Authentic

Every year for my older son's birthday I ask him what he would like to do. L has had a construction party, a trip to the city landfill (yes, he wanted to see the landfill for his birthday!), and a jupiter themed party. I thought, having set this precedent, I should at least ask my soon-to-be-2-year-old what he wanted to do. I probably should have seen his answer coming, but I wasn't really expecting it. He paused for a moment and then said, "Horse! Ride! Big Mama Horse! Ride Mama horse!" Oh my, I thought. Was I going to be that mom?! The one who got ponies for her son's second birthday. I decided to look around. I talked to the pony person, but she wasn't interested once I asked her about the price (yikes!) and he had asked for a "Big Mama Horse" anyway. Well... I googled - what else is a mom to do? I found this blog http://missoulamom.com/?p=1199 and thought, well, I could ask.... Long story made shorter, the wonderful people at Horse Share 4 Kids Sake agreed to have us out!

I was definitely nervous as the day approached. Would my newly 2 year old be okay with the big horses? How would he react? Would the kids have fun?

Kate from the ranch sent us a map and stayed in touch and soon the day was here. Three cars filled with kids headed as a caravan down the highway for a trip to a ranch. I have to admit here that I was picturing a ranch with a big wooden gate like the ones I see on my way to Seeley. I expected to show up and find a manicured lawn with a log cabin visitors center or something, so when we pulled in through the gate and found ourselves at a (log!) farmhouse surrounded by (gasp!) farm and ranch equipment I had to do a self double check.

My family is deeply Montanan. We brag about our seven generations here and are quick to doubt Californians, but I discovered, that somewhere, somehow, living in a small city like Missoula, I'd lost my perspective.



The ranch was beautiful and authentic. The family that owns it was nothing but fantastically sweet and nice and welcoming. They love their animals deeply and clearly care about both the animals and the land. They showed us a fantastic time, taking the kids on a long ride out into the field and going at preschool pace. They let the kids play in the creek and chase the goats. They expected us to watch our children around the animals and were not there to entertain us. The ranch was entertainment enough for the children.

After the goats, while the children waited their turn for horse rides, they frolicked in the side yard playing with frogs and kittens. No one was ever bored.



After horse rides, we had lunch and birthday treats inside a bug-net gazebo set in the front yard they had set up. After lunch, the children were given a second chance to pet the horses up close and go for another ride.

My children had a wonderful time and I had a wonderful time. We are already trying to think of ways to go back. I encourage you all to check out their program. Enjoy these snapshots and then contact them for a visit yourself.

e-mail horseshare4kidssakekh1969@yahoo.com, call (406) 288-3430 or write to “Horse Share For Kids’ Sake,” Kate Hansen, director, 472 Mullan Trail, Gold Creek, MT 59733.


The perpective I gained from getting an authentic ranch experience isn't going away anytime soon and I think everyone who eats meat should find a way to visit. Adam hasn't stopped talking about riding a "Big Mama Horse!" and I have a renewed committment to local food and open spaces. Thanks LH Ranch for a birthday experience and lasting impression.

Family at Sunset

I loved that this family wanted to try to catch a sunset. Tonight might be the first time I have ever been excited to see smoke in the sky! Thanks for the fun evening with your cute cute cute children.

Little ladybug and big brother

My kiddos

I like to have formal pictures of the kids every year around their birthdays. Believe me, taking pictures of my own kiddos is pretty hard because they are sick of having their pictures taken. We have so many pictures of them out in our beautiful surroundings that I like this once-a-year picture to be with a backdrop. Here they are!

Makin' a Splash!

This morning was a very fun portrait session with a little (almost 2 year-old) girl. She wasn't sure about having her picture taken until she realized it could be fun! She had lots of outfits to wear and loved running around the park. I think her favorite part was jumping to mom and running through the mud puddle. Wow! She loves to splash! Mom and I even got in on the puddle splashing action. Thanks for the fun morning!

Adorable!

I had the great joy today of photographing the new baby of a long time friend. It remined me that when we were in elementary school, I would set up sheets in the backyard as backdrops and force this friend and my brother to stand in front of them doing different poses while I photographed them. I'll have to look for those pictures...

Today was lovely and mom, grandma, and aunt were there to help. She is an adorable baby and it was great to meet her. I loved the little coos and the best part was when her mom and grandma said "I love you" to her, she would light up the room!

Great family!

At last! I had the chance to photograph one of my favorite families over the weekend. The one of the little girl reminds me of Alice in Wonderland when she grows really tall and I actually like the sort of serious look the boy has! I love when kids are kids and moms and dads go with the flow and I thought this family picture caught that. I think the father/daughter speaks for itself!

S'mores

This weekend we went on a picnic with long-time family friends and tried a new treat: the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup S'more. All I can say is, "Yum!"

Western MT Fair

I didn't take many pictures this year at the fair, but I did grab a couple. This cowgirl was sitting at a picnic table waiting for the rodeo to start. I found her enchanting.

I also love this one of my boys riding a kiddie ride. They have so much fun together, and I love how you can see that in the picture!

Super cuties!

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of photographing these cuties from Logan's preschool. I enjoyed myself a lot and the mom was fantastic. She played peek-a-boo and called names and stayed super positive the entire time!

This is the very first picture I took, and I just love how it turned out.

Later, while her brother was avoiding the camera at all costs,

this is what this five-year-old belle was up to:

Here she is with her grandfather:

and in her princess dress:

The little brother was really interested in the toys I brought along to encourage him to look at me. I worked hard to grab some portraits while he dashed around playing.

I love this one:

and this one: