beach

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.