[life] is a couple of monkeys
![[life] is a couple of monkeys](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/20100209family_006newmonkeypjs_bw-150x150.jpg)
Merrik has been obsessed with Curious George lately and when he saw these monkey pjs he just had to have them-for himself and for Maliea. I think it is very sweet that he thinks of her too. Of course hers are pink and his aren’t. Oh and by the way, he is also obsessed with [...]
[life] is hibernation day
![[life] is hibernation day](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/20100205_bearjammieday_collage01-150x150.jpg)
I was so lucky to help at Merrik’s preschool on one of the days they were learning about bears. All the kids showed up in their pjs and brought their bears to class with them. The bears ended up “sleeping over” at the school all weekend long. Merrik is anxiously waiting to see how big [...]
[life] is inside
![[life] is inside](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/20100118_firedup_collage01-150x150.jpg)
It has been raining here all week which is an extremely rare occurrence. If we do get rain it’s usually for only a day or two. The week has been filled with lots of indoor activities that is starting to grow old. It just makes us all appreciate so much more than we already do [...]
[life] is bikes and beaches
![[life] is bikes and beaches](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/20100107_bikesandbeaches_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Redundancy is prominent in our lives right now: watching and rewatching Curious George, Dinosaur Train, Polar Express and other movies; reading and rereading Meet Kai Lan and Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Our other redundancy is the beach: bikes, swings ocean and sand. With it in our backyard it’s feels weird to not go. Later the [...]
![[life] is bikes and slides and sunset swings](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/20091228_northbeach_collage01-150x150.jpg)
[life] is a Christmas tree
![[life] is a Christmas tree](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/20081229_christmastreekids_collage01-150x150.jpg)
The kids are in awe of the Christmas tree. There is something amazing about a lavishly decorated and well lit tree that makes the house smell like you are in the woods. Merrik helped put ornaments on today and ended up loving them all in the same place. There is a little cluster of sailboats [...]
[life] is christmas at the casa
![[life] is christmas at the casa](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/20091205family_045christmascasa-150x150.jpg)
We have been enjoying holiday festivities in both Coronado and San Clemente lately. The Christmas at the Casa was a “civilized” event for young and old and it was just the right amount of event for me. We are not fans of public gatherings that draw big crowds but the Casa Romantica is a special [...]
[photography] is life
![[photography] is life](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/20091125family_298boatsession-150x150.jpg)
I actually attempted to do a photo session with my own kids for a holiday card this year. Struggling with wanting to do something that included the entire family and that was a little more edgy and surreal, I gave in to safe, cutesy images on the beach with my kiddos. Some day when we [...]
[photography] is an impossible session
![[photography] is an impossible session](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/20091128_kochcousins_collage01-150x150.jpg)
I always have the hardest time when I have to do a “session” for someone in my family. I don’t know why but it always seems I get caught between the thought that it’s just my family so I don’t have to be as on my game and they will still love me and having [...]
[life] is a jewel
![[life] is a jewel](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091129family_063missionsjc-150x150.jpg)
We visited the Jewel of the California Missions this weekend. It was a beautiful day and the kids loved just walking around the old ruins. I forget about it until I drive by once in awhile and then think of going to see it. Merrik and Maliea especially loved the koi ponds and the gift [...]
[life] is a rad running race
![[life] is a rad running race](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091124_rustysradrunningrace_collage01_bw-150x150.jpg)
Merrik went to a classmates 5th birthday party that was planned out in detail by the birthday boy. From the running race to the pit stop with water and oranges, he wanted it to be like a real 10K for kids. They all had a blast and were exhausted after a full lap around the [...]
[life] is a day at Merrik’s school
![[life] is a day at Merrik's school](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091120_serrafeastday_collage07_bw-150x150.jpg)
I love to go in to Merrik’s school and capture the joy and playfulness of the kids there. Of course I am supposed to be supervising them too so sometimes what makes for a great shot is not the safest or most appropriate behavior on the playground so I need to control myself (and the [...]
[photography] is a location scout
![[photography] is a location scout](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091124_locationscout_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik tagged along on my location scout today. He had to pee the whole time so I tried to encourage him to find a spot next to a bush. He loves to do it that way at home when there is an opportunity. However, I don’t know if it was the unstable cliffs or the [...]
[life] is the little riddles at home
![[life] is the little riddles at home](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091121family_008homeantics-150x150.jpg)
We’ve been spending quite a bit of time at home lately trying to keep everyone healthy. Jim has been swamped at work so the weekends “relaxing” at home with the kids has been the best way for him to rejuvenate. Relaxing at home usually includes chase sessions around the house, playing “waves” in the bedding, [...]
[photography] is a feast day
![[photography] is a feast day](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091120_serrafeastday_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik had his first Thanksgiving feast at preschool this past week. After being out all week with the flu, he bounced back in time for the festive day. He was so excited to go back to school to see his friends that he was bouncing off the walls all morning. When he got there they [...]
[life] is bath time
![[life] is bath time](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091113_inthebath_collage01-150x150.jpg)
I love bath time at our house but I rarely document it because we have the funkiest and ugliest jacuzzi tub that the kids love to play in. It’s set into a space that was originally designed for a shower. It even has jets but it needs so much water to fill it up for [...]
[life] is finally a playdate
![[life] is finally a playdate](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091111_mainbeach_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik and Maliea finally had the chance to get wild with Joseph and Noah the other day. They love hanging out with these kids but it’s been several busy months of work, school and threats of swine flu that have kept us apart. Rebecca and I love getting the kids together so we can chat [...]
[life] is greeting the morning
![[life] is greeting the morning](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091107_inthemorning_collage01-150x150.jpg)
The other day Merrik greeted the morning in his sleeping bag outside. Maliea greeted it singing and dancing and twirling her bowl cut hair.
[life] is a bike race
![[life] is a bike race](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091106_northbeach_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik turns everything into a contest. We headed down to the beach trail in the afternoon recently and he was so excited that Maliea is now “riding” her bike. She doesn’t pedal but pushes herself along with her feet. I usually end up pushing her from behind to catch up with Merrik and after an [...]
[life] is listening to the ocean
![[life] is listening to the ocean](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091102_beachwithkole_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Today was a gorgeous day for the beach. After school Merrik played with some friends and we made plans with his friend Kole to meet down at Mariposa to go surfing. It was low tide and the air was warm. But, when we arrived we were greeted by the yellow contaminated water warning signs. So [...]
[life] is at play in the room of the kids
![[life] is at play in the room of the kids](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/20091030_bedroomplay_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Puppet playing, music listening, crib jumping, book reading Merrik and Maliea with their Dad.
[life] is a ninja costume
![[life] is a ninja costume](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/20091030_serracostumeparade_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Merrik is dressing up as “Baby Ninja” for Halloween this year. He was going to be Batman but saw the Ninja costume and was committed immediately. His two favorite (designer) plushies are the Super Ninja by FunFun and Wee Ninja by Shawnimals. He wanted to be Wee Ninja because he is black and black is [...]
[life] is priceless
![[life] is priceless](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/20091028_serrapreschool_collage01-150x150.jpg)
I am so fortunate to be able to witness Merrik’s preschool days. Because he is at Serra Preschool I work 3-4 days per month to help out during class time. The day I was there last week was priceless. Merrik was in the “Five Little Pumpkins” skit, he played a vampire in the class play [...]
[life] is a stop at velvet yogurt
![[life] is a stop at velvet yogurt](http://kristiannekochphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/20091028_velvetyogurt_collage01-150x150.jpg)
Many times after our beach and surf sessions this summer Merrik, Maliea and I stopped in at Velvet Yogurt. It’s been awhile since we’ve even been downtown so I thought it would be fun to make a trip after our busy day at preschool, lunch with Aunt Cindy and Cousin Jessica at the Wind and [...]