And They Lived Happily Ever After . . .

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!

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

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.

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

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.