365 Project: Before sunset – Kohala Coast Big Island, Hawaii

365 Project: Walking a fallen tree

After a relatively painless family photo shoot, using my tripod and self-timer, Nora finally was unleashed to climb logs, play, and explore. I shot this when she climbed up high on a fallen tree and she flashed me her sweet smile. Love…

365 Project: Images from an 8 year-old girl’s birthday party :)

Family, friends, an American Girl theme, balloons and cake…Nora’s birthday wish came true for her 8 year-old birthday party! 🙂

The birthday girl by candlelight

Nora with her Lola Norma

Nora’s American Girl doll, Makena, is having the best birthday ever! LOL

I don’t care if this pic is a little blurry. The sentiment of these BFFs is priceless!

Slumber party!! With Paco our cozy dog 😉

365 Project: Sorry, Nora, I know you’re trying to be spooky but, you’re just still darn adorable! ;)

Despite her efforts to create a scary Halloween stoop and to look gruesome with these fake fangs, Norita still just makes me smile instead of spooking me! 🙂

Nora’s owls…a sweet drawing for me :)

I thought it was so sweet when Nora handed me an envelope labeled “To: Mom, Love: Nora” in a giant red heart. Then inside was this sweet drawing of owls, which she knows I love.   It’s not my birthday. There was no occasion to prompt this act of kindness.  She just felt like drawing it for me.  When being a mom feels like a never-ending thankless job, these simple gestures mean so much.   Love this…love her! 🙂

365 Project – 233: Ruby Beach playdate (August 21, 2013)

Olympic National Park boasts gorgeous beaches on the northwestern coast of Washington state but, not all have sandy beaches like Ruby Beach. It’s an easy stroll from the parking lot and if you go left (south), there’s a big stretch of fine sand, as opposed to the more typical coarse sand or rocks found on many ONP beaches. Time it at low tide to enjoy tidepooling, and plan on staying late to catch a stunning sunset. Ruby Beach is a gem we often enjoy with our family and friends. 🙂

p.s. For our family, a few of our other favorite fine sandy beaches are Shi Shi Beach and Third Beach but, they’re not as accessible as Ruby Beach. In comparison, Rialto Beach is absolutely gorgeous and has amazing tidepooling and the famous “hole in the wall”, but, the beach is strewn with rocks and it’s often very windy and thus, colder. Rialto is also a favorite for our family but, if we’re in the mood for swimming and making sand castles, we opt for Ruby Beach or Third Beach. 🙂

Tidepooling before sunset

Yup, the ocean is “warm” for these Pacific Northwest girls! 🙂

365 Project – 229: Sol Duc Falls and Hot Springs (Aug. 17, 2013) #olympicnationalpark #solduc #portangeles #picsoftheday

Playing tourist in our backyard, hiking to Sol Duc Falls then taking a soak and swim at the hot springs. So blessed this is so close to home. Awww…

365 Project – 199: Luncheon of the boating party ;) – Lake Crescent, Port Angeles, WA (July 18, 2013)

In 1880, Renoir had a more refined setting in mind when he painted Luncheon of the Boating Party but, in 2013 this is how girls lunch, after air-mattress kayaking on the lake, digging into their grub while reclining on their air mattresses! I love their style! LOL

365 Project – 198: Ripped! Lake Crescent – Port Angeles, WA (July 17, 2013)

Yes, the scenery is gorgeous at Lake Crescent but, I can’t get over how ripped my daughter’s abs are! Oh, to be a kid again…although, I don’t know if I ever sported a washboard stomach like this. Someday…HA!! Love these strong and adventurous girls! 🙂

365 Project – 197: Mt Olympus looming large from Hurricane Ridge – Port Angeles, WA (July 16, 2013)

Hiking at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park – Port Angeles, WA