Published!

Posted on May 10, 2012

Just thought I would share some photographs I took that were featured in the latest issue of Dockside Minnesota. I didn’t take the cover photo just the two photos featured inside the magazine. My mother-in-law wrote an article about heading to the cabin and I was able to contribute some photos taken at my Aunt and Uncle’s cabin. I had been published online before but never in printed copy…it was a nice feeling to hold the photos in your hand. Needless to say, have a nice rest of your week and Happy Mama’s day! I will post again once baby # 2 arrives as I am sure I’ll have lots of photos to share.

Enjoy the weekend, Samantha

My photos are on the top and the bottom right.





one last photo adventure.

Posted on May 2, 2012

We went on one last photo adventure on Monday to Bisbee, Arizona. I say last one because I am 39 weeks pregnant as of today. I spotted this light green wall on the way home from breakfast on Sunday and just had to come back the next day. My friend and her little girl came with us to join in the photo fun. I love the way these photos turned out and I know I will be glad to have them. Once baby arrives we won’t be traveling for photos for a little while instead we will take newborn photos in the comfort of our house. However, once baby boy #2 is a little older we will start the photo adventures again. I am excited for upcoming photo adventures with my boys.

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Samantha

Sidenote: I’ll keep you posted on the upcoming arrival of our baby boy :)

my favorites!

Robyn & London were so sweet to join us on the adventure. beautiful mama & daughter.

almost 39 weeks pregnant here. I wanted a couple more photos of the belly before it goes away...

my big guy is almost 2!

Dean going in for a kiss (top) and his version of a hug (bottom)

beautiful London.

Dean is done with the photo adventure. Until next time...





Dean goes to Sedona, Arizona.

Posted on February 29, 2012

Hello!

We wanted to take one last trip as a family of 3 (or 5 including the dog children) because once baby # 2 gets here the traveling will have to be put on pause. We went on our “baby moon” 2012 to Sedona, Arizona this was a much different trip than “baby moon” 2010 with just my husband and I to Savannah, Georgia. We brought the whole family, did a lot of hiking in the beautiful red rocks and ate some good food! I love all of the 200+ photos we took so I wanted to share some of them. I think we will treasure these photos for years to come as our family is about to grow again.

Enjoy! Samantha

Gracie was in doggy heaven.

the dog children: Gracie & Sylvia

one of my favorite photos from the trip. I caught Mike in a moment of true contentment. He was totally in his element hiking around and enjoying the gorgeous day!

such a beautiful, magical place.

28 weeks pregnant here. Can't wait to meet this baby boy!

our little explorer. I love the photo on the left.

the most amazing dog park ever. had a mile of fenced in running fun for the girls.

I love this photo. I'm getting this one framed for sure.

my girl, Sylvia.

his sweet face makes me smile.

thankful to some nice people we met hiking for taking these family photos for us :)

truly in doggy heaven...running free.

enjoying some chocolate treats after hiking and lunch at the Cowboy Club. Amazing food!

fresh air will do that to you. all in all an amazing trip.





Day of Dean: 20 months old.

Posted on February 24, 2012

I wanted to document a “Day of Dean” before baby #2 arrives and changes his day to day routine. I saw another photographer do this, Rachel Thurston, and she did an amazing job.

Link to her blog post: http://www.rachelthurston.com/blog

“When I think about what I’ll miss most about her first year… it’s always the day to day things.” – from Rachel Thurston’s 11 month blog post

She inspired me to lug my big camera around for the whole day documenting Dean’s daily details. I know one day I’ll look back and really appreciate it!

I want to do this again once baby #2 gets here and to make a photo book of the Day of Dean as well. This day of photos marks his 20 month birthday…getting SO close to 2 years old. Enjoy!

WARNING: there are a lot of photos in the post below but I love them all so much I had to share.

Good morning, sunshine! I had to open your curtains to get these photos. Let the day begin...

You always lay back down after we come to get you. Just another game you like to play.

Immediately after waking up we get your milk cup.

the morning routine: helping daddy get ready for work and eating your breakfast at your table while watching the Disney channel.

enjoying some french toast and some juice.

Your favorite movie character, Buzz Lightyear!

watching morning cartoons.

still waking up in the morning. bottom right: sitting with mama and the belly. you love sitting near the belly and when you see it you say, "baby!" just adorable.

saying goodbye to daddy for the day. you always give him a big hug and a kiss.

you watch daddy drive off in his motorcycle. you bring your bike over to the window as he leaves.

bye-bye daddy.

the day goes on and we go upstairs to the playroom or stay downstairs.

headed out for some errands and then to the park. one day very soon your baby brother will be in the open seat.

a trip to the park to hang out with your friend, London.

park time!

lunch time favorite: macaroni and cheese!

lunch time is always a fun time...well most days.

after lunch nap time. all is calm in the house and the dogs can relax!

awake after your 2 hour or so nap. you only get your paci during nap/bed time and sometimes you don't want to get out of bed because you know paci stays there. life is rough.

playing in your playroom after nap time.

still in the nap haze.

big yawn.

time to go outside to get the mail and play.

the dogs always come with on their daily walk. you hand me the mail key and then you want them back. you got a valentine's card in the mail from auntie ky and cousin charlie.

checking out your valentine's card. you love puppies so you had to hug the card.

hanging out in our front yard.

back inside for some after outside yogurt. Sylvia really wants you to share.

daddy came home for a late lunch and you gave him some good yogurt kisses.

Dean kisses are the best. I love how you have your eyes closed.

I am going to miss this hug when you get older. You always do this when you first wake up in the morning and after naps.

you are always playing with one of your many cars.

coloring in your Chuggington train book.

your sweet dog sisters let you drive your cars all over them.

Sylvia is such a trooper. She lets you drive cars on her head and crawl all over her.

helping yourself to some food. you often leave cars and other toys in the fridge after you grab your milk cup.

helping daddy turn on his motorcycle or bike as you call it.

watching daddy go back to work. I love the faces you make watching the bike leave. you are obsessed with anything with wheels.

bye to daddy & the bike.

daddy is home from work. we are headed up to reservoir hill right by our house to hike around.

we usually try to go a walk once dad gets home.

walk is all done. time to go home.

relaxing with dad watching monsters, inc. while I make some dinner.

dinner time!

getting ready for bath time...I love those little legs.

had to include your cute baby butt. I know you'll appreciate this one day...

bath time starts shortly after dinner.

crazy bath boy.

getting ready for bed.

daddy helping you get ready for bed.

brushing teeth with dad.

Daddy reads you all your favorite books and then rocks with you for awhile. After you lay down all is calm in the house again. Your dog sisters can relax and all the toys are put away until the next day… when we do this all over again. I am going to miss this routine when your all grown up so I am glad I was able to document the small details of your day. Good night, Deano! We love you sweet boy.





staying well.

Posted on February 8, 2012

Hi everyone!
Hope you are having a nice Wednesday! I wanted to share something my family uses on a daily basis multiple times a day. I have used Doterra essential oils for about three years now and I just wanted to highlight one particular oil that works wonders, OnGuard. We use this all winter/year long to boost the immune system. Being pregnant, my midwife recommends putting OnGuard as well as Balance (another oil blend) on the bottoms of your feet everyday. Applying the oils to the bottoms of your feet allows for it to soak into all of your body’s systems. Also, being pregnant you are not able to take most over the counter medicine (i.e.: headache or cold medicine) so that’s where the oils come in as they are a natural alternative to any possible ailment you could have. These oils are the most pure essential oils out there and I use them all the time for my son, Dean, I apply OnGuard to his feet to support his immune system daily.
I can’t remember the last time I used over the counter medicine since beginning with these oils three years ago. Basically, you can do anything with these oils, clean with them, diffuse them into the air, apply them topical as well as ingest them. My husband’s aunt makes sprays as shown in the spray bottle below. She uses 5-10 drops of Lavender and fills the rest with water to use as a refreshing face/room spray. Lavender is also a multi-purpose oil that can be used for so many things. You could make spray bottles with so many of the oils, I am going to try Wild Orange next for disinfecting/room spray. Cleaning your home is also another great use for the oils in a natural, less toxic way. If you have any questions about these oils, please email me at samanthahphotos@yahoo.com or visit my Doterra website to check them out:  http://www.mydoterra.com/samanthahuddleston/
I just love these oils and I wanted to share.
Stay well & have a nice Wednesday,
Samantha

OnGuard ingredients: Wild Orange, Clove bud, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, & Rosemary





Dean is going to be a big brother!

Posted on December 8, 2011

We have already announced this on good ol’ Facebook and to our friends & family. I just wanted to make it photo blog official by sharing the good news that our family is again growing. We will welcome another baby boy, Evan James, in early May 2012! Dean will have a brother/best friend to wrestle with!

Hope you are all staying warm and getting all of your holiday shopping done!

Enjoy this wonderful holiday time, Samantha

I love how these photos turned out! I took them back in NC when we found out in September. Sidenote: I made that snazzy shirt...now to make one for Evan.