52 Week Project - Week 28

*Just as a reminder, this is a personal project I am undertaking this year, in order to shoot more and share more. Each week of 2011 will have a corresponding favorite photograph.

I am almost caught up and I am in the photograph for week 28!

That's me and my man! The other week we had an unexpected free evening and a friend offered to watch the kiddos so we could go out for a date. Let me explain, that this is not something that happens all the time. Our last date was in January, for our anniversary!

It was so fun to get (a little) dressed up and be out, just the two of us. Our original plan had been to check out an "Off the Grid" food truck party, which sounded fun; a mobile food adventure with live music. However, we were there for all of five minutes before we decided we were in need of a new plan. We ended up having the most delicious dinner at Sabor of Spain, in San Rafael. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Spanish food, I think it takes me back to my childhood.We lived in Spain for a number of years, which is why I have a Spanish name, in case you ever wondered.

I love my wonderful family, but I love the times that it is just the two of us. I really enjoy my husband's company, he makes me smile, he looks adoringly at me and tells me that I take his breath away, he holds my hand or strokes my leg...even after all our years together. Sigh!

Anyway, he is endlessly patient with me and let me drag him to a local park after our meal, to take photographs - what a man. You should have seen me, setting up my camera, checking the exposure and focus and everything was just right, then pressing the shutter and running to be in the shot and trying to look relaxed (and not out of breath). I am sure some of the other people in the park thought we were nuts. I don't care, I love that I have these. I am way more comfortable behind the camera, but it is so important to be on the other side too. I am a part of this life I love to capture.

And OK, so we are hardly a 'boy' and a 'girl' anymore, but when we are together sometimes it can still feel that way.

I like him a lot.

I'm pretty sure he likes me too.

Yep. Told you so!

52 Week Project - Week 27

*Just as a reminder, this is a personal project I am undertaking this year, in order to shoot more and share more. Each week of 2011 will have a corresponding favorite photograph.

Another beach photograph. What can I say? We live in California and have nice summers and our kids love the beach, it is one of their favorite places. No apologies here.

I love the relationship that my husband has with each of his children, they know that they are loved and, oh so special. to him. This last year has been a time of transition for our son, and his relationship and need for his daddy has grown by leaps and bounds. I am so grateful for the example James sets, for the time he spends, for the love he gives.

These moments are so precious and I am so glad to have captured just a snippet of their relationship together; my man and my boy!

52 Week Project - Week 26

*Just as a reminder, this is a personal project I am undertaking this year, in order to shoot more and share more. Each week of 2011 will have a corresponding favorite photograph.

I am glad for this project I have undertaken. It is all too easy to only show the very best, the perfect. But the truth is that our life is not always portrait worthy, it is real life that we are living.

There are so many things about this photograph that are far from perfect, but I love it! Lighting conditions were less than ideal, there is a horizon line going through my little girl's head...I could go on...but it captures her emotion, her total joy and it makes my heart want to burst.

These are the moments I want to remember. The happy places; her brother playing in the background with a friend's dog, her shadow as she leaps across the sand, the huge smile on her face as she runs from the incoming waves, which have slowed to barely a trickle as they reach the shore.

Snapshots are not to be sniffed at. They are what memories are made of, they are what we will treasure in the years to come.

(As you can see from a previous post, I am behind in posting, although I am keeping up in taking the photographs. This photograph was taken July 2nd, 2011, week 26, officially halfway through this project for 2011.)

The Bearkeys Sneak Peek

Meet the Bjerkes, otherwise known as The Bearkeys. What a sweet, fun couple, so young and full of love and hope. They are both talented musicians and you can read a little more about them and their journey here.

Of course, to our kids, she will most likely always be "Jenny Weaver", not just "Jenny"! She was their favorite babysitter, until she got married and moved to Davis. I promise I'm not bitter, but we do miss her still. Mark is a great guy and I was so glad to get to spend a little more time with them, as a couple, a week or so ago when we took photos.

There were so many great shots, but here is just a sneak peek with a few of my favorites.

52 Week Project - Week 25

As I mentioned, our Summer has been busy. Week 25 was a couple of weeks back but here it is. When I started on this project for this year, I did not set any rules, it was about taking and sharing more photographs. I have even used my point and shoot on days when I needed a lighter load. This photograph is from one of those days. We went to Six Flags with friends and it was a point and shoot day, but this is the photograph from that week which speaks to me the most.

When you see a child enjoying themselves as much as this, how can you help but smile?

Behind

I know I am behind on posting on here...thank you for checking, it's just that real life with kiddos will always take priority over virtual life. Fret not - I am still shooting, just editing and posting has been taking a back seat as summer is in full swing. Don't give up on me, more photos will (hopefully) be posted shortly. Thanks!