Photos For Fun

Remember this outing?

Well, the main reason for going was to take photos of this guy:

What a cutie!

He reminds me so much of Jack when he was this age.

Easy going.

Curious.

Cute as a button.

His mom is very crafty and super creative.

In preparing for the photo shoot I asked her to bring a colorful blanket and any toys to keep baby L occupied while I snapped some shots.

She definitely delivered.

By-the-way, this wooden train was his dads from back when he was little.

I love his beautiful blue eyes in this photo.

Remember when I said this baby's mama was crafty?

Well, she made this blanket.

Yeah, I don't think I could ever do that.

Baby L: it was such a treat snapping a few photos of you. Thanks for being such a great subject, even when things didn't go quite right. You are such a trooper. Try not to grow up too fast, for your mommy's sake. :)

A New Favorite.

Favorite TV show in the Hatch home:

It's all Bart's fault.

He was the one that got me hooked. There's just something about watching great shooters make amazing shots. Every time we finished an episode I would turn to Bart and say I wanted him to shoot just like that. I think getting me hooked on this show was his ploy to shoot more.

It totally worked.

We watched the final episode tonight and I'm super happy with the outcome. A wholehearted "Congrats!" goes to this man for demolishing every target he came up against (and winning the well earned $100K):

Dustin Ellermann

He's a self-taught shooter who happens to be a Christian camp director from a small town in Texas (I promise I'm not making this up). Very inspiring. It makes me feel like I can do anything.

Needless to say, we can't wait for season 4.
(or to see Kolby's blinding white teeth again)

A Family Outing

I'll give you three guesses as to where we were last Saturday:

OK, so the last one doesn't really help, but you get the idea.

Altadena Park
10.15.2011

That's right, our little family took a visit to Altadena park to take photos of this cute boy:

but more on those photos later...

(don't worry Lauran, they're almost done!)

You know this park took me on a trip down memory lane, again. My elementary school, Gold Dust Elementary, was right next to this park....and we would walk here all the time. I also had a birthday party here. But to tell you the truth, it was getting a little too much love from kids (aka: worn down), even back in the day. So when I stepped onto the property with my baby boy, it seemed like a whole different park. They have a nice, new playground and a sweet looking splash pad. We'll have to make another trip back with it's hotter-than-hades outside.

The first thing Bart loved was the sand digging machines. I have never seen these before, but they looked really cool. You'd have to be coordinated to use them though, which counted me out. Jack seemed to approve.

And then Jack had to take a ride on this bad boy:

If it has four wheels, Jack wants it. He's his daddy's boy.

Next we explored the splash pad. As of October 1st it had closed down until May. I guess they didn't get the memo that we'll still be enjoying 90 degree weather until the end of October.

Lucky us.

And then it was time to rest and drink some water. Oh yes, it was definitely over 90 degrees that day.



Pondering and playing are daily occurrences with Jack. He loves to stare (we're working on that) and think about what he's seeing. I'm always wondering what he's thinking about...I can't wait until he can actually tell me. Then I was able to snap these beauties before my other subject came:

Seriously, how did I get so lucky??

Not sure, but no complaints here.

We had such a fun time, especially visiting with an old high school buddy and his wonderful wife. And their cutie of course.

These are the times I cherish, and hope to be spoiled with many more just like them.

My History

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."

-Sir Winston Churchill

This quote has really given me a more positive look on journal writing and blogging. I'm hoping to increase my amount of blog posts (do I really only have 13 posts for all of 2011??). I know you've heard this from me before, but I promise I'll really try this time. :)

So here's to writing your own history.
Make it good!

Splash Pad with Cousin D

A little while ago (who am I kidding, it was a long while ago), I got a call from my sister-in-law who said they (meaning Bart's brother, their son, and herself) were going to be in our area and asked if we would like to meet up at the splash pad in Scottsdale Quarter so the kiddos could play. Of course we said yes.
And then I finally remembered my camera.

Cousin D took to the water a lot better than Jack. In fact, Jack wanted nothing to do with these circular fountains. D had a blast though:

And he was so cute when he walked up to me and showed me his "cheese" smile.
Dill: you are growing up way too fast! You look like your three in this photo!
(Note: D is only 2 1/2 months older than Jack, who was 18 months at this time)

Meanwhile, my little one decided walking around and observing everything around him would be a whole lot funner then the fountains. This is an activity Jack does on a daily basis, so I was not surprised when he chose to do this. Oh, and he didn't want to take a photo for me either.

Again, not surprised.

I was able to get photos of us with our busy boy. Unfortunately, this was during the time Bart was growing a mustache. Don't worry, the creeper 'stache is gone now.

And then a little girl accidentally ran into Jack. He unfortunately landed on his face and ended up with a bloody lip. We preceded to clean him up before heading over to Chipotle for dinner.

We ended up having a blast and hope we can hang out again soon!

Just Me and My Lonely Cookie.

There's nothing like eating a Paradise Bakery cookie in bed at 11:00 pm while missing your hubby.

For all of you who don't know, Bart is now working as full-time security at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch, while he finishes school. Tonight he is currently working the night shift (ie: 7 pm to 7 am).

We are both ecstatic that this job opportunity came up. And he absolutely loves working there. But I have to admit that at night...I get a little lonely...and a lot more worried. Hence my comfort cookie at so late an hour.

I'm sure I'll get used to it.

And thank goodness the weather has cooled down so I can start riding my bike to work again. I have no restraint when it comes to sweets.

A Value Photo Shoot

These lovely ladies invited me to be the photographer for their "value photo shoot" this summer.

I felt so privileged to snap a few photos of these ladies.
I was able to capture a moment in their life where they could look and see what they wore, how they looked, and who they grew up with when they were teenagers.


I think that's what I love most about photography: capturing a moment in time that can be recalled at any point in life. That always makes me smile.


Here is a single shot of each girl who contributed in the photo shoot:








This is my oldest niece Kendra, who's turning 17 in December.
I. feel. old.




This is my other niece, Bailey. Who is now a beehive.




My last niece of the bunch: Shelby.
She was the initiator of the project.
(Thanks Shelbs!)
















Thanks again ladies for letting me be your photographer!
I had so much fun, and I'd love to do it again. Anytime!


Tell me what you think: I'd love to hear feedback!

And if you know of anyone who would like photos taken: I would love to do it! :)