Meagan & Ryan’s family is a gem. I just adore their children and am always super pleased at the results of our time together!

The leaves on the ash trees out front have already fallen—a harbinger of both the coming winter and the coming emerald ash borer it seems—but there are still glorious signs of fall to be found. Lincoln has been especially lovely late in the season this year.

I’ve known Liz for [cough cough] quite a long time now—that’s what happens when you go to high school in the same city and then return there years later with your families! Liz and I have a lot in common and it’s a joy to spend time encouraging one another in our pursuits of serving God’s church and capturing His beauty via photography. We’re snapping pics of each other’s families this fall, and here’s evidence of our time spent together recently on one fantastic football Saturday.

It was my joy to help photograph Kat and Anthony’s sweet vow renewal a few weeks ago. Katherine finally got to don her wedding gown and walk down the aisle on her dad’s arm. The celebration was worth the wait! Many blessings to the Wolvertons and much love as you continue to grow and follow the Lord in this life together.

Week Two of Liv-goes-to-middle-school is winding down and Week One of Bec-goes-to-grad-school is almost in the books, too. There is a new normal in the Tredway household, and no matter how fantastic the new normal is, it always takes some getting used to.

Livia and I are are getting up earlier than ever to make it to her first bell and this requires some advance planning. Lunch made, clothes laid out, alarm clocks obeyed, backpack packed, etc. The early start time means I am free to work earlier as well, though my new student status is still being explored and placed into a manageable routine. I’m used to moving quickly and I don’t sit still often in my usual tasks as photographer, writer, household manager and church volunteer. I have a to-do list and it often involves calling, emailing, arranging details all while throwing laundry in the wash or running to Target for toilet paper. Academic work is something else. Large passages of text need to be consumed. Hours of lectures need to be heard and, most importantly, understood. Notes should be taken and classroom involvement—even in the online context of my coursework—is necessary. I’m still figuring out how to accomplish this new role, and sometimes how to marry it with my other tasks.

I’ll tell you what I’ve learned today: doubling a banana bread recipe AND listening to a lecture (and taking notes) is potentially disastrous. I ran to jot down a note and then looked at the bag of flour, all neatly rolled up and waiting to be placed back in the pantry and simply couldn’t remember if I had doubled it or not. I leaned on my years of experience of baking and decided the batter would let me know, only…it didn’t. I couldn’t tell! So basically I put two pans in the oven and waited to see if I ended up with banana bread or some version of banana pudding that only I would eat.

I got banana bread in the end.

Whew.

Here’s to a new chapter of life, a new adventure of studying the Life and Letters of Paul (via Covenant Theological Seminary)—and doing it, Lord willing, with excellence.

Sometimes a photographer asks a few subjects to test the light for her, and oftentimes it’s the girls who want to model most. I am not sorry at all for the gorgeousness captured in those moments of testing. Here are a few of my favorites.

Our first leg of the trip involved getting up at 3:00am to catch a 5:00am flight out of Omaha. We bested this start time on our return flight, which left Seattle at 5:00am and had us all waking up at 1:45am. But we successfully did it and no one died. Yay us! One strategy for traveling with good attitudes is to travel with friends. A lot of smiles are shared, even when brushing your teeth dorm-room style before 2:00am.

Marc and Kerri have the most beautiful views from their home. From the front deck you can see the Puget Sound and, if the skies are clear, the Cascades beyond it. Behind their home is an old golf course path, perfect for walking the dog or taking in some fresh air.

My soul is deeply refreshed by salt water. Thank you, Jesus.

It’s not vacation without the proper snacks. Doughnuts are a welcome addition to any excursion.

Flowers everywhere. The Pacific Northwest does flowers WELL.

Jen brought a good camera on the trip. I can’t wait to see what she captured. I shot everything with my iPhone this time around.

We hiked up to Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park. It felt like the perfect little hike for our afternoon. After that we walked over to Lake Crescent Lodge and ordered drinks to enjoy on their front porch. The trees, wildlife, cabins, lodge and lakeside views were absolutely incredible. Visiting this part of the world is like pressing a refresh button on my heart.