Happy Birthday, Gav!

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Amanda

I’ve always operated under the notion that late is better than never! So, having finally found my way back to the treadmill after far too long, now that both children are napping and I am once again putting off the loads of school work that will forever call to me from the remote corner of the dining room table, I figured it was a great time to send you belated (but no less sincere) birthday wishes!

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 8 years since our first meeting where you promptly shot me twice with your air soft gun and told me to squish your nose – the lasting evidence of a hard fought ice hockey game between brothers! There’s hardly a dull moment when you’re around and it’s just one of the many things I’ve come to appreciate.

Here’s to a terrific year! 🙂

41 years (and 12 days)

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Amanda

I’ve always loved the stolen kisses and knowing glances playfully batted between you. While not explicit or perhaps even intended, these lessons of life ~ of love ~ are precious.

As I travel back in time to bring you these anniversary wishes, I’m quite certain that your journey – through all the joys and sorrows – wouldn’t be traded for anything.

Congratulations on so many wonderful years together! We love you!

Theme Thursday ~ Holiday Aftermath

Posted on January 8, 2009 by Amanda

I don’t know if this qualifies as “aftermath” necessarily, but I’m using today’s theme to catch up on the third, and I believe final round of family Christmas pictures…until next year. Or would that be this year, considering it’s already 2009 and I’m just getting around to posting now….Hmm?!

It seems like the theme for end of the year holidays was togetherness. For Thanksgiving, we had my entire family together for the first time since January and for Christmas this year, Garth’s entire family was together for the first time in a while as well. We thought we’d celebrate by capturing some great family shots.

Today you get to feast your eyes on the “formal” shots of our holiday gathering. Just curious if anyone else has trouble with their images getting “goofy” when the size is adjusted to fit the display window? In some of the shots below eyes are squished, lips disappear among other oddities.

Little ones + sugar + crowds – naps = a very real snapshot!

Think they’re proud grandparents or what?!

The entire family!

First Christmas as a Family of Four

I really like this family picture! Seneca’s expression is such a reflection of the little personality she’s starting to flaunt!

I wanted to try a texture here because the picture was too bland by itself. I like the sepia tone of this background, but forgot how to replicate it for the one of them together. And, I know I erased too much, but I had to run and was too lazy busy to come back and fix it. I also wanted to fix her hair where the light was hitting it, but I was having no luck with the paintbrushes! Believe me, it wasn’t pretty!

Holiday Smiles 2

This “surprised” look was the best I could do to get them together. For a good laugh, take a peek at this outtake! I’d love to hear ideas or suggestions about better ways to use texture to enhance images. I’m all ears! 🙂 If anyone wants a hand at processing these images differently, I’d love to see other interpretations!

Family Christmas ~ Round Two

Posted on January 7, 2009 by Amanda

With inclement weather in the forecast for the following day, we decided to head northward late Saturday night, following our Christmas get-together with my family. The darkness and snoring from the backseat made it a little dicey to stay alert, but we managed to down a few Coca Colas and keep each other talking….until I too succumbed to the slumber about an hour south of the bridge.

The first few days of our arrival found me feverishly typing away to finish our Christmas novelletter and the festive atmosphere and family fun provided the perfect breaks! Growing up we always spent Christmas Day with my mom’s side of the family and while the fun used to take place at Grandma and Grandpa’s it’s now moved to Aunt Meri and Uncle Jeff’s house. And, as I’ve learned over the past seven years, our “tradition” is in being non-traditional.

I recall my mother-in-law showing me a picture of Garth’s second Christmas. Not only was I struck by the adorable toddler, but also by the place settings with crab salad and either pineapple or tomato juice. Even if the red table cloth hadn’t given it away, the meal would have signified Christmas.

The fact that our kids get to grow up with both the long-standing practices of Garth’s family and the ever-changing ways of mine gives them a very unique opportunity. Having a full two weeks of break this year was great! It allowed us to spend a full week up north and still have a good amount of time to come home, recover, and ring in the New Year with my family. We still battled some sleepless nights again – but this time they were courtesy of our newest addition. We’re already looking forward to relaxing evenings of next year when both kids will be consistently sleeping through the night! (I know, I’ll likely be eating these words 12 months from now!)

Here’s a whole host of family fun, U.P. style!

Christmas Morning 7