Amber Hope Photography: The Howerton Family | Charleston WV Family Photographer

"At the time I did not know that stories of life are often more like rivers than books."

-Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It

The weather looked like a summer storm was trying to roll through. It was cloudy and overcast but it was warm, just like you'd expect for an end of summer evening. The river was shallow and quiet and hadn't seen rain in a while.

From the very beginning this little boy, Silas, loved playing with the rocks. He would pick one up and throw it and then pick up another and throw it too. He would throw the rocks until all he was left with was the rocks almost to big for his tiny hands to carry.

His Mama carried him on her hip, stepping into the cool river water, hand in hand with her husband. It wasn't long until Silas was soaked head to toe from throwing the rocks in the river. He even tried picking up rocks much to big for him. This little boy loved being in the water.

The summer storm clouds disappeared and the late evening sunshine peeked through the trees. It was a perfect day for a session on the river.