Hissyfits Photography Blog

You know those random moments that trigger flashbacks to your own childhood? A smell. A song. A tattered photo you happen upon stashed in a pile of papers. Those bits and pieces of the past that rarely surface during the day to day grind of life, yet when they do you find yourself wonderfully surprised? Like many, the everyday chaos rules my world and those trips down memory lane to my own youth only find a glimpse into the present on occasion. But today, today I went there.

I went back to a time when I myself was probably only seven or eight and all those nights spent on my grandma and grandpa’s farm. The memories are there – crystal clear in fact – but rare is the day when I actually find the time to reflect on those years gone by. As I was sifting through images from New Year’s Eve, my mind wandered…wandered all the way back to that drafty, tiny little farm house where so many hours were spent and many more memories created. To a house with trees as old as time and a well that seemed deeper than infinity. A house with windows that rattled in the blustery Kansas winds and where wheat fields surrounded you on every side. Back to a time where worries were non existent and happiness ruled.

One of the things I remember most about that old farm house with its dark walls and low ceilings are the moments in the kitchen. My grandparents had this old fashioned popcorn popper with a yellow dome. The kind that you poured butter into along with your seeds and a rotating lever went around and around and popped your popcorn. Super dangerous and definitely not healthy I am sure!! My grandpa would always make us popcorn when we spent the night! Always.

I hadn’t really thought about that until today when I was sifting through these images of my dad and the kids. Awhile back he stumbled upon this smore maker and knew the kids would love it. He was right…they had a ball! As I edited each and every one of these and saw the joy on everyone’s face and thought of the memories being made, my heart smiled. But it also broke a little too. These moments are the ones I so desperately want for my kids…fun times with grandma and grandpa. Often. Not just twice a year.

Here is papa…blowing out a firey marshmallow! I love the girls’ expressions here!

And our little brown eyed boy so full of wonder and amazement himself…

These two…thank goodness they are cousins and not sisters because there is no doubt in my mind that they would be up to NO good ALL the time. Only ten months apart (Taverli is older), they chatted and played and did all things girl. They also both happen to be quite sassy and quite opinionated. And ornery. I bet you would never guess that from this picture, now would you?!

Lucky for me, Tavi LOVES the camera. As in she can’t get enough of it…cheesy little grin and all. Her mama {my sis} had to warn her that for her school pictures they would only be taking one shot. They weren’t like Aunt Bethany who takes hundreds!

Savoring the moment…

This could be dangerous!! There was only one instance the entire night where I was worried about a pigtail catching on fire! It happened when they were blowing out a firey marshmallow and it got a little too close!

I rarely bust my camera out at night. I am not a big fan of the flash – and I really don’t have a clue how to use it!! {One of my goals is to read that manual soon and get a better understanding of the beast!!} That being said, I am SO GLAD I decided to get it out! These images are priceless…not only to me but I am sure my parents as well! Thanks for all the fun Papa!

Filed under my-lil-lollies, by Bethany