A Big Post Counting Down to 2010!

This morning since it is the last day of the year, I thought back to some of my favorite images that I've taken this year. I thought of 3 or 4 that stood out to me and then I decided to try to come up with my favorite for each month of the year. This was hard! In some cases, I had to choose more than one. One thing that's true is I always remember times the best when they are preserved like this.

January: the beautiful skies of Rehoboth, New Mexico



February: Leo, my cat, always around even when it's ugly outside



March: Edward, Maria & Bridget in a booth



April: Rejoicing at sunset, Panama City Beach



May: Magnolia Blossoms and Tulips





June: Cousins jumping at the beach and our family walking in the sand





July: Marcus & Stella's wedding/Barkley & Diana's wedding







August: Maria's Senior Photos





September: Chris & Lindsay's wedding on Kelleys Island and John fishing







October: Autumn on the Flat River and a nearby stream





November: Fall finery









December: My neighbor's new grandaughter





Wishing you a blessed and happy 2010 filled with many beautiful images!

Cousin Love

Edward Maria and Bridget get to see their cousins about twice a year - in the summer and at Christmas time. So, it's kind of amazing how much they love to be together when they finally are!

Maria, Allie, Bridget, Paige and Tiffany

Trey, Hunter, Edward and Sammy

Laura & boyfriend Clark, Michelle, Mara, Brian, Edward, German exchange student Chiara, and Bridget; the oldest, Stephen wasn't here yet

Happy Birthday Aunt Michaela!

I would say you have had a mighty big year with the wedding of your youngest daughter, and because I was there, I finally got some new pictures of you!

I have many memories of Aunt Michaela, but one of the best is when we stood next to each other in the alto section of the church choir. One of us would inevitably start to chuckle a little and the music would start to shake and before you knew it, we would have tears of laughter rolling down our faces. Just thinking of it makes me laugh. It was so funny! Everyone should have an aunt like that!

A View of Edward's Birthday from the Chandeleir

Two Decades Old

Edward's 20th Birthday Party

Yesterday, we celebrated Christmas and Edward's birthday. Since this was the 20th year of doing this, we have become pros at gathering round the red velvet cake and singing happy birthday for a photo while I run in from my camera set on the tripod. Some things are just tradition! This year however, my sister Andrea's family joined us -usually it is Paula's family. He is always well celebrated on this day.

Happy Birthday Jesus...

... and Edward. 20 years ago today.

Merry Christmas to All

The Christmas Elves...

...have been a great help this year!!!

Listen

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

Christmas is Coming!

Maria & Bridget, Sunday evening

They still have two days of school this week before break, but they are still happy!

ping & pong's little christmas brunch

I had the opportunity yesterday to meet up with my friend Cathy, aka Pong, for a little Christmas cheer. It's so sad that in the busy-ness of our lives that we don't have more time to do this, but I was thankful for this brief time.

We had a little lunch and shared this wonderful white chocolate raspberry torte cupcake. She gave me this fun foamy FIG soap because FIG stands for Fun Island Get-away and I gave her a Kelleys Island Shirt which my cousin Lindsay sent to me.

The shirt says "Drink More Coffee Do Stupid Things Faster".

Maybe it's a good thing we didn't have too much time to get into too many stupid things.

Flash Back Friday 145

Cousin Lindsay, 1984

Love Thursday

Bubblelicious :)

A Shining Thing

Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing:
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
Its touching meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.
-Grace Crowell

Oh. Wow.

Her name is Willow.

It seemed like yesterday, my neighbor & I were out watching our kids play. Now her oldest is home from Alaska for the first time with her new baby. She asked me if I would take pictures when she was home and of course I was more than happy to!

This is the first one I took of about 200:


Isn't she so sweet??? What a good baby!

We sat around and chatted, drank coffee and took pix. Here are a few:

Willow and her grandma, Faith.

Willow looks up at her mom, Jenna.