If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle. - Van Gough

It just so happened that Ben and Julie Anderson, both former guests and staff of Lost Valley, welcomed their first baby girl the day before I stopped in Kansas City. How's that for impressive timing? I just keep telling myself that little Grace wanted to be sure that I met her and witnessed her tiny perfection.

Julie and Ben were glowing with pride and joy as they looked upon their brand new daughter... who I'm counting on to be a Lost Valley cowgirl some day.

Rewinding just a bit, I spent a good chunk of time in the Indianapolis area meeting with some amazing folks who are connected to Lost Valley Ranch and essential to my project (for more info on the project click here or here) They were so gracious in welcoming me into their homes... sharing their stories, memories and overall impact of the Ranch on their lives over the past 5 decades.

The Burt family is just one of those families. Rod and Ginny Burt started going to the Ranch in the mid-60's. Little did they know that they would go back to the ranch more than 30 times as guests, that all three of their sons would work at the Ranch, and then that they would have the joy of watching most of their grandchildren work there as well. Now there are great grandchildren in the picture, and the whole family is looking forward to watching the newest set of little ones romp and play at Lost Valley. How's that for an impressive legacy?!

Well, I got tied into this family from the first day I was introduced to Angie Burt... we were assigned to be roommates at the Ranch, for the summer, and literally from the moment we laid on eyes on each other it was as if we knew that we would be fast friends. We lived together at the Ranch, worked together, survived the Hayman Fire together, shared life together in Chicago, drove cross country together multiple times, watched each other get married, and have experienced the blessing of sharing the general ups and downs of life together.

All that being said, what a joy for me to reunited with the Burt Family and to watch Angie in this new stage of her life and marriage... motherhood.

Meet Keaton. Pretty remarkable to consider that once this little guy makes it out to Lost Valley, he will enjoy the same simple joys and traditions of the Ranch that his great grandparents did.
 

Today was a big day. I made the transition from Kansas to Colorado and seeing those mountains rising up from the sheer flatness that I spent 2 days driving across, well, it made my heart sing a little.

Well, I'm just west of Topeka, KS right now and there is a pretty wild rain/thunder/lighting storm raging outside so it seemed like good timing to pull over, camp out and get some work done!

But let's go back to Nashville for a moment, because I have to say that I think I fell in love that city just a little bit when I was there. Between my delightful stay at the Hutton hotel (both Gwyenth Paltrow and The Pioneer Woman have been there recently) and my glorious introduction to imogene+willie (serious obsession here - see the last 2 shots below)... I think that its safe to say that I'll be back to Nashville with my camera in tow again very soon!

And Fisher, dearest darling Fisher! This little girl was just about the most laid back, happy model I have worked with. She is the kind of kid you can tell is going to be cool... well, yes she will get it partly from her uber-cool parents, but she just takes it all in and is quite content to do so... she is just cool. I'm already looking forward to my next session with this little gal.



 

My travels are going so well and I can hardly believe that I'll be celebrating Easter at Lost Valley in just a few short days! Each day has literally been jam packed with interviews/conversations, photographs, and rich, sweet celebrations of the Ranch legacy. Today I'm traveling from Kansas City to Topeka after a very special visit, which I promise to write about specifically...promise.

While in Nashville I had the opportunity to meet a couple of really darling baby girls, and little miss Taylor charmed me with her large, expressive eyes. At 3 months old, she was particularly interactive and shows promise for being quite a sassy young lady... as well as quite a beauty.