On the Cover: Schooldays are returning! For many of our North State students, schools are welcoming kids back into the classrooms with COVID-19 safety measures in place and a healthy dose of cautious optimism. This school year will look different, but children are still anticipating a return to connection and learning with the same eagerness as always, whether they will be learning on campus, as homeschoolers or in the digital classroom. Let’s support them with a genuine positivity about learning.Children are constantly observing and looking to you their parent while they form their own opinions and thoughts. Your child will be much more excited about school and willing to learn if they know you are equally excited about it as well.

Photography: Photographer Katie Drake snapped this darling photo at Book Family Farm, Katie’s childhood home and favorite backdrop. Katie, who has a husband and three children, specializes in child and family portraits. Find Katie’s work at www.facebook.com/katiedrakephotography On the Cover: Men today are redefining the role of father, dismissing the idea that fathers are best known for roughhousing and silly jokes. Today’s fathers are partners and teachers, support systems and active participants in each aspect of their family’s day to day lives. Kevin and Leah joyfully share the responsibilities of raising their children Eliana and Owen and both parents a vital part of the dynamic duo of parenthood. 

Photography: Nicole Roberts Photography. Nicole specializes in family photography, on location or in her beautiful, spacious 3,200-square-foot studio near downtown Chico. In addition to capturing special moments with your growing family, her full-service studio offers framing, prints, fine art and more. Contact Nicole at (530) 895-8000. On the Cover: Growth and grins are shared by Ava Vanella, age 6, and her pediatrician, Anna Robertson, DO, FAAP, during a health check-up at Chico Pediatrics. Ava enjoys art, singing and dancing and her health is important to her dream of being an American Ninja Warrior.

Photography: Francesca Murgia Photography, visual storyteller specializing in newborn, motherhood and family photography. She authentically documents that you have not only lived but you have loved. Order holiday sessions now for the best seasonal results. Ph: (530)809-1266 On the Cover: These three Chico brothers enjoy the quality family time they spend together! Dredyn, age 8, also plays basketball and is currently participating in several basketball programs. Chandler, age 5,  takes music lessons for both keyboard and guitar. Angelo, age 3, loves playing with his big brothers most of all!

North State Parent - October 2019 Issue Photography: Crystal Amen Photography. Crystal started her photography adventure four years ago; she specializes in all aspects of photography. Crystal has three young daughters that love to be her models when she isn’t photographing clients. Crystal lives in Anderson, CA, where she and her husband raise about 30 head of cattle. On the Cover: Nikola Hawes enjoys working alongside her husband Greg on the Historic Hawes Farm and they include their kids in daily tasks as much as possible. Nikola was honored to work with the Jeremy Stoke family in designing this year’s corn maze in honor of firefighter Jeremy, who lost his life in the Carr Fire in Redding. Come over to the farm and celebrate Jeremy’s life by exploring the maze.