Fort Sill, Oklahoma Lifestyle and Documentary Family Photography

From 8 years of diapers to celebrating full potty training!  SO, yes I have a photo of us in training to celebrate the ending of this era.

 

This collection is a year in the life experience and will not be in order and it will not include ALL our year, but what comes to me in though while I look back with gratitude over our lives shared together.  

  • Liz  

 

Wide panoramic view of an empty industrial basement or storage space with exposed ceiling.
Family enjoying a meal together at an orange booth in a casual dining restaurant.

TDY


This is a phrase I say often as a military spouse, but I can't tell YOU exactly what the acronym stands for. It means he's out of town on Army work.  

I  decided long ago that on those mornings that we'd wake to an emptiness we would find something sweet in donuts.   I hope this will be a core memory for them.

Overhead view of bath time scenes with toys and splashing water.
A black and white photo series showing a child with raised arms making shapes against a plain wall background.

Broke his arm


The night before dad went into have surgery on his foot they all bounced on the trampoline together as this send off... well it sent Braddock flying and he landed wrong and broke his arm and dislocated his elbow,  and our families first ambulance ride to OKC Children's Hospital.   My parents came in for the win to help. My dad came with me to the hospital in OKC and my mom went to our house in Lawton (on post).   We did make it to Tony's surgery the next morning, but it wasn't on much sleep.  For the next several weeks we had 2 in casts.

Multiple views of carpeted stairs in a home with wooden railings.
Series of legs and feet shown against a light gray background in different positions.
Sequence showing movement around a kitchen dishwasher in warm lighting.
Sequential black and white images showing raised arms against a white wall.
View through car side mirror shows white stucco building with arched architectural details and stone walkway.

Ew... Gross!!

 

About this 4-5 age BOTH boys who were fully potty trained decided to try new things.

(Not at the same time mind you, years apart) It did however remind me of Brogan's turn when he would pee in his closet instead of walking into the bathroom.


Braddock walked to the bathroom and then decided to pee in the trash can. It smelled awful until I figured out what's happening.  Same with Brogan it STOPPED when I stopped cleaning it up.  When they had the awful task of cleaning it up. There's a WIN in having the kids clean up their own stuff.

Note to MOM: Don't DO it ALL for the kids.

Young child helping with household chores by carrying a large black trash bin in a kitchen.

Life is a BLUR...

As I look at these memories just from last year I'm at a loss sometimes for what to say about them. Collectively they're all together feels right, Separately to tell a story isn't always there.  I suppose that's why documentary family photography is a newer genre to discovery. The meaning with them is actually in the value later when you can't see their faces anymore. They've changed so much and loose that littleness... then these today will be priceless b/c you cannot recreate them then.  My momma heart will encourage you and myself to take the photo and get in them.  

A large curved sculpture hangs from a ceiling, creating a dramatic black and white artistic display in an interior space.
Child in a red sweater studies artifacts displayed behind glass cases at a museum exhibit.
People looking at black and white artwork on a wall in a gallery-like setting with crutches visible.
Someone wearing a gray shirt and dark pants jumps energetically on a hotel room bed next to a table lamp.

 

Trips we have taken I often can't really remember. So until Tony comes back to say different these were from near Waco, Tx and they have a cool mammoth exhibit. You walk over the dig site laid in a grid and see how the archeologist uncover their findings.  Walking on glass scared sissy so one parent had to go at a time.


I don't remember having to stay at the hotel, but I added this photo because this is something we ALWAYS do. Let them jump.  


Let them be little!

 

A sleeping child nestles in white bedding while holding an orange-pink donut pillow against their face.
A carefree moment at home as someone in a turquoise shirt playfully peeks into a bedroom where child sleeps.
Person sleeping peacefully in comfortable white bedding with cozy gray pillows.
Children lie playfully on white shelves in a closet during what appears to be a fun hide and seek game.
A golden dog lifts its head up towards a person using a laptop on a couch in a dimly lit room.

Hide and seek was the game of choice this year and leave it to the dog to tell your position!

Educational moon phase activity with paper plates and circle diagrams displayed on a colorful striped tablecloth.

Homeschooling at a Glance.


The next few images will some of our homeschool, learning, or adventuring.

Children hanging out on front porch steps wearing light blue and navy outfits on a sunny afternoon.
Child sits on a porch step in sunlight creating playful shadows in a multi-panel sequence of summer moments.
A woman in a floral print dress stands on a porch with American flags in a series of casual summer poses.

Braddock age 5, Kindergarten at home, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Brogan age 9, third grade

Exhibition gallery displays photos and artwork on walls under spotlights.
A metal tray covered in white frosting and pink decorative elements used for cake decorating.
Grey stuffed animal toys scattered on a dark surface next to someone's hands.
People practicing on a stage with wooden benches and cloudy sky backdrop.
Two people chatting in a rustic room with wooden furniture and vintage decor.
A casual conversation around a wooden barrel in a rustic indoor setting with antique decor.
Theatrical scene with green bubble-like lighting effects in the background.
Interior view of an old-fashioned general store with wooden shelving and vintage merchandise.
Chocolate and vanilla ice cream scoops being scooped from containers on a marble surface.
Small figure sitting atop an orange and green wall creating a striking geometric composition against solid background.
Close-up view of vintage children's books including The Adventures of Pinocchio on a shelf.
Long view down a library aisle with wooden shelves filled with books on both sides.
Agricultural equipment and pickup trucks parked in a field under blue sky.
Person wearing a yellow Pokemon t-shirt skating outdoors at a park.
Green and white balloons arranged in a row against a light background in an indoor space.
Small brown bird resting in cupped hands with blue fabric in background.
Panoramic landscape view of rocky terrain and distant water under blue sky.
Skateboarder performing a trick jump over a barrier at a skate park on a sunny day.
Figure standing on rusty railing overlooking scenic coastal vista on sunny day.
Children flying colorful kites in a grassy field on a sunny day.
Hands holding egg carton with single egg cracked into white bowl.
Toys and books scattered across carpeted floor in dim lighting.
Wooden craft supplies and books laid out on brown surface.
Colorful world map wall hanging being used for education and learning in a bright room setting.
Person holding a mobile device displaying an app interface.
Balance scale with green objects being observed on wooden floor in dramatic lighting.
Close-up view of world map artwork with blue oceans and colorful continents against white walls.
Home office setup with computer monitor and framed artwork on wall in black and white.
Two people drawing and creating artwork together at a low table with art supplies.
Art supplies and paper decorations scattered on wooden floor beneath wall-mounted world map.
A wooden nature trail sign with a group standing beneath it at the entrance to a hiking area.
Collection of used skateboard equipment and gear scattered on dirty ground.
Time lapse sequence showing people assembling furniture units in a modern living room with hardwood floors.
People playing a casual game of soccer on a dry grass field during a sunny day.

Flag Football


Tony's best part of the year may have been coaching flag football. Last year he coached Brogan's team and this year he did Braddock's age.

Person wearing bright turquoise running shoes sitting in a black car with red trim.
Youth sports team huddles on a grass field during a sunny day wearing red uniforms.
Vintage black and white panorama of youth football players and coaches on a grassy field.
Intimate family moment captured on couch in warm indoor lighting.
A series of playful kisses and laughter shared in a joyful sequence of moments.
A cozy scene of playtime and snuggles on a white couch.
A sequence of playful moments captured on hardwood floors in a home.
Dramatic window light casting shadows on a dark floor.
A dog and companion playing with a green balloon in a bright indoor space.
Cozy moments captured on a plaid blanket showing expressions of joy.
Sun-drenched outdoor portraits capturing joyful expressions and laughter.

A big part of our story is our home. It tells our biggest stories. The start of this year is our last military home and the end shows us in our new home. It might very well be our forever home. It's holding our story of a military transition out of the Army and will see what the civilian life will hold for us.

Playful interactions on stairs and blue chairs in a home setting.
Family enjoying quality time together on a cozy outdoor patio with brick walls.
A celebration with cake and laughter in a bright indoor setting.

Photography is my whisper of a memory, and I want these littles to know I was there too.