North State Parent 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: Sisters Ella, 9, and Sadie, 12, enjoy an autumn afternoon in Bidwell Park, Chico, CA, with their mother Andrea Rioux-Coner and grandmother Brenda Rioux. Andrea, an LCSW/Trauma Social Worker, and her husband Jake, a fire-medic, value family and make time in their busy schedules to ensure that grandparent-bonding activities are part of their children’s lives.  

Photography: Queena Xu for Girl Scouts of Northern California. On the Cover: With over one hundred years of skill-building and adventure programming for girls, Girl Scouts is empowering the leaders of tomorrow. Girl Scouts recently introduced forty-two new badges in STEM fields like cybersecurity, robotics, programming, and citizen science, as well as outdoor adventures such as backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and rock climbing. Learn more about Girl Scouts of Northern California and get involved at www.gsnorcal.org.  

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: Exploring the North State and beyond has deeply bonded Bobby, Brandi, Lily (11), Luke David (7) and Dakota (9) as a family. With strong spirits of adventure, the whole family is always ready for new experiences. The end of one journey begins the dreaming about the next! For adventures closer to home, the Fano Family loves to visit Turtle Bay Exploration Park where they can feed the birds and visit the butterflies this time of year.

Photography: Amanda Miller Photography. Amanda is a photographer specializing in children, family and birth photography. She is passionate about documenting life as it happens—those real, emotional, fun and exciting moments we never want to forget. She and her husband have two spirited little girls who love to be outside! The family lives in Durham, CA. On the Cover: Spring is glorious when you’re a kid! Five-year-old Penny Miller loves animals. Two years ago, she bottle-fed this kid at the Echo Mountain Boer Goat Farm, Butte Valley.  

Photography: Living Shasta Photography Photographer Karrie Ann Snure of Living Shasta Photography offers beautiful images showcasing a celebration of life. Her specialties include family and senior portraits, weddings, and animal and landscape photography. Call Karrie Ann at (530) 859-2292. On the Cover: Mila Bradley, age 10, and friend Jackie Darrah, age 10, brave the cold to enjoy ice skating at the Siskiyou Ice Rink in Mt. Shasta, CA. Mila’s mom Laura, also pictured, has been playing ice hockey for the last four years. Read all about her experience on page  7.  This outdoor rink operates from November to February, so plan a fun day on skates before the season ends. Check their website for their current schedule and list of classes – www.siskiyourink.org  

Photography: Crystal Amen Photography. Crystal Amen started her photography adventure in 2012, specializing 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 Cottonwood, CA, where she and her husband raise about 30 head of cattle and help run the family feed store,  Shasta Farm & Equipment. On the Cover: Pumpkinland Chocolate Company is everybody’s candy store dream-come-true. Come see for yourself, outside of Red Bluff on Hwy 99. Roslynn Amen, age 3, loves to play dress up and take care of her stuffed donkey, EeeAww. Her adorable dress-up clothing worthy of candy store browsing is courtesy of Sugarplum Cottage in Redding. Check our Facebook page to find out where we’ll be handing out chocolate lollipops like the one Roslynn is holding: Children deserve a magical holiday and we’ll do our part to help out. Find us on Facebook!