We finally made it out to Joshua Tree this year on our Palm Springs visit, and man was it lovely. I think I could have spent an entire day exploring the park, but my five year old, however, was content with the 3 hours we had planned.

We hiked the Hidden Valley loop and Barker’s Dam, which were both lovely and easy enough for the kiddo. We only saw one hint of wildlife (a roadrunner), but we were ok with that since tarantulas and rattle snakes were a big concern for Ezra.

Overall though, climbing on the huge boulders was fun for everyone, and I highly suggest this for a family trip. Enjoy the photos!

This week, the family and I have been in Palm Springs. By the time you read this, we will likely have returned to the frozen tundra with a touch more color in our faces (thank God), and maybe some spring in our step.

Most of our time away was spent in the desert, but we did travel to the beaches of Southern California for one day to introduce Ezra to the Pacific Ocean. He LOVED it. And I love that Baywatch-esque image up there of my boys.

Here are a few snaps of our afternoon at Laguna Beach. Not pictured is my swollen foot after stepping on some sort of bee/wasp/scorpion/who knows what. Still worth it.

Also, the next time you come back to this website, things might look a little different. Please be patient as we implement the changes this weekend!

I mean, how much fun are these dogs having?

I rushed back from the north shore last weekend to shoot some pictures of the dog skijoring. Because I missed Saturday's race while I was hanging with my amazing book club at the cabin, I only had time to shoot the "double dog skijoring" on Sunday which 1) only had maybe 5 entrants? And 2) some of them were only one dog? I don't know. It was confusing for me as well.

Regardless, the photos of this are always fun, as I am continually astounded by the length of these dogs' tongues.

And I wanted something fun on the site because I'm heading off to California tomorrow and I won't be blogging until I get back. Why, you ask? Well first, because I'm on vacation. And second, because I'm doing a bunch of fancy stuff to my website and I need to stop producing new content on this blog for about one week. But please come back for some shiny stuff soon! It's gonna knock your socks off.

Ok. That's it. Have a wonderful week, and enjoy the dogs! 

This is my buddy Ellis, and he has such an amazing family. He is blessed with two moms and two dogs and three cats at home! I had so much fun with this wonderful family, and I cannot wait to see this kiddo grow.

post by leslie

This weekend I was back up on Lake Superior with my book club where we discussed Small Fry, ate so much delicious food, drank a good deal of delicious wine, and snowshoed through the woods. We also caught this sunrise before heading back to the city. It never disappoints, does it?

post by leslie

So, um, back in August our family went to the state fair. I wanted to make a film, but I most certainly did not want to lug my heavy camera around all day. So I opted to try my first ever film only with my iPhone.And then life got way too hectic with all my fall family work (which I am SO grateful for). And here we are in the frozen month of January, and I'm showing you a film in the warmth of August. I hope you enjoy it. There are some true Ezra gems in here for sure.

post by leslie

I had this amazing session last weekend with a family who is a few months away from welcoming baby no. 2 (ok, no. 3 if you count the sweet dog) into the family. I love capturing this time when the eldest kid has his parents to himself. As a parent of one, I can imagine how amazing it would be to have another kiddo, but also a little sad to lose the alone time that you've had with the first.In a few months, I'll get to photograph this sweetie meeting his baby brother. I cannot wait!

post by leslie

This weekend we had our annual Valentine's shoot in the studio. Oh how big this child is getting! (Also, I had 15 favorites, but these were Ezra's favorites that he said I could share online.)