I stumbled on happiness :) :: Thursday :: Random image of the day

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."
~Angela Schwindt

Well, today's image is more of a tryptic, and it tells a lovely little story about a little girl that loves to run free and can find rocks even in unlikely places ;) ...This past spring we set for a short drive in the country to check out a new location. I loved the place and so did she! 

Random picture of the day :: Smiles :: Elena Wilken Children Photographer

A smile costs nothing but gives much.  It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give.  It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.  None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.  Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.  Some people are too tired to give you a smile.  Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.  ~Author Unknown

Furry little friends :: Elena Wilken :: Portland OR Children Photographer

It was a very windy and cold morning, the morning of this session, but this cute little man kept us on the move. I love sessions like this - they better and sharpen my skills and I can really capture my little subject's personality, because there is not a lot of posing going on. Well, there is the intention of setting up poses, and from there on I'm on my own :)

Sanda, you're a great mommy ;) Bringing along his favorite toys and furry little friends set us up for a great session! He was such a little trooper putting up with the cold and windy weather. Happy late birthday to you little Josh!

A new way to measure time :: Elena Wilken :: Portland Or. Children Photographer

Two years ago this week, we welcomed a new little bundle in our family. And ever since then time has been flying by. She changed us in so many ways. It is so fascinating to look at the world through her eyes, as she learns new things. She expanded our hearts, taught us a new found appreciation for things we might take for granted otherwise, keeps us on our toes sometimes, and simply brings joy to our lives. 

There are so many things to do, places to go, people to see at any given time but this season of her life we will never be able to bring back, so we enjoy it. And sometimes that means that we do less things, go less places and see less people and have more of her. Children change the way you measure time and it seems to me that they make the passing of time even more valuable and add new meanings to it.

Happy birthday sweetie! :)
You make your daddy so proud and melt your mommy's heart. Just don't grow up too fast... 

Little Sam :: Elena Wilken :: Portland Or. Photographer

Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood, we find a delightful creature of a boy.
~ Author Unknown

While taking pictures of Sarah the other week, I snuck in a few of Sam as well, her big brother :) He is getting so big, so fast :)

I was going through some of the files from last year, on the back ups and I came across some of his photos. He is not a little baby anymore, not even a little boy. 

...These images got me so excited about all the fall colors - all this beauty and all the honey like and fiery red hues are just around the corner :)  I am very much looking forward to all the sessions I have coming up in the next couple of months! Fall and spring are my most favorite - fall probably even more than spring.