One Small Decision I'm So Glad I Made This Summer

Back in mid-June, I kept seeing a creator on TikTok share practical ways to set your future self up for success. The advice wasn't about making huge life changes. It was about taking care of the little things before they became another item on your to do list.

One suggestion immediately caught my attention.

Schedule your fall family photos.

At first, it seemed a little odd to think about family pictures when summer had barely started, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Every year, the calendar fills up faster than I expect. School starts. Work/volunteering piles up. Weekends disappear. Before I know it, the leaves are gone and I find myself saying, "Maybe next year."

That happened last year, and I regretted it.

So I opened my laptop and started looking for photographers with availability later this fall. As I browsed, I came across Lindsay McGowan Photography, a photographer based here in North Liberty. What caught my attention wasn't just her beautiful work. It was that she happened to be offering mini sessions, our family's favorite kind of photo session.

We're not the family that needs an hour in front of the camera. Give us a short window, keep everyone moving, and we're happy.

Then I saw the location.

The sessions were being held at Los Trompos, a temporary interactive art installation in Centennial Park. Created by Mexican designers Esrawe + Cadena, the larger-than-life spinning tops are inspired by a traditional children's toy, blending art, play, and community into one colorful experience. I had seen the same installation back when it was up in downtown Iowa City a couple years earlier and immediately thought it would make an incredible backdrop for family photos. I love color, and the playful design felt so much more like our family than a traditional field or wooded trail.

Even better, there were still a few openings.

Before I booked, I'm fairly certain I checked with Gspice. His response was, "We don't need family photos every year." My response, "I know. We didn't do them last year, and I really regret that."

So I booked the session.

A quick trip to Kohl's later for clothes that actually fit and made me feel good, and we were ready.

Fast forward to a few days ago, Lindsay delivered our gallery.

I don't think I was prepared for how emotional I would be looking through these photos.

I absolutely love them.

The location was every bit as vibrant and joyful as I'd imagined, but what really took me by surprise was seeing how much our family has changed since our last photos in the fall of 2024.

Gary and I have both lost weight.

Owen has somehow grown a million inches the past two years.

Jack now wears glasses.

When you see your family every day, those changes happen so gradually that you barely notice them. Then someone captures a single moment in time, and suddenly you realize just how much life has moved forward.

I've found myself smiling at these photos over and over again. Sometimes they make me smile so much my face hurts. Other times they make me want to cry, because I know this version of our family is already becoming a memory.

That's what family photos really are.

They're not about perfect outfits or convincing everyone to smile at the same time. They're about preserving a season of life that you'll never get back.

I'm incredibly grateful that a random TikTok video nudged me to think ahead. I'm grateful that I stumbled across Lindsay's page. I'm grateful there were still mini session openings. And I'm especially grateful that she captured our family so naturally, in a place that felt colorful, fun, and completely us.

Thank you, Lindsay, for giving us photographs we'll treasure for years to come. These aren't just pictures. They're a snapshot of exactly who we are in this season of life, and I couldn't love them more.

If you're looking for a family photographer in the Johnson county area, I can't recommend Lindsay McGowan Photography enough. And if you've been thinking about scheduling family photos someday, let this be your reminder.

You can also find Lindsay McGowan on Instagram & Facebook.

Sometimes the smallest decision you make today becomes the gift your future self treasures most.

Below are a number of our favorites!

Dinner After Dark with Barrett's: Tomato!

Some people pass on tomatoes. I simply cannot.

When Barrett’s announced a tomato dinner, I knew I couldn’t miss it. I asked around, but the answers came back either “I can’t” or “I don’t like tomatoes.” Who do they think they are? Tomatoes are my love language. So I did what I had to do. I went on my own. (Don't worry, I didn’t even bother to ask Gspice to join me. He doesn’t share the same love of tomatoes that I do.)

A few days ahead of the event, Barrett’s reached out, checking if I was comfortable dining solo or if I wanted another chance to bring someone. That small act of thoughtfulness stuck with me. I told them I was fine flying solo. My mom, who first passed down her love of tomatoes to me, would be my “plus one” in spirit.

When the evening finally arrived, I was excited. It felt like stepping into a part of myself I hadn’t visited in years. Back in 2015 and 2016 when I worked the wine and beer dinners at Rubaiyat in Decorah, I loved the rhythm of pairing food with drink, watching the courses unfold like chapters in a story. Barrett’s tomato dinner pulled me right back into that magic, only this time I was the guest.

Each course celebrated the tomato in a new way, paired with wine or a cocktail:

Tea & Bread with La Vieille Ferme Rose

Tartare with Archetype Sauvignon Blanc

Lumache with a Tomato & Rosemary Gin Martini

Sirloin & Tomatoes with Maestro del Pomidoro Sangiovese

Tomato Puff Pastry with Parajes del Valle Macabeo

What Did I Enjoy the Most?

My favorite course of the evening was the sirloin and stuffed tomato. The steak came with what looked like an herby pesto, alongside a rice and red pepper–stuffed tomato capped with melted and toasted Gruyère. Holy moly, that was a perfect bite, especially with one of my favorite wine varieties, the Sangiovese.

A close second was the tomato lumache. This pasta course came with delicately peeled tomatoes in a bright beurre blanc, paired with a fancy tomato and rosemary gin martini. YUM.

An Unexpected Surprise

Earlier in the evening, Chef mentioned they “chased a label” for the night, choosing a wine simply because a tomato graced the bottle. To my surprise, the event manager brought me over a bottle as I was eating the final course. Chef had wanted me to have it, in memory and celebration of my mom. How thoughtful is that? I couldn't help but tear up as I took a few more bites before regaining my composure.

My Type of Celebrity

I've said this before and it remains true. Chefs are my type of celebrity. It was such a thrill to dine on a menu created by Chef Barrett, who became friends and colleagues with Chef Michael Symon, and once competed on Iron Chef. Learn more about Chef Cory on the Barret's website.

We are lucky to have chefs in this community who treat food with reverence and hospitality with care. This night reminded me why I love these kinds of dinners. It is about flavors, but it is also about the feeling of being seen, welcomed, and celebrated.

Sometimes the best dinners are the ones where you make room for yourself.

30 Things that I am Grateful for in September 2020

Although a little late, here is my September 2020 Gratitude List! You'll notice from the photos especially, that we had tons of outside time as well as family time which was great. It really made September a special month but also went super fast once school started on September 8!

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear - highly recommend!

2. Long car rides so I can listen to my favorite podcast - ChooseFI - a podcast about financial independence but also personal development

3. Adorable Halloween decor from RosellaMargaret

4. Sunsets are still pretty stunning in my neck of the woods

5. Our expandable dining room table from IKEA

6. A newer version of Just Dance - Owen is now obsessed with a song by One Direction...

7. Spending time with Nadia and Leta's in-laws!

8. Walking to the park with all the littles

9. Trusting the older kiddos to run back home

10. Sleeping Queens

11. Randomly discovering a place we've driven by so many times - the Coralville Lake and Dam area

12. The first day of virtual school

13. Magnesium supplements

14. More cousin time! This time with the Hellers!

15. Citrus Salmon from HyVee

16. Celebrating my birthday with Amanda and Bridget at Biaggi's in Cedar Rapids

17. The ice maker with my fridge!

18. Making small batches of canned tomatoes and not having to buy a ton of cherry tomatoes

19. Early morning walks with the boys

20. The ability to make adjustments to the boys schooling - at home/at daycare

21. Bed head - the boys both have this on point!

22. Spending a weekend on the lake with my parents and Bridget's family

23. The boys got to fish for the first time!

24. Oven sheet pan nachos

25. Dominating the game of Sequence with my mom

26. Joining a Hydration Challenge on the Way Better better

27. School supplied chromebooks

28. Finding enough pants that actually fit Owen's teeny tiny waist and between sizes height 

29. The first day of in-person school!

30. Fall and the changes colors of leaves