I wish they threw birthday parties like this when I was 3!  This birthday girl was having a very good time at her party and was very attentive to her guests.  🙂

Angela at Gala Girlies is responsible for all the decorating, set-up, clean-up, etc..  She does a great job, so if your looking to actually enjoy your child’s party instead of working it give her a call!  I thoroughly enjoyed photographing this birthday!  I am available for parties, but only through Gala Girlies.

Of course we had to do a fast [very fast due to freezing temps] photo shoot.  I’m lucky I got what I did with my parents.  The whole time complaining that they were cold…bah!  I said ‘come on pops I take kids outside in the snow and they love it…what’s wrong with ya?!’  I’m such a lovely daughter don’t you think?  🙂

I’ve got more pictures than usual so bare with me.

My folks with half of the grandkids…one day I’ll get one with all of them.

xoxo

Really right now I want to run into my living room, cuddle up on the couch and watch Dexter [which I had to TIVO], but instead I’m putting up this blog.  Why?  Because I’ve been home less than 24 hours and my mother is already asking for pictures to see.  🙂

Going home [to PA] has a strange feeling to it for me.  I love getting to see my family and for my kids to spend quality time with them, but as the years go on my hometown [ironically actually named Hometown] seems more like a distant memory.  I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but I guess it’s just the natural progression of life.

So many of our friends have family relatively close by, but for us it’s more like 18 hours in the car [if we don’t stop to pee].  🙂  So, when we visit or when they come here a Thanksgiving day is more like a Thanksgiving week for us.  I’m so bad about not pulling my camera out and getting those snapshots.  I know!  What’s wrong with me?!  I guess it’s just so nice to sit back and enjoy the moments that I forget to shoot them.  This visit I forced myself to do it…and I’m glad I did.  [although my dad and youngest brother seemed to escape most of the shots…shame on you both!]

Ben got a BMX trick bike for his 9th birthday just the week before so of course we had to take it with us.  AND before anyone gets all freaked out…yes that is my 2 year old on the trick bike…no he was barely moving and I was right there outside the frame.  🙂

This shot of Sophie the cat is especially for my dad, who is having a difficult time with what the groomers did to ‘his cat’.  Sophie the Persian is now Sophie the lioness.  hahaha!  Don’t worry dad I’m sure it will grow back…eventually.  😉

My daughter…Jekyl & Hyde

My husband took this shot [hence the glass glare…okay I’ll stop teasing him].  This is Betty.  She is 96?  This lady has known me since I was born…and still likes me!  🙂

Hope your happy mother.  I’ll have part 2 up tomorrow…I’m going to watch some tivo before bed.  🙂

xoxo

Resilient.  That is the word I would use to describe ‘B’.  He was diagnosed with a rare leukemia at just 9 sweet years of age.  Although chemo has kept him isolated, sick, tired, out of school and has begun to take his hair this boy has amazed me.  ‘B’ has an obvious love for life that I’ve never seen in such a way before.  During our session he smelled the air and said ‘It smells good out here’.  The things we take for granted on a daily basis this family can no longer.  Where I worry about how I’m going to keep track of my kids at Walmart doing my shopping this mom worries about what germs she is going to bring home to her son.

Lisa, you have helped me to remember to take life one day at a time because it’s the NOW that really matters.  You are an amazing family with an undeniable love for one another…and a spirit that others need to see.  Thank you for sharing your son with me, truly.

If you’d like to follow along with their journey click this LINK.

Now on with the show.  🙂