Siblings and Cousins

Today was pretty cool. It was the first time my siblings and our families got to spend time together since the latest cousin was born. We each have our own little girl now and to get everyone together for some time to visit is special.

I don't think it sunk in that those kids from the top of Taft Drive; Lori, Didi and Stephen, have one beautiful little girl each. 3 cousins who will be friends for life.

Emmalee ~ Almost 5 years old

Sophie ~ Almost 2 years old

Addie ~ Almost 3 months old


Addie and Emmalee

Christmas Cookies

All 10 pounds of my Doernbecher Dough is officially BAKED. YUM, they are good! We've decorated some, given away lots, and have lots more to decorate, share and eat. Emmalee really enjoys helping decorate (and eat) them.

on the other side...

This year I asked my favorite local photographer, Jackie of Jean Photography to give us our first professional family portrait session. We also had her to a few extras of me for my website. I was very nervous to be on the other side of the camera. Here are our favorites. Thank you, Jackie!

3 Crockpot Recipes

I have been asked to share a couple of recent crockpot recipes i've tried recently. So here they are! Warning: The first two recipes are probably enough to serve 6 or more. Our family of 3 had too much leftovers to even consume the next day. The last one is so simple and easy and I thought it went great with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

Chicken Taco Soup

2 cans chili beans
2 cans black beans (I used pinto & white beans)
2 cans stewed tomatoes
2 cans mexican tyle tomatoes
2 cans corn (I used half a bag of frozen corn)
1.5 lbs chicken breast
2 packs ranch dressing mix
2 packs taco seasoning

Mix everything together in crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours. Shred chicken and return to crockpot for two more hours. Serve with tortilla ships, shredded cheese and sour cream.


Chicken Stew

2lb skinless chicken breasts cut in 1 inch cubes
2 cans fat-free chicken broth
3 cup potatoes; peeled and cubed
1 cup onion; chopped
1 cup carrots; sliced thin
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp pepepr
1/2 tsp rubbed sage
1/2 tsp dried thyme
6 oz no-salt-added tomato paste

1/4 cup cold water
3 tbsp cornstarch

In your crockpot, combine the first 11 ingredients; cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. A half hour before serving, mix water and cornstarch until smooth; stir into stew. Cook, covered, 30 minutes more on high or until the vegetables are tender.


Sour Cream and Onion Chicken

4 chicken breast halves
1 12-oz can of low fat cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
1 1/2 cups water
1 packet of onion soup mix

Place chicken into crock pot or slow cooker. In a medium bowl, mix all the other ingredients together. Pour mixture over chicken and cover. Cook at low setting 6-8 hours or higher setting for 4-6 hours. This is the easiest meal to put together! It's very creamy and goes well with wild rice or potatoes.

2009 Christmas Tree

Emmalee and Sophie We went with my sisters' family to Century Tree Farm in Tualatin on Saturday. The girls tried hot apple cider and got to have a candy cane - before noon!Lori, Scott and Sophie's treeStrong mountain-man Scott!

This year we made a paper chain and wrapped it around our tree.

I think I like it.

The finished product!

Sneak Peek: The Allen Family

You guys are real troopers! Thanks for letting me work with you again.

Merry Christmas, Tate and Riley! See you soon.

Sneak Peek: The Bennett Family

This session was so fun and special for me as I used to take care of these littl ones when we lived in the Corvallis area a few years ago. Mia was Emmalee's first best friend. :-) I always imagined taking portraits of their family in front of their amazing property in Philomath. Beautiful home, beautiful family, adorable dog, amazing session! Thank you Bennetts!

Sneak Peek: Miss Claire

Beautiful Miss Claire and her parents came all the way up from Eugene last week for this special newborn portrait session. I've been very excited to share this sneak peek of their images. A big thank you to Madelyn and Ryan! Enjoy!

a Visit with Addie

Look at that lip!

~ Cousins ~

Dad's first time bottle feeding:

Thanks for the visit, Stephen & Rachel & Monkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cousins; Emmalee and Aiden

I had a mimosa... or 7...

This is Bob.

Bob loving on 'Uncle Jesse'

Coloring is serious business...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...

Sneak Peek: Miss Scarlett (part 2)

Thank you sweet Scarlett, and parents Andrea and Owen.

A very successful session. :-)

Sneak Peek: Miss Scarlett (part 1)

I met Scarlett, one-and-a-half, at a practice session when she was just a few weeks old. She has grown into a gorgeous little girl with the most beautiful big eyes and curly hair, as you can see. I love how this session turned out - so much that I must post 2 sneak peeks! Stay tuned for part two...

Sneak Peek: Family Portraits

Awe.. My beautiful neice, Sophie, and her amazing parents.

One week til Turkey Day! Happy Holidays.

My Dad's 50th Birthday Dinner

We met in Corvallis last night to celebrate my dad's 50th birthday with yummy mexican food, a few drinks, out-of-town friends, and the 3 little grandgirls...

My brother ("Uncle") with his daughter Addie and Emmalee

Emmalee with Addie's mommy, 'Aunt Rachel'

6-week-old Addie and her mommy

Sophie has fun with Aunt Rachel

A birthday hug for Papa

Sophie wants to check out HER baby, cousin Addie.

"Happy Birthday to you!"

A storyboard I made as a gift for my dad. It showcases his 3 granddaughters.

The boys are caught in the cantina!

Addie and her daddy steal the spotlight from the out-of-town guests...

Thanks Joe and Dena, Harlan and Laurie for coming all the way up!

Happy Birthday (tomorrow), Dad!