[photography is] the san clemente ocean festival
![[photography is] the san clemente ocean festival](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/20100718family_0021oceanfestival_bw-150x150.jpg)
We go to the SC Ocean Festival every year to support Jim in his open water swim competitions. I don’t think I would go just to hang out. It’s packed with lots of out-of-towners and the bravest of locals. I am not a big fan of going where the crowds are. That’s just me. It [...]
[photography is] the basics of skateboarding
![[photography is] the basics of skateboarding](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/20100713family_0004skateboardcamp-150x150.jpg)
Merrik was in The Basics of Skateboarding skateboard camp this week. He has had a skateboard since he was 3 but I have not been very encouraging to get him on it. I haven’t wanted to see him fall or get his fingers run over while he rides it on his belly. So, the fact [...]
[life] is a bubble bath in a jacuzzi tub
![[life] is a bubble bath in a jacuzzi tub](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/20100612family_0009bubblebath_bw-150x150.jpg)
We have this really funky jacuzzi tub stuck inside a shower stall in one of our three full size bathrooms. Yes, we have three full bathrooms for the kids to fill their bath toys with. No wonder they are water fiends. So the other night I put bubbles in the bath and then Merrik begged [...]
[photography] is letting go
![[photography] is letting go](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/20100528family_0001onthegrass-150x150.jpg)
I recently took a parenting class and one of the main things I learned about was letting go. Letting go of control of your kids’ behavior and letting go of your anger over your kids’ behavior. It has helped make my experience being around a 2 and a 5 year old a much happier one. [...]
![[life] is une visite impromptue](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/20100607family_0003lobopark-150x150.jpg)
[life] is simplicity
![[life] is simplicity](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/20100602family_0002dpharbor_bw-150x150.jpg)
It’s been a month since we have been able to get out and about for a simple visit to the Dana Point Harbor. I love the end-of-day respites with my parents and my kids. Usually we stop what we’re doing around 6:00pm and head to the San Clemente pier or Dana Point Harbor to play [...]
[life] is healing
![[life] is healing](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/20100509family_0003mothersday_bw-150x150.jpg)
I am just now emerging from a month long adventure in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone of business and motherhood and respiratory and intestinal virus infestations. I am looking forward to a relaxing and energetic weekend in Coronado with my healthy and healing family-sailing, surfing, swimming and sunshine. Mother’s “Day” has finally arrived. A few images [...]
[life] is a piece of normalcy
![[life] is a piece of normalcy](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/20100512family_0005velvetyogurtwithdad_1_bw-150x150.jpg)
One day in the last few weeks I was feeling well enough to go out and about with the kids. Jim was home during the day because he had just pulled an all-nighter (which has been very common lately). So we all headed to Velvet Yogurt after much begging on the part of Merrik AND [...]
[life] is a rough week
![[life] is a rough week](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/20100507family_0006stillsick_bw-150x150.jpg)
This past week has been one of the roughest weeks on history for me as a working mom. It’s hard enough being a dedicated mom who loves to spend lots of time with my kids and who loves to work too. But when the two most important ‘clients’ are sick, it’s even harder. Several times [...]
[life] is turning 5
![[life] is turning 5](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/20100430family_0047merriks5thparty_bw-150x150.jpg)
Merrik planned out his 5th Birthday Party from start to finish right down to the design of the cake. The original plan was to have a monkey pajama party on the train but it ended up being the ultimate monkey party at the park. He was in heaven with all his favorite Serra Preschool buds [...]
[life] is a bathtime routine
![[life] is a bathtime routine](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20100416family_0020tubtime_bw-150x150.jpg)
Every night I throw the kids in the bath together so they can swim, splash and maybe get a little cleaner. I also lay out their jammies on the bed. Their dad started this tradition but I recently added the stuffed animal sticking their heads out. I pick a different one every night and this [...]
[life] is villa romano green farms
![[life] is villa romano green farms](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20100424family_0034vrgreenfarms-150x150.jpg)
After a much needed trek to the Prima Deschecha Landfill today to drop off at the newly discovered recycle waste drop we visited the newly discovered Villa Romano Green Farms at the other end of La Pata. I am already excited to go back with the kids and friends for one of their Farm Chef [...]
[life] is a birthday card | my boy is going to be 5
![[life] is a birthday card | my boy is going to be 5](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20100414family_0017monkeyjammies-150x150.jpg)
I did a couple of fun sessions with Merrik to get pics for his birthday invite. He is so much fun to be with. These are two of my favorites. The second one was from an after bath session where both he and Maliea were already in their jammies and wanted to go for a [...]
[life] is a beach buddy
![[life] is a beach buddy](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20100408family_0034beachday-150x150.jpg)
It finally warmed up on a day when I had a little bit of time to squeeze in a trip to the beach before a family session. I am so glad I took the time to take both Merrik and Maliea because they have so much fun together and both love playing in the ocean [...]
[photography] is botanical
![[photography] is botanical](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20100406kkp_024sdbotanica-150x150.jpg)
I recently visited the San Diego Botanic Garden for a field trip with Merrik’s school and had a lovely time strolling the grounds and watching the kids explore and discover. My sister Katie and her daughter Rose joined Merrik and I for the brief visit. They have a fabulous Children’s Garden and I can’t wait [...]
[life] is plan B
![[life] is plan B](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20100404family_039easteratnewmans_bw-150x150.jpg)
We were forced to turn to Plan B for Easter dinner due to an earthquake that knocked the power out at the Newman residence and entire neighborhood. After enjoying a frolic in the fortunately preheated jacuzzi with no bubbles we dragged the kids out to go dine at Stella’s Serious Italian in Laguna Niguel for [...]
[life] is a couple of sweet peas
![[life] is a couple of sweet peas](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20100403family_062easter_session-150x150.jpg)
Wishing all of you a Happy Easter, Happy Spring, happy, happy everything! poem by Linda Newman
[life] is going in the sprinklers in 50º temps
![[life] is going in the sprinklers in 50º temps](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20100401_family_sprinklers_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik received a new sprinkler toy from his Aunt and Uncle and Cousins for Maliea’s birthday so he wouldn’t feel left out. Of course he wanted to use it asap so we hooked it up the other day just to watch it because it was cold and getting dark. The next morning he and Maliea [...]
[life] is then and now
![[life] is then and now](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/20080426family_001roomandtrack-150x150.jpg)
I took this pic when Maliea was one month old and this one just the other day. I shot it from memory but obviously my memory is shot. I have been looking at this picture for the last 2 years and didn’t remember that Merrik had his shirt off. I have really good intentions to [...]
[life] is a family ukulele jam sesh
![[life] is a family ukulele jam sesh](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSC_4090-150x150.jpg)
Merrik, Maliea and Dad all have an amazing ear for music. They love jamming together on their ukuleles. Merrik told me that I need to get one too but I think I’ll stick to documenting all of them with theirs.
[life] is discovering new things
![[life] is discovering new things](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/20100327family_016zoomars-150x150.jpg)
took Merrik and Maliea to a birthday party the other day. I didn’t get one good pic of the birthday boy because my two munchkins were at opposite ends of the zoo from the rest of the party but I did end up leaving a very excited and proud mom. We took Merrik to Zoomars [...]
[life] is in sync
![[life] is in sync](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/20100318family_007roomandtrack-150x150.jpg)
Photography is the beauty of life, captured. – Tara Chisholm Merrik and Maliea love to play together in their room and especially on Merrik’s whale bed. I love how they are in perfect sync. Maliea mimics everything Merrik does.
[life] is growing up too fast
![[life] is growing up too fast](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/20100221_slotcars_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik is growing up right before my eyes. I can’t believe how ‘old’ he looks in these frames. Thank goodness I have captured so many moments like this to go back through and remember how little he once was!