Yesterday morning I woke to grey skies and rain…and after looking at the forecast showing rain most of the day…I must say that I was nervous. Later that morning I had a session scheduled with a family and it had to be done that day…dad is in the Army and has been on leave, but heads out again in a few days…so I knew that one way or another…this had to happen! Driving to Tacoma it rained, rained some more and then rained even harder…ugh…I wondered how many covered places could we find?? Upon meeting up with the Lizotte family…the rain was diminishing and amazingly, after just a short time…it stopped!! Phew…and thank you!!!! It was chilly, but they were all great sports and it was fun to wander around and let them explore a bit as I captured some special photos for them. Hailey, who I’ve photographed before, is very sweet, but I must say, she’s an active little one…one shot and she was off and running – which certainly kept me on my toes…and helped me stay warm…so thank you, Hailey! It was refreshing to see the family together, even if just for a short time…I can’t even imagine how the military families do this…being separated for so long and a parent back at home, being both mom and dad while the other is serving our country…my gratitude goes out to the families and their spouses who are serving overseas! It was evident that Hailey enjoyed having her dad around…and he was great with her and the two of them seemed to have a lot of fun as we wandered around this cold morning! I’m so grateful we were able to schedule this and especially that the rain stopped so we could shoot outside…it was my pleasure to spend some time with this delightful family…and I wish the very best for them for the holidays…even if they won’t be together…hopefully, they can hold on to the memories of their times together!
Time together is what’s important and this family is making the most of the time they have right now…that’s certainly something to be treasured!
Hailey never turned down a chance to dance and twirl…and in her darling dress…she was as pretty as could be!
I love this photo of Hailey with her dad…it shows that they are both happy to be together and enjoy having a good time!
This beautiful little face was created out of love…and as you can see, she is loved and they all love one another…what is more special than that!?!
Thank you, Matt, Tara and Hailey for a fun session…despite the weather, all worked out and it was my pleasure to capture some family photos of you while Matt is home…be safe Matt…and thank you for your service to our country…and to Tara and Hailey for allowing him to do so!
What can I say, these photos speak for themselves! You’ve seen these little girls before, three of them below to the owners of “Kiwi and Kiki” and they are modeling some of their great new items they have for sale! Of course, the pettiskirts…they are the star of this shoot…so darn cute and I can’t imagine any little (or big!) girl that wouldn’t want one of these! The three red ones were for Christmas for their girls and the purple one…well, I am happy to say that it’s mine…and I have it here for any little ones that would like to wear it during a shoot! How cute would a newborn or a 6 month old, just sitting up, be surrounded by the beautiful ruffles of lavendar! My granddaughter was the model this day for the skirt and I have a feeling she will be asking to wear it again when she’s over…and who can blame her, how fun is it!
There are also some adorable and fun headbands, bows and flowers for your little darlings for Valentine’s and spring…you’ve got to see their things…great stuff! There are some fun other things, like an adorable pillow that would be perfect for Valentine’s…for anyone, from little to big and check out the t-shirt with the heart on the front…super sweet! Can’t forget the newest headbands for the dolls…matching at that…perfect for the girls…and the cupcakes…they look so real, you’ll want to take a bite…as you can see, the girls nearly did!! Okay, so I must admit, I really love what these gals make and sell, but besides that, in the past year (plus!) that I’ve been working with them, I’ve gotten to know them and their children (husbands, too…they are great “wranglers when needed!)…and am proud to call them my friends…they are both so nice, sincere, hardworking, great moms and just kind and generous people…who doesn’t want friends like this! I’m truly blessed to have “met” them and thankful for our friendship. Okay…on to the photos…the cute products and adorable girls!!!!
LOVE, this photo…her expression is so beautiful…and those eyes…wow!
As I said, my granddaughter (in the purple) was one of the models and she and the other girl in this photo became fast friends…they were having a great time, laughing, being silly and just enjoying being girls…love how kids can make friends so easily!!!
Our youngest little model and wouldn’t you know, she lasted longer than the other three, who headed off to play…this sweetie was great and we had a ton of fun with her…she’s so cute!!!!
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!
