Potato Hill + Draper Temple Mission Pictures | Thomas | Whitney Beth Photography
 

Today my little brother reports to "Home MTC" - prior to Corona he was supposed to be going to the Mexico MTC to begin his training. He was headed for Oaxaca, Mexico, but instead will hang out in North Carolina until Mexico opens back up. What a time to be a missionary. It'll be interesting to see how things play out in the middle of a pandemic. I took Thomas' mission pictures at the Draper Temple and Potato hill. I was pretty sure the temple grounds would be closed, and was planning on just shooting a few from the parking lot to get the building and then heading over to Potato Hill. To our surprise and joy we were greeted with open gates! I felt a bit like Anna in Frozen! haha! We shot there for about half an hour and just as we were finishing up in the outer planter box/round about area, I saw a cute, little, temple worker start to close and lock the gates. We made it just in time. From there we headed over to Potato hill were we hiked over to a part in the trail where you can see the temple. We ended out the session at the lookout and saw the sun set across the valley. It was beautiful!

If you're keeping track, and wondering "didn't you just have a missionary out?" The answer is yes. haha! I am the oldest of 10, and Thomas is number 6. We've officially gotten over the hump and now we have more "adults" than kids. It's weird. My little sis, Makayla (number 5) just returned home in May from Kentucky. Before her, we had a sister and two brothers go too. This summer was the first time all my siblings were together for the first time in five or so years. (and even five years ago it was only for 10 days.) I love getting to document these milestones in people's lives, but especially my family. Whenever I do sessions for my siblings we get that one on one time that rarely happens and get a chance to hang out, talk and goof around. It'll be weird without Thomas around for the next two years. Out of all the kids, Thomas is the best travel buddy. He goes with the flow and is always up for an adventure. Not to mention the hardest part of my kids missing their uncle. For whatever reason, Fields has declared himself, "Thomas' little buddy." He loves playing and hanging out with his uncle. Thomas is one of the few people Fields will reach for while I'm holding him. I can't wait to see the man Thomas grows into and to hear the stories of his service. North Carolina and Oaxaca are pretty lucky to get to borrow Thomas for a bit! Good luck Tommy boy! We'll miss you!