Gretchen Fawn Photo - part of the Snoqualmie Moms Support Collective

Ok, I admit it, we prayed all week that the Lord would hold back the rain! And he did!! We were able to get all the shots outdoors this morning for Shane and Charity's wedding. We took the pictures before the wedding. Because we were doing this, we made a special plan, we met at another house after Charity got her hair and nails done, took some beautiful portraits of her in her amazing gown and then Shane came by for the "first look". They are such a sweet pair! Then we headed down to the field near the church and shot about 100 images in about 30 minutes or less. Everyone was so beautiful! Enjoy these sneak peeks. Hot off the press. Blessings, Gretchen

On Wednesdays I have a free hour while my kiddos are at lessons. So I find the nearest coffee shop and plunk down to relax and take in some conversation with a few friends. Yesterday however, my friends abandoned me. Just kidding, but they couldn't be there, so I headed over myself thinking coffee by my self, still a good idea! I love the organic coffee they serve, I love the rustic wooden bench out front, I love the cherry blossoms painted on the front windows, I love the decorated interior that is fresh and airy feeling. I also love getting to know the owners. For several reasons. One it's a mother daughter team and the daughters name is Gretchen! Can you believe that?? I rarely meet another Gretchen, so I was excited. They also have gluten free bakery goods there in the shop. With three of us wheat free, it's nice to have choices. I know by now you are wondering, "What is this coffee place?" It's called Toad's Coffee and Flowers. I had always wondered

I just got another image ready of the hat picture stream I mentioned in the previous post. This is of our ten year old. I can't believe how fast they are growing up. I want to take some moments and just wrap them up in a present and save them to open later. I guess that's what these pictures are like. Blessings, Gretchen

What a wonderful weekend it has been. Happy Spring! Today is the first official day. Yesterday was even better weather than today. The sun was shining and all the kids in my neighborhood came outside to play. Around here, in the foothills of the mountains, it's almost as if we hibernate for the winter. Once that sunshine graces us again, we can't wait to get out! Bike! Walk! Garden! Play! Truth be told, it was a little cold, but I didn't care. I sat at the park with my friend Heather and her kids and enjoyed the day. I took most of Saturday and had what we girls call pajama day. We were worn out from our busy week so we just relaxed together. It was nice! Slept in and then at night we watched Little Women. I love that movie. Even though it's sad in many parts, the love the girls and their Mom have for each other shines out of the movie. I love seeing that especially because I have a sister myself and I also have three daughters! Speaking of daughters and relaxing Satur

I had the honor of playing and photographing my little friend Elijah a few weeks ago. I basically followed him all around the house and tickled him and took pictures of him. I took so many, but I finally got them narrowed down to about 35 pictures, I think. He has the sweetest smiles and long eye lashes. It is nice to take pictures in such a relaxed setting in his own home. There were lots of big windows in every room so I was able to catch some beautiful light.

I got an email from a mom asking about senior pictures a few days ago. How much and when those are the basic questions. Well, if you live here in Snoqualmie and it's raining, that is not the best day. But I like to start thinking about them the spring or summer before the senior year. You really want to have them in time for the yearbook picture submission which is in early fall. Please do begin thinking and budgeting now. You will have soooo sooo many things you are thinking about and doing at the beginning of senior year. Last year I was called on a Sunday morning, "Is there any way you can shoot some senior pictures today? Our deadline is Monday! We can't find a photographer. We had a friend of a friend cancel on us who was going to do us a favor..." Yikes. That is not how you want to get your senior pictures done. It would be much nicer to schedule in the spring or summer. Have a leisurely photo shoot where your kid looks amazing and then you get a week or two t