Hello, friends! I know, I know, it’s been too long since I’ve blogged! My sincere apologies! It’s not that I don’t have photos to share, because I have so, so many images I’d love to share! Making the time to sit down and compose all of the family sessions, engagements, weddings, and more…that’s where I get stuck! Let’s just say we’ve been enjoying summer with family and friends, and I’d rather save some work for times when I’m forced to be indoors, like rainy days! Anyway, I wanted to post something to say hello and Happy Summer!

Remington and Emerson were having a sweet moment over the weekend, and I happened to have my camera with me, and I just love both of these so much, even though they are so similar! These two brothers are so funny! One moment, they’re best of friends, hugging each other, with endless giggles, and having a blast. The next moment, they don’t wish to be near each other! However, this moment right here, was the former, and it made my momma heart soar!

One more thing! It is time to start thinking ahead for fall! It may sound crazy, but I know first hand that with school starting soon, the coming weeks book up with activities! I’ve already got a list for fall sessions for families and senior portraits, and if you wish to get photos, now is the perfect time to schedule them! I actually booked our own family photos today for this very reason! Please contact me at stephanie@stewartimagery.com for Fall 2019 availability. I am so thankful for my wonderful clients, I look forward to seeing you soon!

Happy Spring! We had a wonderful time on our adventure during Remington’s Spring Break a few weeks ago! For some time we knew we wanted to get away to somewhere that we could spend time outdoors. So we rented an RV, packed up lots of food, and drove 6 hours south to the Great Smoky Mountains! In preparing for our trip, we watched some videos on YouTube. We were going to be in bear country, after all, so we wanted to be sure we knew what to possibly expect! Black bears don’t like surprises, so if you are hiking, it’s recommended to make a little noise while on your way. They’re afraid of humans, and will avoid us in most cases. We did carry bear deterrent spray in the case that we came upon a bear at close range. Another tip was that if you do come close to a black bear, make yourself appear as big and scary as possible! Throw large rocks and sticks, make noise, say “hey, bear!”, and move sideways in another direction while keeping an eye on the bear. While we did not get to see any black bears, we did see some deer and elk, salamanders, woodpeckers, and a few squirrels. One evening, we could hear an owl in the distance, as well as many frogs chirping, and even some coyotes howling! The starry night sky was a favorite view as we sat around the campfire. The boys loved camping, making s’mores, finding sticks and rocks, and each had their own bunk bed! We did quite a bit of hiking, including a nature trail not too far from our campsite, that led up a mountain and back down again. Remington and Emerson are great climbers! The weather was cooler the first few days, and it warmed up later in the week. We spent a day walking around Gatlinburg, enjoying the sunshine and some ice cream. We did a short tour to Ober Gatlinburg, riding in a scenic skylift through the mountains on steel cables! Once at Ober Gatlinburg, we rode the Mountain Coaster, which we had discovered on YouTube! It was a fun way to spend the afternoon for sure! We’re already looking forward to returning to the Smoky Mountains in the future! Maybe we’ll see some bears in the trees! Side note: For some reason, adding my iPhone photos to this platform was not working! So my photos of our hike up a mountain to see Laurel Falls will be saved for a later date! Plus, carrying my big camera was impossible at times while climbing! I carried Emerson three-fourths of the way up to the waterfall, and once we reached it, I slipped and fell on the slippery, moss-covered rocks after putting him down! It was a popular destination that day with the most perfect sunny spring weather! At our next stop, I discovered that I had landed right on my camera that I was carrying in my backpack when I had fallen. Luckily, only a protective lens filter was damaged! Whew! Ok, ok, enough of my rambling! How about some pictures! 😉

It’s hard to believe that 2018 is almost a wrap! What a wonderful year it has been, both in my personal life and in my business! My family is happy and healthy! Remington loves being a kindergartener, riding the bus, learning to read, and learning new skills. He loves working with tools for woodworking projects with his Dad. He even shared his old toy workbench with his little brother Emerson. And Emerson knows what a flathead screwdriver is, because his big brother has one too! Reggie continues to flourish in his automotive business, Reggie’s Motorworks. He never stops learning and growing and dreaming of the future. He is such an inspiration to me and to my children!

As for my photography business, I’ve met many wonderful new families and couples this year! What an honor and a delight to witness, document, and share in some incredibly beautiful weddings, senior sessions, family sessions, and more! I have a long list of blog posts to write over the winter season, so stay tuned for those! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who supports me and continues to help me pursue my dreams!

Before we had children, people always said how fast they grow…and, gosh, that is so, so true! We try to spend quality time with our boys, enjoying each day, the good and the not so good, while they are little!

Our boys, Remington (6) and Emerson (who turns 3 on December 22nd!), are growing each day, and they love playing and wrestling and goofing off with Reggie! It is such fun to watch them! And when they climb onto Reggie’s lap to snuggle before bed, when they give him the biggest hugs, when they say “Daddy!” (and “Mommy!”), those are simple, yet amazing moments that I want to hold onto forever.

We love arts and crafts and games! Being creative and feeling inspired are so important to us and to our kiddos. Earlier this year, Reggie hand-crafted this gorgeous table for our unused breakfast nook area. We love that there is always abundant natural light streaming in while the boys paint, draw, race trains/cars/trucks, build with LEGO, etc. It is one of our favorite spaces in our house!

From our family to yours, we would love to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Thank you, Stefanie Childs, for sharing your time and talent in capturing our lifestyle family portraits. You are amazing! And many thanks to my sweet friend, Julia, for making me look and feel my best! xoxo

How can it be that our baby boy is now 3 years old?! From the first day we met you, Emerson Ray, you’ve filled our hearts in every way! You are snuggly, silly, sweet, soft spoken (most of the time!), sharing, and curious. Each day you amaze us with new words and timely hugs. You love your Big Brother, Remington, and when the two of you laugh together uncontrollably, you make our hearts soar!

You have a sweet shyness at times, that eventually turns to smiles and cute little giggles. And you enjoy entertaining others around you with silly name games.

You love planes, trains, helicopters, semi-trucks, anything with wheels! You especially love cute animals, like baby frogs, baby sharks (doo doo doo doo doo!), puppies, and dinosaurs. Stories and movies and magnetic blocks are some of your favorite relaxing activities. And you love special treats, like popcorn and gummy bears!

When we found out Remington would be getting a little brother, we couldn’t possibly have imagined anyone better than you to grow up and play together! Your name is a special one, not without a story. I remember seeing the name Emerson and loving it. It was fun to write and fun to say. And we loved the way it sounded adding the middle name Ray, after your Grandfather Ray. Daddy found the following quote in some of Grandma Patti’s belongings, and it’s like the pieces fit together exactly how they were meant to be!

“To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent people, and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one’s self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived… this is to have succeeded.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

While you have your quiet and serious side, you also have a fun, loud, energetic, and all-boy side! You love rocks, just like your Big Brother, playing in the sandbox, and running so fast with your “strong muscles.”
We love you so much, so much, so much! And we wish you a very Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

It seems like just yesterday we were bringing our baby boy home from the hospital.  Most every parent we’ve met over the years has told us that kids grow up so fast.  And I’d have to agree that it’s so very true!  Remington starts kindergarten tomorrow, and we couldn’t be more proud of him!  He is quite excited for a great year ahead!  I will admit, I’ve been dreading this day for some time.  One of my best friends, who has taught both kindergarten and first grade, has assured me that kindergarten can be a difficult time emotionally for parents, especially mommas!  I have worked less during the month of July to be able to spend as much time with Remington and Emerson as possible.  We’ve camped, canoed, played at the park, stayed up late playing outside, made crafts, had water fights, and snuggled while watching movies together.  I guess it’s just a bittersweet time…my baby boy is reaching another special milestone, and enjoying so many life experiences.  I know he will absolutely love school, making new friends and keeping up with old friends from preschool, while learning more and more each day.  When I took Remington to visit his new school for kindergarten round-up earlier this summer, I saw a quote in the hallway that summed it up perfectly, so I’ll paraphrase it here: There are two gifts that we should give our children.  Roots to grow and wings to fly.  Gosh, when I read that, it hit me like a ton of bricks! What a special gift it is to be a parent!  I’ll never forget how he held my hand as we toured the school together, and the excitement in his eyes as he got to get on a school bus, after drawing a frog, writing his name, and being given a book to take home.   Oh my sweet little guy!!!

 

Daddy and I are beyond proud of you, Bub!!!  We love you so much and wish you a wonderful first day (and year!) of kindergarten!  We cannot wait to hear all about it!

A few weeks ago, we went out for a quick photo session of these two silly, loving, wonderful boys!  Here are a few favorites!