Hey, Mama, Look at Me!

"Look at me! Watch me! Hey, Mama, look at me!"

Sierra gets to try a move from her favorite movie, Dirty Dancing, with a little help from Braedon.
Photo Credit: Chuck Bennorth

When my children were younger, they loved having my undivided attention, which isn't to say they always had it, but they ate it up when I applauded, and "ooh"ed and "ah"ed at the appropriate moments. 

You'll get there, Braedon. #hairgoals

There were first steps, first days of school, t-ball games, dance recitals, riding without training wheels, playing board games, doing a flip underwater at the pool, learning to cartwheel, achieving the next level in video games, football games, cheerleader competitions, and band concerts; my children were pretty busy kids growing up. And I was there photographing most of it.

Fast forward to now. I'm mothering three adults; both sons are married, and my daughter has a boyfriend. As my baby birds have left the nest, and found their significant others, I suppose sometimes I felt this mother bird's mothering wasn't as necessary as before. At one point, I may have worried a little bit that my "Mama, look!" days were ending, but a recent trip to Utah put those fears to rest. 

While we were in Utah for Bridger and Joscelyne's wedding, we had several special photo shoots; not only did we shoot their bridal session, wedding, and wedding reception, but we were able to photograph Dylan's mountain biking in the desert and his community softball game, Jamie's dancing in the studio, and all of the kids swimming and playing games together. 

Summer days in southern Utah can get hot. "But it's a dry heat," we're heard to say. Even 108 dry degrees are hot, though, so we beat the heat by spending the afternoon at a pool in Saint George. 

Sierra tells Braedon the Duck Story. Every time the word DUCK comes up, the listener goes underwater.

The kids had fun trying different stunts, and revisiting childhood memories of pool-time fun. When I wasn't taking pictures of their antics, you can bet I was in the water cooling off with them. Even Chuck got in!

Photo credit: Chuck Bennorth

It's not that they are attention-hungry fools, but having grown up with a shutterbug for a mom, the kids have been desensitized to lenses pointed in their direction, and they indulge Chuck and me in our passion for photography. 

Chuck has been a very welcome addition to our family, and between the two of us, there is nearly always a camera at the ready for shenanigans and tender moments. Living 1,400 miles away from our Utah kids isn't always easy, but enjoying the moments captured with cameras helps this mama manage in between visits.

I'm looking forward to sharing more of my favorite memories with you here. It was a wonderful, whirlwind week with the Waters' kids.