Making A House Our Home | Idaho Family Photographer

Last week marked a year since closing on our forever home. This Spring, we are beyond happy to not be in an Airbnb through renovations while navigating a stay-at-home-order during a pandemic. So here we are, in all of our chaotic glory - finding our new normal one day at a time. We have worked hard to make this space our own and have managed to have some fun along the way. As difficult as this last year has been, I have infinite gratitude for all the good that has come with it. Our sweet Eddie, our health and our home.

Family Night at the Skatepark | Boise, ID Family Photographer

In between the intense stares studying every move of the “big kids”, I captured a few golden moments of boyhood and brotherhood at the skatepark as we wrapped up our Spring Break stay-cation here in Idaho. Leo requested a stop at Balsamic (also known as Sonic) on the way home and we all indulged in pretzels, tots and blasts. We threw GUTS (yes that Nickelodeon GUTS) on the TV for a family show and thanks to Google, I found out you can buy a piece of the Aggro Crag trophy! Christmas gift idea anyone? This pandemic life may not be this most exciting, but it is still precious time spent.

1958 Chris Craft Boat Boys | Idaho Family Photographer

So we did a little thing this last weekend… still working on a name, but say hello to our new addition! Here are some snaps from our maiden voyage. The sun peeked in and out of the clouds, Leo worked on his swimming, and Hank loves nothing more than “diving da boaty”. We are so happy to have another way to get outside and enjoy this beautiful state.

Lucky Peak | Boise, Idaho Family Photographer

A casual Friday night… Dad comes home and we escape up to Lucky Peak. I’m exhausted from the week, I go back and forth on bringing the camera. I decide to bring it, but leave it in the car. I last maybe 15 minutes before I run back up to grab it. And boy am I glad. Documenting my boys on a summer night - my therapy.

Motherhood Inspired, One Woman's Story | Boise, Idaho Photographer

If there’s two things I’m passionate about, it’s motherhood and photography. This session spoke to my heart as I was documenting a small business owner mama in her day to day. Juggling the cleaning, the nursing, the soothing, the emails, the appointments, the actual work… whew!! I know it all too well. It is more accessible than ever to create success for yourself and work from home. But boy does that come with it’s challenges. With clients or potential clients being able to contact you ten different ways, it’s become increasingly difficult to find balance in the already difficult journey of motherhood.

I don’t have it figured out by any means, but I have learned to take each day as it comes. Embrace the challenges, and slow down and hold onto the good in each day. Don’t forget what life is about and give yourself a little grace. Be proud of whatever you accomplish in each day.

Edwards Greenhouse Pop-Up Park Adventures | Boise Family Photographer

Edwards Greenhouse is always so inspiring for me. I’m in love with the way the light bounces off all the textures of the beautiful plants. It’s peaceful. It’s warm. It’s colorful. What’s there not to love? They hold an annual Pop-up Park in January that we have been going to since Leo was a baby. We explored, had lunch, and Hank only got called a girl twice! Only two people spoke to us.

Western Idaho Fair | Idaho Family Photographer

Well, I'm stuck somewhere in between wanting them to stay little forever and wishing they were tall enough so we could all go on the Ferris Wheel. No matter what stage we're in, we will still have lots of fun each year. I love their bright eyes and squeals looking at all the lights and hearing all the excited screams. Leo got to try "Coppin Candy" for the first time and of course loved it. Hank was just happy to be there to be able to steal more than his share of Fair food. 

Mustangs at the Drive-In.

I was driving Leo home from school when we saw a car show happening at Westside Drive-In. I thought that might be fun for the boys, so we picked up Dad and off we went. I was right, although I'm not sure if they loved the cheeseburger or classic Mustangs more. Either way, we will call it a win-win. The randomly perfect Tuesday night. 

Balmy Sunday.

We had one of those weekends. We didn't do anything extraordinary, but we had the best time being together. I felt jolted with the sense of how lucky I truly am with all these boys I call mine. Hank Davis Giuffré turned eight months yesterday and the day matched how we feel about this little guy. He throws in some trying moments throughout the day but ultimately just melts us when he throws that sweet gummy smile in our direction. And as shown in these images, my love for Leo is through the roof. He is the absolute sweetest big brother with his thoughtful and playful attitude. He has us constantly cracking up and checking our own behavior (as most three year olds do with adults I imagine). Hank and Leo sure are different in quite a few ways, but one thing is for sure - they are happiest while outdoors. When things feel this good, you've just got to soak it in. And maybe snap a few photos along the way. 

Western Idaho Fair Twenty Seventeen

We've started some traditions the past few years as a family - one of them being the Western Idaho Fair. This year has been the most fun yet, but a bit more chaotic as a family of four. To see Leo's face light up when he sees all the colors and rides makes me giddy. We are re-living a pretty awesome childhood through his eyes and the feeling is indescribable. Hank took a warm snooze on me most of the time, but woke up at dusk to see all the lights come to life. We stayed out way too late and made the best memories. 

Belmont Barbershop

A reminder of why this project is so important to me. I've felt in a bit of a photographer rut lately (I'll blame it on the pregnancy hormones) and when I stepped into the Belmont Barbershop I immediately became flooded with inspiration. Leo loves going to the "baabor" with Dada and is the best little boy. And now I have at least a few of these fleeting moments documented. @belmont_barbershop is fantastic and his shop is the coolest, go check him out! 

Our Day in The Grand Tetons

A personal blog post. A peek into our lives as we traveled over to Island Park, ID. I made this trip almost every summer growing up, and I hope to do the same as our family grows. This last fall, we were able to cross over into Grand Teton National Park (through Yellowstone) and it did not disappoint. It was an unusually warm autumn day and the colors were unreal. My heart is full looking back on these images and we feel grateful as a family to have had this experience.