Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve with my family is mostly spent at church. My mom has been the organist and music director there for 21 years, and my sisters and I were always involved in the choirs. I now simply attend the 3 services and chauffeur family members back and forth.

The earliest service is the children's one where the traditional pageant is performed. These little angels were so cute.


There was a little girl in the pew in front of me who was fascinated by the pageant and just wasn't satisfied with her view from her seat.




Carra the pastor came up to point out a few things in the pageant to her.


I love candles on Christmas Eve!






Playing around with the spotlights after the final service




Mom doing her best "yes, I'm wide awake at 1am" look

Jen and Nik

Happy 2008 Everyone!!

I'll be kicking off the new year with some lovely cat photos. On my way to Maine for Christmas I stopped in Boston to visit my good friends Jen and Nik and their fabulous kitties.

Monroe is the social one of the two


Ellie plays with you on her terms




A new workout: balance a 20 pound cat on your arm for 5 minutes; repeat with other arm.






I love this one of Nik and Monroe.

Janna and the cousins

I'm very behind! I'm so sorry to all my loyal readers. Much to blog about...

My sister Janna was visiting me two weeks ago and we took a little trip to visit my cousins and aunt and uncle. Lots of fun!

Having fun with their decorations


Seamus munching on a cookie


Sleepy cousin


The big activity for the afternoon was creating paper snowflakes


Violet was making some excellent designs




A quiet portrait of Janna


and another


and a not-so-quiet one


I always love shooting Janna's dreadlocks

Kelly and Matt's album

I recently finished Kelly and Matt's album design. I had lots of fun with this one!

Cutest measuring cups ever

What would we do without Ebay? I was in need of a set of measuring cups a few weeks ago and instead of buying some nice traditional silver ones I explored the depths of ebay to see what folks were selling. What I found is now my new favorite item in my kitchen.

The cups all have little colored bees for handles! (we're looking at them upside down)


So darn cute


And when stacked together, they form a beehive! What more could you want in a set of measuring cups?








I'm currently waiting on my rooster and sunflower measuring spoons :)

Ice

Ice in Chicago! Travel was slow on Saturday, but it was so pretty outside!

Dinner time

Every year my friend Ron's parents and grandma invite all his friends over for his grand birthday dinner. We always look forward to tons of great food and lively conversation. This year Ron and his wife Lisa moved to Ohio, but his family still wanted to keep the parties going!

Neal giving me a common skeptical look.


Jeanne surprised at the camera during dinner


Angela, the lovely hand model


Leece and Ron's grandma


Fabulous boots provided by Angela, the lovely foot model