The grin says it all

More from Christmas with the family. This is Levi's I-just-ate-yet-ANOTHER-slice-of-cake look.....notice the tell-tale crumbs on the face!





Now that the boys are older and really get into the holiday, THIS is what it feels like when it's time to open presents.




Mom did a really nice job on the mantel. I love the needlepoint stockings with the boys' names on them. But hello.....where's my stocking?!?!




This year was the year of the remote-controlled vehicles...they were a HUGE hit! Once those were opened it was all over.

Holiday Preview

Our family celebrated Christmas today, and kept up the tradition of a family photo. I think it gets more challenging each year! More to come, but here's a particularly amusing out take.

Grandma is obviously the lone representation of sanity.

A very Snarky holiday

So the few of us that were in town and available got together for some yarn action and holiday good wishes. Sherrie was extremely constructive and actually completed a ridiculously cute baby sweater. So I took a picture. There may have to be a follow up zoomed photo to show the buttons.




















KateyJ was working on a scarf with a daring combination of yarns. She was torn between a) really-out-there-and-cool, or b) out-there-and-a-bit-much. I vote for the former.....color is awesome!

Kitchen Adventures

After many scheduling challenges, I was finally able to get together with friends Hannah and Kort for some catching up over dinner. Kort is quite the cook, and I need more practice, so we stayed in had fun gabbing while chopping and stirring.

The menu was stuffed quail, asparagus and mushroom risotto, tossed spinach salad with cranberries, pecans, and goat cheese, and.....carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Yum.













First things first: I put on Christmas music.

Kort was in charge of the wine selection, and Hannah got some fabulous tawny port to go with the carrot cake.

















Then there was chopping the asparagus, as well as the carrots, onions and celery for the stuffing.

Hannah wielding the knife on the apples.

Once Kort pulled the quail out of the oven, Hannah and I picked off some of the garnishes. Those tosted pecans and apples slices were gooooood. The risotto gradually filled up the entire pan, especially once we added the asparagus and the mushrooms.

Then it was time to set the table and dig in!

The cake, by the way, was DIVINE!!

New Actions = New Look

Playing with some new actions......fun!
These are some family shots of my nephew taken a few weeks ago.


That's Ian running UP the slide. Because....that's what constitutes fun when you're an almost 3 yr old little boy dynamo.

Furry Christmas Elves (Marietta and Atlanta Dog Photographer}

Since my friend Angela is back from her trip, my latest dog sitting duties have come to an end and I'm back home. Hallelujah....I missed my little place.

But the dogs and I had a nice time, and Ang told me that they ran to the window and cried when I pulled away. Maybe, but I know they were VERY happy to have her back. She works out of her home, so they get 24/7 love and attention from her, whereas they're alone when I go to work. No contest.

Angela is many things, but subtle is NOT one of them. I immediately noticed on my first day over there the red jingly decorative collars she has conspicuously left hanging on the coat tree in the foyer. Hint taken. Photo shoot with the dogs....completed. So I give you, the official holiday portrait of Speck and Paolo.

Eric and Jessica's Wedding (Atlanta Wedding Photographer}

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of shooting my first ever wedding for friends Eric and Jessica. This was a very big deal for several reasons: first of all, they are friends and fantastic people, so I desperately wanted to get it right for them. Also, as a photographer with a new and growing business, I hoped to gain experience for future jobs and come away with material for my portfolio. All in all, it was a great experience to be part of their day and celebrate them!

Congratulations Jess and Eric!!

Family stuff

The whole fam has been a bit busy lately, but we did finally get together for a family dinner and hang-out time.

When we are at my parents' house, my nephews like to stay outside as much as possible. First of all, they're boys and therefore have that inexhaustible energy that can only be properly expended out of doors. Secondly, Grammy and Papa installed a wooden fort/swingset/slide thing in the backyard...big fun. And they live on a level cul de sac, which makes for lots of scooter and bicycle opportunities. So before too long, that's where we ended up.

Levi, as ever, likes to zip down the slide AND run up it. With him, it is high octane ALL the time.




The Little Bit was in one of his moods, which seems to be a constant state of being these days. Let's just say we're seeing a LOT of this face.



Before too long it was suggested that we walk the dog. Poor Lucas: he's almost 14 years old, quite stiff with arthritis, but still likes to escape the fenced in yard for a bit. When the boys are playing in the cul de sac he howls to be let out. Thus, the walk... However, he seemed a bit perplexed by all the activity and the passing around of the leash....the attention of the boys can be a bit much.....especially when they're "being" a dog!



For some reason, Levi tires easily, although he is definitely the gutsiest of the boys. (Or maybe he needs more cardio.) I dunno, but once our walk turned back toward home he whined that his legs were tired, so he got a lift from his mom, and then from me.





Levi is such a rascal, but how can I resist those blue eyes and that strawberry blond hair?



Once we got back, Caleb's little friend Tara came over to play. She visits her grandparents (neighbors of my parents) quite often, so she's often there when we are. And she LOVES to play with the boys. On this occasion, she talked Caleb into trying her roller skates. I wasn't sure how he would do, but he didn't fall once.



It wasn't that cold, but Dad has very sensitive ears, so he brought out his earflap hat. Then he did an impression of someone, but for the life of me I can't remember who that was supposed to look like!

Another cocoon.

Fin...
Originally uploaded by ©Tracy R. Photo's

Next project

Dylan..
Originally uploaded by ©Tracy R. Photo's

Some examples of my next project: a baby cocoon

Wrap...not to be confused with Rap

Okey-dokey. I finished this project at Knit Night tonight, somewhat to the confusion of onlookers. (Handmade fishing net, anyone?) It's hard to visualize what it's supposed to be when it's in a pile on a table, or on my lap.






















So, for those mystified at my square of loosely crocheted material, here's a visual aid. In proper context, it looks great: wrapped around a teeny squishy bundle of joy. That ginormous hook may look odd (or be sufficiently eye-catching to play to the cheap seats at the back of an arena), but it's perfect for this. Now let's hope the recipient likes it....and uses it for her next newborn shoot in a few weeks.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Grandma Parker turned 96 years young on Saturday, but because of out-of-town plans (me) and lingering illness (the boys) we decided to delay the celebration.

So last night at The Parental Home we gathered to have cake and celebrate the matriarch. She was tickled.

Our biggest challenge was getting her to blow out her candles, not because she was unwilling, but because her three great-grandsons were so eager to "help." Birthday enthusiasm runs very strong in this family, whether it's your own birthday or not! Paula had to relight the candles at least twice!



Finally......success.


OK....seriously? No idea what I did to deserve this look, except maybe continue shooting photos instead of getting him his cake.


Levi polished off his cake with remarkable speed,


while Caleb made his last a bit longer. But he still asked for more.

From Atlanta to Seattle....with love

So it's been a month since Steph and family relocated to the Pacific Northwest, and we are MISSING them big time. I realized that a few snaps I took of Jilly before they left had been sitting on the computer, not blogged. How did THAT happen?!



So, here's a look back at little Jilly.....




I got some pensive faces,
















and some cute fingers and toes.







That is, when I could get her to sit still. Goodness, that little person can MOVE!




I got her going.....


















and coming....











And pausing. (OK, this is because I got RIGHT in front of her and cut off her escape route!)


















Miss Jilly, we miss you!