san diego family photographer | what love looks like | august 2012

I’ve been lucky to have met so many incredibly talented and wonderful photographers during this journey.  People who share the same desire to capture their own families in a real and beautiful way.  I’m teaming up with twelve of these women on a very personal and meaningful project called, “What ________ Looks Like.”

Our goal is to capture our own families in a real and beautiful way.  Some people call it “lifestyle”, some call it “real life”, some call it “unposed”.  No matter what you call it, our desire is to snatch the moments that represent the relationships, the dynamics, the reality, the beauty, the truth, and the life of our families and record them here on our blogs as well as in print at the end of the project.

Each month we will each choose to fill in the blank with our word of choice.  Some of us may choose to use the same word all year and some may choose to change it up each month.  We will each link to the next photographer until our circle is complete.

We hope this project inspires you to take more pictures of your own families so that those unique moments that make your family unique will never be lost or forgotten.~ Wendy VonSosen.

Dear Brooks,

Three school days down … 177 days of second grade to go.  ;)  It’s a good thing you LOVE your new teacher and your class.  I love watching your class walk by my class as you pass by my line, heading out to recess and lunch.  I know you’ll have a great year … you’re already off to an amazing start.  Your teacher even told me that she thought you’re an angel!  I think I love her a little bit more for that.

A couple weeks before school started we took off for one more vacation with your cousins and MomMom in Morro Bay.  A dear friend gave our family her house for the week … one that was just two doors down from the beach house we had for 12 years when I was growing up.  I was so excited to share with you and your cousins all of our favorite Central Coast beaches. Our first stop was Montana de Oro … you loved exploring the rocks and the cool dunes.  The only bummer of the day was the scorching hot sand burned our feet after just a short time sledding down the dunes.

We took a stroll through the main street of Morro Bay and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Hofbrau.  After lunch we were on the hunt for salt water taffy … the first of many days looking for the perfect candy shop.

Next we were off to Cayucos beach.  Most of the store fronts had changed, but the beach side looked just like it did when I was a kid.

There were three of these pelicans that had made the pier their home.  They were super comfortable around people and this one thought you were OK until you reached out to pet it, then it gave you a gentle reminder … his beak around your head … and you decided to watch him from a distance.

You were mesmerized watching the big boys fish.  Poor Tanner had a bit of trouble with his line tangling … over and over.

Candy shop number two … lots more salt water taffy.

You and Sky are like siblings.  You share such a special bond … and best of all on this trip you didn’t bicker or fight the way siblings do.  The two of you were often found tucked away in a little spot talking, playing on the iPad, or playing a game.

Such a fun trip to San Luis Obispo for Thursday night Farmer’s market.  You’ve been here a few times, but not with the rest of the family.  Bubble Gum alley wasn’t exactly what you expected … you totally thought it was so gross.  I loved watching your face as you figured out what all that junk was covering the walls.  And finally, you ate the yummiest rib dinner from McClintocks.  Such a fun afternoon.

On Friday, we set off for Avila beach.  We had a gorgeous day filled with fishing, sand castle building, waves and sun.  It was perfect!  It was hysterical watching both Tanner and Carter fight off the sea lion trying to grab their fish.

On our last day, we took an early morning walk to look for sand dollars while the big boys went surfing.  Tanner and Carter didn’t last long in the freezing cold water with their lightweight wet suits, but the cold didn’t stop you and Sky from swimming with your clothes on.

You poor baby … on Saturday night around 10:00 you got sick and threw up every 30 minutes until 4:30 in the morning.  It was brutal for both of us.  You slept for about two days and you were back to normal.

While we were gone, our Grampy tree (given to us by dear sweet friends) was planted in a very special spot at Elings Park … right at the beginning of the Veteran’s Walk by a little bench.  MomMom will place a dedication plaque next to the tree with your name and your cousins’ names, in honor of Grampy.  We will visit this special spot every time we are in SB while walking the dogs.

Thanks for loving this special place as much as I always have.  You are already looking forward to a much longer visit next summer.

Keep up the great work at school!

Love you to the moon and back!
Mommy     xoxo

Be sure to continue on with my dear friend with Lindsey Bergstrom | Boulder Lifestyle Photography.

If you missed the beginning, you can catch up on…
What Responsibility Looks Like
What the Last Days of Summer Looks Like
What Almost 7 Looks Like
What Making Memories Looks Like
What December Traditions Looks Like
What The Magic Of First Grade Looks Like
What Being a Tourist in My Own City Looks Like
What Easter Looks Like
What Remembering Looks Like
What A Day At The Fair Looks Like
What Our Everyday Looks Like