Here’s the last post in my 2015 favorites, three-part, series. (That sounds fancy. Like a PBS mini series.) This post includes my favorite cell shots. None of them are masterpieces, or even sub-par works of art for that matter…but, they are my favorite’s, nonetheless. They all were taken on my Samsung Galaxy and edited, quickly, with VSCO.

Being the parent of a toddler, you’re always carrying stuff. A backpack, snacks, extra clothing and, often times, the toddler himself. It’s really tough to bring my actual camera gear–and then, especially, to find the hands to use said camera gear [without the toddler running away]. I have found that my phone though, is a lot easier if I just, simply, want the shot–which is all I ever want. It’s been said many times, and I completely believe it…it really doesn’t matter what equipment you use, if you know the basics of lighting and composition–your photo is going to look pretty good. Add in some emotion, create a mood, and you’ve got a photograph worth showing off. All of these photos in my collection here, feel like that to me. I mentioned in my last blog that I don’t leave the house much to get out shooting…and, while that may be true, I’m out often. My sister, myself, and a group of friends, camp. I bring the kids to the cabin as often as possible. We play outside, in the yard, all the time, all seasons. We walk the neighborhood and visit the local playgrounds. I visit family, and friends, a few times a year, and I try to shoot a selfie whenever I’m out for work. When you add up all of those things…you have a lot of opportunity to take photos. (Also, I have a lot more photos with my little one than my older for two reasons…one, she’s in school during the day; and, two, she’s at an age where getting her photo taken, by mom, is awful. Unless it’s a selfie for Instagram–and, even then, it’ll probably get deleted within a week, or two.)

I have SO many more shots than this from last year, but these are the ones that I love the most. Many of them have been printed and hang on my walls, and/or sit on my shelves.

A rainy, dreary, Memorial Day weekend at the cabin. We played board games for hours, and then went home a day early.

Walking the trails, after waking up WAY too early while camping at Wild Mountain.

This truck goes everywhere with us. This was a camping trip at Interstate State Park…still in pj’s after a rainy, stormy, night. This was also when I realized he sleeps wonderfully in a tent–just not in a bed.

We were working to make apple butter–he bit into six apples before I realized what, exactly, he was up to.

Again…the truck. He digs roads for it to drive on. I help.

Jumping into the lake on a warm, summer, day.

Leaving rainy Minneapolis, on my way to Nebraska.

Out for a walk, we stopped to play at the hockey rink, in the spring.

Walking through the hockey rinks n the spring.

Rocks on the shores of Lake Superior.

NYE–my husband, video games, movies, and snacks.

Driving toward the shore–this was the weekend he also drove that thing backwards, into the lake. That’s why there’s always a life jacket on.

Walkin’ along with a bag of pretzels–just like Grandpa does.

Watching an airplane go by while playing homemade games in the front yard, on one of the hottest days of the year.

A little Christmas baking.

A new, fun, toy. This toy is still just as cool now as it was a year ago.

Even at 34…I still find myself with pockets full of rocks.

Walking through Minneapolis after appearing on WCCO’s morning show.

This kept him busy for almost an hour. It was great.

At a shoot.

A nice weekend at the cabin.

A great place for a photo in downtown, Grand Marais.

The last wedding I shot for the year–I was on Harriet Island in Saint Paul.

This game is saved for days when I have a big cooking project. He plays for, at least, 30 minutes.

Ready to go to Grandma’s to spend the night…well before I was.

My big kid, and nephew, spent the night in Grandma’s camper. I was enjoying my coffee…wondering how their night went here.

Back yard, dandelion searching.

Another track meet bleacher climbing shot.

Waiting for me to move, so he could come up.

The entrance to Frostbeard Studios–the little guy and I did some Christmas shopping there.

A new puzzle that worked perfectly for driving trains on.

Tuesday morning, after an airport trip, running through Ikea.

Watching tv.

Once the big kid heads to school…he cuddle buddy is left with a bed ALL to himself. He starts his day around noon everyday.

One of the first books he ever liked to read on his own.

Waking up to a new day. (While mom checks her phone to see what time it actually is…feels like 4am still.)

Grandpa and grandson, walkin’ and talkin’.

Football and swimming…another weekend at the lake.

Contemplating going in, or staying on shore. He stayed on shore. We played in the sand.

Taken near Minnehaha Falls in October. You can see the Eagle coming in on the upper left hand side of the photo.

Leading me through the sidewalk, chalk streets, we had just created for his cars.

A regular day at the cabin.

A NE Minneapolis art area.

Everyday, after walking the big kid to the bus, we would go to watch the construction vehicles at the neighborhood park.

Her best cheer leading moves–while jumping around on the bleachers at the neighborhood park.

At work.

Leaving a Minneapolis session on a rainy, November, day.

We dragged this horse home, from the garage sale down the road and named him Trigger.

Watching the boats go by while cooling off in the river during a camping trip.

This game kept kids from the age of 2, to 13, completely happy for a long, LONG, time.

Another rainy day at the cabin–dreaming of swimming.

A, snowy, play day.

A sleepy, sick, day.

Packing up to leave the cabin.

Making meringues for the first time.

Watching the boys dirt bike. He tried his hand at it earlier and has yet to become a fan of it.

At the cabin, running like a madman in the wind.

Climbing the bleachers of his sister’s track meet.

His first, real, time getting all bundled up to play–we still had a few items of clothing left to go.

Raking at the cabin.

The best sittin’ tree around.

I find the most random things, in the most random places.

Hiking at Wild Mountain, on a gorgeous, September, day.

My bog dog spent hours, daily, this past Fall, watching the squirrels.