First Day of First Grade

They grow up much too fast!

Luke's New Do...

Bug Day!

Have I mentioned how much I love living in Idaho? I LOVE it!! This past weekend the Idaho Botanical Gardens hosted its annual most fun event ever...Bug Day!! I love living in a place that has a special event dedicated to the second most favorite things of boys, BUGS!! (In case you were wondering what comes first...much to my disappointment it isn't their moms...it's rocks.)

Anyway what could be cooler than having a Mormon cricket crawl up your arm?

That would be having a walking stick crawl up your arm...and a hissing cockroach too...at the same time!!!

Oh, look at this cute little bug...

Jay Goes Green

Before we left Boise, Nick and I had discovered a special place in the foothills. He was drawn to it because it require some four-wheeling and I loved it because it overlooked the city. We would go there to celebrate our anniversary, birthdays, or for no reason at all...just to get away...without really getting away. When Nick returned from his deployment to SWA we loaded up the jeep with a champagne breakfast and watched the city come to life. Anyway, we recently made our first trip to our spot since returning to Boise. Surprisingly, not much had changed except the road leading to our spot is starting to be paved for more housing. I have a feeling it won't be our spot much longer...unless we come into some serious money. Anyway, we took the boys, in the Jeep, of course, and had a wonderful time. While we were there Jay noticed that there was a lot of litter on "our mountain." He suggested we come again with garbage bags and garden gloves and clean it up. My heart swelled with pride. It isn't my doing though, before we left NC Nick took Jay out with the Knighs of Columbus on a highway clean up. So, this good deed can be attributed to him...but I am still so amazed that Jay took such pride in this land, enough to want to come back and clean it up. Now, if only I could instill that pride in his room!! Anyway, here are some photos from "our mountain" clean-up.

Doesn't Nick look good? Yeah baby!!! He has been working out like crazy...his hair long and I even like the goatee...he looks distiguished with that touch of gray. Yep, I married a "HOT-TEE!!!"
Sunset from "our mountain." This was just the beginning we had to leave just as it was REALLY getting good. Note to self...must always have camera ready!!!

One Month Ago Today...

...Anne and Tony were married. Happy One Month Anniversary!!!

Anne is my sister-in-law and one of the most beautiful people I know. She is very creative, incredibly compassionate and has a very quick whit, which makes her a lot of fun to be around. I met Anne when Nick and I were dating. I shared a room with her when Nick brought me home to meet the family. Anyway, we stayed up all night talking. I liked her so much that I hoped that if things didn't work out with me and Nick I could continue to be her friend. Well, things worked out and better than friendship, she has become my sister. Through the years, one of my prayers for Anne was that one day, she would meet a man who appreciates her. Truly appreciates the beautiful person that she is. Not just her exterior beauty but her heart. God answered that prayer when she met Tony. He is equally witty...which make them both a blast to be around...and he loves Anne...truly loves her. He is the kind of person you meet who you instantly feel a bond with. I am so happy for the both of them and look forward to seeing where their future leads...I know it will be chock full of fun and adventure.

Anne and Tony were married on Hermosa Beach on July 22. They had their wedding their way...and it was beautiful!!! I caught them in a kiss just as Tony left to find his place on the beach...yep, that's right he actually saw her before the wedding!

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you...Tony is waiting for Anne to walk down the flower pedal aisle with her two sisters Susan and Sarah. They officiated the wedding. Nick likes to joke that his sisters married his sister!

No L.A. wedding would be complete without the paparazzi. And for dessert...cookies!!! Anne and Tony like them and opted for a variety of desserts as opposed to the traditional tiered wedding cake. They were delicious!!!

More wedding photos...

I love this shot. Iguess it reveals the voyeur in me. Anyway, this was taken outside Anne & Tony's Motel room. Hair still in curlers, Anne takes out her wedding gown.

Congratulations Anne & Tony!!! We wish you many years of happiness and lots of babies.

Ooops, did I just cross the line?

Fun in the Sun!!!

Jay trying out the surf board...before tying it to the ski boat.

Check out that balance!

I love the shot of this sweet toddler...I can't see his face, but I am sure he is looking at the boy playing in the water anticipating the day he'll be big enough to splash and play. Actually, I think he already believes he is big enough to join him...his mom just won't let him.

After looking at these photos to share, I noticed they are all taken of the backs of heads...no surprise. I have found as a parent and photographer I often find myself literally behind the children...they are always on the move! The image of my son, Nick's back will be forever imprinted on my brain as he took his first steps, the first time he learned to pedal away on his tricycle, every trip to the pool that I followed on foot as he rode his bike, or scooter. The first day of school as he entered the classroom. I could go on and on. As he grows he may slow down, or not but I will always be there, standing right behind him.

Hoinken Doinken

I love watching my dad cook!

The Hoinken Doinken


Crampa, Katherine and Nonnie...shortly after breakfast...see, everyone is happy!!

Have you ever had a Hoinken Doinken? How about a flat egg...I mean a REALLY flat egg, one that has been flattened with a hammer or the bottom of a shoe? How about a Slippery Scallopini? Ever had a chewing gum egg? Well, in case you were wondering...those are all breakfast items created by my grandfather...Crampa. I really can't tell you the secret recipe to any of those entrees...mainly because I don't know and also, because they always change. I do know the chewing gum egg had a lot of mozzarella cheese....so much we could actually blow bubbles!!! I don't think the flat egg was ever REALLY flattened with my Crampa's shoe...it was always very flat though...but I know him well enough that I don't think his secret ingredient would be dirt off the bottom of his shoe. I wouldn't have minded though...the breakfast experience with my Crampa was so much fun I would have eaten ANYTHING...brussel sprouts even...and thought it was the most fantastic meal of my life!!! The one common theme to every dish was the secret prize. Sometimes it was as simple as a cherry on top...others, it was a quarter taped to the bottom of the plate.

Unfortunately my Crampa is no longer with us. But I know he smiles from heaven when he sees that his tradition lives on. Pictured is the Hoinken Doiken created by my father at our last family reunion. Thanks Dad!!! It was the best h'egg I have had in a long time!!!!

Six Months and Counting...

I can hardly believe that 6 months ago, today, Luke was born. Time flies!!! It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant, making my daily outing to Starbucks for a decaf, non-fat, sugar-free latte (or as my sister-in-law calls it, "The Why Bother"). Anyway, I was huge and uncomfortable and ready to meet this baby growing inside me. As my due date crept to an approach I was convinced his birth would never come. I had to reassure myself that no baby ever went to kindergarten straight from the womb. Then, on the due date I had computed on webMD just nine-months earlier, my contractions started. You wouldn't believe the disappointment I felt when the doctor told me I was probably in false labor.

"You're too happy" he told me.

"DUH!!!" I replied, "I'm ready!"

Just to show him, Luke was born at 3:20 a.m. Yep, that's right. Right in the middle of the night...no sympathy from me for the tired doctor. Actually, he was wonderful and it was the second most magical moment of my life...right next to the birth of Nick.

Now it is six months later. Luke is a great baby!! He is happy and mostly content and still likes to wake me up in the middle of the night. Here's to your first six months of life Luke. I love you!!!

Happy Birthday Olivia!!

Today, August 10, 2007, my youngest sister turned 10 years old!!! I can hardly believe Olivia has entered double digit age. I love you Olivia!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Nicole!!!

August 8, 2007, my sweet niece Nicole turned six!!! Happy Birthday Nicole!!!

Quella Persona

Hello, welcome to Quella Persona (pronounced by me and my family as Kala Persone). Quella Persona is Italian for "that person." It is a phrase I heard often growing up by my Nonnie, my aunts, uncle and Dad. Usually it was said when they were talking about one of us kids while we were in listening distance. They would refer to "quella persona" so that we wouldn't know they were talking about us. For example, "Wow, Quella Persona, sure has some pep-on-cool" Okay, now for another translation, "pep-on-cool" is translated to pepper on the coolie which means "hyperactive." Usually, that statement was made about my brother, Mark. He is the one who photographed this beautiful portrait of Nonnie. Mark is a high-end wedding photographer and photojournalist. You can some of his work on http://www.cafierophoto.com/ and through his blog http://www.sixpeeps.com/. Anyway, regardless of his high status as a photographer, Quella Persona, is still just a big kid. This is him pictured with my son Luke and niece Macie. I do owe a lot to Mark though...he has been very generous with me, teaching me finer points of photography, encouraging me to pursue my passion for children's and family portrait photography and always being kind when critiquing my work. It is by his example that I have started this blog. Quella Persona is dedicated to my two precious boys, Nick and Luke, who I find I refer to quite often as "Quella Persona."