The Ziegler Family | 2026

Oct 16

Written By Esther Ziegler

I thought it was about time for a little family update around here!

We had quite possibly our favorite summer ever! I made an enormous summer bucket list, hung it on the wall, and somehow we managed to check off everything (with two little substitutions). We traveled to Oregon, celebrated our anniversary with a Mexico getaway, boys came with to the Light the Way Festival, had a Yes Day, and filled our days with all sorts of adventures, big and small. I genuinely couldn't choose a favorite!

Nehemiah is in fourth grade and has been reading his way through the Imagination Station books and is really enjoying soccer this year. Sebastian is doing wonderfully in kindergarten and wants to be an “artist” which specifically to him means, a painter when he grows up. Both boys just wrapped up their fall soccer season. Lately, our evenings have included lots of snuggling on the couch watching When Calls the Heart together. It's become a favorite in our house. Nathan has been making more time for the things he loves, too. Aside from spending as much time at home with us as possible, reading fantasy novels out loud to me to unwind before we fall asleep (or as I do laundry!), he's been enjoying playing his drums, planning to take his Porsche out on the track, and enjoying the outdoors whenever he can.

As for me, I've also been making more room for the things I enjoy—hosting sweet evenings with girlfriends, pulling out the craft supplies, and finding little ways to make everyday life a bit more whimsical. Give me all the pretty little details, creative projects, and reasons to get everyone together! Oh a big joy that is new to my life this year is I've officially become a Pilates princess and so very thankful Rooted Pilates is opening in Ozark!

And of course, a lot of love for my talented friend Cara Bailey Photography, who took these beautiful photographs of our family! The boys especially love being photographed by Cara. We always say we will never have enough photographs of this season of our lives. Oh and the blue dress is from Worth Collective.

Here are a few (okay, quite a few!) favorites from our session.

And as always—don’t blink,

Esther Ziegler

I’m Esther Ziegler, an award-winning photographer with over a decade of professional experience. I’ve been working full-time in photography since 2010 and operating my business formally since 2012.

I photographed more than 300 weddings earlier in my career before shifting my focus in 2019 to serving growing families. Today, I specialize in maternity, newborn, and childhood photography.

I run a full-service studio in southwest Missouri and work with families throughout the Springfield area.

Postcards from Oregon