Quarterly Update | Summer 2017

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Photo above taken by Courtney Smith Photography

As a creative entrepreneur, christ follower, wife, and mama, there is so much that I want to share about my personal life with my friends and followers! I’ve thought about doing a monthly newsletter, or a weekly mashup post on the blog, or even creating a separate personal blog space. Instead I’ve decided to do quarterly posts here on this blog throughout the year highlighting what I’ve been up to with my family, photography, travel, and our never ending house projects! I’m excited to use my blog space not just to share my business news and photography, but to share more about myself. So welcome to my first quarterly post!

Summer 2017

June ・ July ・  August

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We started off the summer with a trip to San Francisco! Our friends neighborhood coffee shop Four Barrel was a favorite to stroll to each morning. We always enjoy grabbing espresso and lunch in North beach. We have yet to really spend enough time at Muir Woods National Monument, but it is always enchanting. And for stunning views of the city the Marin Headlands are a beautiful area to explore.

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My family lives all over the USA, but we got together as a family in June at my parents home in STL. This was Wilder’s first time with all my immediate family together since he was born. It was so precious seeing how loved he is by all his aunts, uncles, and grandparents! He is the first grand baby to my parents.

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We also did a fair amount of traveling in the PNW this summer! I photographed an elopement shoot at Diablo Lake in the North Cascades, photographed wedding portraits at Tipsoo Lake, hiked with Matt’s brothers at Deception Pass, went camping near Cannon Beach at Nehalem Bay State Park, and ended the summer with a weekend hiking at Mt Rainer National Park.

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Staying at the Paradise Inn at Mt Rainier was a highlight of my summer. We went in late August while the wildflowers were still thriving. Matt & I hiked the Skyline Trail Loop with Wilder. The highest point of the hike was 6800 ft elevation, it was a crystal clear day, and the views were unbelievable. I was so proud of Wilder for tolerating such a long hike! Matt did such a great job hiking while wearing our son in the hiking pack! Lots of other older parents on the trail congratulated us for getting out with our baby! It was such an encouragement, especially since it really was not easy! But so worth it.

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Last year, we bought our home in Seattle, and started a million DIY projects at once. We painted our deck and pergola, we updated our kitchen cabinets, hardware, and tiled a wall. We also had a nursery to prepare. So this year, we took it easy with the projects. Instead Matt focused on gardening. He planted so many beautiful flowers around our yard, and really made our outdoor space a beautiful place to enjoy. Our home sits up on a hill, Matt planted mixed flower seeds, and sunflowers on the hill, that were a happy sight to see this summer. He also dug out borders and planted dahlias! They have been so impressive, week after week, they continue to grow more flowers and bloom. I’m going to miss having vases of flowers in my home in the winter, haha!

As a new Mama, I’m learning how to manage my work life balance (who isn’t though? I feel like this is an every evolving process). I’m finally finding time to go running on a regular basis, go to happy hour with friends, and have really gotten into meal planning. I absolutely love this new cook book from Nom Nom Paleo, it has so many delicious meals, Matt and I both enjoy cooking these recipes. A fun makeup product that I was skeptical about, but now absolute love is LipSense. Guys, if you like wearing a strong lip color, this stuff is amazing. If you haven’t heard about it, it’s a lip color that lasts almost all day, does not need to be reapplied, and doesn’t wear, rub, or kiss off! This means I can wear my favorite bright red lip color and kiss my boys without getting red lipstick on them. Winning!!!

Let me know if you enjoyed this quartley update! You can find me on instagram @photosbybetty, I post their often and I’d love to hear from you. - Betty

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Photography by Betty Elaine is a Seattle Adventure Wedding and Elopement Photographer in the Pacific Northwest. Servicing weddings throughout Washington and National Parks, including Snoqualmie Pass, Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic Peninsula, North Cascades, and San Juan Island. Betty's professional work features beautiful editorial wedding photography, elopements, and anniversary sessions. Travel is available to other locations outside of the Washington area for local, national, and international wedding photography. As a wedding photographer with a passion for adventure and travel photography, Betty has photographed across the United States, and Europe.