This past weekend my husband and I flew to my hometown (Spokane, WA) to visit my mom…sort of a belated birthday celebration as well as a chance to attend an auction her church has each year to raise money for various programs. For several years now, I’ve donated photographs to the church for their auction and am more than happy to do this and see what wonderful things the church does each year. My husband and I were married in that church, about 28 1/2 years ago and both of our children were baptized there as well, so there are many wonderful memories as we return. The evening is a wine tasting as well as an auction and it’s wonderful to try many of the great Spokane area wines from the various local wineries. I must say we do have a couple of favorites, but always enjoy trying new ones as well as talking to the representatives from the wineries…they are so proud of their wines…and as well they should be! That’s definitely something wonderful about the Pacific Northwest…some GREAT wines are produced here!!
My mom’s birthday was the weekend before and so I planned a surprise dinner for her with my sisters and their families…since we don’t get together that often, I figured this would be a great excuse!! The location changed a couple of times and trying to keep my mom “non suspecting” about it was tough…since I told her we wanted to take her out and yet, WE chose the location…she had to be a bit suspicious about that. And, she saw a couple family members during the week before and a comment or two was made about seeing her for dinner later in the week…I think she then knew something was going on! Oh well…it didn’t matter whether or not she knew, what mattered was that we ALL got together and had a wonderful evening. We met at Europa on Wall St. and it was great…good food, wine and service and wonderful atmosphere!! A chance to visit and catch up with everyone was so nice and I think that even though the surprise was gone, my mom still enjoyed it and loved having us all together.
This year for Thanksgiving we will be with our kids and their families as well as some WONDERFUL friends from Tennessee, who are just like family to us. So, it really doesn’t matter if you’re not with immediate family or a lot of family, what matters is that you spend it with those you care about and enjoy being with…and are thankful for the times you do have with one another! Tomorrow our friends fly in and I can’t tell you how excited I am for them to visit…we don’t have a lot planned, but just to spend time with them sounds so nice…a week of hanging out and catching up…cooking, walking, talking, playing games, drinking wine, and laughing together (lots of laughing!!)…is the best way I can think of spending time with friends…or family!
This time of year we all get a bit crazy with everything going on, but I do hope you take the time to think about what you are thankful for and appreciate those loved ones in your lives…sometimes we take for granted what we have and who we have…and you never know what is ahead, so just enjoy TODAY!!
Here are a few photos from our dinner last week!!
“Uncle Phillip” is happy to help Jack build someting with his blocks…looks like Batman is going to be part of the end creation!
The whole group (minus me…someone had to take the photo!)…what a GREAT looking family I have!!!
My mom and niece, Heidi…so wonderful to see them together…what beautiful women!!
All the girls…so fun to be together…there were a couple more missing who couldn’t come, but what fun was this evening!!!
My nephew, Phillip and his fiance, Celina…who are getting married this coming summer…SO excited for them!!
I must say that what first comes to my mind when I see this cute little one…Shirley Temple! And I’m guessing most of you think that as well…the curls are so pretty…and those combined with this beautiful little girl…makes her just perfect! Hailey is three and is a typical three year old…curious, busy, full of energy and independent! It was a delight to photograph her and to have her mom (dad is in the military and not home right now), grandparents and her aunt and uncle join her…what a great looking group they all are! The morning wwe met was cloudy and a tad cooler than it had been, but it worked out great and we enjoyed strolling around the pond. Hailey proved to be quite the explorer, collecting sticks, flowers, grass, rocks and more…I love watching little ones explore their environment! It’s obvious she loves her mom and was happy to have those she loved with her that day…and don’t let that beautiful face fool you…she is strong willed and determined to do things her way…which is a good thing, but I’m guessing she keeps everyone on their toes! It was a delight to photograph her and spend the morning with her family…thank you for asking me to capture a bit of life for your family that day!!
