Happy Halloween ~ Welcome Fall

Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Happy Halloween ~ Welcome Fall

November 5, 2011

Wishing you all a ghoulishly fun Halloween, followed by an amazing Autumn of colorful smiles and memories. Have fun out there!

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Remembering 9/11

September 20, 2011

As soon as I changed my calendar from August to September, I started seeing the towers in my mind, feeling the deep sadness for the families of the lost, and remembered the fear we all had in the days that followed.

I can’t believe it’s actually been 10 years since that unimaginable day. I had been sick all weekend that year, and eventually made the decision to call in to spare everyone from my germs and sluggishness.

I worked in a professional digital call center for Kodak and if you weren’t completely on your toes, you would never make it through the day. So, there I was…in bed feeling sorry for myself, when I got the call to turn on the t.v. Like everyone else, I was glued to the screen, mouth gaping open, grabbing tissue after tissue wiping tears from what I was seeing.

A few hours later, the news let us know that the Red Cross was waiting for any blood donations they could find. All I wanted to do was to drive to NYC to help, but in my heart I knew that I wasn’t the right person to be able to do much of anything. So, what I could do, was to give blood to my local Red Cross. I knew it would be really busy, so I hopped on my bike and rode over.

The nights and days following were solemn. I remember seeing memorials everywhere. I lived in the city of Rochester, and as you walked through the neighborhoods, there were candles, flags, and flowers on the porch steps, and in windows.

In thinking back to those 10 years ago, the American flag is what stuck out in my mind the most. I used to take it for granted sometimes, or forget about it … but now when I see one, I am instantly filled with pride and hope.

On this 10th year remembrance, I was going to head out and photograph some of the events that were going on to commemorate that day in history, but all I could think about was my family. How I still have a family, and how all the families out there had lost so many loved ones. I decided the best way to honor them, was to spend that time with my family and to proudly wave the flag at our home. So that’s what I did, and they were some of the best hours of my life.

Tags: 2011, September 11
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Thank You Memorial Day ♥

May 31, 2011

As I laid my head down to sleep last night, and all the images from the weekend flashed through my mind, all I could think about was how LUCKY we were to experience it all. I am forever grateful to our heroic Armed Forces for their protection, and dedication to our freedom as a country. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have all these wonderful photos, now memories, of time spent with my cherished family.

I was also thinking about THEIR loved ones and family; and how much they are missed when they’re gone, gallantly serving for our freedom.

Where are THEIR pictures and memories?

This in turn, reminded me again, how excited I am as the President of the Greater Rochester Professional Photographers, to be providing a complimentary portrait day for our Veterans. It’s the very least we can do, but is the most treasured thing we could give them; giving of ourselves as photographers for them and their families to be remembered beautifully too.

So, THANK YOU Armed forces AND your families from the bottom of my heart for another amazing holiday weekend that was spent surrounded by loved ones. Eternally grateful.

So, this was Kayla’s first visit to the beach…first sand, and first waves! We were so excited…until she started crying hysterically. Apparently babies aren’t very big fans of sitting in grass, or walking in sand, or having waves come up to their feet. We tried to play with her a little bit, but it just wasn’t going to happen.

We’re learning that a little exposure to things here and there is totally fine, and that she will eventually get used to it. For example, around Easter was when she first experienced grass…now at the end of May, she’s a pro and you can barely keep up with her as she runs around the yard.

I’m sure the beach will be the same eventually too.

She’s never ever hugged me this tight before…poor thing! (Thanks to my husband for this picture!)

Ok sweetie….time to go! ♥

The next day, we spent at a splash park (Pineway Ponds in Specerport and it was awesome!) ~ another first and she was just as scared at this one too. In her defense, the water was pretty cold! She was a trooper though, and look how cute!