This adorable little girl turned one last month and I was fortunate to be asked to do her one year photos as well photographing her first birthday. Who wouldn’t enjoy capturing some special memories for this cute little one?! It hardly seems possible that it had been 9 months since I first met Indy – and to see what she is doing, truly amazing and exceptional! She’s petite, but most certainly makes up for that in nearly every other way possible. She’s been walking for three months and communicates quite well with her parents using sign language. What a great way for both her and her parents to figure out what they are saying. It was quite funny, she used the sign for “please” after her dad gave her her first sip of soda (ginger ale) and she wanted more….and used please – again and again…we couldn’t help but laugh…she knew what she liked and wanted more! This afternoon was beautiful and the yard at their home was perfect to capture some photos to commemorate her first birthday. We had so much fun and I was truly in awe of how good and cooperative Indy was during the session…she was a real trooper and was so good and sweet!!
I absolutely this photo…it wasn’t easy to get Indy to hold still with the umbrella, but we managed to get a couple of shots and this was my favorite…her expressions and those eyes, oh, those eyes…so striking and beautiful!!
Indy certainly enjoys time with her dad and mom and as you can see, whether it be play or snuggle time…she loves being with them….as well as their dogs, Roxy and Lily who are very sweet dogs!
Ahhh, the cupcake smash…I must say, she was the BEST little one with her cupcake of all I’ve ever done. It might be because she’s never had anything like this before or maybe she just knows what is good and who can resist this yummy looking cupcake with the pink icing?!! NO help or encouragement was needed with Indy, all of this “mess” is all her, she totally ROCKED this cupcake smash!!!!!
Naturally, we had to get some of Indy with her parents…we didn’t want to leave them out and besides, Indy will have to share “mom and dad” come next spring, so she might as well get in all the one on one time she can now! What a great family…this is what makes my job the best ever…getting to meet and hang out with such a neat family…I’m truly blessed as is this family…they have one another and being with those you love is what life is all about!
Dancing the night away…..
Wow, I’m not quite sure what happened to the last few weeks of 2010….I had great intentions of posting a blog before the end of the year, but obviously that didn’t happen. I will say that the last couple of weeks were filled with fun, family, travels, work and some splurging…and it was all fabulous! So, I will admit that I turned 50 just before Christmas…and I’m feeling okay about that number, it really doesn’t bother me. I’ve always said, and truly believe that you are only as old as you feel and I don’t feel “50” and am happy with where I am in life right now! My birthday was probably my best (beside my BIRTHday) and most memorable…my mom came over and she, myself, my daughter and my cousin spent the day at a spa, getting spoiled and pampered…and was that ever nice! I’ve never done that before, so what a treat it was…and one that I could certainly handle more than every 50 years! 🙂 My (wonderful) husband informed me that I had to be home and ready to leave for dinner by 5:15 that evening, so we were back and dressed and ready to go…when lo and behold, a limo shows up, with my daughter, son in-law, son and granddaughter…was I ever surprised and excited! Myself, my mom and husband all loaded in with the kids and we headed to Seattle for a fabulous dinner and my cousin and her husband met us there…another wonderful surprise of the day…as I said, it was a very special and memorable day!
Christmas was just a couple of days later and with some more family coming into town, it was time to head the meal planning mode and with the help of my mom, everything came off without a hitch and we had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends…it certainly can’t be any better than when you are able to spend the holidays with those you love and care about!
There were a couple of days to pick up from Christmas before my husband and I headed off to Boise, Idaho for a wedding we were shooting. This was a special one…it was the wedding of some good friend’s daughter…on New Year’s Eve…and over 29 years ago my husband was in their wedding, so to be able to be in one wedding and then capture some special memories for their daughter was a real treat! The wedding was beautiful (post coming later this week with photos!) and was a great way to ring in the new year, celebrating a brand new beginning for a lovely couple, and with some great friends…it doesn’t get much better than that! While in Boise, we had the delight of seeing a few relatives of mine who live there…and it’s always great to catch up with what is going on with their lives…and give them a hug since we don’t get to see them often…family is truly a special gift and I am always thankful when we get to see them in person!
So, the new year began, it was a late, or really early start into the new year and I am feeling excited and refreshed. 2010 was a good year and although not everything goes our way, I have great memories and have met some wonderful people through my work…and feel so blessed with what I have and those I know…life is all about what you make it and I truly want to make it the very best possible. 2011 brings new possibilities, new adventures and hopefully, some new clients and friends…which I always look forward to. Of course, there are the resolutions we all make and as a friend of my put it, she has “hopes” for the new year, which is what I think is a better way to put it…”hopes” that we can accomplish some new things for the year, “hopes” that we are able to meet some goals we set for ourselves and “hopes” that we will continue to be blessed with a loving and happy life as we continue on our journey! I have many of the usual “hopes” such as organizing my closets, the garage and my file cabinets and would like to find more time for myself…whether it be to read, relax or walk through the park with my amazing husband or maybe take a nap…whatever…I know that I look forward to the future, with open eyes and feel great about what is ahead.
For you…I wish joy, good health and good times with those you care about…because life is to short to take for granted and worry about the little things (like the dust in the corner of the room!!!)…live and ENJOY life and those you care about, while you have it!!!
My granddaughter, a couple of days before Christmas…do I ever love her smile!
Just finishing up our spa time…we were all feeling relaxed and refreshed!
Christmas morning…cuddling with our granddaughter on her new “couch” and we all fit!!
Riding her new bike…that smile says it all!
A little bit of winter showed up just two days before we flew to Boise…and what a treat it was to get outside for a bit of (cold) fun! Our dog is over 15 and although she doesn’t frolick like she used to, she still was happy to be outside with my granddaughter and myself. And, as you can see, my granddaughter has that mischevious look about her…like a snowball is about to come my way!
The view of the foothills around Boise from our hotel window…truly stunning!
Another view from our hotel window…at about 2 am on New Year’s morning!