Life on Clark Street

Savoring Sierra

2011-04-14T16:49:00.010-05:00

Hello blog! It's been a long cold winter. And since I shoot outside in natural light there hasn't been much to do here in Chicago. But I've been busy taking classes and experimenting with things (which you'll see below) and am very excited about what this year holds for Clark Street Photography.

I was lucky enough last month to make my annual pilgrimage to Texas for spring break. While I do tend to go every year, this year I was invited to take senior portraits for my cousin's daughter who is graduating in just 47 days. And will be attending....

....St. Edward's University in the fall. Majoring in some combination of Psychology and Theatre. Which, I can speak from personal experience, is about the same thing.

Sierra comes from a pretty awesome family. She's chill like her Dad, funny like her Mom, but has her own rockin' style. She somehow managed to transcend that whole member of the herd mentality that high school breeds. She is very much her own person. This alone elevates her to rock-star status in my book.

Spicy. Sweet. Silly. Self-assured.

And flat out freaking gorgeous.

She is frequently smiling and laughing and encouraging and inspiring others to do the same. She's easy to be with, can't ruffle her feathers too much. But still waters run deep. And she definitely has a depth about her. She's complex and mature beyond her years.

And she's graduating from high school. And embarking on the adventure of growing up. And it's exciting and scary both for her and her parents who love her so much and have done an amazing job parenting her. She has everything she needs to soar on her own. To blossom and develop into the person she is meant to become. It's significant, this passage of time. It's a huge milestone. And for me, to remember so vividly holding her just hours after her birth, it is so bittersweet. The bottom line is - kids grow up. They do. And as parents it's hard to let them go. But Sierra's parents can have confidence in knowing she will make great choices for herself. That even her mistakes will be meaningful in some way. And that because they have loved her so well, she'll always be their little girl. Even when she's busy growing into womanhood.

2010 - the Adjustment Year

2010-12-14T20:44:00.033-06:00

And boy am I glad it's over. Not that I expect to be magically well adjusted on January 1st. But I feel certain there's significant and much needed stability coming my way.

Let me back up to this time last year. Mike, the soon to be ex-husband and I, had made the painful decision in therapy to preserve the relationship but end the marriage. But people didn't know yet. And we were working quietly behind the scenes to prepare ourselves and the children for our new reality. It was awful. So many things about divorce are painful. It seems a little ridiculous to point that out. Anyway, in February Mike moved into his own apartment near our home and the "forever house" went on the market. And I have spent this year pretty much in limbo. Deconstructing a well constructed very intentional life.

The worst parts? Becoming a single Mom with 85% custody of the kids = substantial reduction in free time + constant fatigue. Maintaining a nearly immaculate, show ready, depersonalized home for sale in a tough market. Adjusting to a new slimmer budget (that I thought was already frugal - ha!). Giving away or selling two thirds of my possessions. Packing up a 4 story 6 bedroom house and moving it to a 1 story 3 bedroom house. Moving and working over my 40th birthday weekend which I didn't have time to really celebrate or feel anything but lousy about. And I love birthdays! Selling a beautiful home I loved that I thought I would live in "forever". Learning a new job/career. Growing pains in therapy (who am I? what do I want? what do I need? how did I get here?). Taking my already semi-pro worrying about the kids to PROFESSIONAL heights.

But that's the lemons. And I'm a lemonade maker.

The best parts? The help and support I receive from friends and family and qualified professionals looking out for the best interests of our now re-organized family. The smooth and amicable environment of the collaborative divorce process. The lessons learned in therapy from all those growing pains. The knowledge that life isn't perfect, neither am I, and I can weather a storm. Grief comes in waves and never lasts too long. I no longer need to fear the sadness and the heartache - that too won't last forever. A new sense of self that is more realistic. A new view and pride in myself as a mother. A significantly enriched relationship with my kids. A new romance with an amazing man who was a friend for years.

I'm going to be OK. The kids are going to be OK. I will be "divorced" for the duration of my lifetime. And the kids will have "divorced parents" for the duration of theirs. I'd be a fool to suggest our learning is done. This is a journey with twists and turns and constant challenges changes and adjustments. But we're laying the foundation for emotional strength and endurance to make it through with grace, humor and as much joy as possible.

And of course we're still having fun in spite of it all. Just look at some snapshots from our year!

I am blessed to know and love and be loved by many wonderful people. And the support and encouragement I've received from friends far and wide has been profound. You can't imagine how much a "thinking of you" email, voicemail, text, or FB shout out keeps me afloat. Thank you to everyone, truly, but there are a few special people who deserve public recognition, for going above and beyond. My two therapists at The Family Institute - my own, Lisa Gordon, and the kid's, Aryn Froum. These two women are gentle and kind in nature and giants in their ability to help, encourage, nurture and instruct. Beth Fawver McCormack, my attorney, who guides me so reassuringly through this process. (Have you ever heard someone thank their lawyer in a Christmas letter? She's that wonderful!) Kim Tackitt Clark, my amazing and incredible sister-in-law who came to help me pack and move. It literally would not have happened without her. That she was also so sweet and fun and made the whole thing bearable is a gift I can't repay. Anne Ryan, my fellow carpool Mom, who makes sure the day to day operations run smoothly. And the patient listening ears and company of dear friends Mia McCullough, Molly Lyons, Sean Paraventi, Amelia Lorenz, Sarah Smyth, Lynn Thee, Amy Wells, Tracey Cobb, Kate Huston, Laura Grubb, Sammy Buck, Molly & Bill Kelly, Deborah Barr, Michelle Palumbo, my parents and the entire Clark family.

A HUGE amount of love to my Facebook community - Facebook has kept me sane and provided me with much needed diversion and delight on a daily basis. (What? Are you seriously not on Facebook yet? Join the party!)

Special recognition must be paid to The Betty. Who is available at a moment's notice whenever I need. Who fills in as the 4th when the Family of Three just feels too lonely and hard. Who loves and plays with my children as if they were her own. And loves and cares for me like a sister. And to the dreamy Dr. Andy who has always been there for me and my kids ever since I became a Mom. But is now a shining star in our personal lives. He's done a lot of the "boy jobs" around both houses. And has given me the courage to love again and to feel joy. I feed off his positive energy and enthusiasm and I'm grateful for him every day.

And of course, the kids.

Collin at age 8 is discovering his silly side. He's all about jokes and comics and attempting goofy tricks and making up funny songs. It's a fun age!

Sadie at age 5 is eating up school. Just loves to learn and read and write and draw. She continues to be a very passionate girl and I'm amazed at her beyond-her-years ability to know and name her feelings.

They've both been courageous and flexible. It's been an emotional time for all of us of course. But I'm buoyed by their resiliency and their sweet hearts. I have incredible kids. They have quirks, and they are challenging in their own ways, but they are extraordinary little people.

And my life is so blessed because I'm their Mom.

Many blessings to you and yours from the three of us.
xoxo

No Tears Today

2010-10-11T10:26:00.015-05:00

OK, maybe a few....

I couldn't resist showing a glimpse into the....um....variety....we capture on a shoot. And how hard these kids (and parents) work to get a good shot.

Things have been pretty serious on the blog lately. I'm happy to report that with holiday card season in full swing we'll be more jolly. But I also feel a little restricted in my photo selections. I want my families to be able to unveil that perfect shot on their holiday card. So my selections for the L family today tend toward the candid variety. No worries I got plenty of goodies.

Like this one: my new favorite shot ever!

I put this one on my Facebook page already (what? have you not Liked me yet? get on over there!) but I couldn't resist sharing again and with a broader audience. And look at this gem, so cute right? Love these little beauties.

The oldest is Grant. Responsible, confident, a natural leader, mature for his age. Dare I say Type A. I caught him here in a rare moment of silliness.

And then there's sweet Charlie. The middle child. A bright ray of sunshine and happiness. He's the snuggler, the lover, the poet.

Lastly we have Baby Caroline

Who isn't a baby anymore. Walking and exploring - Caroline definitely has opinions about how her world needs to be organized. And as the youngest she has the least amount of pictures in the family album. And that is a challenge I just can't resist.

Her Mom said she just had an intuitive sense after Charlie was born that she wasn't done and that she was meant to raise a daughter. And this beautiful girl is a reminder that when we listen to our gut, that whisper inside, it's always for good. Not necessarily easy, but definitely for good.

So the trio is complete. And there's a big world out there for them to explore. And Mom and Dad are just trying, like every parent, to hold on and remember as many of the details as they can. Cherishing the little moments. Because the cliche is true - it all goes by so quickly.

Happy Birthday

2010-10-04T20:17:00.022-05:00

This is Betty. Or as she's often called in these parts - THE BETTY.

She is my local family. The fact that we're actually not related is a mere technicality. She, more than anyone else, shares the intimacies of my life. I call Betty on good days and bad days and she's always there for me. She is my rock and without her I'd be lost.

She's not only a rock for me, she's a rock for many. It's who she is. It's what she does. People are drawn to her vibrant light and supportive, safe, and encouraging nature.

Meet Bernadette and Alexa. Betty's actual relatives (well, 2 of several). The closest sister in age to her, her Irish twin, and soul sister. Alexa is Betty's niece, Bernadette's daughter. And they were here recently visiting from Betty's home state of Washington. Are you following along?

Good.

One of the things that makes Betty so special is her ability to feel deeply and truly adore her loved ones. She shares her heart abundantly. And she LOVES these two so much.

And thought it would be a nice birthday gift for Bernadette (and Alexa) to have a fun photo session.

I relished capturing them all together, having fun, enjoying each other, goofing off.

Alexa is 13. A teenager. And she's acting like a teenager. Her Mom is patient, forgiving, silly, sweet, and stern when she needs to be. She takes her parenting seriously and nothing in the world is more important than her daughter. Even if it's not obvious between them all the time (because that would be impossible) it's a truth that can't be denied or shaken.

The first time I met Bernadette she was on a trip by herself here in Chicago to see Betty. It was January 2009. We had this lovely dinner, her trip was almost over. And her heart was aching for Alexa. She was enjoying her time so much but saw Chicago through the eyes of someone who wishes she had her favorite person with her to share it. Later that night - thankfully safely in the care of her Betty - she got a call-in-the-middle-of-the-night. And journeyed home the next day hoping that no one would get to her daughter before she could, to tell Alexa her Daddy unexpectedly and suddenly died; he was gone and she'd never get to see him again. Hear him laugh. Have him hold her in his arms.

No young person should have their world so shaken. It just isn't right or fair.

But she's OK. She's a normal teenager. And she's been given the space to talk about her feelings and her Dad as often as she needs or wants to. And of course the little girl in her wishes she could bring him back even for just a moment.

But the strong young woman in her holds the key to wisdom some adults never learn, "Hey guess what life - you've shown me the worst and I didn't crumble. You.don't.scare.me."

So This Lawyer Walks into Parenthood....

2010-09-22T22:17:00.012-05:00

Newsflash: divorce sucks. It's complicated emotionally and financially. And until I found my amazing and incredible lawyer I felt adrift and incapable of navigating the tricky waters of ending my marriage. And then I met with Beth for one hour and became a sea of calm. She made me feel supported, enoucouraged, taken care of, heard. Mike and I are committed to preserving amicability and the collaborative process, and Beth is not only supportive of those goals, but her leadership has been invaluable.

And I had the extreme pleasure of meeting her daughter for a photo session recently. And that girl has implanted herself in my soul. Meet Lucy....

Technically Lucy has "issues" of varying shapes and sizes. Which is really schools and doctors way of labeling kids who don't fit the mold we'll call "normal". What Lucy makes SO OBVIOUS is that some people just have too big of a personality for childhood and little bodies and learning things that seem unimportant to vibrant, intuitive, empathic, thoughtful souls.

Lucy had questions for me, lots of them. And honestly I haven't had a grown up take such interest in me in a long time, much less a child. She was data gathering, putting details to the gut sense she had of me. It was a visceral chemical exchange.

Lucy has made up her own language for some things. And she just operates differently. It's spiritual and kinesthetic and incredibly intense. I imagine her mind like a pointillism masterpiece. It seems scattered and disconnected at first glance but eventually her logic is revealed and the beauty emerges.

And she's enduring the rigors of childhood as best she can. It all seems too constricting for her if you ask me. She has this enormous spirit - and routines and rules and worksheets and conventions quite frankly seem ridiculous given all she seems capable of thinking and feeling.

And I'm fairly certain she is not what her parents were expecting.

And there are a hundred and one ways to handle the difference between expectation and reality. And the path they have chosen is to really SEE her. And let her be who she is. And love her with such compassion and acceptance and delight. And the connection they share is profound and comforting and inspiring. There are so many mysteries in life, why things go the way they go. Why some people come into your life, why others leave. One thing that is absolutely clear to me is that Lucy landed in just the right spot.

They're Having a Baby!

2010-08-17T17:07:00.011-05:00

My dear friend Amelia and her wonderful husband Greg are having a baby! Soon! So we gathered on a warm summer night (at their commune - more on that later) to capture the beauty of them and this pregnancy.

There is nothing quite so wondrous as that 9 months that precedes the birthing of new life. It's an emotionally complex time where new parents-to-be spend half their time present in their actual lives and the other half daydreaming about what's coming next.

Amelia and Greg were born to be parents and will elevate the calling to a high art. I have every confidence in stating this as fact. You can't find two more sincere, intentional, loving people.

Who manage to combine all their depth and intelligence with great warmth and laughter and joy.

And there's something so magical about witnessing this incredible bond between them now. The dance they're doing in supporting one another, sharing the experience together even though it's so different for each of them. Honoring one another and strengthening as a couple.

Now, to the commune. See? I promised I would pick that up. It's actually not a commune. That's my personal joke. It's a community really. They went in with some other like minded friends and bought this giant fabulous house together. And they live mostly in harmony all together, sharing the trials and tribulations and joys and celebrations of daily life. There is support all around them. And help and company. It's very groovy and the coolest urban experiment I know.

And I've wanted to take the following picture ever since I found out Amelia was pregnant. Because they are quite purposely not going it alone. And as this group of Presbyterians were laying on hands there was this hum of energy in the air, intimate and poignant.

Congratulations to you all - we're awaiting the new arrival to your community with great anticipation.

Sophie B

2010-05-26T16:37:00.006-05:00

Mom: "Once upon a time, there was a little girl. What was the girl's name?"
Daughter: "Sophie!"

Mom pauses...
Daughter: "No, Mei Ai Zhen"

And thus begins the story of how a Mother and her child found each other from half a world away.

Miss Sophie literally explodes with happiness.

And her Mom, her single Mom, wanted to capture her at this age. She's just turned 5, she's on the cusp of Kindergarten and big girl-ness. So we wanted to seal in her sweet, exuberance before she grows into the next stage of her childhood.

Luckily for me Mom likes twirling pictures, and Sophie loves to twirl.

We tried to make the shoot about Sophie. We really did.

But mostly she just wanted her Mama. Wanted to play with her, be with her, be photographed with her. And when her Mom is going it alone (something I so acutely admire), without a daily witness to the joys and trials, I was happy to get some pictures of them together. So Sophie can see her Mother's devotion.

But also, so Mom can see how much her daughter truly worships her and feels most at home wrapped in her arms.

SuperMom

2010-03-31T22:37:00.010-05:00

I had the luxury of yet again visiting my dear friend Sarah at her fabulous home in Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival. In January. This "sneak peek" is long overdue...

The Smyths have good news and bad news. The good news? Eric has a job he LOVES in California and they are trading in their snow shoes for flip flops. The bad news? Saying goodbye to a life they love in Park City. And the fact that Eric works in CA all week and Sarah is taking care of their three children all by herself.

I loved how often she engaged with each kid, gave them some individual attention all while managing to keep the place clean and entertain me. It helps that she's got big kids who love their house and their Mom and have a pretty good sense of what they can and can't get away with.

The one demanding most of the attention is Baby O. Who is on the move and very fast, like his sister and brother were. But with that face? And that personality? Who wouldn't want to follow him around all day? I'm as smitten now as I was when he was a baby.

I wanted to get pictures with Mom in them since Dad isn't around during the week to see or capture all she's managing. She doesn't get a lot of sleep, doesn't sit down, is in constant motion with running the household, feeding and transporting the troops, planning her upcoming move to another state. And she still manages to keep in touch with her friends and family far away, and plans and organizes get togethers with her friends and neighbors in town. She's handling it all with a grace and competence I am sure I couldn't muster. And she'd be the first one to downplay all she does. But I want to publicly acknowledge her for being a total Rockstar Mom.

And I wanted pictures of her with O, because before long he will be a big guy and we'll wonder if he was ever small enough to hold and cuddle.

Great job Sarah. The happy faces of your beautiful children are the evidence you need that you are doing an amazing job. Thanks for the inspiration.

Matters of the Heart

2009-12-07T20:46:00.010-06:00

I have my own personal Thanksgiving tradition and that is to photograph the Lambert family. Usually I wouldn't show you such holiday card worthy shots on the blog at this time of year because I wouldn't want to steal their mailbox thunder. But their card is out, the first to arrive in our mailbox. They took a cruise on spring break and used fun pictures from that trip. It's a photogenic family so it's no surprise they had so many great pictures to choose from. But I simply must mark the years by taking their picture whether they want or need it. My pictures are my love song to them, an outpouring of admiration.

Their old English sheepdog Poppins is getting on in years and so we wanted to get some pictures of the family with her. She was lovingly cooperative.

The boys are both actors in the Alley Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol. They are both lovable, precocious and theatrical. But A has dreams of being an actor and has logged more Equity stage time than I have in my 10+ years as a "professional" actor. It's in his DNA and I have every reason to expect him to continue his dramatic success.
And then there's D. Who gets a lot of attention for his adorable looks and precious size. I mean, come on, the kid personifies charming and cute.

And together? Well, just take a look. Who needs words....
K & S both teach high school (upper school for the fancy types) at the Kinkaid School in Houston and both of their boys are students there. (Terrific students I might add.) Kinkaid as you may or may not know is in the middle of a culture war maelstrom which you can read about here. Suffice it to say Kate's English students are witnessing their own personal Crucible right there in their own school.

NOT an easy time. The Lamberts take their work ethic and commitment to the school and community very seriously. But that school and community has become a foreign place of late which would leave anyone feeling shaken to say the least.

So this family is focused in, now more than ever, on what matters most to them. The love and comfort they feel together. On what they wish to teach their children. And holding on as tightly as they can to their one sure thing - each other.

Baby Magic

2009-11-17T09:33:00.014-06:00

Meet Jacob. Can you say sweet?!?

It's no surprise really. His mother and my husband went to business school together (swanky elite b-school no less) and she was commonly known among our crowd as the nicest person in their class. I don't think anyone would dispute that title. So I have no idea why I was so taken aback by how sweet her little baby Jacob is and how quickly I just fell.in.love! Apples don't fall far you know.

Knowing his mother I should have expected that. The other thing I didn't expect was that she would have her act so completely pulled together. Showered. With make up. And clothes without baby drool and spit on them.

She looked so pretty I just wanted to take her picture all morning. Seriously. I had to restrain myself and focus on that baby. But I was so mesmerized. And it's not just that her body is at this perfect voluptuous shape, and that she has the most amazing blue eyes you've ever seen, and a sparkly smile that lights up a room. It's that she's literally glowing from the inside. The love she has for motherhood and this baby and this family of hers comes shining out of her. She has a sincerity and a confidence and such joy that she brings to every single little task of parenting. I truly felt like I was under a spell and when I left I was walking on air. So moved and inspired and, well, HAPPY.

I'll be quiet now so you too can bask in the glow of these two....

And my very favorite picture from the shoot.....

I think these two have a magical future ahead of them. With this much love and sweetness, how can they not?

The Miracle of Normal

2009-11-11T11:31:00.016-06:00

That's my fancy new logo. My husband was smart enough to befriend the nicest guy in his office who also happens to be a brilliant graphic designer. And in exchange for photos of his family in perpetuity he designed a logo for me. We had a brief email exchange in which I said very little about actual design. I wrote of mood, feeling. And somehow he was able to cull, from a sentence I sent him in an email, this logo that says everything I want it to say about me and my business. He's a genius.

Long overdue and with a heart full of gratitude and humility I arrived at their charming home to begin the first of many gazillion photo shoots with their family.

This is C. A completely normal 8 year old kid. Active, healthy, good student, loves his dog and sports and video games.

What is not at all obvious from looking at him is that he is a miracle of modern science. You see just a week or so after a perfectly normal 6 month old check up little baby C was in the PICU on a ventilator. So sick there were periods of time when they wondered if he would make it. And after running a series of tests and trying to determine what was going on with the little guy they discovered he had a rare genetic condition called XHIGM Syndrome. So they were faced with not only the challenge of getting him through his current bout of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia but also looking at an uncertain future even if he were to survive.

Ironically enough, baby C was taken off the respirator after 3 weeks and breathing successfully on his own on September 11, 2001. That's a date that means something to all of us. Can you imagine all this family was facing that day?

So he was in the clear for now but there was still the genetic condition to worry about which basically compromises the immune system. The cure for the condition? A full stem cell bone marrow transplant. Neither parent was a complete match. Their only hope was to have another baby who could be a match. They turned to IVF and some mad scientists. Two rounds and 27 embryos and only 1 was even viable. And that special one just so happened to be a complete match, a girl (girls are carriers and don't have the condition) and, lucky for her and her future, she wasn't even a carrier.

Meet 6 year old E, lifesaver extraordinaire....

E just explodes with life. She has enough not only for her and her brother, but for her entire family, block, town, city, state and country. She's joyful, enthusiastic and quite possibly the silliest little thing I've ever met.

When E was a year old she was able to give a successful bone marrow transplant to her brother which effectively cured him of the condition.

And it's clear she feels some ownership.

It's impossible to imagine all this family has been through. They've each had their own unique experiences and journeys and jobs to do. But having recently celebrated the 5 year anniversary of the success of the treatment, their life is simply normal. A gift and a blessing they hoped and prayed for in their darkest days.

And C & E are like any other siblings. Rough housing, annoying one another, playing together. But there's something between them you won't find in other families. A quiet undercurrent of all they've been through. Some intangible bond that is rather breathtaking to witness.

Miraculous aren't they?

The Sweet Life

2009-10-22T10:32:00.013-05:00

We recently traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan (a city with which I fell completely in love) to visit our dear friends and their precious daughter. You may remember her from her appearance here on the Blog. It was a perfect fall weekend with the leaves starting to change, crisp weather, apple and pumpkin picking. This is Clara's pumpkin. I love the way kids take ownership of things and transform them from objects to playthings, companions. We were trying to get holiday pictures (which we did) but kept having to explain that pumpkins don't belong in Christmas pictures. So we took plenty of pumpkin pictures to satisfy her. And with that smile, that sweet face, that adorable personality, well, I'm putty in her hands. What Clara wants Clara gets.
We got a few without the pumpkin too. I seriously could photograph this beautiful child every day. I don't know how her parents haven't had cameras surgically affixed to their limbs. She's just.so.precious!

There are several from the Holiday collection that are wonderful. But I want to save those for the holiday card "ta-da!" But I can't resist giving you a glimpse. She's so dreamy!

But enough about Clara. Can I talk about her Mom for a second? A woman with incredible intellect and charm, grace and beauty. She reminds me of a Kennedy and this picture captures the feeling I get when I think of her special magic.

We got several pictures of the family together for the cards but this one is what every day looks like in their household. Clara is obviously chattering on about something that is very important to her (verbal skills as off the charts as her adorableness people) and her parents, not for the camera but for her, just sit and enjoy her, allow themselves to be fascinated and amused. And shower her with their loving attention.

Ah sweet life. Sweet, sweet life.

The Early Bird Catches the Worm

2009-10-06T20:39:00.021-05:00

My dear friend Michelle is chronically early. Seriously, it's like a disease with her. One that I really hope is contagious. (Along with several other qualities of Michelle's - her generosity, her ease, her ability to maintain a sense of humor and fun even when the situation calls for the opposite.)

My early bird friend has her holiday cards printed and IN HER HOME right now. All they need is the photo (that's where I come in naturally), the stamp, and well, the month of December. But knowing Michelle she won't be able to wait that long and they'll hit the mailboxes before Thanksgiving. I can feel it.

Anyway, we had a lovely shoot with the entire family. Our first time to get Mom and Dad in pictures which was great. We have several quality contenders for the beautiful card (and one perfect submission for Awkward Family Photos) but I won't show you those here. That is for Michelle to reveal on her own timetable in her own way. But I will show you some glimpses of the day. These girls should look familiar, they've graced this blog here and here and here.

According to Michelle there aren't enough pictures of The Vic with The Chicks. Which is a shame because this is one Daddy with 2 Daddy's girls and he wouldn't have it any other way. This man LOVES being a father and his girls love him.

Michelle adores her girls and would do ANYTHING for them. She is a uniquely wonderful person with an ocean of love to give. They are lucky to have a Mom like her, who is fun and doesn't take life too seriously. That's another one of her qualities I'm hoping rubs off on me.

Theirs, while never dull, is a happy home. (One whose halls will be fully decked the minute the turkey leftovers are in the fridge.) And it's clear that these beautiful chicks feel loved and nurtured and cared for by their charming and devoted parents.

Lucky Number Seven

2009-09-24T00:34:00.000-05:00

September 24, 2002, seven years ago, I became a Mom. My sweet Collin came into this world a little peanut of a guy. 6 pounds 8 ounces. It was a long and medically complicated labor that ended in a c-section from which he kind of sauntered out. Laid there under the heat lamps, quiet, observant, hands behind his head, totally relaxed. We quickly learned it wasn't a predictor of his temperament, but it was an indication of his wisdom.

Dubbed the "Professor" for his serious and studious nature Collin has always behaved more like an adult than a child. Except when he's throwing tantrums which he does regularly. Even at 7. And honestly I believe the tantrums come from his frustration at having to exist in the world as a child. His brain works quickly and he does not suffer fools gladly, especially his Mother. And if only we would all just let him do what he needs to do when he needs to do it there wouldn't be any problems at all.

I don't mean that disrespectfully. The kid is a genius and far surpasses my intellectual capabilities and capacity for learning. He's always thinking, has a fast processor, and is usually several steps ahead of me. Even when he's wrong about something there's a clear logic flow to how he ended up at his destination.

But he's not ALL seriousness. He's developed this bond with animals this year. He dotes on our cats Linus and Lucy and has a relationship with them that is parental and nurturing. He's taken it upon himself to be their caregiver. He tends to their physical as well as emotional needs. It's clear he takes animals very seriously (oh...there's that word again...) and I have to admit his tenderness with them fills me with so much pride.

Collin also has a sincere passion for soccer. He commits 100% to the whole game with total focus. He runs at top speed, always follows and charges the ball, plays his position even when it's defense. And, well, coaches the other players as he does so. There's always sort of a running commentary coming from him, a coaches narrative about strategy and who should be where and doing what.

But what is pressing on my heart the most on this seventh anniversary of the day my life changed forever is how much he's changed in just one year. The physical difference is symbolic. He's becoming a KID as opposed to a child. And I'm finding myself needing to make adjustments in how I parent him. Give him more freedom, more independence. More credit for all he knows. Trust myself that I've taught him enough for now, trust him to do the right thing. Let him make some mistakes, figure some things out on his own. And it's scary. This shift, ever so subtle, away from needing me so much.

We struggle often. We don't understand each other. We battle over small things. I frustrate him, he aggravates me. So much of our household dynamic is dominated by his anger and attitude. And yet, this kid, is one of the sweetest you'll ever meet. He's got a heart of gold. He's popular at school, the teachers love him, he listens attentively and behaves well. He is a good kid. As much as we sometimes think he's not, as much as he sometimes feels he's not, he actually is. And he has a smile that simply melts this Mother's heart.

Ours is a complicated relationship. We're both complicated people with our own big ideas about what it means to exist in the world. And often there's a clash of wills. But what is absolutely true is that seven years ago my life changed for the better. For I am a better person for parenting Collin. He is teaching me things about myself, about life, about love that I would not have learned without him. And every night I go into his room while he's sleeping, lay my hand on that growing body, and fall in love all over again. And always strive to do better tomorrow.

I love you my Doodle.

Love,
Momgom

And They Lived Happily Ever After . . .

2009-09-16T21:29:00.021-05:00

I had the pleasure this month of photographing a 50th wedding anniversary party. I will admit that the idea of a 50th wedding anniversary some days at this stage in my life seems like a marathon for which I'm not sure I have the energy. Like I'm somewhere on mile 6 and feeling like it's not too late to just duck out now. I've run enough to consider it a good work out but who am I kidding? I've just started this thing and I'm already tired and burning emotional energy like a weighted down SUV guzzles fuel. I doubt my ability to have the stamina to make it all the way to mile 26. So I approach a 50th Anniversary party like most people do - with curiosity and a desire to learn something about how it's possible. Who makes it to 50 years together and how do they do it?

Take a look at Dick and Carolyn Kelley.

It's clear joy has been an essential part of their marriage. The toasting portion was sweet but mostly funny, not overly sentimental. They are happy people who have loved living their lives together. It shows in all of their relationships and the way they interact with and respect one another. My favorite quote from Dick, "The best part (about 50 years) is it's not over!"

I know, me too right?

There were family members assembled. This is Carolyn's baby sister who flew in from Colorado.
And there were children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren.

The whole group all assembled. Boisterous and fun and a happy bunch.

Led by the stars of the show - the matriarch and patriarch of this grand clan - Dick and Carolyn. Such a testament of enduring love, grace, forgiveness, joy. Carolyn said the kids wanted to throw them a party to celebrate their marriage. And she said, "But what they don't realize is that we celebrate our marriage every day."

So that's how it's done. It's as simple and as wondrous as that.

Saris and Bindis and Bangles oh My!

2009-09-08T12:13:00.006-05:00

Meet the lovely R, our hostess and guest of honor for the fabulously themed Indian Princess Birthday Party. Sweet Lady R has just turned 5 and she is one of my dear Sadie's very best friends. Lady R has been blessed to be born into a family that is as unique and fabulous as those amazing curls on her head. Everything they do is over the top and they personify the phrase "joie de vivre".

There were saris and bindis and bangles for all the girls. And they all got to hand bead a necklace to take home. That gorgeous woman all decked out in full regalia is R's Supermom.

And of course there was a homemade Taj Mahal cake. Of course there was!

I'm not exactly sure what she wished for but it's clear she put great thought into it. With her family, I'm sure the dreams were big, and that they'll all come true.

The Bitty Biscuit Turns Four

2009-08-15T05:41:00.016-05:00

OK let me just say 2009 has been a rough summer. For a lot of reasons. One of the toughest times in my life. Last summer was one of my best summers ever. The kids were just at these wonderful ages and we had so much fun playing together. So this year I decided not to put them in any camps. That we were going to have Camp Mom. And I was going to relax and enjoy them all day long as we lolly-gagged our way through the rotation of beach, park, pool.

(Seasoned parents already know where this is going and have determined that choice must mean I'm insane.)

The weather didn't cooperate. That was one. Chicago's famous Bummer Summer has had us damp and cold for much of the season. The other is that I'm just in a funk which is not conducive to running Camp Mom with much enthusiasm. And lastly the children's ages this year are less fun for me personally. And they are tough kids. They are. I love them but they're tough. And my sweet little Biscuit who is my lover and snuggler and give back girl is turning 4. Today. (Well today as I write this.) And 4 is a hard age in this household. It was a nearly impossible year for me with Collin. And my little Sadiekins has been way ahead of schedule with the arrival of attitude and sass and screaming. Oh the screaming! Fewer snuggles, more fights. Sibling rivalry! Time outs! Sensitivities!

And just like the cobbler's children have no shoes the Photographer's kids this year have few pictures. I just haven't had my camera out much all summer. I told you I was in a funk!

But I did pull together a highlight reel of the last year with Sadie Lady. A few pictures that capture the essence of my girl. The good the bad and the funny. Starting with my favorite picture of the year. One that perhaps best illuminates my summer mood....

In cuter dress up news we have Safari Girl. Or actually cowgirl. She thinks this is a cowgirl hat. And she's all riding the range when she puts it on. Even though she also wears the binoculars at the same time. Couldn't be more safari. But to her (and therefore to the rest of us) it's the Wild West.

If I had to choose one word that best describes Sadie's personality, it would be passionate. That displays on her with such joy and enthusiasm. She is as likely to scream and squeal with delight as she is to throw herself on the floor in hysterics. She's rather well known for her high pitched sometimes deafening happiness.

She has her moods too. She's passionately grumpy on occasion. And sad. She expresses all emotions with gusto.

But she is perhaps most well known for being a lover. I don't know how else to put it - she falls in love. Easily, transparently, and often. She's choosy to a certain extent but not at all stingy. She loves with her whole heart and soul.

For all her passion she can actually be rather thoughtful at times. Reflective, pensive, reverent. It doesn't happen often and it's easy to miss. But she thinks about things. Or maybe it's more that she spends time with quieter emotions as as well. (She is a feeler after all.) Her depth is not to be taken for granted.

That's my love bug. My Sadie Girl. Miss Kins. It's been a rough patch lately but overall she is my delight, my passion, she fills my soul with wonder and marvel and I am profoundly blessed for the gift she is in my life. I'm excited for her as she embarks on the adventure of pre-K but so sad to see how much my little girl is growing up. How much more independent she is. And I want to stop and scream to the heavens, "Wait! I didn't enjoy it as much as I should. I wasn't as present as I wanted to be. It was harder than I thought it would be. Can I take a make-up test?"

But there is no make up. There is no second chance. Her first 3 years are behind us. And while I know in my heart it has been wonderful for us both, the greedy and guilty part of me wishes I could bottle the best of those times and keep them close. That the worst of those times I could erase. And that everything in between somehow made a difference.

I love you Sadie Lady,
Momgon

Cutest.Child.Ever.

2009-05-25T17:52:00.020-05:00

Yes, the title is correct. This sweet Baby C is the cutest child ever. And believe me, I'm placing her above my own precious babies. I've met good kids, sweet kids, beautiful kids, smart kids, precocious kids, chatty kids, resilient kids, but I had never before seen all these qualities in one child. Miss C has it all.

It's not the biggest surprise. Her parents are two of the most amazing people you could ever hope to meet. Mom is a sparkler - a trait she passed to her daughter.

Dad graced her with his sense of adventure and good times.

But she is very clearly her own person. We haven't seen her in nearly a year. And we had the most delightful visit. It took me about 10 seconds to fall right back in love with her.

She adapted quite easily to our household and my kids. She's a flexible and charming traveler. She keeps her parents on their toes. This is a big world with tons of opportunities and she's not going to miss a thing. Plus she's fearless and fast. Even though she can be a challenge in the best sense of a 2 year old, her joy, that lively face and personality makes time with her an experience, an inspiration in curiosity and energy. Ah, to be 2 again....

Bittersweet

2009-05-06T19:30:00.033-05:00

George, my first baby ever, photographed here and here, is moving away. He is taking his sisters and wonderful parents to live in Oklahoma where they won't have to endure our Chicago winters, where they will have space to run and roam, and where they will be close to family and best friends. And while it makes sense, and I am happy for them, they will sure be missed around here.

We scheduled a photo shoot before the movers empty the house to chronicle life right now, and capture a few memories of Evanston so they can one day look back and marvel at the wacky year they spent here.

It seems most appropriate to start with Lucy, the big sister extraordinaire. Lucy fits the first born stereotype, responsible, practical, looks after her charges with sweet, attentive, authority. She is quite serious in her endeavors and could almost be described as intellectual, if she weren't 4. But she's not all business, there's plenty of room for pleasure.

And then there's Alice. Who MOVES. She keeps Mom and Lucy running all. day. long. She's goofy, quirky, playful, silly, spunky, spontaneous. The kind of sister those kids will love having, even though she'll make them a bit crazy at times with her big ideas and gregarious personality.

And then there's my George. Still as sweet and gentle and wise. This baby just has my heart.

We attempted to get a picture of the family of 5 all together which was comic genius. Alice just would not sit or stand still, she was on the go constantly. There just wasn't any way to get them all on the same page at the same time. But look at this gem. What is it do you suppose Alice needs George to know here?

It was a day full of spring color and pink cheeks and blue eyes and vibrant gorgeousness. But there were a few that were just begging for black and white. I'll send you off with those. And we'll be sending this rockin' family off in just one week. But thanks to the internet the world is smaller now. And while they will no longer be right down the street, they won't be far from our hearts.

Bittersweet indeed.

The Brothers K

2009-04-23T11:11:00.024-05:00

Sometime in the 90's, maybe even as many as 15 years ago I was living in New York City. I was on my way to work one morning, emerging from the subway onto one of Manhattan's busiest corners (34th & 7th), when who should I randomly run into but David, who had been one of my best friends in high school. Turns out he was on his way to work too. A coffee date later that day gave us ample time to catch up and make plans to get together with the now spouses. When I think of all we've shared both in high school and since that fateful day, I have to believe there was nothing random about it. It was one of the nicest gifts the Universe has ever presented me.

Here's David now, all grown up and handsome (well, OK, he was in high school too, but age seems to really agree with him). And with him is his precious family. Wife Erin, sons Graham and Noah.
Noah is the babycakes, the new toy. So he gets all the cooing and pumpkin pie attention. He is ridiculously cute in person. His parents refer to him as charming and cheerful. I must say I totally agree. He was sick while he was here and contrary to any other kid I've met, especially any 13 month old, it was as if he didn't even notice.

Erin is everything I ever expected of her as a mother. She is one of the most empathetic, naturally caring people I've ever met. Plus she's thoughtful, wise, and brilliant. So it was no surprise at all to see her so lovingly in action with her kids. What I love about this picture is how open and joyful she is. That pretty well sums up how she is with her kids.

And I must admit that, to me, David is one of the most amazing fathers. He so enthusiastically enjoys his children and his family and being a Dad. He shares with them his curiosity and creativity, his humor and good sense. He is undaunted by the tasks of parenting and seems to be energized by time with the kids. It's truly inspiring. It is obvious that fatherhood is the most important thing in the world to him. His devotion to his kids is nothing short of sacred.

Big brother Graham is almost too wonderful to describe. Pensive, silly, sweet, loving, smart, sensitive, kind. He is very into space right now. And by "very into" I mean at age 5 he knows way more about space and planets and stars and comets and such than I do. Which is why I love this picture. His brain is always working, not just thinking but also dreaming. Can't you just see the wonder?

He also has his rough and tumble, adventurous side. He and my son found these amazing climbing trees at the park. Graham didn't think twice about scaling them to amazing heights. He's long and lean, all limbs. I love how they're all folded up in this tree.

Quite naturally he is a wonderful brother to Noah. And Noah pays him much attention.

They have always been great friends to us and we love them dearly. It is such a joy to meet their children, such an eclectic blend of all that is wonderful in each of their parents. These last two show you everything you need to know about the fine family they are.

Ma Cherie Amour

2009-04-14T15:26:00.015-05:00

This is my cousin Cherie. She's always laughing and smiling. Her spirit overflows with sunshine and laughter. Don't get me wrong. She is a woman of great wisdom, substance, and takes her life and her job as a Mama very seriously. But what shows is her joy, her joie de vivre!

She has two girls Pretty Paige (born the night of my first date with my Mikie D.) who is a freshman in high school and dreaming of her sweet sixteen. And Beautiful Blythe is slogging her way through Middle School. Her son Kyle (not pictured) is graduating from high school this year and is a baseball superstar. He's just as handsome as the girls are beautiful. Cherie made herself some pretty babies!

She's a great Mom. She LOVES and ADORES her kids and they know it. She's patient, understanding, empathetic, nurturing, engaged. But she's also fun and funny, always making them laugh, diffusing tension and teen angst with humor. Theirs is one SILLY household!

This is Pretty Paige. Paige is outgoing, boisterous, confident, protective. If you mess with her she will mess with you back. She's a tough cookie but not at all hard.

And Beautiful Blythe. Blythe truly is sugar and spice and everything nice. And lucky for me she's incredibly patient when it comes to people, especially cousins, who just can't keep their hands out of her hair. Oh, the hair!

And this is David. He's new. He's her fiancee. They are recently engaged and very much in love as is evidenced here. He adores her which she deserves. He's charming, kind, gentle and devoted to her in every way. It's nice to see.

Today just happens to be Cherie's birthday. And I'm filled with excitement at this new chapter in her life and all the blessings that are currently coming her way.

Bon anniversaire ma Cherie! Love you always.

Easter Chicks

2009-04-09T22:37:00.006-05:00

It's Easter and what better way to bring in the joy of spring than with my favorite little chicks. No strangers to Clark Street, these sisters just might be my favorite models.

First we have Livi. She is a natural in front of the camera. What amazes me when I look at the pictures of her is how much she engages the lens. It's something that takes a certain amount of confidence and inner spark, imagination and fantasy, honesty and openness.

She has wisdom and maturity way beyond her years. She's what I'd call an old soul. She hasn't really learned anything yet, she pretty much has known it all since she was a baby. She did everything first in our playgroup and often way ahead of schedule.

Ceci on the other hand seems to be discovering this world almost for the first time. And she loves it!
She's at that sweet age of 2. Everything that comes out of her mouth is adorable. She's gaining her stride, making her likes and dislikes known, coming into herself. She's playful, fiesty, charming, spunky.

Adorable on their own, but heart stoppingly sweet together. Not only do they make an attractive pair. I mean, come on, look at them! So cute you could eat them with a spoon!

But their dynamic is one of genuine affection, understanding, and adoration.

I love this picture for the fierceness with which Livi loves her sister. And the safety Ceci feels in her big sisters arms.

I'm just crazy for these little chicks.

Just call him James.....James Bond

2009-02-14T12:20:00.001-06:00

Meet C & J with their "pony" James. James Bond that is. I put "pony" in quotes because technically, in the equine world, he is indeed a pony. But, to me, he's a horse. I mean look at him - he's a horse right? No, he's not. He's a pony. C & J know the difference. They take their riding very seriously, and it's clearly important to be accurate.

This is J, she rides first. She's been riding for about a year. Here she is with her instructor (trainer? coach? this whole world is new and fascinating to me - I don't yet have all the lingo). J is studious, determined and focused when she rides. She has perfect form and a natural grace on top of a horse, err, pony. She's downright elegant when she rides, you'd never know she's only 5.

Plus she's cute as a button. I mean come on, look at those dimples!

She has a relationship with her pony that is mature, intimate, passionate, intuitive. She can tell you what James likes and what he doesn't like. And I believe her. It's quite mystical, very romantic, and profoundly sweet.

C, on the other hand, is more cowboy than Prince. He has tremendous confidence when he rides. Not that J doesn't, she dances, he swaggers. His form is not technically perfect but he rides with such gusto and enthusiasm it doesn't really matter. He's got a certain style, a certain panache.

He too has bonded with his horse and loves to give him treats and take care of him. And it goes without saying that James is so gentle and protective of his young charges. C is in my son's class at school and I have to admit as a Mom I'm so impressed with these children. Both of my kids are afraid of dogs. And I can't get my 6 year old to ride a bike. Not only do C & J have NO FEAR when it comes to this animal. It's obvious they have a real devotion to both the sport and to James himself. I think passion at any age is remarkable. And on these two kids it's palpable and a joy to witness.

Happy Trails!

Sundance with the Smyths

2009-01-28T20:03:00.000-06:00

I had the good fortune to journey to Park City, Utah last week for the Sundance Film Festival. Well, kind of. Mostly I went to Park City to see our dear friends Sarah and Eric, their kids Grace and Will, and to meet their new baby, Owen Robert Smyth. The fact that we just so happened to time it for Sundance and Sarah scored awesome tickets for several premieres did not hurt. No, I will not be sharing my Sundance photos here on my blog. But don't be sad, the pictures of the Smyth family are way cuter. We'll start with the star of the show. Baby Owen. Here he is as I first met him.

He is - in a word - delicious. I sort of made it my job to pick him up and hold him whenever I could. I just couldn't resist. He got used to me (especially once I put the giant camera down) and would coo at me and even smiled at me. He's incredibly advanced where smiling is concerned. I refuse to believe it's gas, because when he's in his Mama's arms, he flashes her a smile that is not in any way connected to his GI tract. It's all flirty love for his favorite person.

He enjoys his siblings too. But more importantly they ADORE him. He is their favorite toy. The newness hasn't worn off at all and they spend almost all of their time looking at him, touching him, kissing him, helping Mom with him, etc. It is so incredibly cute. Here he is with big sister Grace and brother Will.

And let's not forget Dad. Eric is every ounce of Proud Papa that you'd want and expect. You can just see him dreaming of the day when he's out on the river teaching his sons to fly fish.

Here are some of Owen from my last day there. It was shocking how much he changed in just a few days. He is curious, an explorer at heart, very studious. He actively studies how his little body works and how to do his new tricks over and over again.

And I can't believe it but I actually got Will, age 3 and a half, to be still for a moment so I could capture him. Will is funny, sweet, sensitive, focused, loves his Mommy, and is very mechanical. This picture just makes my heart melt.

And then there's Grace, or Collin's betrothed, my future daughter-in-law. We'll call her Little Mama for now. She pours such joyful loving energy into Owen. I have no doubt that she will always be there for him, to guide and protect, maybe get him into trouble but never set him up for it. She is active, energetic, and very cool. Grace starts her day in the car with her shades on, singing and dancing to pop music on the radio. I have no doubt she'll be Most Popular, Homecoming Queen, Best Athlete, and all the rest. She loves people and people love her. I know I do!

All in all it was an incredible trip. I needed girlfriend time, and Sarah, like her daughter, is also one of those gals everyone loves. It restored my soul to hang out and be with their incredible family for a few days. I'd do it again in a heartbeat even without Sundance. Thanks for everything Smyths. Love you!

Doodle & Biscuit 2008

2009-01-15T10:25:00.001-06:00

This is my year in review. It's not a complete story of course, there are hundreds of things not photographed. But these are my favorites from the year.

This is Sadie. Also known as The Biscuit. She is as joyful as this photo depicts.

And Collin. Also known as Doodle. Appropriately shown in action. He doesn't slow down much. His energetic temperament is the opposite of Sadie's.

My favorites from our spring shoot. Such patient models.

They both love to play the piano though they don't take lessons. Collin is very serious, wants to be taught and can remember songs and practices them over and over until he gets them right. He also is very hard on himself when he forgets or hits the wrong note. But his mistakes only fuel him to work harder. Sadie is an improviser, tender and gentle. She plays and sings quietly. Not for lack of confidence, it's almost as if she's listening to the song the piano is asking her to play.

Summer was an exciting time around here. This was the last day of school and both kids were overjoyed to be together all day again.

Sadie at Chicago's famous BEAN.

All dressed up and fancy at their very first grown up wedding. Collin was so proud that I was reading in the ceremony. Sadie was captivated by the bride. Both behaved extremely well and it was a thrill to share the evening with them. Even if it meant we didn't close the reception down. (Although we all did much better than you'd expect!)

Collin coming in from the beach at Lake Tahoe.

We had a whirlwind road trip to the East coast and somehow, even though we had an entire van to store stuff, we forgot a stroller. Sadie, not the active one, doesn't usually ride in one which is how it was so easy to forget. But Boston and New York and amusement parks are very pedestrian places. And that was a lot of walking for Sadie. Too much. Which meant a lot of carrying by Mom & Dad. And even Collin helped us out. But they were laughing so hard most of the time they didn't usually get very far.

The ONLY thing Collin wanted to do over the summer was go see the Statue of Liberty. Which is funny because he wailed and whined almost the entire time. He hated it! Well, that's not exactly true. He loved the boat ride. And the statue. It was the waiting he had trouble with. Lines! Such long lines! All the waiting! It took forever!

Sadie had a pink princess birthday party and this was one of her gifts. She does enjoy dressing up but she's very particular about her clothes and the way they feel on her body. No pants, ever. Only leggings. Dresses 98% of the time. Summer dresses as often as possible. Even in winter. So when she dresses up it's usually in shoes. Sorry, glass slippers. But she was enamored by this outfit as was I obviously.

This is Collin playing fall soccer. He was in the wrong division. He was "that kid". When he was in he dominated the field, scored lots of goals, blocked the other team from ever getting the ball. And when he was on the bench, the other team actually got a chance to play. What can I say? He takes after his Dad.

This was a day at a Pumpkin Patch this fall. These are 2 common faces we see the kids making. This is Collin's dinosaur face. There's kind of a hissing, crashing T-Rex sound that accompanies it. And this is Sadie's incredulous face. Usually preceded by "What what what?!?"

These are my most recent pictures. What they look like right now. Well, what they looked like on Christmas Eve. Collin so handsome and dapper with his Christmas tie. He gets kind of a shy amused smile when he presents himself. Then collapses into me in a rare and cherished hug. As overwhelmed as I am by how grown up he looks and feels.

And Sadie all dressed in her "fancy party dress". With her "fancy black shoes" and "sparkly tights". She twirls and dances, which is more of a waist wiggle in front of her mirror once dressed. Then slowly and carefully approaches people with the look on her face that says, "Aren't I the most beautiful girl you've ever seen?" Yes baby, you truly are.

And here they are with their Daddy, the fabulous Mikie D. Without whom they would not be possible. You see here 2 kids who worship their Dad and appropriately so. He plays games, reads stories, tucks them into bed and showers them with attention and devotion. We're all so lucky to have each other.

Love,
Momgun

3C Ranch - the people

2008-12-23T16:55:00.000-06:00

Don't worry, there won't be a test at the end of this post. But I'm going to sketch out my family and how we all fit together in these photos. Some background might give some of the pictures their proper perspective.

My grandparents Forrest Sr. and Emilie had three kids: Forrest Jr, Connie and Martha. Here they are (in reverse order just to keep you on your toes) Martha, Connie and Forrest.

Between those three kids, they have five kids. So my grandparents had five grandchildren: Cherie, Kerry, Trevor, Emi, and Joe Ben.

This is Trevor (my brother), me (Emi) - we're Forrest's kids. Trev & I are here with Joe Ben, Connie's son. Not pictured because they weren't there for Thanksgiving this year are Martha's kids Cherie & Kerry. Still with me?

These are the Outlaws

God bless 'em they married into the Clark family. They look fun don't they? Trust me they are. They share a bond not unlike soldiers in arms....

This is Erin and her son Blake. Erin is not an outlaw, technically, but she is one of us. Her Dad is married to Martha. Which puts Erin in a unique and special category all her own.

This is Erin's Dad Gary. Also Martha's husband. Come on, follow along now. He's pictured here with my Dad Forrest. And quite frankly Gary is married almost as much to my Dad as he is to Martha. These two are best friends and dream and hatch plans for the farm on a continuous basis. They do a tremendous amount of work together. I count on Gary to keep an eye on my Dad and thankfully he does.

This is perhaps my second most favorite photo. Gary looks like he's said something a little racy to Martha, which would not be a stretch to assume. What I love about the picture is how much Martha enjoys him and what he whispered in her ear.

Connie was without her boyfriend Randy this year as he was at his own family reunion. I was glad only because Randy is 900 feet tall and I was a little nervous about how to fit him compositionally. We missed him though and I wish we had a picture. But I do love this portrait of Connie, one of the most well read, civically minded people I've ever met.

Connie and Martha are sisters and couldn't be more different. And yet are also profoundly alike. They have a way of combining their strengths to produce incredible results, especially where gardening is concerned. I've always loved watching their relationship as sisters and they model the best that word means.

My Dad takes his role as big brother very seriously and serves as a gentle guide for our entire clan. He has a presence about him that inspires peace and togetherness. It is through his vision that we all gather together in love at the farm. And my Mom supports him unflailingly. I've never witnessed two people more devoted to one another. Their awareness and acceptance of one another is masterful and incredibly kind. There is no better example I've seen of how to be married. Their love for one another is the greatest gift I've ever received.

This is my Mom's step sister Dana, who once was lost but now is found. Literally. I met her for the first time after I had already had my kids. But she and her brother Stephen felt like family to me immediately. I love the stories she tells from the old days and she has a great spirit of playfulness about her that is mesmerizing.

I'm veering off course just a touch to introduce Elizabeth, David, Coan and Grayer. Elizabeth's Mom is a cousin of Forrest, Connie and Martha. And when you're a Clark that's not just family, that's kin. Elizabeth has been such a blessing to us! She lives near the farm and she and David help us out whenever we need it. Plus she is a baker extraordinaire. Getting a picture of all of them was a challenge so here's the best of their family in bits and bobs.

Elizabeth and Coan

David with his boys, Grayer and Coan.

We all made a point to take portraits this year so here's what we've got in the family album for 2008....

Joe, his wife Jamie, their daughters Sierra (standing) and Naomi.

Trevor, his wife Kim, their daughter Emilie. These are the three people I would take with me to a desert island by the way. Most days they'd be selected before my own family.

Now do you see why I'd take my brother and sis in law over this grumpy crew? Pictured are yours truly, my darling husband Mike and our two charming children Collin and Sadie. I couldn't resist sharing this photo because it cracks me up! What you see here (rather obviously) is the remnant of a major meltdown and a total unwillingness to take a family photo. Mom is still optimistic however that the kids will flash a smile for the camera and is doing her best to look READY! Oy.

That's my family. The people who have shaped me into who I am and who I cherish and treasure. Boy, you really worked hard to follow along. Great work! Now you can stop reading and just enjoy the eye candy.

3C Ranch - the place

2008-12-14T14:59:00.000-06:00

Clark Street is still blogging about the Texas trip. Once we left Houston we drove to Shiner, TX, home of Shiner beer. Which is apparently a great place to drink and shop....

Wrapping up our Texas collection is my love letter to the Clark family and family farm, the 3C Ranch just outside Shiner. I'll start with the farm itself. An important character in the story of my life. We've had the place since I was a little girl. It is in its prime at the moment, lovingly cared for by an army of skilled family members, determined to keep it that little slice of peace we retreat to as often as we can.

I know I usually do people, and I promise I will get to them. But I can't help pausing to share some pictures I took while wandering around the place. This is in no way a complete collection of all the farm has to offer, just a few things that caught my eye this trip. It truly is a place of beauty and serenity.

It was Thanksgiving after all and we had a lovely feast. Those of you I grew up with might remember the blue plates. My parents extensive collection moved to the farm several years ago.
This is the 9 bedroom farm house built mostly from scratch. The foundation and parts of the first floor are from an old house we moved onto the property. The rest dreamed up by my Father then executed by the Clark army. We each have our own rooms and my aunt Martha keeps it all so well decorated.

This is my favorite picture of the 700+ I took while we were there.

The Schultz Brothers

2008-12-12T13:55:00.000-06:00

Also in Texas I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon (once Sadie's pink eye cleared up) with my dear friend Kathryn. She lived in Evanston for 3 years while her smart and handsome husband Jay got his JD/MBA at Kellogg. Kathryn moved to town and joined our play group when Thomas and Collin were just babies crawling on blankets at the park. We went through so many things together and she's commonly known in playgroup as the nicest person on the planet. She was also that friend I could call any time to rescue me from isolation and loneliness. She hasn't been replaced. That's just not possible.

Lucky for me she moved not only to Houston but her house is on the route between my parents and my in-laws. Making the drop-in play date as easy as it once was. And I'm thrilled to report we just slip right back into our routine when I'm there.

In addition to being the nicest person on the planet we also joke that she is from the prettiest family on the planet. We refer to them as "Kennedys", they're all gorgeous and warm and inspirational looking. I got to snap a few shots of her 3 boys during our much too short playdate.

We'll start with the oldest, Thomas. Kindegartener and life long pal to my Collin.

Then there's Griffin. Tough, strong and scrappy. Future suitor of my lovely Sadie.

And then there's Spenser who just turned one. He's a shameless flirt and so much fun!

The Lambert Experience

2008-12-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

Ever since I was a freshman in high school and I saw her on stage in our high school production of Once Upon a Mattress, I've wanted to be Kate Huston (now Lambert). She was a Junior and I worshiped her. As fate, good letter writing, and extreme generosity on her part would have it, we actually became good friends after she left high school. Now, all grown up and thousands of memories later I consider her among those closest to me in the world. And really, if I'm being honest, I still want to be her. Or like her. My admiration and love for her is endless. To my amazement and happiness she married Scott who is better for her in a million ways than anyone I could have designed and he has enriched my life completely. And then they had 2 charming, brilliant, precocious, theatrical children, Ashton (8) and Duncan (5) who simply have my heart. Together the 4 of them make up one of the most enthusiastic, passionate, dynamic and captivating families one could ever hope to meet. But the Lamberts aren't just a family. They are an experience. Seriously, they could charge admission.

They were so gracious to get all coordinated and cute and fall so naturally into loving family poses for me. It was clear they put effort into their shoot and I can only hope I've done them justice.

Soul Sistah

2008-12-01T23:25:00.001-06:00

This is T. And I'm not protecting her name, I can tell you it's Tracey. But I call her T. She calls me e. It's something we started via email 10 years or so ago. I have known her my entire life and she is without a doubt my soul sistah. I feel as close to her as I do to my own skin. And I had the pleasure on the TX sojourn to photograph Mrs. T and her beautiful boys Holden (pictured here) and Nicholas. Two of the most endearing children I have ever met. I'm seriously smitten. They are just so good! And NORMAL. (Short of their strange fascinations with brooms and windshield wipers.) If you've ever met my kids then you know how much reverence and awe I have for normal. Here's the reason why: Tracey rocks as a Mom!

Holden is his fancy little man sweater.

Nicholas in his.

This was the set up to the attempt to get them to pose together for the holiday card.

And they actually sat for loads of shots, most of which are excellent - because they are excellent little guys. But I must say, what kills me about the series is that in every single one Nicholas and Holden are holding hands just like this. They never let go of one another. It's the sweetest thing. Nicholas' other hand in some looks a wee bit like a choke hold. But draw your eye away from that - to the little clasped hands - and you can see two brothers in it for the long haul.

Nana's Garden

2008-11-19T00:06:00.000-06:00

Clark Street is on the road this month so you can expect to see lots of updates from the home state of TEXAS. For the first leg of our journey we're staying with my in-laws, and my Mother-in-law Jeri is Sadie's favorite person on the planet. Sadie is in heaven at her Nannie's house. And they just so happen to have one of the loveliest gardens I've ever been in. The light was just right the other day so we went out to grab a few shots. Some of these I'll treasure forever. Here's Sadie with her beloved Nannie.

And then I couldn't resist capturing some of the pretty things they have in their garden. This candle holder is on the most elegant art piece that also functions as a table.
Throwing rocks in this little fountain is a favorite pastime of both my kids. Someday I should pull together all the photos I have of them as they've grown up, measuring their size in relation to this quaint spot.
Through this sculpture you can glimpse the waterfall in the big pond (complete with fish to feed) and the cute little blooming lily pad that's floating there.

Sadie this trip loves to jump on the rock path up to the bridge and then shout "TA-DA!" This is her moment of triumph.

And then there's dusk. My favorite time of day for so many reasons. And my sweet Sadiekins showing her curiosity and reverence for the melodious wind chime.

Nana's Garden will always be one of those places they remember most about visiting their grandparents in Texas.

Party of Six

2008-11-13T09:12:00.001-06:00

I had the pleasure last Sunday of shooting John & Julie and their 4 adorable children, in order from oldest to youngest, Jack, Quinn, Will, and Janie. Oh they were such fun! Such willing subjects, parents who love their children and photography, and are willing to go to great lengths to get the shots. It's a tough time of year on the blog. We're in holiday card mode and I'd love to show you the great family pictures we've been getting but don't wish to spoil anyone's postal ta-da. This picture below I'm pretty sure won't be used as the card but it absolutely captures my heart. That face on sweet Janie!

This next series of the band of brothers I think makes a terrific storyboard. I would love to see them framed and grouped together.

And then there's Janie with her doting brothers.

Here's John getting Will ready for his big game close-up...

Jack really wanted to take pictures in his Michigan jersey. I was more than happy to oblige of course. Looks like he's ready for the Big House!
This to me is one of those perfect pictures. It's not the photography that's good. It's the moment we illuminated. This is the reason why I take pictures of parents and their kids. So that when these kids are pouring over childhood pictures as adults looking for clues, trying to fill in the gaps, there won't be any mystery as to how Mom felt about them and took care of them. Julie (and John too) has such enthusiasm and pure love for her children. And I was lucky enough to witness it.

Fabulous at Fifty

2008-11-08T08:09:00.000-06:00

I know I mostly do kids and families. But I truly believe photos are art and that we should all have pictures of ourselves that reflect who we are. My dear friend Molly was in town from Seattle this week (auditioning for a major Equity house), and she wanted some pictures taken for holiday cards. Well, she's just so dramatic and gorgeous and we were having so much fun we took over 700 pictures! No way for me to pick a few highlights really, but here are the ones that are speaking to me today.

This one says Merry Christmas to me.

Molly is from Seattle and in addition to being one of the greatest actresses I know she's also a Starbucks employee. (She assures me it isn't glamorous but I still think it is.) So I couldn't resist this shot. Pun totally intended.

She looks like such a movie star!

I sort of refer to these as catalogue ones. But a fabulous catalogue. One that only has gorgeous, classy models and cozy Irish sweaters.

We have a series of these cement ones. And seriously, I could have put 15 here. But this one is my favorite. Hands down. This is a woman of great depth.

Why yes she has played Titania, Queen of the Fairies!

The Irish sea captain is alive in these photos and I love to see Molly by the water. She's just so at home.

Picture Party!

2008-11-02T22:00:00.000-06:00

Over the weekend we had a very impromptu "Picture Party". And I had the pleasure of snapping away at my dear friends and their kids. Some of whom shall remain nameless.

This is Zoe. She's my Sadie's best friend. And I certainly hope this isn't a problem later in life when Zoe is attracting the attention of EVERYONE and poor Sadie feels inferior. Because even though my Sadie has blue eyes - they aren't anything like these.

Or these. On Cooper. Who is a very mischievious 5 year old these days. Something totally new for him. Usually shy and reserved he's very playful right now. I have pictures of him sticking out his tongue and wagging his bum at me but I decided to show his less silly side.

This is Tucker. Oh yes, he's got big blue eyes too. He's the oldest, about to be 7. And is very much the big brother. And knows a lot about sports. And sports teams. And the rules of the sports. An impressive amount really, it's easy to forget he's only 7 when you get him going about football and first downs.
Here we have Molly & Bill. you can see where the kids get the eyes can't you? They are dear friends who we'd be lost without. We've braved many a long winter together filled with "rescue me!" play dates.

On to our next family, TMJ. This is J with T. Interestingly enough the playful ones in this family are Mom & Dad. T was perfectly cooperative but M & J had a hard time sitting still and doing the work of modeling for the camera. That's OK, we all had more fun as a result. And I got some truly hilarious pictures. These aren't those. I worried those were more "you had to be there". So I added the sweet ones. That's more my thing anyway, don't ya think?

This is M & T. Oh sure, all smiles here. This was before the ear biting......

Another gorgeous kid with incredible eyes. We're so lucky to have the friends we do. Not just because of their excellent features. But also because of their wit and charm and Northwestern Smartypantsness. And they are "good people" as we like to say. We totally dig them all.

A Day at the Beach

2008-10-13T09:02:00.001-05:00

We're having an incredible fall here in Chicago. And one thing I love most about living here is the people. Collectively as a city we endure winter together. It bonds us as a community more than the Bears, the Cubs or the White Sox. And because we all know what's coming in the next months, we get out to enjoy the remaining days of warmth and sunshine as much as we can. We spent the late afternoon at the beach on Sunday and it was packed! With gorgeous fall trees behind us we frolicked at the beach as though it were a mid July afternoon. And we played with the most beautiful family on the North Shore.

This is Siena. Precocious, scrappy, silly, and sweet.

And her big sister Sage. Serious, studious and full of life.

What they both have in common, besides their beauty, is a deep love for their Mama. For good reason, she's patient, kind, gentle, empathetic. And with her equally wonderful and handsome husband they are giving these girls a foundation of love and comfort that is a pleasure to witness.

Orli Grace - Pretty in Pink

2008-09-29T13:50:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing one month old Orli Grace Littman on Sunday. She is vibrant, alert, intense and so precious you'd think she was candy.

Couldn't you just eat her up?

And her Mom Jessica, might just be one of the most relaxed new Moms ever.

And here's her big sister Mira going in for a kiss.

Mira is the best big sister EVER!

Here she is with her Daddy, Alan - unshaven but still handsome.

One thing that is clear about Orli, even at one month, is that she is a hard worker. You can tell that here by how relieved she is to finally be sleeping. Great work sweet baby.

George again

2008-09-25T14:42:00.000-05:00

Since I've spent the entire week with this baby I needed to put just a few more. Tomorrow I'll be shooting Orli and on to a new family. So I wanted to give George one more day to shine. Until the Christmas card shoot of course!

I just love Mama's rockin' tattoo

George Johnston Hall

2008-09-21T14:26:00.000-05:00

Some firsts are unforgettable, George is no exception. My very first newborn shoot. And oh was he a dream! It doesn't hurt that his gorgeous Mom is a lover of all things photographic and is a natural beauty and model. Plus his two charming sisters are so fun to photograph. There's so much more we got from the shoot. But I had to send up a little sneak peek......

George is good natured, flexible, curious, studious. Such an inquisitive and gentle spirit.

Big sister Lucy was so helpful and extremely well behaved. It doesn't hurt that she's a bit smitten with her baby brother.

The shoot could not have happened without Mark's patience and excellent management of the girls while we focused all our attention on George. Poor guy, the shoot was not at all about Dad which is why I'm glad we have this sweet shot.

Alice at 1+ did what she does best. Walk, run, squirm, get into things, and in general move constantly. Which is why I'm amazed we got these cute shots of her.

It was George's day however, so the majority of our pictures are of him. Here's a few of my favorites. Hopefully one will work for an announcement. But I almost hope we didn't get it so I can shoot him some more!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2008-09-19T01:21:00.000-05:00

Here on Clark Street we had our first Holiday Card shoot of the year. And what a time we had with the gorgeous Palumbo gals. Here's a sampling of shots most likely to NOT be selected for the formal holiday card.......

I just love the waiting - can't you tell that Santa is taking FOREVER!

Perhaps Ceci is running to see what's under the tree.

Livi just hanging around

Not the most lady like of poses - but too cute not to shoot!

This girl is all glamour and drama. Can you say starlet?

Sometimes the most fun pictures happen well after the "shoot" is over.

The Brothers Three

2008-09-17T19:18:00.000-05:00

These are the Millers. "Looking cool."

This is Evan. He's the oldest. Serious, studious, responsible.

Here's Avery. His likeness to Lance Armstrong is uncanny. He falls in the middle but is totally unforgettable.

And then there's sweet Baby Wyatt who loves the camera.

These were taken this summer when we had a magical week with them in Boston. Thanks for the memories, we'll be back soon we hope!

The Chicks

2008-09-09T07:22:00.000-05:00

This is without a doubt one of my favorite families. You've never met nicer more well behaved girls. Olivia is a little fashion model and loves the camera. Cecilia is a firecracker of a gal who invites fun wherever she goes. Their parents call them "The Chicks".

This is Olivia

And her little sister Cecilia

These shots were taken this summer.

What says summer more than watermelon?

Well...popcicles I guess! Great work girls - we'll see you soon!

The Doodle's First Day

2008-09-02T20:01:00.000-05:00

In honor of Collin's first day of first grade I thought he could be the star of the show today. This is what the last few months looked like. And when he got home from school this afternoon he already looked older....

The Bon Bon

2008-09-01T23:29:00.000-05:00

Here's Clara. This is one of my favorite pictures. She looks so angelic here. And it's not that she isn't a little angel because she is - she's shockingly alive, aware, engaged. It's just that she's also....I believe the term is....spirited. She has no idea how old she is or what she can't do. (This is no surprise considering her rockstar parents.) And it will serve her so well in the future. But it makes for some interesting trips to the playground! She no longer lives near us which makes me deeply sad. But we have plans for a fall trip to her new home and hopefully we'll debut the whole family on Clark Street just in time for those glorious foliage pics.

Alice & Lucy

2008-08-31T16:16:00.000-05:00

Here are photos taken in July of Lucy and her little sister Alice. On Tuesday when my Collin is heading off to his first day of school, Lucy and Alice will welcome their new baby brother to their lives. And in about a month he will make his debut here on Clark Street. If he looks anything like his precious little sisters we're going to have a wonderful shoot!