Old Hat

Pulled out this hat from the summer today for the girls to model!!  Originally bought it for Mallory but Jillian is now big enough for it as well!  Nothing like a bright summer hat to cheer us up on a cold dreary day!

I used Jillian's photo for my project365 today!! 

So much inspiration....

Wow, since I decided to do project 365 I have been searching through all the other blogs/projects of fellow photographers who are beginning this journey as well and I am overwhelmed with all the inspiration I am finding....not to mention the unbelievable talent of so many women photographers who continue to blow me away!!  I stumbled upon this fabulous blog and had to share this article also written about 365!!  Good golly does this inspire me beyond belief!!  Simply beautiful sentiments.... http://shuttersisters.com/home/2011/1/4/a-day-in-the-life-of-365.html 

In keeping with the 365 discussion, I thought I'd share a photo that is a runner up for today's 365 shot....

Mallory had her first "All By Myself" class today, where she was in a park district class without me for much of the time.  She did fabulous and seemed to enjoy it!! This shot was taken right before we left for the class...
my baby is growing up so fast...

Project 365

I am thrilled and so excited to be starting Project 365!!  After being part of the clickinmoms (http://www.clickinmoms.com/)  community this past year I learned about project 365 through other members/photographers who were in the process of  the project.  In short, it's taking one photo a day for one year. My goal is simply to document my family, complete the project and hopefully learn and grow as a photographer. The whole idea being that it forces you to pick up your camera everyday.  My hope is to capture the "every day", the times and moments that I wouldn't normally have my camera out.  My friend Tiffany took on the task and completed it this past year!  Her blog post about it inspired me even more to decide to do this challenge!!  For great inspiration check out her blog post here:   http://www.peanutblossom.com/blog/2010/12/life-is-too-precious-to-let-the-days-go-by-unnoticed.html

I have included a link on my blog home page entitled Project 365.  Would love any feedback, if you're interested in checking it out!!  Wish me luck!! 

Update: As my first week doing this project comes to an end, just thought I'd add a runner up from one of the days.

Auld Lang Syne....

Auld Lang Syne translated to english means..old long since...long long ago...days gone by... 

When I think of the days gone by this past year I think of life altering moments, miracles, stress, excitement and lots of changes for the better.  The first miracle was the birth of our little girl Jillian Faith in March.  The second was the recovery of my grandfather...who we were told to pretty much say our goodbyes to as we left the hospital one night and then slowly watched him get passed hurdle after hurdle to make a close to full recovery!   Pretty amazing!

Selling our house and moving was the biggest stress but I think will be greatest reward in the end.  We moved to Arlington heights 2 months ago and have yet to look back.  We love it here and are so excited to discover our new neighborhood and new town in the year ahead!  We are lucky and we are blessed!  I know it's a cliche, but that's how I feel at this moment!!

We spent New Years Eve with Matt, Laura and Rosie, ordering sushi and having great conversations, as we always do with them.  We talked about New Years resolutions and aside from the typical ones...lose weight, excercise more, save more money, read more, etc..  I have one and only one...Take the high road!

When given the opportunity to put someone down, speak being mean-spirited, prove them wrong etc. I would like to stop and simply take the high road.  I don't have to prove them wrong to be right, I don't have to use my energy and words to make someone feel bad, regardless of my intent.  Taking the high road to me means speaking, giving and loving with grace and kindness.  Ultimately it's a road I'm eager to travel and a goal I'll strive to obtain! 

Happy New Year one and all and best wishes for 2011! 

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Christmas 2010

Christmas came and went so very fast this year!!  Jillian celebrated her first Christmas and Mallory is beginning to understand and get excited about presents and Santa Claus.... you know the true meaning of Christmas! ;)  I kid, I kid.! It was fun to see her interested in the nativity scene and some of the Christmas books she has about baby Jesus and the manger.  Although we had some merry and bright moments this season I must admit I'm glad the last of the presents are put away and the tree comes down today! The Holidays are over and I'm looking forward to some calm, non-hectic, stay in our pj's next couple of days with my family!!     

Here are some images of our family Christmas 2010...including decorating the tree, seeing The Wonderland Express, Making cookies for Santa, Christmas Eve at Uncle Pete's, and Christmas morning.   

"No man is a failure who has friends" -Clarence the Angel