spring

3 weeks ago we awoke to sunny skies and singing birds. The forecast mentioned mid-60's and we were thrilled. Plans were made and a picnic lunch was packed. Spring was here! An hour later standing at the base of the trail at Hanging Rock we were left wondering...spring?



Needless to say, it was not the start of spring that I expected. This weekend it was again in the mid-60's. The sun was shining and the days were gorgeous. My crocus has bloomed and I now feel comfortable saying welcome spring.

get hitched for haiti

Elly's Photography is helping raise money for Haiti through Doctors Without Borders with Get Hitched for Haiti. Not only is Elly offering great prizes - including a free wedding photography package - it is so easy to enter. Just donate at least $15.00 directly to Doctors Without Borders and email her your receipt to be entered. Great cause. Great prize. What are you waiting for?
Want more details - click here for the full information.
Deadline is 2/28/10 so take a minute and do this now - time is running out.

puzzle piece hands.

I forgot my lunch today, which is only relevant in that I ended up grabbing a fast food sandwich instead. Sitting in the booth I noticed an elderly couple at a table across the row. They were sitting together on the same side of the table like a pair of dating teenagers. Smiling at each other. Sharing their meals with weathered hands linked together on the table between them. Laughing at their conversation. Perhaps at a new snippet about something that happened just this morning but I'd imagine after a lifetime together it is just as likely a story they have laughed at together a thousand times.

You could see they were in love.

You could see they were happy.

You could see they would rather sit together on the same side of that wobbly table than be anywhere else apart.

I wanted my camera. I wanted to capture the joy on their faces and the love in their eyes. I wanted to zoom in on their aged hands so comfortably linked together like the pieces of a perfect puzzle. I wanted to hear the stories about all the joy and sadness and work those hands had been through together. I thought about my friend Sarah's recent post about the camera in her head and, not for the first time, I longed for the camera in my head. But alas, they finished their meal and I still was without a camera. On shaky legs she stood from the table. In a move as natural as breathing, he steadied her with his hand under her arm and they shuffled together towards the door.

I do not know their names. I do not know their story. But I thank them. For reminding me today that all the day-to-day living is what brings us from "I do" to sharing a million cups of coffee at a wobbly table in a fast food restaurant. For reminding me that even after "I do" it is important to choose to sit on the same side of the table and to look at each other with eyes that leave no doubt of your love for one another. I thank them for reminding me that sharing all the work and joy and sadness of life is what makes those hands fit together so perfectly.

I am really glad that I forgot my lunch.

ishika: newborn photography

As I mentioned in her sneak peek I had the joy of meeting Miss Ishika at 10 days old. She was the perfect start to 2010. 6 pounds of adorable bundled in pink pajamas. Wide-eyed and alert. Ishika was not your typical newborn shoot. She was awake (and content!) the entire time. Thank you to the Bhatt family for welcoming me in your home and sharing your precious bundle.

Those eyes!







I love the range of emotions a new baby brings out in a family.

Pure joy.



Unsurpassed love.



Tenderness.



Awe.



And a general feeling of contentment.



Miss Ishika you are beautiful.

sneak peek: newborn photography

I had the joy of meeting 10 day old Miss Ishika to kick off 2010. She is beautiful. Not even 2 weeks old and her eyes were wide open and following the camera the entire hour I was there. I believe Mom and Dad have a future model on their hands.



More to come...

merry christmas!

I admit, I am not blogging on Christmas morning - this is in fact a pre-scheduled post. But Merry Christmas none-the-less.

As this is posting, I am probably downstairs enjoying a mug of hot chocolate and watching my son as he excitedly opens the presents Santa brought him. This is Xander's first year understanding the concept of Santa and he has been asking him consistently for a truck, a race car and candy since Thanksgiving. I'm betting Santa delivers.

Kinsley is probably confused by the chaos of her first Christmas, especially when you add in the chaos of an incredibly excited 2.5 year old, but she finds everything her big brother does to be funny so she is probably smiling.

I'm sure Jake and I are rubbing sleep deprived eyes and I am taking in the scene through the lens of my 50mm. In short, a perfect family Christmas moment is in progress. But I couldn't miss the chance to wish everyone else a Merry Christmas, and to share my family with you.

The first weekend of December we headed to Tanglewood Park for the family Christmas card self-take. It was fun...and cold...but still fun.

Our Christmas card...



Some of my other favorites from the morning...





Xander is singing the ABC's to Kinsley. She loves when her brother sings to her.



Jake caught these while Xander was running around being crazy - which is pretty typical for Xander. I love his energy. He is such a happy kid.



I hope each of you have a Christmas filled with the love and joy of family.

countdown

Christmas time, Christmas time...I can't wait 'til Christmas time...



Only 4 more days!