. he turns seven
Our beautiful boy turns seven today. We are so proud of all his accomplishments and enthusiasm for life. He loves the ocean—surfing—sailing—sea creatures—dinosaurs—trains—math—art—and especially his little sister—
. a long awaited snowball fight
Merrik and Maliea have been dreaming of snowball fight for years. They have both been in the snow but it wasn’t very memorable. Maliea experienced it pre-memory and Merrik made muddy snowballs from a small patch of melting snow we tracked down with friends last year in the San Gabriel Mountains. Our discovery of [...]
.jellyfishers
Merrik created installation art in our family room that is to stay up all through winter. It is a field of jellyfish with snow on them. If any of you have six year olds, you might recognize this from Spongebob Squarepants which Merrik is really into because it’s all about living under the sea. Anything [...]
. a picture postcard
I am so grateful that my kids love the ocean as much as I do. In warm or cold weather.
. a little bit of summer
“One must maintain a little bittle of summer, even in the middle of winter.” ― Henry David Thoreau Although we had no say in it… …we all enjoyed the last few days of warm weather even in the overwhelming moments of illness in the family. It’s very characteristic for this time of year here. [...]
. little artists
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. ~Pablo Picasso
photography is [being ever so thankful]
![photography is [being ever so thankful]](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/20110401family_coronado0005-150x150.jpg)
Even though thoughts weigh heavy on my mind about my mother-in-law’s current health situation, our financial future, our world’s political situations, Merrik and Maliea’s constant expectations of new toys and new clothes, our mysteriously high water bill, the future of the photography industry, my eyebrows needing waxing etc. I am still ever so thankful for [...]
photography is [a very special dad]
![photography is [a very special dad]](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/20101212family_statebeachcampout207-150x150.jpg)
He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland We love you Dad!! [My husband is an amazing father. Patient, encouraging, joyous and energetic. He lives fully and gives even more to those who mean so much to him.]
photography is [Photobook Cali]
![photography is [Photobook Cali]](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/20081114family_beachboy072-150x150.jpg)
Surfer Boy Merrik Going In The Wait One More Wave Cold Surf At Sunset I am so honored to have my series of images “Merrik-Surfside” selected as winners to be published in Photobook Cali. Wow. So many beautiful photographs of California and it’s people were chosen. I am in love with all the other photographer’s [...]
photography is [life as it is]
![photography is [life as it is]](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/20110611family-athome0005-150x150.jpg)
The last few months have been a whirlwind with no sense of significant direction. Family life has cast it’s spell on me even as I am still trying to make sense of the fact that I am a mother of two kids!! As I look back on photographs I never posted here on the blog [...]
photography is [a boy and his bike]
![photography is [a boy and his bike]](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/20110413family_lensbaby1-bikeride0043-150x150.jpg)
So Merrik has recently mustered up the courage to try riding his bike without training wheels-again. He was ready to roll a year ago until he had a major wipeout on the hill at the end of our street. This time he’s trying a new technique of pushing off and peddling down a knoll of [...]
photography is [a true friend]
![photography is [a true friend]](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/20110313family_casperspark00271-150x150.jpg)
“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, [...]
photography is [the rhythm of life]
![photography is [the rhythm of life]](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/20110127family_holeinthefence017-150x150.jpg)
We’ve been really out of rhythm it seems for the last month or so-at least since we went camping in December. December was an amazing month where we spent time together as a family because Jim was on sabbatical. He dropped off and picked up Merrik from school, kept the house impeccably clean and helped [...]
photography is [home sick]
![photography is [home sick]](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/20110111family_homesick001-150x150.jpg)
Merrik is home sick again today. He has a fever and is acting a bit delirious so I know he’s not feeling well. He’s usually so full of energy and jumps from one industrious project to the next. Today he’s tried to do puzzles but even that wears him out. I had to take a [...]
[photography is] getting ready for Christmas
![[photography is] getting ready for Christmas](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/20101202kkp_holidaybokeh058-150x150.jpg)
We went to get our tree last week [our earliest start to Christmas EVER] at the “Dumbo” circus tent tree lot down the hill from our house. No snow, no walk out in the field, pick your own and cut it down. Just a plain ol’ walk into the empty parking lot on El Camino [...]
[photography is] a proud mom
![[photography is] a proud mom](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/20101130family_merrikssurfingtstreet007-150x150.jpg)
Oh man. I am so proud of my little guy lately. Merrik has seriously stepped up as best big brother, awesome student, passionate surfer and all around sweet kid lately. Today Merrik begged and begged until I gave in to take him surfing. It was warmer than it has been but still the air was [...]
[photography is] a quiet thanksgiving
![[photography is] a quiet thanksgiving](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/20101125family_thanksgiving004-150x150.jpg)
Our day started out hanging at home with the kids watching a marathon of Rankin/Bass movies while trying to keep warm under the couch cushions. Dad cleaned the entire house while I fixed yams and dressing for the feast. Merrik spent some time making custom Thanksgiving cards for everyone. He has become quite a prolific [...]
[photography is] a father/son project
![[photography is] a father/son project](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/20101120family_merriksproject003-150x150.jpg)
This is why I love my husband so much: Merrik and I have been ‘talking’ about making a boat out of his “Make it Work! SHIPS” book for several years now. Yes, I said YEARS! I even saved yogurt containers for the dredger and balsa wood for the sailboat forever. But then we never did [...]
![[photography is] my little pumpkins](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/20101016-20101016family_pumpkinpatch049-150x150.jpg)
[photography is] a beautiful beach day
![[photography is] a beautiful beach day](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/20100925family_gorgeousbeachday031_bw-150x150.jpg)
Before dad had to leave for PA to art direct a two-week-long video project, we escaped to the beach with beautiful weather. It was the first signs of summer we’d had all year and the kids were in heaven. Maliea loves to get down and dirty in the sand carrying it from shore to bucket. [...]
[photography is] looking forward to kindergarten every day
![[photography is] looking forward to kindergarten every day](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/20100915family_concordia011_fx-150x150.jpg)
In between designing collages, albums and editing sessions I am so excited to be a part of Merrik’s new world of Kindergarten at Concordia Elementary. He is settling in well and is just as excited when I take him to school each morning as he is to tell me all the things he did that [...]
[photography is] my kindergartener
![[photography is] my kindergartener](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100825family_0009beachwithmerrik-150x150.jpg)
Merrik starts Kindergarten soon. I can’t believe it has already come time. Jim and I felt like it was such a long way off. I look at Merrik and still see the cute little baby boy that he has been for the past 5 years. All of a sudden he is a boy, a kid, [...]
[photography is] a family photo at the san clemente pier
![[photography is] a family photo at the san clemente pier](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/20100801family_0134familypierphoto-150x150.jpg)
We once again attempted our annual family photo at the pier after an unsuccessful first try. The light was sweet and so were the waves. But the water and air are unusually cold for this time of year.
[photography is] no photos
![[photography is] no photos](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/20100722family_0092beachrun_bw-150x150.jpg)
The biggest problem I have with hanging out in the surf with my kiddos is that I don’t get any pictures of us hanging out together in the ocean. I’ve tried the waterproof camera but I always end up preferring to not take it in with me-especially if I am swimming with both Merrik and [...]