2010 – Welcome to my life!

As happens each year, we have to update our calendars, add another number to the year and try and remember to write a new month, date and year on our checks…that is if you still write checks! It seems like not that long ago we were ringing in the year 2000 and here it is 10 years later…it truly has flown by. Our kids are now adults themselves, both married and one a parent’ we are “empty-nesters;” grandparents (mimi & papa); spending the same amount on groceries…for less food; concerned about the economy; thankful for our health and that of our families and oh, of course, 10 years older! Yikes, a lot can happen in 10 years, but it can also be a rewarding time of growth and discovery.

In the past 10 years I’ve come into my photography and have discovered just how much I enjoy it…it’s truly my passion and although I may not be famous, rich or have more clients than I can handle, it doesn’t take away from something that I LOVE to do and will continue to explore in the next 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years ahead. Photography allows me to express my creative side, to share with others my vision of the life as I see it, whether it be scenery or portraits…I truly love it all and sharing with others gives me a lot of joy. Who knows what the next year will bring, but I do know that I’ll continue and as always, my goal is to learn more, shoot more and share more…

The week over Christmas, I had the pleasure of sharing a Christmas Cruise to Mexico with my family and it was an incredible week…lots of fun, food, great ports, laughing and beauty everywhere I looked, whether it was my family, the other passengers or the sights we saw…it truly was a wonderful experience. I’ll share a few shots from the week…which won’t even come close to all that I’d like to share, but I’ll let you see a bit of my family and our time together!
I hope that you and your families had a wonderful holiday together as well.

I’d like to wish all of you a wonderful 2010…and may it be filled with everything (and more!) that you wish for…life is truly precious and we should appreciate and cherish each and every day!

My mom – the person so inspires me each and every day and I’m grateful for her love and support…she is truly amazing! At 73 (shhh…don’t tell her I shared her age!), she zip-lined and para sailed on this trip – you ROCK, Mom!

A serious (not really!) game of shuffleboard…all novices, but that didn’t stop us from having fun or being competitive…it was great!

And, a rousing game of basketball…great to watch and photograph…they had a good time and it was really funny to watch how competitive they were…my brother’s family ruled…they are #1!

Myself, my mom and brother…so great to have us all together for Christmas…I love them so much!

Some of my favorite girls in my life…my daughter, granddaughter and daughter in-law…they are awesome!

The whole gang…it was so fun to dress up and see how nice everyone looked…if I don’t say so myself, we are a pretty good looking group! And, this photo was WAY better than any the ship took…not that I’m bragging, but theirs left a LOT to be desired…which was too bad for the other passengers who didn’t have the ability to take a group photo like this!

One of many landscape photos…this was as we were preparing to leave Puerto Vallarta.

Yet another CUTE one year old!

Boy, am I blessed, or what…two one year old girls in two days…it doesn’t get much better. Not that I don’t like boys, I love the boys as well, but it’s been so much fun with the girls the past two days…and what cuties they both are!

This morning I photographed Erica for her one year photos (she’s a little over a year) and have been waiting for her to turn one since she was born…I was fortunate to be able to do her mom’s maternity photos, then some newborn ones and a few here and there, throughout the past year…and now, this little one is getting bigger and a year old…it hardly seems possible! Erica brought her mom and big sister, Alanna, with her and we started out with some photos of Erica and Alanna before we lost Alanna to playing with my granddaughter (Jayden) since they so enjoy each others company when they are together. After that, the spotlight was on Erica and she was great…I absolutely love her adorable little faces she makes, it’s so darn cute and I confess, I’m even including a photo of her crying because I just love the expression…but she really didn’t cry much, just when we stopped her from what SHE wanted to do. One year olds are great…so cute, sweet and yet beginning to develop their own “independence” and mind of their own…what a wonderful transformation from baby to toddler…I’m truly blessed to be able to photograph these little ones! Enjoy the photos!!!







Okay, so this is the last blog of my sessions for a while…I’m headed out of town in a few days and off for a fun vacation with family over Christmas (more on that later)…I might update before the holidays, but if not, I want to wish everyone of you an wonderful Christmas that is filled with love and joy and time with those you love…because that is really what it’s all about, isn’t it!

A VERY cute "almost" One Year Old!

This morning, I had the pleasure of photographing Samantha for her one year photos. She is just adorable…no other description necessary, as you can see from the photos. She actually won’t turn one for a little over two weeks, but she is already walking…really well and seemed to enjoy exploring the studio and easily got around. I met Samantha…and her mom this past summer at the soccer camp my granddaughter was at…Becca (mom) nannies a little girl who became fast friends with Jayden and even after soccer ended, we’ve met up occasionally for the girls to play. I was honored to be asked to photograph Samantha for her first year photos…she was fun and VERY easy to photograph! At the end of the session, they stripped her down to enjoy a cupcake, but it was not what you would expect…she only eats Cheerios and would not put any of it in her mouth…though she did have fun playing with it! Dad even tried “dipping” a Cheerios into the frosting and she wouldn’t eat it…it was the funniest and cutest thing…loved watching (and photographing) her with it!

It was also great to have her mom and dad, Becca and RJ there…a really nice couple so have done a wonderful job with their daughter…you can see how much they are enjoying her and that she is thriving and will be a beautiful little girl (and busy) as she continues to grown. I will be anxious to hear about their Christmas…and how she does with the tree…that is the age that can be challenging, especially with the ornaments…but what fun memories for all of them!

I couldn’t resist working on some photos for the blog, especially since I’ll be leaving at the end of the week and will be “off line” until after Christmas…I just couldn’t make them wait that long to see some of the photos! Enjoy…she is a cutie!!

P.S. I have to mention this darling rocking chair they brought over…I offered to “store” it for them, but they didn’t take me up on it! Might have to find one for the studio!!