Sunday
May132012

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, mothers-to-be, grandmothers, surrogate mothers, and mothers who are no longer with us. Motherhood has taught me more about love that I ever realized.  So many things about my own mother's (and father's, and grandparents') actions now make sense to me.  I'm not sure I would have understood completely had I not eventually been placed in their shoes, with my own children.

Even though it's supposed to be my special day (and I did get a huge box of cookies - thank you!), I want to pay tribute to my most precious boys, without whom, I would not be a mother. 

Some of you have heard me talk about how they have been so obnoxious lately, and how with one look, or an evil laugh, the two of them become a tornado of orneriness that can quickly drive me crazy.  Well, this is The Look:

I love this hug!

I tried to get a few shots with cousin Noah as well.  This is what happens when you try to get three preschool boys to sit still for photos:

Ryan and Noah kept holding hands this trip.  It was so cute.  Cousins rule!

Despite how difficult the boys can be to control when they gang up on us, and how frequently we end up having to separate them lately, I am still secretly thrilled that they are such good buddies.  I hope they stay that way.  That would be one of the greatest Mother's Day gifts they could ever give me.

Saturday
May052012

Alice and Ben's engagement

Here's a sneak peek from my nephew Ben and Alice's engagement session.  Also my maiden shoot with my new Canon 5D Mark II! My clients won't notice much of a difference, but as the photographer, I sure do.  I'm lovin' it (and I haven't even tried the video yet!).

And now, for the "family" session... Trigger was the best behaved dog I've ever photographed (not that I've done a lot).  He was much easier than a toddler - he always looked when I called his name.

 

Congratulations, Alice and Ben!

Saturday
Apr282012

Operation Backyard Campout

A few weeks ago, we did a family campout in the backyard, inspired by their Curious George Goes Camping book. 

We started out the trip by "backpacking" around the block.

Checking their compasses and disagreeing about which direction to go...

Back at the "campsite", setting up the tent.

Hot dogs and marshmallows roasting on an open fire.

Getting a little too hot...

Dinner is served:  roasted hot dogs, beans over a camping stove and (later) s'mores.

Cheers!

The next morning:  bagels with oatmeal and hot cocoa, courtesy of the camping stove.

Ending the trip with another hike back out of the campsite.


 

Thursday
Dec292011

26.2 Miles (run) For Hope: Race & campaign recap

As predicted I didn't live up to my blogging expectations but I have been wanting to write about the culmination of my Miles For Hope campaign for my sister Jen.  The Tucson Marathon was nearly three weeks ago, but better late than never, I say.

First, I would like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to all of my very generous supporters!  Thanks to all of you, I raised $4,500 for Miles For Hope, specifically for their initiative to fund a pediactric brain tumor vaccine trial.  We are that much closer!

The timing of the race was very bittersweet; Bob Gibbs, founder of Miles For Hope and brain tumor patient, passed away just the day before after a 7-year battle with the disease.  So I dedicated my race to both Jen (a.k.a. Creepy) and Bob.

(Yes, apparently I did run the entire race with my tag sticking out.) 

I never met Bob in person, but I did have a long phone conversation with him when I was considering joining Miles For Hope, and I'll always remember it because we talked in depth about the disease and some life changes to make and I realized a) he was THE Bob I had read about on their web site, and b) he knew Creepy and he was the one who had given her so much guidance with her treatment options!  I felt like the Miles For Hope connection was meant to be. 

I always feel so lucky to be able to run and to glean as much fulfillment from it as I do, but I felt so very fortunate to be able to run this marathon for this cause.  

So back to the race.  First, I about fell over when my brother Zac showed up at our doorstep - from Kansas City - two days before the race to run it with me.  Joe had secretly staged this surprise knowing I had suggested (only half jokingly) that Zac run it with me back when I started all this.  To say I was beside myself with joy is an understatement.

Zac is a video buff like I'm a camera buff so naturally he brought along his trusty video headcam to wear for the weekend's events.  Which also takes still shots. All wide angle.   

Sorry, I jumped ahead.  Here we are on the bus, headed to the starting line in Oracle.  Would like to add that it was a brand new heated tour bus and I was the very first person to christen its mobile... ahem... facilities.  

I was pretty bundled up as it was supposed to be in the very low 30s at the start and I'm a big baby.  

Gradually I peeled off my layers.  Here I am, standing proud and still a bit chilly.  I wasn't finished taking my sweats off and had requested the whole pants-around-the-ankles not be seen but I guess that message wasn't received.

The starting area was in the foothills, and quite pretty at sunrise.  Here's a hilltop view.  Unfortunately we couldn't show you the valley view looking the other direction because that's where the menfolk were dropping trow.

Starting line self portrait!  Thank goodness for that wide angle...

In the spirit of Christmas, my opening playlist song was Carol of the Bells by Trans Siberian Orchestra.  Very good, motivational beat, I think.  Really got me pumped up, except that Zac insisted we not go any faster than 8:15 for the first mile.  I was nervous about that, especially since the beginning had a screaming descent (my fave), but since he was going to be my pacer AND pack mule, I decided I better trust him.  That, and the fact that if he'd run the race on his own he'd have likely beaten me by a solid hour so he apparently knows a thing or two about marathoning.

And I'm off!  This one is probably 2-3 miles in.

Here I am again, a few miles farther, nearly getting hit by a car.  Ok, not really.  The northbound lane was still open.

I'm normally pretty anti-social when I race and I did warn Zac about that before we started ("NO chit chat! And don't you DARE talk to me during the last 6 miles!  Love you, Bro!").  However, during the downhills I found myself not nearly as aerobically taxed as I normally would be at that point (though my legs were definitely taking a pounding).  Near the halfway mark, we met a guy named Mike (?) who had these weird, big-soled shoes and we all made friends and stuck together.  I even bent my rule about the chit chat thing and was somewhat pleasant, though I had decided in advance I absolutely HAD to beat this guy in the end (which I did).  He's the one in the middle.  Nice guy.

I wish Zac had been IN more pictures, but that's how it goes when you're the one holding the camera.  Trust me, I know.

Here I am again, just keepin' on for my peeps.  I can't claim to know Bob but I think he would really have loved this route.  It was really quite scenic, and a perfect day.  For once I even appreciated having sun during a race.  I'm not normally super spiritual, but I did look up more than once and wonder if he, and others, were looking down on me that day.

Running is THE BOMB.  Really.  There really is nothing like it, and I felt it so much during this race.  Sure, I was doing this for my sister and Bob; sure, I wanted to raise a bunch of money; sure, I wanted to PR; but I ran my heart out because I LOVE it.  It is so much about the journey.  I feel so grateful and lucky that I have been given the gift of being able to run, and of loving it.

Here I am again, in the final stretch.  Got my game face on.  I had told Zac to quit talking to me a few miles back and no thanks I don't want to try passing that girl in the grey.  I felt kinda bad but I had warned him that moment would come.

My boys cheering me on!

And we're done!  3 hours, 29 minutes with negative splits (barely - negative splits was Zac's only goal for me).  That time actually earned me fifth in my division.  But of course they only give awards to the top 3.  If you look closely you'll see Zac in the neon yellow on the right side of the finish arch, videotaping my finish.

Zac and I:  Mission accomplished! 

And I couldn't have done it without the love and support of my family:

And the Wolfert family (minus Sidney), who traveled all the way from Phoenix to watch me at two different points - such awesome cheerleaders!

If you're so inclined (and so interested), these and also a few additional photos can also be viewed via my Facebook page.  And in case you're wondering how the headcam video turned out, you can check that out here.

And in other good news... on Thursday, we got word that Creepy's second MRI (since starting chemo) turned up stable and even showed some signs of tumor shrinkage!  Wahoo!

Ok, I'm tired of writing now.  Blogging takes WAY too much time.  But once again... from the bottom of my heart... THANK YOU ALL for your support!!!!   

Wednesday
Nov162011

The Daer family, plus one

Holiday Card season is here, and I have several shoots lined up in the next few weeks!  On Saturday I had the pleasure of doing a session for my friend David's family, which meant I got to meet their new baby girl and their little dog.  David is a longtime co-worker, fellow runner and also a photographer (I'm always flattered when another photographer asks me to take their photos).

They brought their dog, Chico, along for the shoot and I was a little wary, but he turned out to be a good little model.  I can't believe he sat still so long for pictures - granted, much like a toddler, he didn't always look when I wanted him to, but I don't think I ever heard him bark a complaint.  By the end I was thinking a cute little furball like him might be a nice little addition to my own family, but this dog is so small I'm pretty sure my two cats would kill it.  They're a little bit evil.  And a lot jealous.

I love this shot below, which makes Chico look all ferocious even though he's a complete lover (as you'll see in the second image).

How cute is this shot???!!!  I just love seeing little babies and kids with their pets.  I feel so completely lucky when I'm able to capture a shot like this:

Finally... everyone's looking, no one's growling.

Man's best friend:

Daddy's Girl (and his running partner)!

The next image is probably my favorite.  I love taking these kind of mother/child closeups.  It has a lot to do with the fact that I too am a mother now, but I think this shot really illustrates a mother's joy, pride, and pure love for her child.  It captures, as well as can be shown in a single point in time, the bond they share.

Ahhh... wardrobe change into more comfy clothes, and now it's playtime.

Thanks David and Alice for letting me be your photog!