Have a great Monday! -- S
June 21, 2010
A Trumpet Trio
This is just a sneak peek at a cool photo session I had yesterday. One family, three generations of trumpet players, together for my camera! Sweet! Check out the photos below ... more to the story later. For now? Off to another photoshoot today!
Have a great Monday! -- S
Have a great Monday! -- S
June 17, 2010
A Random Photoshoot With Rebecca
She's been one of my best friends for over a decade. Always there for me, through thick and thin. We met in a neighborhood playgroup when our girls were just babies. We experienced first time mommyhood together, and were pregnant with our sons at the same time a few years later. Even with our crazy family and work schedules, two moves between us, and long periods of time without seeing each other, we've managed to remain close friends all these years.
Yesterday, we had a little lunch and some time at The Domain. It was a hot day, but I'm not sure which was hotter -- the weather or Rebecca! Check out these photos I got of her. Yes, those eyes really are that AMAZING!
Reb -- You are one beautiful lady! There is so much life in your eyes and in your smile. And I love that you let me capture that in these pictures! I know it was crazy having the kids with us during our shoot. But judging from these photos, and the fun we had, it was well worth it. Love you, girl! -- S
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." -- Marcel Proust
Yesterday, we had a little lunch and some time at The Domain. It was a hot day, but I'm not sure which was hotter -- the weather or Rebecca! Check out these photos I got of her. Yes, those eyes really are that AMAZING!
Reb -- You are one beautiful lady! There is so much life in your eyes and in your smile. And I love that you let me capture that in these pictures! I know it was crazy having the kids with us during our shoot. But judging from these photos, and the fun we had, it was well worth it. Love you, girl! -- S
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." -- Marcel Proust
June 10, 2010
Graduation & Bold Beginnings
This past weekend, my oldest nephew, Matthew, graduated from high school in Houston. The kids and I drove in to see him at his ceremony. On the way in, I started thinking a lot about when he was born, being the first grandchild, and really, the first baby born into our family in a long time. I know it may sound very cliche' to say the typical things like I can't believe he's 18 already and that he'll be off to college soon. But it's true! I so vividly remember being there when he was born, and crying the first time I held him. I also have the honor of being able to say that I took his very first picture ... and that's something of which I'm pretty proud.
Matthew has grown into a very special young man. I know that he will do well in whatever endeavor he sets out for himself. He's well spoken, polite, and has a good head on his shoulders. These are some of the qualities in him I find so endearing. But more than anything, I think of the fact that he makes me laugh. And sometimes when I'm laughing with him, it reminds me of times when I was a kid, laughing with his dad, my brother David. And Matthew -- that's something I hope makes you proud. :)
So, congratulations dude!! I hope you have an awesome summer! Just remember Austin is not that far away and that you're welcome to come hang with us anytime. I sometimes end my blog posts with a quote. In the spirit of our laughs together, I thought I'd leave you with the wise words of Paul Freund: "At commencement you wear your square-shaped mortarboards. My hope is that from time to time you will let your minds be bold, and wear sombreros."
Love you lots,
Aunt S
(Left) Matthew was very active in school, participating in track, band and sports medicine. He was also active in Boy Scouts and earned an Eagle Scout award. As an active student, he knew the school principal quite well, so I was very happy to get this shot as he walked across the stage. I was only allowed to take in a little point and shoot camera, but I thought this came out well considering. (Right) Matthew after the ceremony, with diploma in hand.
Check out my gorgeous nephews! (Left) Nicholas, who is a football player and a great swimmer. This shot was taken just after the ceremony, on his way to a swim meet. I think I actually saw a gill pop just after this photo ... and our flying fish was off! (He placed first, by the way!!) (Right) Matthew, with his smile just after seeing me for the first time that day. I got a big hug after this moment!
Cousins. It's so hard to believe Matthew has already graduated. And my niece Melissa too. Two down, several more to go, and now a new niece or nephew on the way! Yes, I'm going to be an aunt again ... such exciting news for our family! :)
Matthew has grown into a very special young man. I know that he will do well in whatever endeavor he sets out for himself. He's well spoken, polite, and has a good head on his shoulders. These are some of the qualities in him I find so endearing. But more than anything, I think of the fact that he makes me laugh. And sometimes when I'm laughing with him, it reminds me of times when I was a kid, laughing with his dad, my brother David. And Matthew -- that's something I hope makes you proud. :)
So, congratulations dude!! I hope you have an awesome summer! Just remember Austin is not that far away and that you're welcome to come hang with us anytime. I sometimes end my blog posts with a quote. In the spirit of our laughs together, I thought I'd leave you with the wise words of Paul Freund: "At commencement you wear your square-shaped mortarboards. My hope is that from time to time you will let your minds be bold, and wear sombreros."
Love you lots,
Aunt S
(Left) Matthew was very active in school, participating in track, band and sports medicine. He was also active in Boy Scouts and earned an Eagle Scout award. As an active student, he knew the school principal quite well, so I was very happy to get this shot as he walked across the stage. I was only allowed to take in a little point and shoot camera, but I thought this came out well considering. (Right) Matthew after the ceremony, with diploma in hand. 
Check out my gorgeous nephews! (Left) Nicholas, who is a football player and a great swimmer. This shot was taken just after the ceremony, on his way to a swim meet. I think I actually saw a gill pop just after this photo ... and our flying fish was off! (He placed first, by the way!!) (Right) Matthew, with his smile just after seeing me for the first time that day. I got a big hug after this moment!
Cousins. It's so hard to believe Matthew has already graduated. And my niece Melissa too. Two down, several more to go, and now a new niece or nephew on the way! Yes, I'm going to be an aunt again ... such exciting news for our family! :)
June 06, 2010
Butterflies Are Free To Fly
As many of you know, butterflies have a special meaning in my life. Don't want to get overly introspective about it here on my blog, but suffice it to say they have come to represent some special people in our family who we've lost. My family and I believe that while butterflies may come in and out of our lives too quickly, they always leave behind something beautiful. With that said, butterflies (and for me, particularly blue swallowtails), sometimes bring bittersweet tears to my eyes, but they, without fail, make me smile.
Today, on a simple trip to the grocery store with my favorite boy, we saw something pretty amazing. Off the side of a road, there were at least 50 to 60 monarch butterflies in a flower patch. I had to pull over and take a few pictures (only had my Canon point and shoot with me, but hey, I was glad to have something!). They were happy to hang out by the flowers, and flew everywhere when the cars drove by. Chris was pretty impressed with it all, and said it was really beautiful.
Chris wasn't even born when our first loss occurred, and was very young when the other losses took place. He doesn't yet understand what butterflies have come to mean for me. But I know that our simple, little errand trips mean a lot to him ... our mom/son time together. And after seeing the butterflies today, I know that once again, the butterflies have left behind yet another beautiful memory for us both.
“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you” -- Nathaniel Hawthorne
Today, on a simple trip to the grocery store with my favorite boy, we saw something pretty amazing. Off the side of a road, there were at least 50 to 60 monarch butterflies in a flower patch. I had to pull over and take a few pictures (only had my Canon point and shoot with me, but hey, I was glad to have something!). They were happy to hang out by the flowers, and flew everywhere when the cars drove by. Chris was pretty impressed with it all, and said it was really beautiful.
Chris wasn't even born when our first loss occurred, and was very young when the other losses took place. He doesn't yet understand what butterflies have come to mean for me. But I know that our simple, little errand trips mean a lot to him ... our mom/son time together. And after seeing the butterflies today, I know that once again, the butterflies have left behind yet another beautiful memory for us both.
“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you” -- Nathaniel Hawthorne
June 04, 2010
A Graduation Rite of Passage
It's been a week now since school's been out, and our lives have officially moved into SUMMER mode! It's been a time of non-stop activity -- music recital, a day at the lake, kids in and out of the house, music lessons and rehearsals -- the craziness continues. But I didn't want too much time to go by without noting a memorable occasion last week: Annemarie and Kate's graduation from elementary school. Yep, my girls are moving on to middle school! Sixth grade, here they come!
Graduation an important rite of passage. It marks the end of an important era in life, and the beginning of a new chapter. Did I cry, you ask?? Well, yes, I did (sniff, sniff). Can't be helped ... I'm a mom. Part of it was because my baby girls are growing up, but it was also because I was so proud of them academically. Both Annie and Kate were commended on their TAKS tests, and both received Gold Presidential Academic Awards. You go, girls!
The kids and I are heading out to yet another graduation ceremony this weekend, for my nephew, who's graduating from high school. This time, I WILL remember that Kleenex is my friend!
Have a great weekend! -- S
Annie receiving her graduation certificate.
... and here's Kate getting her certificates too.
Annie with her teacher ....
... Kate with hers.
Had to get a mommy/daughter shot taken. Photo courtesy of Victor Lopez.
Another mom/daughter photo opp, taken by Patrice Scott.
Graduation an important rite of passage. It marks the end of an important era in life, and the beginning of a new chapter. Did I cry, you ask?? Well, yes, I did (sniff, sniff). Can't be helped ... I'm a mom. Part of it was because my baby girls are growing up, but it was also because I was so proud of them academically. Both Annie and Kate were commended on their TAKS tests, and both received Gold Presidential Academic Awards. You go, girls!
The kids and I are heading out to yet another graduation ceremony this weekend, for my nephew, who's graduating from high school. This time, I WILL remember that Kleenex is my friend!
Have a great weekend! -- S
Annie receiving her graduation certificate.
... and here's Kate getting her certificates too.
Annie with her teacher ....
... Kate with hers.
Had to get a mommy/daughter shot taken. Photo courtesy of Victor Lopez.
Another mom/daughter photo opp, taken by Patrice Scott.
May 28, 2010
The Heart of a Champion
This week brings an end to a couple of chapters in our lives. More specifically, the end of my girls' elementary school years (soon to be in another blog post to come) and also the end of another baseball season for Chris. Because of the season his team played, the Indians got to participate in the championship tournament. Unfortunately, they did not make the big win, but they scored second place in the league for their division. It was a great team for Chris, and this was probably his best baseball season ever.
At our end of season party this week, the coach said a few kind words about each of the players while handing them their trophies. He addressed things like how well they played, their team spirit, tenaciousness, and how much they'd improved over the season. For each player, he picked one word that would remind him of each of them. I was curious to see which word he would pick for Chris. When I heard it, I was touched ... he said, "when I think of you, Chris, I think of the word 'heart'". And I knew immediately what he meant. For as tall and big as he is, my son is really kind of a gentle giant. He has a sweet, eager to please nature, and the coach said he was one of the most "coachable" (I know that's not really a word, but you get the idea) kids with whom he ever worked. He said Chris performed well as an outfielder, and that his batting could sometimes makes guys from the other team have to back up. His game improved a good deal this season, and his heart made him a great team player.
So Buddy, you may not have won the championship this time around, but you had a great season and should be proud of the way you improved your game. I think you showed you have the heart of a champion, and I'm so very proud of you!
Love,
Mom
Chris, at his last game of the season.
At the end of the night, at one of the last games. Go Indians!
Farewell to the ball park ... until next season! :)
At our end of season party this week, the coach said a few kind words about each of the players while handing them their trophies. He addressed things like how well they played, their team spirit, tenaciousness, and how much they'd improved over the season. For each player, he picked one word that would remind him of each of them. I was curious to see which word he would pick for Chris. When I heard it, I was touched ... he said, "when I think of you, Chris, I think of the word 'heart'". And I knew immediately what he meant. For as tall and big as he is, my son is really kind of a gentle giant. He has a sweet, eager to please nature, and the coach said he was one of the most "coachable" (I know that's not really a word, but you get the idea) kids with whom he ever worked. He said Chris performed well as an outfielder, and that his batting could sometimes makes guys from the other team have to back up. His game improved a good deal this season, and his heart made him a great team player.
So Buddy, you may not have won the championship this time around, but you had a great season and should be proud of the way you improved your game. I think you showed you have the heart of a champion, and I'm so very proud of you!
Love,
Mom
Chris, at his last game of the season.
At the end of the night, at one of the last games. Go Indians!
Farewell to the ball park ... until next season! :)
May 25, 2010
Mike & Aileen's Wedding
It's official! My cousin Mike and his beautiful bride, Aileen, got married a week ago Friday. A sweet, simple, civil ceremony, followed by a fun backyard reception at the home of friends. What a beautiful way to start their new lives together!
Here's a little slideshow of some of the pictures from their wedding day (click on the image below). Mike & Aileen -- thank you again for inviting me to photograph you two. I was honored to be part of your celebration!
With love to you both,
-- S
Here's a little slideshow of some of the pictures from their wedding day (click on the image below). Mike & Aileen -- thank you again for inviting me to photograph you two. I was honored to be part of your celebration!
With love to you both,
-- S
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