what a fall day in the mountains looks like....

Last month we headed up into the mountains before every leaf fell off the trees. My kids complained about going but one we got there they had a great time. Why do kids do that? Why can't they shout hooray every time I want to go somewhere? :) I tell you with four kids it's really hard to make everyone happy at once. In fact my oldest opted out of this adventure and regretted it later.

I am honored to be posting today with some photographers that I admire a lot in a blog circle called "what _____ looks like". Each month we fill in the blank and with something and link to one another. Be sure to head over Wendy VanSosen and to see what her month looks like....

what "her first time out in the big california surf" looks like

We went to Southern California last week for fall break. Needless to say, it didn't feel much like fall there.  We go to the beach often considering how far it from us. I love the ocean so much. I lived right here for the first 5 years or so of my life. The beach was literally my front yard. I spent a lot of time in the ocean every summer of my life as a kid. Even after we moved away, my mom made sure we spent some time there every summer. I would spend hours just bobbing in the waves and diving under them. This past trip was a big one for my oldest girl. She got the courage to go out in the big waves past her knees. She got to experience that freeing yet humbling feeling that comes from being out in the huge and vast ocean. She was giddy and kept telling me how fun it was and wondered why she had been so scared before. It was a full circle moment for me to be able to be out there and experience this with her...and I love that I was able to have my camera with me. This month I give you "what her first time out in the big California surf looks like".

And true to form, the powerful ocean flexed it's muscles for her. A big wave tumbled her to the bottom and she got a battle scar on her cheek to prove it. She was a bit self conscious of it but I kept telling her how cool it was to have proof she did something brave (and that it would go away).

Now head on over to see what El Hogan's adventurous world looks like this month....

what a few minutes of hula hoopin looks like...

This is the time of year that there is much less time for the adventures I crave. With four kids and all their activities and schedules during the school year, it's just hard to find the time. So we spend much more time around the house...doing things like hula hoopin...or whatever else we can find to entertain ourselves outside before the snow comes. This month I give you "what a few minutes of hula hoopin looks like"...

Now head on over to see what Andrea Hanki of Pink Sugar Photography's world looks like...she's a fav of mine and always has such an interesting perspective on the everyday...

"what a road trip to socal looks like"

So last month, I threw my four kids in the car and drove 10 hours to southern California to go visit one of my dearest friends from college. She's living in an amazing  house on Santa Monica Beach. We've been friends with this girl for almost 20 years (yikes I'm old) We have been on countless adventures together. Back in the day, she was my friend who would hop in the car and go anywhere on a moments notice. We have slept in countless parking lots, flown to NYC with people we hardly knew at the time. We have hiked the subway in Zions with no ropes, map or permits (stupid), kayaked the entire 17 mile napali coast. We jumped in the car and drove 400 miles to see L L Cool J just because we thought it would be funny, drove around Colorado City, windows down, rap music blaring (if you don't know what Colorado City is google it and you will get the humor in that experience). We have hiked countless miles together and belly laughed together regularly. Every time we get together it's like we we never apart. This trip was no exception.  This was the longest road trip I have gone on with just me and my four kids. I was pretty nervous about driving this far with my four kids and no other adults but it was actually no big deal. It felt good to step outside my comfort zone and do it despite my apprehension. I'm a big believer in pushing past fears and doing it anyways...and every time I do that, the payoff is huge. This trip was no exception. We were sad to leave the husband behind but he was too busy at work There's always next time right? The perks of not having your husband go along is that you can do whatever you feel like without worrying about torturing him with too much photography talk. So on this trip I got to hang out with Ashley Jennett of  The Stork and the Beanstalk (who is joining our group this month) and Leah Zawadzki. It's always awesome when you meet friends you have made online and they are every bit as cool (even cooler) than you'd imagined. Here are some scattered bits and pieces from my trip. I do have to say that sometimes I go on trips and feel very inspired to take all kinds of pictures and sometimes I don't. This trip fell more into the "not feeling it category" so the images are a bit all over the place, but I give you my scattered "what social looks like"....

and the one image I took when I was with Ashley...

and my evening with Leah...

Then we decided to stay one more night and we went to Leah's amazing house and hung at her pool.

Now go see what Stephanie Moore is up  to this month....and then be sure to follow through the circle...

What Little Sahara looks like...

Summer Murdock Photography Salt Lake City Photographer Desert Sand Dunes

There is nothing quite like being in wide open spaces. We headed to go see some sand dunes that I have been hearing about for years. It's amazing what you can find if you are willing to venture out and explore a little bit. It's not always easy. My kids usually complain that they don't want to go with me BUT they are always (well usually) happy once we get there. This amazing place is only an hour and a half drive from my house. We actually went twice in one week. This was the second trip. My daughter really wanted to go back with her friend. So I made arrangements for my other kids and off we went. We didn't see one single soul the whole time we were there. Talk about quiet? Almost surreal and unsettling at times but oh so good for me. This month I give you "what Little Sahara looks like".

If you saw the summer issuer of Dreamer Journal, you might recognize some of these images. :)  Now be sure to go check out what this month looks like to El Hogan who is currently living my dream.  Her post will blow you away...no joke. She even attaches her camera to some crazy remote control camera to make an amazing video??? I'm so blown away by it...you must check it out.

my boy and the sea…

A couple weeks ago we spent a few days at the beach in southern California. This beach was literally my front yard for several years of my life as a kid. I think when you spend so much time there as a child, it becomes part of you in a different way than just vacationing there. I love the ocean. When I was younger, I could spend hours out there in this cold ocean and it never seemed to bother me. Maybe I'm just forgetting. Maybe I'm getting old, but man this water is COLD! The waves are pretty big here for my younger kids to venture out very far but my oldest, me,  and my camera spent some time out there together. It was exhilarating for me…FREEZING but amazing. This was the first time my camera has come with me in rougher surf (and by California standards these waves were small). I wish I lived by the ocean as I could get used to being out there with my camera (as long as I had a wetsuit). I give you "what my boy in the sea looks like"..

Summer Murdock Photography Salt Lake City Photographer

 Now go see what beauty Amy Grace of A Beautiful Life Photo'smonth brings…her post's always make me stop, breathe a bit deeper, and look a bit longer….

"what _____ looks like" moab edition

  One thing I know for sure after going through all of my images from last month's spring break trip is that I take WAY too many photos. Here is a glimpse of some of my favorites from our trip to Moab, Utah.

Now be sure to follow the circle and check out the amazing photographers that participate in this project. Up next isRoxanne Bryant who's work is a dream…

"what _____ looks like" hawaiian edition

I was recently lucky enough to get to go to Maui, Hawaii with just my husband. Kid free time proved to be good for my soul as I knew it would be. I am an explorer and adventurer at heart. I love to roam, explore and try new things. I felt like my old self (young and kid free)…getting to do all the things I love without a care in the world. Sigh… I had a few photo mishaps on this trip….first my camera plus app with the first half of my trips iPhone pictures got deleted by my leg in a bumpy jeep ride on the road to Hana…(tear). Then on our boat trip to Molokini my underwater housing for my "real" camera failed out in the ocean while we were snorkeling (multiple tears) leaving me camera less for the second half of my trip. Thank goodness for my iPhone. I give you what exploring Maui looks like….

Summer Murdock Photography

Summer Murdock Photography

 And now for the iPhone version of the trip…

Now be sure to go see what Kelsey Gerhard's (who is beyond talented) month looks like…

what presidents day weekend looks like…

A few weeks back we went on a little road trip down to southern Utah where it's usually significantly warmer. It was a nice reprieve from the cold. We got some much needed outdoor exploring time. This month I give you "What President's Day Weekend Looks Like". I'll warn you in advance, it's a REALLY long one…

See, I told you it was long. Now head over to Wendy VonSosen Photography who just got back from Field Trip to see what that looks like…pretty cool I am sure!

"what ____ looks like" february edition

It's been a few months since "what ____ looks like" has posted. I am glad we are back and with a couple new girls this time around. If I am honest, I am pretty sick of winter but that is all we have around here these days. I almost posted some unblogged summer time images because I need a little sunshine in my life but in the end went with what is right outside my door. This month I give you "what a snowy walk looks like". It was just the two of us on this particular morning. I've really been enjoying my one on one time with her while everyone else is at school…

Now be sure to go see what El Hogan has in store this month…she is new to our awesome little group this year and I couldn't adore her work more than I do. You must go look I tell you!

If this is your first time visiting my blog or if you missed previous editions of "what ____ looks like" go here, here,  here, here, here, here, and here!

"what _____ looks like" september edition...

I cannot believe my absolute favorite time of the year is coming to a close. I adore summertime. It's the stuff childhood memories are made of. I am a bit of a wanderer. I love to just get in the car and go someone I have never been. My kids are finally getting a bit older...old enough to go on a few little adventures..so last month on a whim I threw them all in the car , stopped at the grocery store,  loaded up with all kinds of junk food, and drove a couple hours to this cool little lake and we almost had the whole place to ourselves. It honestly was one of my favorite days of the whole summer. These images don't even begin to do the day justice but this month I give you "what a day trip looks like"...

Summer Murdock Photography

Now be sure to go see "what ____ looks like" to Kara May of Kara May Photography. I guarantee it'll be a treat!

If this is your first time visiting my blog or if you missed previous editions of "what ____ looks like" go here,  here, here, here, here, and here!

"what ____ looks like" august edtion

My family recently went on a little beach vacation. My iphone camera roll is FULL of images. SO many that I haven't even gone through them all yet. So for this month's installment of "what ____ looks like" I give you "what a beach vacation looks like shot and edited entirely with an iphone". These image are near and dear to my heart. We made some amazing memories and I'm so thankful to have these images to remind me! Who knows maybe next month I'll get around to editing and posting the images from my "real camera"! If you are on Instagram come follow my adventures there. I'm @summer_murdock!

Now you must go see what Jenny Cruger Photography | nashville family photographer's month looks like. I think she has been to the beach too and her images are always a treat!

If this is your first time visiting my blog or if you missed previous editions of "what ____ looks like" and you are wondering what I can do with my other camera go  here, here, here, here, and here!

"what ____ looks like" july edition...

We have been spending A LOT of time at the pool lately...so it' very fitting that this month I'll be showing you "what swimming looks like" since that's about all we have been doing...

Now be sure to go visit Stephanie Moore to see "what ____ looks like" to her this month!

and if you missed previous editions of "what ____ looks like" go here, here, here, and here!

"What ____ looks like"...june edition

The hours, days, weeks, and months fly by. I never seem to have enough time these days. I always have ideas of things I want to shoot but often it is hard to make it happen...so sometimes in order to get a some "shooting" time, I have to throw my camera and disheveled kids in the car, drive through some crappy fast food joint for dinner, and then pull off the side of  the road and let them throw rocks off the mountainside. On this particular day it was SO SO windy that the girls (excluding me) cried in the car while the boys enjoyed themselves for about 15 minutes and that's all we needed..here's "what throwing rocks and a kicking dirt off the mountain side looks like"...

It's nice to get some images of my boys doing what they do...especially my oldest who will RARELY allow the camera within 10 feet of him...so these images of him mean the world to me...

Now go check out "what ___ looks like" to Andrea Hanki of Pink Sugar Photography who I may or may not have a photographic crush on! (hehe) Always in awe of her compositions and the genuine moments she captures!

To see previous "what ____ looks like", go here, here, and here.

"what ____ looks like" may edition

And if that didn't freak you out too much, be sure to follow the circle to see what everyone else's ______ looks like! I mean there is some CRAZY over the top amazing talent in this group (not exaggerating). Next up is the oh so talented Jules Trandem | San Diego Lifestyle Photographer ...she's an amazing photographer and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet...

And in case you want to see previous "what _____ looks like" posts go here and here!

"what ______ looks like" february edition

So excited about another month of "what _____ looks like". I am loving this project not only because I am proud to be in a circle with such talent, but also because the topic gives me complete freedom to shoot WHATEVER I want. This month I am giving you a glimpse into toddler bath time and it's just not any bath. It's her latest obsession. In her stocking for Christmas she got Crayola Tub Tints. I kind of have a love hate relationship with this product. On one hand it's fun to have colored bath water but on the other hand my girl is OBSESSED with the pink ones. Now pink bath water is expected around here and if the water happens to be well just clear or heaven forbid another color that comes in the package like blue or yellow....oh man...total and complete two year old meltdown. Sigh...I'm told I'll miss all this someday and I'm quite certain I will so I'm trying to just embrace it. SOOOOO this month I'm showing you "what a pink bath looks like". Hope you enjoy it as much as she does and DON'T forget to follow the circle to see "what _____ looks like" to everyone else. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Now go see "what ____ looks like" to leah zawadzki whose beautiful and soulful images always stop me dead in my tracks...

and if you missed last months circle you can start it here where you will start with "what playing in a snow filled front yard looks like"!

what playing in a snow filled front yard looks like...

So I'm starting a new project this year called "what ______ looks like".  I get to fill in the blank with whatever I want every month. The cool thing about this project is that I'm working with a SUPER talented group of photographers. I'm frankly humbled and honored to be asked to be a part of such an AHHHMAZING group. So be sure to follow the links and complete the whole circle. I promise you won't be disappointed! It has been FREEEEEEZING around here. I don't think it has been above 25 degrees for almost 3 weeks. Time spent outside is very limited these days but my little guy doesn't seem to be as bothered by the freezing cold temperatures as my other 3 kids. He LOVES to play in the snow. And as you'll soon observe, he loves to eat it even more...bordering on obsessed with eating it. It makes me a little crazy. I worry he's filling his little body with all kind of pesticides and fertilizer...maybe acid snow? Haven't heard much about acid rain or snow since I was a kid but if it exists, this kid has ingested it. I've given up on trying to make him stop. Now I just watch him and revel in his enjoyment of it (and hope he's not poisoning himself). I have given him the dirty and yellow snow talk and he seems to get it although I'm not sure even that would deter him from eating the stuff....so here is my "what playing in the snow filled front yard looks like". Hope you enjoy yourself!

Geesh, that was a loooong post for this lazy blogger. Now go visit my super talented and inspirational friend Kate T. Parker | Atlanta Area Family Photographer. She seriously rocks and I can't wait to see "what _____ looks like" to her.