I have huge goals for photographing the Milky Way. We all know I'm a space nerd and a photography nerd, so this all makes sense, right?It does. Except for the fact that this kid we made wakes me up every day at 6 am (or earlier), and I cannot seem to stay awake past 11 pm. Which makes photographing the Milky Way tough in the summer when the sun sets so late. But I decided to give it a try last week while I was up north.While I can technically (barely) see the Milky Way in these photos, I would consider this to be a pretty big fail considering my end goal is something more like this.So, obviously, I have a long way to go.The first things I need to do are 1. Get further away from civilization and away from the lights and 2. Wait until it's darker. These images were taken around 10:15 pm, and the moon was still up. I think shooting after the moon has gone down (or better yet, when there is no moon) would be better.Anyway! I wanted to show you these, so that when some day (in 2021 maybe?) when I totally nail the shot, we can all look back at this and laugh! In a fun way. A few more shots from that night are below! And let's all remember, that spending the evening with friends gazing up at the stars is never a true failure :)
For your internet shares of the day:+ I think this is an amazing umbrella design. But my husband just laughed at how excited it made me, so maybe I'm too easily pleased. (The second video explains it better.)+ I want to eat these for dinner this week.+ I loved the before and after shots of this remodel.+ Pretty proud of my hometown for this move regarding Black Lives Matter.
Oh, don't worry. We didn't head back to the North Shore so quick (sadly), but I forgot I had taken these photos on the day we left last week! I found them in my camera, and I added them onto this week's post.These were taken from a picnic we had on our way back home. It was also the place where we taught Ezra the game of "throw the rocks in the lake." He was quite pleased. Also? Lots of rocks to choose from...
I just loved these seagulls and how they were sitting along the shore.
And I might make this my desktop image.
My boys.
This weekend, we took the kid back to the zoo. It had been a few months, and the weather was nice. He was enamored with the splash pad there, and next time we'll bring the swimsuit for more play time.
And once again, he loved getting up close to the leopards.
Today he saw grizzly bears, black bears, sea otters, leopards, tigers, caribou, camels, horses, penguins, wild boar, prairie dogs, foxes, coyotes, turtles and wolves (to name a few). If you ask him his favorite part of going to the zoo, he will tell you honestly. It was the "yellow popcorn!" Kids.
But at least we were successful in wearing him out. This was as we pulled up to the house after our trip.
Later this weekend, we played in the "pool" outside. Ezra's new favorite game is pouring water on us (or anyone, really). So now he fills a cup and then chases you around the yard laughing and screaming. It's a blast.
And lastly, Ezra's grandmother sent him a Thomas the Train toy that makes its own steam (cool to the touch). That occupied several hours this weekend, and we were told that the train also deserves a spot at the dinner table. Ahem. So there it sat, at the other end, where it could not be played with, but was part of the family.
OK kids, this is a big post. Lots of nature shots (probably more of the scenery than the kid). But I hope it's worth it!We went up to the North Shore of Lake Superior last weekend, and we just... took it all in. We played games, took walks, watched trains, watched freighters coming in and out of dock, watched birds, collected rocks, sat by campfires and ate s'mores. It was just what the doctor ordered. Here are the photos.Day one:
Day two started with sunrise at 5:24 am. No, Ezra wasn't up. But I wanted to watch it.
Then it got super foggy!
"Bye-bye boat!" "Loud boat!"
Day three was spent outside playing. I left my camera at the cabin for most of it because I knew I was going to photograph the stars that night and because playing with bubbles and yard games is hard when you are carrying a camera.
Um, those are bugs. Amazingly, they didn't bother us (much).
See all the camp fires along the shore? I love that.No star photos for you now -- I'll do another post on that next week. But I did finally see the milky way, and it was wonderful.For your internet shares today, I have some doozies!+ 
Wow. You guys, we are coming off the best vacation. It was... glorious. I just, I cannot tell you how much we needed this and how much fun it was and how I have spent the day "working" and researching future vacations because I want to do more of this again and again and again (hopefully not jinxing myself there).I'm breaking this week's family update into 2 posts because I have a LOT of photos, and it's just too much for one day. I hope you don't tire of the kid, and I'm sorry if you do, but I'll be back with non-kid stuff next week, I promise!Before heading up north last weekend, we met up with several friends in Osceola, WI to take the "Pizza Train." This is a refurbished train from the early 1900s that has dining cars set up where families can eat pizza and brownies while riding along the St. Croix River (that's the river that separates Minnesota from Wisconsin, for all you out-of-towners). It's a lovely route and the train itself is so interesting and fun, and we had a blast. Photos from the trip are below -- please enjoy. And please take your kids on 
This is after lunch, before we really began exploring the train.
This was shot from the bridge that goes over the river.
At one point the train stops, and the engine detaches and then zooms by to the other end of the train to re-attach (to pull us back where we came from). Ezra and I were standing by the open car door (it had railings) waiting for the engine to pass. It was getting close -- and loud -- and Ezra was, shall we say, a little nervous. This is him asking me to pick him up. Don't worry -- I did.
Here we are with Eero watching the scenery go by.
And our friend Jaime and her family joined us as well! I love how happy mom and daughter are in this photo.
Eero had this amazing train whistle that he brought and that Ezra coveted. We bought him one at the gift shop after, and that thing has already gotten a TON of use.
One of the cars was the old post office car where passengers could mail post cards and letters. It was so cool to see how that all worked!
Another photo of the Chizbachers.
And the ever-adorable Petersens!
And after we got off the train, Eero and Ezra (and Eric) climbed up into this stationary caboose. I love the boys so happy up top!I'll be back tomorrow with images from the North Shore!For your internet shares of the day:+ 
I shot this photo yesterday morning. I had a sunrise shoot over at the lake, so I took advantage of the light and the still waters.Honestly, folks? I'm still in a somber mood about the shooting in Falcon Heights yesterday. I'm so sad for that family's loss and for the state of our world right now. I'm sad that there is anyone out there who thinks it's ok for a cop to fire a gun into a car carrying a small child with no weapon in sight. I'm sad that the NRA jumps to defend white people who are under fire for their conceal and carry licenses, but are silent when the victim is black. And I am sad for all the children who Phil fed and loved at his place of employment, who now will learn what a cruel and unfair place this world can be.While I realize it reeks of my privilege to say this, I am glad I am heading out of town for a few days to gather my thoughts and step away from the constant stream of social media. I realize how fortunate I am, in my white skin, to be able to do just that. I don't have to live in the stress and fear day after day that these people of color are dealing with. And yes, I do feel guilty about that.And speaking of internet information overload, I had tears on my cheeks many times today while watching a variety of videos on this topic. The one that haunts me the most, however, is from 
This was just one of many sweet moments I witnessed among the families I photographed last weekend. There is something so great about fathers and daughters and the relationship they share.Your internet shares today:
We started this week off with a newborn session, and I have five more sessions before I take my mid-summer break, which starts Saturday. It's super busy around these parts, but after the next few days, things seem to slow down a little, which will be a huge relief as I'll be able to dig into all my processing! While I loooooove shooting all the time, knowing how much work is piling up in the office is also a touch stressful. But then again, spending days with babies and puppies? Who can complain.This little guy was such a cutie, and I was so happy to meet his parents, who live only a few blocks away from me. It's always such a wonderful treat when I get to meet new(ish) neighbors!I wasn't online much today, so I don't have anything new to share. However, ever since I read this piece on