166/365

Grandma and baby

My daughter is crazy about the little one.  

165/365

My great-granddaughter with her grandpa

The little one made the rounds with the adults she knew while we were on the boat.

114/365

Dad and Daughter

I attended a birthday party to take photos of my friend's dad for his 97th birthday party.  

It was a fun experience.  

48/365

Friends and Family

Several years ago I was at a going away party for a couple who was moving away and we organized this fun photo of the folks who were there to say goodbye. 

I changed it to bw because I think it looks better than the color version. 

This is one of my favorite photos.

349/365

Snowman Family~~downtown Abilene

There's a small park on one of the corners in downtown Abilene.  This snowman family decorates the park with greetings of happy smiles.  

This is a well-traveled area of the town, so more people can see the happy family.  Last year this display was in another park a few blocks away, but probably wasn't seen by as many people.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

308/365

Wurstfest

I took this photo about 2 years ago in New Braunfels, Texas during their Fall wurst fest.  These guys were more than glad to pose for the photo.

279/365

New Baby, New Portrait

Things were going along pretty well with this family portrait session until the little guy decided to have a melt-down. The big guy was doing a great job holding him in spite

of the wee one losing his patience.

For some reason, I really like this particular image.  

There were other images that might be more appealing, but I like the reality of this one.

I don't know which images the mom will choose, but this is still high on my list of favorites. 

268/365

Three Cowboys

Three cowboys awaiting the start of the yearly rodeo in Abilene, Texas at the Annual Fair and Rodeo.

170/365

An Aunt and a Niece

At a family reunion this weekend, these two hit it off really well and for some reason they both had the same T-shirt, so of course they had to have their pic taken together.

It was a great weekend.

125/366

Some of My Favorite Guys

While visiting to celebrate the grandson's graduation from college, this image was made.  Two grandsons, one soon-to-be granddaughter's husband and my son-in-law. All of them so amazing.

My heart is happy for:

family

16/366

I thought I was done with snow.  Visiting in Knoxville, we had to shovel the car out of 8.5 inches of snow since I'm heading to the airport this afternoon.  

My friend said snow hasn't been this deep in forever~~well sure, that's the way I roll.

My heart is grateful for:

enduring friendship

288/365

Three Pumpkins

I went to the local zoo today.  They do a wonderful job decorating for the Fall holidays.  They always create a hay maze, and the entrance has an archway of these adorable artificial pumpkins.  

My heart is grateful for:

joyful decorations

167/365

Three Kiddos

These three fit "birth order" so well.

My heart is grateful for:

Time spent with the grands

51/365

Victorian Stroll

This image is from a few years ago in Troy, NY.  The Victorian Stroll was (and maybe still is) a yearly event during the first weekend in December.  

There's nothing like that around where I live now, sigh.

My heart is grateful for: 

a trip I'll soon be taking with two friends

35/365

Troy, NY Victorian Stroll

I made this image several years ago.  I love it.  The reenactors are always so happy to pose, and show off their skills in their Victorian clothes and attitudes.

Troy is one of the only towns in the area to hold their Stroll during daylight hours, so it's really appealing to families and photographers.  

I miss these events.

My thankful heart rejoices today for:

the sun has been shining all day

Thanksgiving 2014

33/365

There used to be many more of us.  When the kiddos were little there were about 16 gathering for family events.  Now the kids are grown and gone.  It's sad, but that's what kids do.  They grow up and often they leave.  That's the point for parents--grow them up and send them out.

It doesn't stop those of us who are left behind from feeling nostalgic about "the good old days".  But the 7 of us still had a good time yesterday.

Thanks go to Norman Rockwell for the inspiration for this image.