One boy. One girl. Los Olivios. Enjoy Cupcakes. A vintage trailer…and a whole lotta love.

But you know what else?  The girl above? She is one of my very best friends in the whole wide world.  In college Erin, Leah, and I were inseparable.  We came a long way seeing as Erin and I did not like each other at first.  No…there was no love at first sight.  The reason we became friends?  Leah convinced her to stop by my place to “see if she liked me” and Erin saw that I had a white TV, a huge box full of make-up, and a shabby’d out room.  The rest is history.  We laugh about it to this day.  …but almost two years ago when my father left this earth, Erin was the first person I called.  She hopped on the next flight out and was in my hometown by the following morning.  I have tried putting into words what it means to me, but I don’t think I can.  Sometimes the greatest love is shown through actions and not by words…

My girl is getting married in November in Mexico.  I am both excited and thankful that she chose paradise for her location.  But more than that, I am so happy she found this man who makes her so happy.  Sheye and I spent an amazing two days with the two of them and walked away with a missing (and a full belly of potato tacos and wine.  See? I was not lying.)  Part of my missing of California is not just California itself, but all of the people I love so much who live there.

Erin – you know  how much I love you and miss you on a daily basis.  You still make me laugh like no one else can and you still have an outlook on life that I envy.  I can’t believe in a few short months you will be walking down the aisle to marry the man of your dreams.  My heart is happy that both Leah and I will be standing beside you.  I would have it no other way.  All my love to you and Brad…

Much Love,

Krysta

P.S.  This is only the first outfit!! There are more images to come from her session. :)

I’m still trying to figure out how the universe works.  Perhaps it’s just fate that you meet people and instantly feel connected to them or maybe this is simply the way the world works.  Whatever it is, I’m so thankful for it.  Mady and Tristan’s mom had e-mailed me awhile back to schedule a session. We had corresponded several times and finally set up a time and a location to meet for Mady and Tristan’s shoot.   Fast forward to that day and not much fell into place.   Sheye and I drove around for hours location scouting, but it was an overcast day and nothing was grabbing our eyes.   I wanted pretty light, but the clouds were not leaving.  Lorena and I decided to re-schedule and I’m so happy we did.  Our night at Newport Beach could not have been anymore perfect.  The sun was out in full force, the waves were ruffling in, and Mady and Tristan were thrilled to be able to run freely at the beach.  Add in lemonade, giant gumdrops, bubbles, sand toys, and an old beach cruiser and you’ve got yourself a dream session.  Not to mention that I fell head over heels in love with Mady and Tristan.  Mady plopped down next to me right away and we began talking as if we were old friends.  She is vivacious and gentle and incredibly beautiful.  Tristan is an explorer.  He gave both Sheye and I a good workout and ended up running full-bore into the ocean waves…a true boy!   

I left this session with so much love for a family only hours earlier I had not known.  These images make me happy, but they also make me long, so much, to be back at Newport Beach.

A special note for Miss Mady – You are a true princess darling girl…beautiful both inside and out.  Thank you so much for letting us play with you and capture these beautiful images for Mommy.  I can’t wait to see you again!

Until next time…

Much Love,

Krysta

My niece Sabrena.  How I adore her.  More than she knows.  How I admire her.  For being her own unique self and making no apologies for it.  At thirteen, she is the one who is constantly teaching me that the only way to live is to be who you TRULY are and to be that person perfectly.  It is a concept I struggle with, but one she has perfected.

These images put a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. She has been through more than I would’ve ever wanted for her in her 13 years.  But my girl shines.  Oh how she shines.  She has got a soul far older than 13 and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store to give to this world.  Whatever it is, it will be amazing.  This I know.

To my Sweet Sabrena.  I love to love you I do.  Thank you for being you.  For taking such good care of Grandma.  For being such an amazing big sister.  For showing me what true beauty is.  For always being the positive, happy you that you are. For viewing this world and the life that waits for us after like no one else I’ve ever met.  You amaze me.  You inspire me.  We are all ever so blessed that God gave you to us.  Shine on Gorgeous Girl. Shine on.

Much Love to you always,

Auntie Kay-Kay

*Cali pics up next. Pinky Promise.* :)

It seems my feet have landed back on Wisconsin soil.  I’m not sure my mind has caught up with my body yet per usual routine, but we’re getting there.  After one busy, beautiful, exhausting, jam packed trip, we’re off for another four days to Minnesota.  It’s the time of year the boys look forward to with both excitement and sadness – the Steve Manthe Memorial Tournament or what we have deemed the “Big Dog Open”.   We’re all excited to be celebrating in his honor, but the truth is that he should be here with us and nothing will ever be able to fill the void we all feel.  Blessed, but always a struggle to imagine what our life would be like if he were still here… No words today.

California was beautiful.  Busy, but beautiful.  We met so so many wonderful people and had the opportunity to get to do so many amazing things.  I spent the entire day uploading and organizing images and I can’t wait to share.   I’m not sure how 10 days still isn’t enough.  Sheye and I both left with a list of things that we’ll have to save for next time.

…and the little one above. Well, he’s not a fan of the camera at all as of late so this is what I get.   Bribery won’t even do the trick anymore.  He’s getting too smart for his own good.   How I missed him and his Daddy while I was away.  They will be joining me next time.   As Mikey and I were getting ready to go outside last night he said, “Would it hurt your feelings if I told you nobody loved you, but me?”  Sweet Boy.  He meant, “like me” not “but me”.  Brady said he’ll have to work on his lines for the girls  to avoid confusion in the furture. :)   

Even if only for a few days…it’s good to be home.

There is one thing I am certain of.   Both Michael and I are so so so insanely blessed to have this  man in our lives.  Every day I wake up feeling like the luckiest girl in the world that he is by my side.  Mikey has quite the infatuation with him as well.  He will only do what Daddy does.  If Daddy’s eating something, Michael will request to eat it too.  If I ask Mikey to get dressed or put his shoes on, he will wait until Daddy is doing the exact same thing and do it alongside him.  It’s pretty much the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.  A couple of weeks ago while we were in Minnesota, we were all winding down from the weekend on a Sunday night.  My mom and I were in the living room having a glass of wine chatting while Brady and Mikey watched Star Wars in the room over.   Suddenly we heard Michael say to Brady, “Daddy, can I tell you something?  You’re my best friend.”  My mother and I both did what women do when they want to melt…we had tears in our eyes with lips out as if we wanted to pick Michael up that very second and squeeze him for being so sweet. But it’s the truth.  Daddy trumps all in his world and I love watching how much they both adore each other.  I wish every little boy in this world had a daddy just like Brady.  To Michael and I he is complete perfection of a human being. 

To the man who does such an amazing job of loving Michael and I… as Mikey would say “a billion trillion sixty one hundred thousand two infinity infinity eight five hundred I Love You’s” …and that still wouldn’t be enough.  Thank you for being the wonderful man that you are.  Happy Father’s Day! We.Love.You. xo

…and to the man who lives so very deeply in my heart.   Who reminds me every day of the kind of life I want to live.  Who causes a missing greater than anything I have ever known.  Who let me come into my own in leading by example.  Who was my own best friend.  Who represents everything a man should be… 

I cannot believe you are not here today.  I have so much to tell you….things you should be here to witness for yourself.  Most days I can try to accept the fact that your life now is so much better than the life we exist in.  But on days like today,  I can do nothing but wish you were here. 

Happy Father’s Day Papa. Watch over us extra today won’t you?

I love you. 

~ Your Cowcie