a vacation or take a hike. It seems the days are so long but the years so short. Know what I mean? Its such a short season, but one that takes it ALL. All that you are, all your strength, all you sleep, all your endurance, all you love, and all that you are. Babyhood will push you about a million times past what you think you can do, but one smile and giggle from this little guy and it's all worthwhile.

Till next time,

Gretchen

Boys and Trucks

2017-09-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

The boys and their tonka trucks

They sit together and consider in their wee minds the way the wheels spin. They don't know why, but it's drawing them together and their mama loves it! These small moments amidst the whirlwind of feeding them, cleaning them up, potty training, teaching them to be gentle and so much more that goes into my mothering day, make me so happy. It's a small glimpse of where they will be in a year or sooner. Playing together. Laughing, fighting, rough housing. How can I be the momma of two boys now after raising my three girls? It seems like a dream still after all these years of waiting and wanting another baby, now I have two!

Sure, I get overwhelmed, I get tired and I drink a lot of coffee, but often, I look down at the hair at the nape of their necks this curls up just slightly, and I sigh with the feeling of immense blessing. Of deep heart desires I never thought I would have gifted to me. Being a mom of older kids and grown kids also gives me the perspective that time will pass much faster than I am ready for. That these baby years are flying by and even thought I am so tired, I had better keep taking time to document those moments that I love now, because soon enough they will vanish into the air like vapor. Such is life.

May I breathe in the moments I have with these boys for all our tomorrows together won't last forever. I often look back over my pictures of my girls- the ones I have printed in albums and wistfully remember their days of playing polly's and pet shops. Hours spent together in imagination. What sweet memories those are. ahhhhh to be a mom, theres nothing like it and as long as I have my coffee, I will push on!

More next time,
Gretchen

Family of Seven! (Sept 2017)

2017-09-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a whirlwind of the last three years. After trying, praying and waiting for another baby, we were shocked to have the arrival of our son, ten years later. And then we were pleasantly surprised with another baby boy. That brings our totals to three girls and two boys. What a journey this life is. All the while, I stay home, have homeschooled, but am not currently, and run my photography business. Now that our littlest is approaching a year old, my hiatus is over and I am ready to start capturing your amazing family, senior session, real estate and more! I am redoing my blog, my website that had my domain name stolen. Please ignore the Gretchenfawnphotography.com as you will see, it's been hijacked. The new sight is at www.Gretchenfawnphoto.com and I hope to have it live within a week or so!
Our oldest daughter and her boyfriend are far right. They live about 40 minutes away. The rest of the crew is at home. Two in school and two at home with me. It's quiet an amazing journey to get a fresh chance to raise kids at an older age (20 years older!) and boys too! They really are so different from the girls already. They love to be outside and need to run so much more than the girls did. The girls were happy for hours with dress up and pet shops to play with! It's a good thing we are able to live in the perfect place for them- parks and trails out our front door, just a 5 minute walk. Trees, blackberries, huckleberries, slides, swings, rocks, bugs, slugs, plants and more.
The girls are such a wonderful help, allowing Joe and I to have a date most weekends and have a conversation! The baby loves to yell and 3 year old stirs up a lot of noise too. The girls love their music, one musicals and one more contemporary songs. I just love quiet, but rarely get it! haha. We have to leave just the two of us to actually have a minute or two to talk and figure things out and process. We have been doing this for a few months and it's really helped our relationship.
The summer is almost over here in Snoqualmie, but the hot weather is sticking around for the next week at least and I'm super happy to be harvesting flowers and tomatoes almost daily.
More to come,
Gretchen

Our Family 2017

Boys in the Backyard (August 2017)

2017-09-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have those moments where you just gotta grab your camera and capture the sweetness that is permeating the little moment you're living? Last Friday I was home with my boys, outside eating a sandwich and trying to get through the day until an early nap for my son, who was falling apart from a late, hot night before when I looked over at the baby. He was just happy sitting there in the shade of the lilac bush smiling and playing with his tonka trucks. He loves to spin the wheels and he wiggles his toes in the most endearing way. He's almost ten months old, yet he still isn't crawling. Which I do have to admit is mostly really wonderful! He's safe for now, but when I turn around one day, he will certainly be crawling for a cord or penny. (he got one the other day). Life, in all it's moments, high and low, brings those unexpected sweet moments and this mama is gonna grab onto them!

Spinning the wheels.

Crossed little feet.

he's started signing, this mean more in his own way

Life Changes and Documenting Every day Life

2017-09-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

After going back to babyhood after a ten year break (my kids being 18, 14 and 10 when little guy joined us), I will never be the same! My heart is so tender at times and so instantly angry at other times. My naturopath tells me this is due to hormones and their paths and aging! Oh yes, 40 knocked at my door and what could I do, but welcome it in. Life truly is a journey and as I have wished for as long as I can remember, I long to enjoy all the moments I can despite exhaustion and weariness as my passengers. Going back to teaching my little boy everything really delights my heart! I love to have him repeat my words. My daughters also love to delight in his sweetness. It's funny to see my 11 year old antagonize him like the pecking order is so ingrained in children and animals for that matter, that she can't help herself despite her age. I sometimes ask her how old she is and for her to think over what she should be doing compared to a 1 year old and it's like something that was not even on her radar flashes across her screen. She rolls her eyes, "Ok Mom, I get it." I get it to. Things don't have to be perfect and they won't be perfect no matter how perfect I try to get them. And would I, a creative, bold, sometimes insecure extrovert want them to be? I don't think so, I would find it too ordinary and expected. I thrive on change and love to rearrange things. My husband, being a man of routine, would much prefer to keep the furniture the same for always, but he is understanding and has agreed to help me move countless pieces of furniture in and out. Albeit, I have been warned to keep it to the weekends now. He breathed a big sigh of relief when I was gifted leather couches from my Mom. We have been wanting them for at least 15 years and we finally got some couches worth keeping. Thanks Mom!
I was sitting with my husband and my 15 year old daughter the other night at 11pm when we started showing each other cute videos of the baby. It started with a little one I had texted to Joe and since watched 3 or 4 times that day. I love to laugh at his cuteness. I love to see my 15 year old giggle too. Then Joe showed me some when Micah was just a little baby. We sat there for an hour, just watching with the three phones lined up and the 3 of us all excited to see the next one. "12, ok, it's time for bed guys." "Awww, ok. He's just so cute." I went to bed feeling wistful and the bittersweetness of knowing our baby is growing up so fast, that I had forgotten some of those memories and that also looking forward to his growth, and so many more fun things that will be coming in his life and in my older girls' lives as well. SIGH, time, it just keeps going on if you are ready or not, doesn't it?
In light of all those things, I grabbed my camera with the small lens on it (50mm) on the way up to drop off the girls to visit their Gma and Gpa Korf. I usually leave it packed away because it's too cumbersome to drag it out. Having the small lens and a small bag allows me freedom. I was sitting there talking and remembering that feeling of time passing and the small details that we sometimes forget and I was overwhelmed with the desire to capture Gma sitting by Gabi on the couch in the usual way, Gpa in his chair by the window telling a story with his hands and Micah buzzing around the room trying to take all Gmas "pretties" off their spots. This day, Gma put plush Fall owls out and kept her nerves and mine relaxed a little more than usual. Ahhhh, these days. Enjoy those small moments you live day by day. I look at ours with more gratitude every year and I remember the Fridays I spent with my Gma Ruth with utter fondness despite the time it took to drive the hour each way and back. They are some of my most treasured times.
Enjoy! Gretchen

Baby Boy Has Arrived!!

2014-05-15T12:06:00.002-07:00

Sweet baby boy.
You have been prayed for to enter this realm of existence that we Korfs live in
for so many years
Hope was given up
Hope was gone
God had a plan. You were part of this plan.
Even when we thought our baby having years were long gone,
our hearts broke and healed,
God knew.
He knew you were that twinkle still in our eyes.
I am overwhelmed with joy when I look at you. When I have to work hard, staying up late, getting up to feed you, neck sore, I don't much care.

Because I am thankful. That word doesn't do justice to my feelings.
My heart has been expanded in ways I never could imagine.
My heart bursts nearly everyday, but it bursts mostly with joy. The joy of knowing
we were given the rare gift we never thought we could have again.

You, Micah, are so much better than anything anyone on Earth could give to us.
You are heaven sent and given to us from the very hand of God,
against odds.....
For a purpose and a plan.

This pretty much sums up my labor. My dear friend, Heather, and my amazing husband, Joe by my side the whole time. I was very overwhelmed with the pain of it all and baby had a hard time getting past the 4/5 mark.


I love this moment! I felt so happy to have my baby in my arms and out of my belly! So happy not to be pregnant and not to be in labor. So happy!


I think this is the first image of all my 4 children on Earth together. I am so blessed, rich indeed!

This heroic look pretty much sums up these two amazing people. Joe holding his newborn son to be weighed, while Sharon reads the weight. I could not have done my labor without these two wonderful people by my side. Servants and love givers, prayer warriors and hope filled believers.

My littlest girl, Josie, comforting her new brother while Sharon checks him all out. He is perfectly formed.

My wonderful midwifery Team! I love you all so dearly for helping me bring baby Micah into this world safely. Sharon, Charlotte, Glennin and Heather.

My Sweet boy, oh the love! Where is the time already going?


This is a special moment one night that Joe was holding his baby boy and Micah looked up into his eyes while the light came in from the open door. My two guys.

Where have we been all summer? (Life happenings 2014)

2014-01-16T17:47:00.000-08:00

Joe took me up to the Pass this summer to capture this amazing picture of me. I just love it! I was also able to model for a few other photographers over the late summer/early fall when I began to feel better. It's sure been an experience to be on the other side of the camera. One I admit is not very easy for me. I have a new understanding of what our clients are going through and an appreciation of the silliness we are able to bring to sessions to help all of you feel more comfortable!

I realized I have let my blog fall through the cracks. I have a great reason for this, I am expecting our 4th baby! I endured 4 months of morning sickness that I have to say, was pretty brutal, this summer. But it was all worth it! I currently have just weeks to go in my pregnancy. We are expecting a baby boy sometime at the end of January/ early February. We couldn't be more thrilled. And a little scared. Yes, we have done this three times before, but it's been nearly 10 years since our last baby. All three of our kiddos are girls too! Whoo hoo! A new adventure for Joe and I. Honestly, I feel more excited lately than nervous. I feel more prepared and grounded than ever before. We were very young when we started our family and it was a totally different time in our lives. Now, I dare say, we will be "old parents". It will be quite a contrast to being such "young parents".
I will have several months off of photography following the babies arrival. I am looking forward to our sweet family time together and Joe has 2 weeks to be home with us! YAY! I am looking forward to that sweet soft newborn head, to seeing what our boy looks like, to being done with pregnancy and labor, to have more energy again, to slowing down the pace of life a little and drinking in special moments, to the tenderness that comes with being a new mom again, to nursing (once we get through that tough beginning part), to cute little baby boy clothes. What else? I'm looking forward to photographing our little man. To capturing every sweet little expression, tiny fingers and toes, little noses, fuzzy heads......to using our ergo, strollers, carseats, cloth diapers, to hearing that little cry, to hopefully being a more relaxed momma this time and taking it all in stride. (No promises, lol!) To sharing all this with my big girls- ages 18, 14, and 9! They are going to have so many fun memories. I have a brother who was born when I was 13, so I know how wonderful it will be for them. I look forward to connecting with other moms of new babies. Play dates, bubble blowing, tickles, teaching another one to ride bikes, talk, eat, pray, play at the park.... the list never ends. (Don't worry, I am not forgetting all the sleepless nights, illness, diapers, temper tantrums etc etc. Having a baby is hard work, but after waiting on God for almost ten years, I can't help but count my blessing and I hope between the tiredness and inevitable feelings of "I can't do this" I will remember to look up and thank Him for this blessing every day!)
Our photography focus has been on Seniors and Families in the last year, I am wondering if having a baby may shift my photography as well as my heart? I can already imagine all the pictures of my baby boy and I can also imagine offering this to others. We will keep you posted! What a special time in life!!
Keep checking on the blog and facebook page to see our baby updates. I'll try as much as I can to keep more current. Life is precious, enjoy as many moments and blessings as you can each day!
Love, Gretchen

Snoqualmie Family Portraits- Meadowbrook Farm {Sunny Day}

2013-05-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

Chris and Chelsea have 4 children, two boys and twin girls. It was a beautiful and warm day. We enjoyed the sunshine at Meadowbrook Farm. A natural open space in Snoqualmie/North Bend area. We often see the huge herd of elk that live in this area. They usually come out at dusk.

Chris and Chelsea are so photogenic. Their love radiates. I am so glad I have gotten to know them over the years. They live very near to me in Snoqualmie Ridge. Chelsea is an amazing artist!

Iris was so sweet with Chelsea, I love this sweet moment. The picture of Chris and Chelsea is very nice in b and w too. Chelsea and I have the same curly hair. It sure looks good here!


The whole family. It was just windy enough to blow the balloons away some of the time. The boys, Brennan and Caleb had such a sweet snuggle going on! A loving family, I'm so blessed to know them!

As your summer fills up, consider hiring us to document your family get togethers, your birthday parties, your relatives in town. It's so nice to have an heirloom quality family portrait on the wall. Call us today at 425-922-2324! Enjoy~ Gretchen

Senior Portraits- Adventures in Snoqualmie and North Bend- {Meet Katy}

2013-05-16T13:34:00.001-07:00

I was so excited when I got the call asking if I had time to take Katy's senior portraits. I had been scouting some new locations and couldn't wait to go on an adventure with her trying them out! This one is at the bottom of a big hill near my house. The light was shining through in a sweet way and I was able to get Katy laughing. (it wasn't hard. she's a smiler. I love that!)

Second stop on our sunset adventure is off of Mill Pond road. We are all laughing because there is a man in a small boat going through our little "scene" and we think it's funny! I love the tones and the light here. I have reflections of the mountain and the mountain itself in other images. But this is just a sneak peek, so you will have to wait until I show them the Katy and her family!

Katy lives on the river and really wanted some images with the river in them, happy for her and me, this little spot had the most beautiful girl in it and the most beautiful light. This dress is the perfect color and she literally looks like she's glowing in these. More I can't wait to share coming to the blog later!

I have driven by this place for years and always wanted to take portraits here, but it's on a corner with little visibility, so I hesitated. We had her sister Kelsey and Joe there to keep watch for cars. We stayed near the edge and literally shot about 5 frames. 4 cars came zipping through during this time, but as we were on our adventure together, we were all pretty willing to try this out! I think it was very worthwhile.

I had also seen this place several times, and saw an amazing night scene here recently, so I decided to try it out. We had a little battle with blackberry bushes on the way (So sorry to Katy's ankles, she's a great sport!) We spotted some friendly (we hoped) elk there. They ran away, so all was well.

Buttercups and the last whispers of evening light filtered through clouds made this spot per-fect!

I had to switch for my widest angle lens and capture this beauty and majesty, X2! WOW is all I can say!


We may or may not have squished ourselves through a fence that did not belong to us. I told the girls I would fully own the trespassing charges should they occur. (LOL, I hope...) We spend another 5 minutes here all called it a night. I think Katy enjoyed the session as much as I did and I can't wait to share the rest with you later on! Enjoy~ Gretchen

Natural Light Snoqualmie Photographer (Carbonell Family)

2013-05-06T14:28:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure in the warm, bright sunshine to photograph my friend's family on Saturday. We had the vast, open, freshly mowed field to ourselves complete with yellow flowers. They have twin girls. One twin was very excited and happy to wear her dress, while the other preferred to wear her cute pony shirt and was very shy. We walked around the field, to the forest and even got out some balloons. The balloons were flying all over in the wind and popping. It was quite and experience! More to come soon and I hope you are enjoying this amazing weather as much as we are. Don't forget, Mother's Day is on Sunday. We have gift certificates for $50 off this week only. Give me a call to reserve yours! Enjoy~ Gretchen 425-922-2324

Baby Juncos, Day 2

2013-04-26T12:48:00.001-07:00

Today my 8 yo daughter went out to the yard to jump on the trampoline. When she came back in she told me something she noticed. "The daddy bird scolds me and his voice is lower. When the mommy bird scolds me, it sounds higher." I thought that was an amazing observation! We are blessed today to have another sunny day. This makes three in a row I think! It's something we have been waiting for as this has been a gray drizzly spring here at the base of the Cascade Mountains. When I went out to take pictures of the baby juncos, my daughter found a lady bug too! First one of the year. She gathered it up and brought it inside and is putting it in a jar for a "pet" right now! AH Spring, almost summer, how we love thee! Enjoy~ Gretchen

It's so amazing to see their little beaks. You can even see their tongues. I hope you aren't grossed out.

Baby birds have huge, closed eyes and only the tiniest bit of feather down. They open up when they get the light on them.

Our dog is fenced away from them and VERY interested in them. We are keeping a very close eye on him to make sure he doesn't try to get them!

Forget me nots, a gift of seeds from my friend Mindy when we moved here and they still come up around the yard each year!

Here's the sweet lady bug Josie found and she also chose the background color.

Mom and Dad bird are in this picture perched on the fence near the pole. Can you see them? They have very good camouflage!

Surprise in Snoqualmie, WA REVEALED!

2013-04-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here's our little back yard surprise you have been waiting for! Baby junkos. They always nest on the ground in tall grass.

Aren't their little yellow beaks so precious? The whole nest could fit in the palm of my hand. These are only ONE day old!

"Have any worms?" they peeped at me!

I felt bad the momma bird was all up in arms about me being near the nest. I promise to let you be with your babies momma bird. I just needed a few pictures to share. "Chit, chit, chiiiiiit!" She cried.

Snuggled back in, right under those chamomile stalks. Good thing I didn't clean out the "weeds" last year!

Can you see the dog hairs in the nest? They gathered them from the yard and trampoline from our golden retriever, Bacca. The mom and dad bird looked like they had mustaches with the hairs and grass in their beaks! So sweet! Enjoy~ Gretchen

Surprise!!!!

2013-04-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

This lilac plant was given to me from my Step Mom, Debbi when I first moved to Snoqualmie. I stuck it in this pot and in the last 6 years, It took off and grew into a beautiful bush!

This momma junko has a surprise she's keeping! She's been flitting around in my yard for the last two or three weeks. She's been gathering dry grass and dog hairs. The Daddy has been right there by her side gathering and building. It's been so sweet to watch them both from our dining room window. If we go outside, they "chit, chit, chiit!" their warning that we better stay away from their special project.

I had not gotten to planting or weeding my lovely mother's day pots this year. And it's a good thing....this one is holding some special treasures! Check back on the blog in a day or two and I'll reveal the surprise. Promise! Enjoy~ Gretchen

Spring in the Yard (Snoqualmie, WA)

2013-04-23T10:21:00.001-07:00

The cherry tree I planted last year is LOADED with blossoms! I can't wait to see how many cherries we get. My littlest will go out and gather them in a bowl so we can all divvy them up. This tree has 4 different kinds of cherries grafted in. Rainier are our favorite kind, but we will eat any of them!

This is my lilac bush. I had to wait three years before I got a blossom! This is a pale lilac color and I also have a pale pink. They bring such a wonderful fragrance to the yard. I hope it doesn't rain when they open, then they last a lot longer.

Any guesses what this tropical like plant will produce? It's a yellow lily! These also make the yard smell amazing! I have five or six of these and they never fail to make the most majestic, tall, fragrant flowers. They smell so good, I almost forget the weeds I need to get at below them, almost!


This rhubarb was a gift from my Grandmas yard. She had been growing it ever since I could remember. I got a shovelful of the roots about 15 years ago. It's been moved and shared more times then I can count. It's one of the first signs of spring and produces amazing amounts of rhubarb. Our families favorite thing to do with it is make a sauce sweetened with honey and put over vanilla ice cream. My mouth is watering! mmmmm!

I went outside today and saw all sorts of signs that spring is visiting us! It's one of my favorite times of year because I love to see all the things that seemed dead spring back to life. Well, except the weeds! haha! Enjoy~ Gretchen

My Friend Teri...

2013-04-15T09:18:00.001-07:00

Teri and Cyrus with me on the "Brow" in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Last week was my friend Teri's birthday...I won't tell you her age and I'm sure that she would be OK with that. I came across this photo this morning as I was looking back on a trip we took a few years ago. I met Teri in Snoqualmie where we live. She had 3 daughters and so did I. We are both stay home moms, homeschooling, Christians, into natural health.....we were pretty much instant friends. Our girls would get together and play most days. Sadly, Teri moved away to Tennessee about 4 years ago due to her husbands job switching. I was able to visit her there twice. I was really sad when she moved away and it helped me a lot to be able to see where she lived so I could imagine her daily life in my mind. Since she moved there, she had two boys! I was so excited when she invited me to come be with her for her first home birth. She was willing to allow my whole family to come and visit as well. We were all so happy to reconnect with our friends. I did not make it to her birth because her little guy, Cyrus, decided to come a week or so early, on Easter. I was able to come visit with her and lend a hand and take in some pretty special snuggles with her little guys!
Some things I like about Teri.... she always thinks of the best and most logical way to do things, she's very giving and loving, she takes my ideas (which I have many!) and helps me put them into action, she loves God and her family, she isn't someone who gets easily discouraged and she has a real servants heart! I'm so thankful for Teri! She moved to Washington, D.C. and our family is hoping to be able to see their new place in the coming year.
Happy Birthday Teri! You're a special woman and I'm so thankful God brought you to be in my life in such a meaningful way!!

What speaks to you.....?

2013-04-12T15:38:00.002-07:00

When considering what to blog about, I thought I'd share what speaks to me...and I hope you'll post what speaks to you. Wondering what that means? To me, it means, what inspires me, makes me feel connected, allows me to hear from the Spirit, encourages me....For me, the very first thing I need usually, is enough sleep. I find if I stay up too late, there's just no inspiration in me for the coming day. This is hard sometimes as I'm also a person who loves the quiet of the late night to get inspired and have some quiet hours. I have come to realize that the actual sleep I get is almost the most valuable thing to me. My body and brain don't work well with each other and with anyone else after a sleepless night. However, sometimes this is totally out of my control because of pain, specifically, neck and shoulder pain. This is something I have dealt with most of my adult life because of the car accidents I have been in. I am glad to report I have found a few things that help. One being chiropractic care on a regular basis. Another being, the way I eat. I have found a vitamin with aloe and glucosamine that has really really really helped my overall pain and inflammation. Check out the vitamin here: OMNI. Ok, so those two are the basics. What else gets things going in an amazing way in my head? Often, I just need an afternoon of quiet. A time I can reflect, pray and think about where I am and where I want to be. This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, watch out, the floodgates of inspiration open!! I love to read the Bible, pinterest, late night conversations, a good coffee shop, a good chocolate, flowers, playing a fun game, seeing my seeds come up in the garden, eating that first warm cherry tomato, cleaning or reorganizing something, accomplishing a put off task, walking, going to the beach and the SUNSHINE! Here's a last thought, When I get to learn new things and laugh a lot with my family and friends, love comes in a fills my heart. It's such a gift. I think that's why vacation is so fun. Being together and taking pictures just because is so inspirational. I love it! So, what speaks to you? Post below. Enjoy~Gretchen