September 21, 2025

June - Summer Begins, Cooking Classes With the Kids, and Britt & Daniel are Sealed

June has unofficially earned the title “Camp Month” in our family. It falls right in that sweet spot before the Central Valley heat really cranks up, making it the perfect time for back-to-back adventures. With so many summer programs scheduled during this window, our calendar is packed. This year we had Young Men’s camp and art camp—both stretching across several days, giving everyone a chance to dive into something they love and come back with stories, memories, and maybe even a little extra dirt or paint under their fingernails. 

I also had the special opportunity to attend Britt and Daniel’s sealing in the Saratoga Springs Temple in Utah. Being able to attend was already an exciting part of it, but getting to capture those meaningful and tender moments behind the camera made it even more memorable. I truly felt honored that they invited me to be part of their day in such a unique and joyful way.

Check out our June!


                                                  


We commandeered our friends' pool while they were out of town. It was awesome. We literally swam everyday we could. Loved having our fun in the sun. 


Beckham boy acclimating himself to the waters once again. 


Jack and Quinn dove for toys for over an hour. I remember doing this as a kid as well. We spent hours in our pool growing up. There's nothing like the fun of water and the games you come up with along the way.


Pres and I lounging in the pergola while we watch our littles entertain themselves.


Clarks Cooking Classes

The kids took part in a cooking class through the Manteca Rec Department, and they absolutely loved it. Watching their excitement, I had to laugh because, being the frugal soul that I am, I decided I could give them lessons myself instead of paying someone else. After all, if I hadn’t chosen photography, I probably would have been a chef. So naturally, it felt like my duty (and my right!) to pass along the skills of the kitchen to my young padawans.

I quickly realized how much I enjoyed teaching them the skills they’ll carry with them as they get older. Every time they created a dish, I couldn’t help but feel proud, and they lit up with pride too, knowing they had made the very meal we were sitting down to eat. More than once I heard, “Guys, you have to try this because I made it!” They wanted to taste everything their siblings created and be part of the whole experience. Once they figured out they could contribute something pretty awesome, our little “cooking classes” became so much more than just making food. Some of their favorites so far have been ramen, scrambled eggs, cauliflower fried rice, salmon, tilapia, salads, and of course—cookies.



This cute girl found our astronaut costume and wore it for like three days straight when she got home from school. We even took a trip to Costco. While riding in the basket and "steering" me from danger she felt like she was on her rocket ship. I love the imagination of kids. It makes me feel like a kid again too. Love this cute girl. If I had to guess, I think Quinn will be an astronaut for Halloween this year :) 


Cooking class goes big! 

I made two delicious chickens for dinner while the kids made all of the sides. Looks like they are pushing and challenging me in their own way too :) They devoured these over dinner and have asked for them again and again. I was so proud of myself I had to take a pic. 


Beckham boy ended up with strep throat for a week. Poor guy. Once we had the antibiotics he was good to go. He asked that I take a pic of his last pill going in. He was so happy to be done with his meds. 


Battleship!

I did my best to really have intentional time and space for each of the kids. Battleship was a hit during our time. We also tried going out to play catch, garden, play board & card games, and do puzzles.


Our garden is thriving! Woohoo. I do have a green thumb, haha. 


During Beckham time he taught me how to play Luigi's Mansion 3 on the Switch. It was so fun. We played over the course of several days. It was SOOO fun. Beckham had to learn patience for his mom pretty quick, haha. 


Quinn cheered us on :)


Jack is off to Young Men's camp with his Dad. He was really looking forward to time in nature and with his Dad. He came home beaming from his experience. Talking a mile a minute about the classes he was a part of, everything he learned, the hikes he went on, rope climbing, and the friends he made. This sweet boy even shared his sweet testimony of the Savior with the entire stake (a group of people consisting of several churches in an area). He was so brave and did such a great job. Pres and I were both so proud of him and how he handled his first experience at church camp. 


Beckham boy gives "Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies" a try. He rocked them!


Next was Art Camp with Erika!

The kids had such a great time at art camp this month. They were even spoiled with a special visit from Troy, our county superintendent (and life-long family friend, along with Erika). We are so grateful for the way they love and support our kids in so many ways—it means the world to us.

Throughout the week, the kids got to dive into all sorts of creative fun: making necklaces, painting, discovering new rhythms with music, and playing different games each day. By the end, it was clear this camp was a hit for all three of them.

Once we were done with our camps it was time for me to jet off to Utah for a special celebration. I packed my bags and headed out for a weekend of full family fun.





While I was in Utah, I made a quick lunch appointment with my girl Dani. She's one of my photography mentors and dear friend. I LOVED being able to catch up with her, and pick her brain about all things photography. I am so grateful it worked out for us to meet up and connect. 

Britt & Daniel get Sealed!

One of the highlights of June was attending Britt and Daniel’s sealing in the Saratoga Springs Temple. The day was filled with sunshine, laughter, and the kind of love that makes you believe in forever all over again. Watching their six kids—three from each side—stand proudly together as their parents walked out of the temple doors was such a sweet reminder of how love can bring families together in the most beautiful way.

I felt honored to not only witness their special day but also capture it through my lens. Being behind the camera for such tender, joyful moments is always a privilege, but this one felt extra meaningful. Their story is one of second chances, faith, and family—and I’m so grateful I was able to be part of it. Take a look at their day of celebration, love, and joy!


Saratoga Springs, Utah LDS Temple





After the sealing. The family met up at Britt & Daniel's for a bbq. It was so fun getting to know Daniel's parents, siblings, and kids. The day was filled with laughter, fun, food, and family. Everyone loved coming together to celebrate these two and the love they share.

Once the bbq slowed down and everyone began to leave, some of the Spung siblings headed back to Mom and Dad's to hang out. I was only in town for a short time so to have that time together was awesome. I rode with Jim and Em over to Mom and Dad's and these two cuties fell asleep on the short drive. 


Little Miss Violet and the strapping Henry. Love these two cuties so much.


Time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. 

I ended up taking off with Er and stayed the night with her family.


I captured this sweet moment of story time before bed for Avery. These moments go by so fast!


Avery showed me her chickens the following day. She was so proud of them.


Mom, Er, and I took the trip up to Heber City to spend the day with Ang. She was watching Nick's littles so we took a trip to the park. So happy we had that time together. The kids had a blast and the adults got to catch up.


Before I knew it, the trip came to an end. From SLC to SF. I was so grateful for the opportunity to go and spend time with so many people I love. It was a quick yet memorable trip. Grateful to Pres for holding down the fort at home. 


Enjoying screen time in their little nooks. The kids started getting into Roblox this summer and anything where creation was present. Jack loves coming up with new games and characters for games. Beckham and Quinn dove into animal games, Steal a Brainrot and Grow a Garden. Even with the summer we do our best to limit our time on screens while still letting the kids feel like they are on vacation. 

Looking back, June truly lived up to its title of “Camp Month.” From Jack's excited energy from Young Men’s camp to the creativity of the kids art camp, from kitchen experiments at home to celebrating Britt and Daniel’s sealing in the temple, our days were full of learning, laughter, and love. Each experience whether it was big or small, brought together moments that reminded us how blessed we are to grow, create, and celebrate as a family. June may have been a bit busy, but it was also beautiful, and I’m grateful for every bit of it.

August 10, 2025

May - Beckham's Birthday, End of School, and a visit from Pascal

May always seems to fly by in a blur, and this year was no exception! It’s one of our busiest months as we start wrapping up the school year — a whirlwind of award assemblies, special celebrations, and a few unexpected surprises. We enjoyed watching our kiddos smile huge for their end-of-year awards, and we were treated to the sweetest surprise — a visit from my cousin Pascal all the way from France! It was such a gift to spend time together and share a little slice of our everyday life with him.

Here’s a peek into our May…


Quinn's up first in all her glory :) 


Beckham boy next. 


Finishing up with Jack who received an award in each subject plus an award of excellence.


Jack seriously had a month to remember! He was honored as Student of the Month for the entire 5th grade class! A huge accomplishment and such a testament to his hard work, positive attitude, and all-around awesomeness. This kid was absolutely on fire in May, and we couldn’t be prouder of the example he’s setting for his classmates and his younger siblings.

Now it’s Beckham’s turn to shine! This birthday boy hit the big 1-0 this year...double digits! I can hardly believe we have another kiddo in the double-digit club. Beckham is our football-loving, quick-witted, fun-seeking, avid reader who’s always up for a good laugh (or a good Fortnite match). He’s smart, funny, and full of personality, with a heart as big as his smile. We are so incredibly grateful for the sunshine and joy he brings into our lives every single day.

Here’s a peek at how we celebrated our Beckham boy turning 10!



Breakfast eggs and donuts.


Off to school, but not without a quick pic with decorations and new penguin "Luck" from Quinn.


Beckham’s birthday party was a perfect “just us” celebration with the five of us. Since Beckham loves bowling, he requested a night at the alley, and he got exactly what he wanted. We bowled game after game, indulged in classic alley food (hello, fried everything!), and kept the soda flowing with nonstop refills. Laughter, a little friendly competition, lots of high-fives, and a dance for every strike or spare made it a night to remember for our birthday boy.


We wrapped up the month with such a special treat — a visit from my cousin Pascal! He was in Utah spending time with family, and on a whim, I reached out to see if he might want to swing by California before heading out. Lucky for us, the timing worked out perfectly. As it turns out, Pascal is quite the globe-trotter! By the time he made it to our doorstep, he had already racked up eight or nine stops on his trip, exploring places like Boston, Florida, Dallas, Salt Lake City, and even Toronto. It was so fun to swap travel stories, share a few laughs, and give him a taste of our little corner of the world before he jetted off again. 

First stop to show Pascal was San Francisco.

                                           

                                

                      

Preston and I pulled the kids from school for a day so they could join us. We wanted to do a few things we haven't done in the city yet. First was the hike at Twin Peaks. Such incredible views. 




After our hike, Pascal treated us to his favorite cuisine, Chinese food, and it did not disappoint. With happy hearts and full bellies, we made our way to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. From there, we wandered along the beach, tossing rocks into the waves, hunting for seashells, and watching boats sail across the water. It was one of those simple, golden afternoons that felt like the perfect blend of adventure and calm.


We of course had to make a quick stop at Ghiradelli for a tasty treat. 


We saw this cool door on our walk to a park. Harry Potter for a win!

Everyone enjoyed our SF day. Taking people who come to visit us and this amazing city is always a treat. We love watching as they explore and take in a place we have all come to love so much. The food, the views, the culture, ocean, iconic bridge, and the crazy steep roads. It never gets old.


One evening, I took a little break from all the fun with Pascal to celebrate another special moment, Beckham’s football award! He and I headed to the end-of-year team party, where the night was filled with pizza, chicken, and more delicious food than we could count. While the boys laughed and played, the parents caught up and swapped stories. When it came time for awards, Beckham’s coaches had the kindest words — praising his skill on the field, his great sportsmanship, and his incredible knowledge of the game. We couldn’t be prouder of him. If Beckham decides to chase a future in football, I have no doubt he could make it happen.


One more family adventure with Pascal for the books! We wanted to take him somewhere truly unforgettable, a place we were sure he’d never experienced, even with his incredible travel resume. (This man has been to over 80 countries!) The thought of having one surprise destination up our sleeve made us giddy. Our big reveal? Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Arnold, California. Towering sequoias stretched high above us, their massive trunks making us feel small in the best way. We wandered among giants, marveled at their age and beauty, and soaked in the quiet wonder of a place unlike anywhere else in the world. Something that even our wanderer has never seen :)


The boys chatting and playing music along the way while the kiddos watched a movie in the back.


A quick stop at Pascal's favorite sandwich place before picnicking at the park ;)


Welcome to Big Trees!














Creeping through a fallen down tree :) 


Beckham could stand up in it. 


The cute trio.




Beckham boy took a few breaks a long the hike to rest his feet. Love this kiddo.


Jack our explorer.


One more pit stop ;)








This cute guy waiting for the troops to catch up :)


                  




Family Photo opp

I think it is safe to say that our trip to Big Trees was a massive success. We had such a fun day there. Once we were home we fed the kids dinner and treated Pascal to some tasty Mexican in town. It was a perfect way to end his trip with us. 




This guy fell in love with my chocolate chip cookies. We made a couple batches while he was here. I caught him relaxed, comfy, and eating a couple as a treat. Perfect way to say good bye to Pascal.


Goodbyes all around.

 

One last hug at the airport, then Pres and I stopped to grab Subway for lunch on behalf of Pascal's love for it, haha. It was delicious! 

Pascal stayed with us for just under a week, and those days were the perfect finale to an already unforgettable month. We shared deep, meaningful conversations, stayed up late exploring his travel photos from around the globe, and wandered our own little corner of California with our fun Frenchman in tow. From birthday celebrations and school achievements to surprise visits and grand adventures, May was brimming with moments that filled our hearts. It’s the kind of month that reminds me how grateful I am for family, friendship, and the joy that comes from simply being together.