December 2013 - 5 on 5

December was so incredibly full. I celebrated my birthday, we had lots of family time and friends around. Christmas was sweet and simple. I finished my 365 challenge and photographed three special families. I can't express how full I felt as the year ended. It was almost a complete opposite from last year. My word, my heart, and my life is pretty amazing. I can't wait to see where things lead in 2014.

Make sure to head over to see what December 2013 looked like at Smallroots when you are done here. 

Andy and I during my birthday date in Tahoe.

O flying his new glider toy at the park. I love how both he and the toy are on the edges with the big blue sky filling in the space behind him.

This lovely lady and her family made my heart fill with love. Laughter really is good medicine.

An adorable fluff ball that belongs to a family that I was incredibly honored to photograph.

Christmas Day, chillaxin by the tree.

And one more because it's my blog and I can, tee hee.So much baking and eating. yum!

2013 Year In Review

Last January I decided to write out goals for the year. I had 13 things I wanted to do. I don't really like resolutions, but I guess goals are a resolve to do things so...

I fulfilled so many of these on the list and that makes me feel really good.

• I took a class from a local photographer, Jeff Ross.

• I ran the RTO, which was only one race but holy hanana-banana

• We went to the aquarium, the Exploritorium, and the California Academy of Sciences and the SF MOMA

• I did swim in Donner, but only once, but we spent the entire day there and it was SO good.

• We fulfilled our camping quote and had so many great adventures! Santa Cruz (twice), Half Moon Bay, Smith Creek Playa, Morro Bay, and the kids and I went Cabin Camping at Steep Ravine. Also, I am not sure that you could call what we did this year camping, it was more like "Glamping" with Pop-up Penny!

• Although the application process isn't traditional, I worked with three new photographers, partnered with two local blogs, photographed for several local businesses as well as families, and I wrote up my first major proposal for a photography gig.

• The strangers challenge wasn't exactly what I thought it would be. I had more of a street photography idea when I wrote this out, but I fulfilled this and then some. I photographed several business owners and artists in Midtown Reno (see my images and interviews here), during weddings I captured so many faces and moments that I can't even count them all, and while documenting the various events around town I was forced to get over my shyness and hit the shutter button. I found out a little about myself during this process. I always am a nervous wreck before I start. It takes me a few shots to get warmed up and over myself and then I get in the zone and am a snapping machine.

• Not sure if I did this completely, but we sure did cook and bake a lot this year. And the kids have started to BEG me to let them help out, which is a hoot (and a tad bit of a PITA) but I will take it since I want them to be kitchen kids! 

• I may have failed at the book reading- I did finish the Hunger Games trilogy and LOVED it!

• I know I did a lot of painting with my girl, Fifi and I made this a regular activity during the week.

• I don't know if I spent time alone or not. I know I feel a lot less claustrophobic then I did last January and a lot more 'me'. So that's a good thing.

• I shot a ton of film. The majority of it was with my two Polaroid Land Cameras, but I also messed with my range finders and Minolta a bit too. Oh and I can't forget about the Indisposable Concept! The most exciting film news? Three of my film photographs are in print. I can't wait to get my copy of the NSEW book.

• We really worked on making time for each other this year. Date nights were sometimes quiet nights at home without the kids, other evenings included a couple of friends and a few drinks. Making time for our marriage was and is important.

Last year I choose the word, "Shine" as my year long mantra.I truly feel like I did just that- I stepped outside of my comfort zone artistically, I pushed myself to ask and the majority of the time it was a yes and not a no. I wrote, photographed, networked and have made so many new friends along the way. I feel the light inside and out.

 

This year, I choose the word, soar. I want to keep moving with all the momentum and fly high in my work, my love and my world. 

 

Let's do this 2014! I am ready. Off I got to make my list of 14 things for the year!

52

and.... DONE!











What an amazing year it has been.

51

wrapping wrapping

lazy first morning of winter break with the kids.

making goodies, in-law winning brownies to be exact.

just being.

ghosts of Christmas past

jingle all the way.

Christmas with family.

And now, on to the last week of the year!

Happy Christmas!

Wrapping is almost done.

The sugar high continues.

Post Office was visited.

We spread some Christmas cheer.

Safe travels to all of you and a very MERRY road ahead.

Week 49

Birthday!!!

night light

family pile up

working late

cookie baking

where you will usually find me

before bed

Teaching Her How

It's no secret with my family that I love to make chocolate chip cookies. And, I make a pretty mean one if I do say so myself. I have memories of making this same recipe with my mom when I was about three years old, the same age the Fifi is now. She has been more and more interested in helping in the kitchen lately and I am trying to have the patience and the time to let her learn what we are up to in there. I have been working in counting and having her get things from the cupboard.

Today I let her help me, and save for that one egg that was cracked and dropped on the table instead of the bowl, she did pretty darn well. Of course, I think she might be in it more for the spoon licking at the end. I can't really blame her though. By the way, this is the proper way to stand while eating cookie dough. In case you were wondering...

week 48