Happy 100th post

and happy new year! We needed another post to reach 100 so here it is. I hope you all had a great 2008 and have an even better 2009!

Family Photo

So here's the new family photo. Too cold for perfection!

video

This is a video I've been meaning to share for a while.  It is Ben Mattie and I before Sam's wedding.  We needed to make sure that the  camera worked.

-Reuben

we're sharing our brother blues

Christmas in CO today. Here's some pictures.

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

No problem promising sledding this vacation. Lots of snow to go around.

We just finished shoveling a pile of snow out of the driveway... again!!! We're going to feel that tomorrow.

Saw the sun -- sort of -- and couldn't resist getting a picture of it. Took this through the screened window in the kitchen so it doesn't show up very well. If you look closely you can just make out a shadow or two! ;-) ... Bring SUN when you come to visit please!
Getting into the Christmas frame of mind:

Something New...

OK, You'll see them in a couple of weeks, but this is what some of them will look like!
Don't they look festive in the winter scenery?
I have new photos on the wall for everyone except Mattie. I think she needs college graduation photos, don't you?

ehh, we'll see 'em in couple weeks

Man, the blog has been slow lately. I know stuff isn't always going on, but it may be time for some useless jabbering. so how about. make some comments about the boring post. How's the weather? how many times have you checked the blog to see the same video pn the top and be disappointed there is nothing new? Although, Evie is worth an extra viewing or two. Now I'm getting verklempt (I did actually google the spelling on that). Talk amongst yourselves.

It's Alright

Here are some pics from the show. Thanks for coming, those who could!







By the way, I am selling 7 prints from the book to the school. 14 of the 17 students in the show had an image or two purchased, I started at 3, then 4, then he decided on 7. He must have kids...

Let's see some pictures of the new house!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Avery!



We love you!!!

Helpless When She Smiles

Here's a few pictures from Adeline's birthday and some of Evie smiling.
Don't ask how I know this song title.

Adeline is Two!

Yesterday was Adeline's Birthday. I was without internet so I didn't get to post then, but Happy Birthday Adeline! We love you!

Hot Blooded

Hey all-

We talked earlier today about the need for electric blankets and how some people feel like ice cubes but could feel warm in a blizzard whereas some others wouldn't stop shivering if they were struck by lightning. I stumbled across this article that shines some light on the topic.

Moral of the story: wear slippers and gloves.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Happy Birthday, Ben. See you soon!
... I feel soooo old!
;-)

Family Tradition

Steve's friend Kyle (hope I spelled that correctly) volunteered to take the photo of our family so we could put it on the news blog. I said, "but you are the news!" She's a good sport ;-) We really enjoyed meeting you, Kyle! And Spence was happy to share his spot under the microscope.
Here is a photo of most of the people who gathered at our house yesterday for dinner. Grandma and Grandpa were there, too, but sorry, I didn't think of the photo until after they left. Couldn't get anyone to move in for the shot so I had to stitch it. Not beautiful, But that's us! Getting excited for Christmas...

Here are the kids at Holloween. They were Cookie Monster, Elmo and some sort of cat. In one of the pictures below you can see them walking the catwalk at one of the local resturaunts. They got their treat after showing off their costumes. The took in quite a bit of candy and have been fighting over it all weekend. I think all the candy will be moving to their dad's offic on monday.

For Avery

When we showed Avery the super boy picture he was unimpressed. "Why does Daddy have his hands down? He should have his hands up." So for Avery...and Ben... we need to show that Daddy did indeed catch Avery!

Super Boy!!. . . . and Girl

After two days of photographing families in this beautiful park, I knew exactly where and when I wanted to photograph Ashley and Ben and family. The light was perfect... as were the subjects. Had to share!

Michigan's Tuscany (sorry I don't think this is a song)

Okay, here's my post trying to capture a wedding. There are way too many competitors in this family though! Last weekend, we headed up to the Traverse City area for a short 2-day trip for a wedding. Luke and Sabrina were both in nursing school with me. They had an absoultely gorgeous, idyllic northern Michigan October wedding on a vineyard in Leelanau peninsula. Yeah, beautiful. The ceremony was outside on a hilltop that overlooked the changing colors of the trees, the rolling vineyards, and the Grand Traverse Bay. As Reuben said, "This is Michigan's Tuscany." But almost better in my opinion with the water in the whole mix of the landscape. The reception was in a barn that has been made nice for receptions. So I could have posted more pictures of course, but I suppose this is enough.













The next day (Saturday) we had a wonderful day with our friends Matt& Brittany who also went to the wedding. We went to 3 different wineries with them on Leelanau peninsula and did some wine tasting.


After eating lunch in Traverse City at a grea brewery, Matt & Brittany headed home and Reuben & I headed up Old Mission peninsula to one more winery that I've heard a lot about, Chanteau Chantal, which was absoultely beautiful also. The pictures below are of that. The drives all weekend along the coast was breathtaking with the changing colors. We also had a lot of fun just milling around along the cute streets of Traverse City. We had a great time and were reminded once again that Michigan has many hidden treasures!