Christiana Childers Photography Blog

You know that feeling when you’re heart is so full and you want to share why but words just fail? That’s how I feel this week.  I got to do another photo shoot for Make A Wish with my neighbor Tom.  I’ll try not to make this post too wordy but I have to say something about Tom.  He’s been volunteering for Make A Wish for 18 years! That means that just out of college, he was making Wishes happen for kids.  I think I’m a pretty nice person but just out of college I wasn’t thinking of too much else but myself.  Talk about your gianormous (yes, Mom, I know that isn’t a word…but I also know that she doesn’t read my blog so I’m home free!) hearts! I guess this whole post though is about people with gianormous hearts.

This would be a mile long post if I named everyone that made this Wish happen but I cannot leave out the McCrackens who own and operate Taylor Mountain Ranch.  The level of detail and work that they put into this Wish was….well, I’m simply speechless.  From bringing cows in from Ellensberg for a cattle drive to little details like horse balloons, to trophies and ribbons for the kids…all this for a little girl they didn’t know.  Which brings me to Alyssa!  Alyssa wanted to be a cowgirl for a day.  The energy and sparkle about Alyssa was just infectious.

Can you stand it?!  She had such a good time that joy seemed to radiate out from her snagging anyone near by…or should I say lassoing? (Is that a word, btw?)

Here are some of my favorites of the cowboys in action  -

Here are some of the people who made it all happen.  First the McCrackens with Alyssa’s family -

Tom and Jen, Wish Partners (did you just say partner like a cowboy would say partner?  As in Howdy Partner?  ‘Cause I did..)

And this is Jesse who works for Make a Wish.  This girl can line dance, btw!

Alyssa was also interview by three news people and one magazine.  She was incredibly poised and seemed much older than her years to me while, as I said, obviously enjoying herself.  Here’s a link to the story on KOMO – http://www.komonews.com/news/54856602.html.

As Tom said on our way home, “It was a good day.”  And it was.  It really was.

I got to go out this week and photograph some dear friends of mine.  We’ve been trying to make this photo shoot happen for far too long.  But Baby B is turning One so we had to get some shots of him and the family to record this time in their lives.  I haven’t finished editing the shots yet but wanted to share a few of my favorites so far.  These are all in B&W because it really seem to fit these photos best.

Beautiful family, no?  And I’m happy I get to say that they are beautiful inside and out!

I take pictures of my breakfast a lot.  It’s weird.  I’m not even a breakfast person but sometimes I make myself a good one and have to photograph it.  Maybe it’s because I don’t have to put a lot of effort into breakfast and that it’s just for me that brings on that urge to photograph…who knows.  Anyway, I made myself some scrambled eggs with Dubliner cheese (white cheddar…so good!) and fresh basil on the top.  PLUS cinnamon toast.  If it’s been awhile since you’ve had cinnamon toast, it’s worth revisiting….. its definitely under the things that make me happy category….

Treat yourself to a yummy breakfast today!

Ben and I played tourists in our own city this weekend to celebrate a big anniversary!  The theme of the day was FOOD!  We went to Serious Pie for lunch.  SO GOOD.  You must go.  We then went to see “Julie and Julia” and LOVED that.  And for dinner we went to How to Cook a Wolf on Queen Anne.  We love to sit at the bar and chat with the bartender and others and got into some great conversations with those around us and with Jordan, the amazing bartender!  If you go, just ask Jordan to make his favorite martini – you won’t be disappointed.  The food at How to Cook a Wolf was simplicity at it’s best.  Delicious ingredients made to shine.

I was asked (nicely) by my husband not to take my camera.  If you’ve been anywhere with me, it is pretty annoying.  I’ll admit it.  I’m so slow!  I just see so many things I want to photograph!  So I didn’t have my camera with me but I DID have my camera with my for my photography group (most awesomest group in the whole history of groups) that I co-led through my church (Eastlake Community Church) on Thursday night and since a post without photos is pretty boring… here’s some of my shots from Thursday.

It’s nice to love where you live.

These girls also came out with me on what we are calling “The Freezing Cold Snowy Spring Break Session” so I told them we would do a quick shoot this summer so they could show off their cute outfits and tans so here are some shots from their session this weekend.

Her sister said of the below photo that it was fierce!  I totally agree!

Don’t they have the best big brown eyes?!  Fun session girls!  K, you left an outfit in my car.  I’ll drop it by soon!

I had my second family reunion of the summer last week at Port Townsend, WA.  I love Port Townsend!  It is such a great spot for a big group.  There is something for everyone.  My kids love the beach – finding crabs, collecting shells etc and being with their cousins…I love being with my cousins (theme to my life), doing something artsy/crafty and taking photos, of course.  Ben likes hanging out with the guys, golfing and smoking cigars.  We all get to do what we want!  Here is a small sampling from our few days together at the beach -