The wind in my sails

Most days these two are the wind in my sails- and more often than not- they just take my breath away!

Just a couple of random shots from the last couple of weeks- They are growing up so fast- I teeter on tears- so proud and so sad they are growing up and less dependant on me.... kind of like a kite- you have to give them some string and test their flight.... right before they come crashing back to earth and need you to kiss it better for them! :) (or as my folks would tease me- just enough rope to hang your self up with.....)

And now that I have daughters of my own- I get "it"- all those things mom tried to teach me....Thanks momma! :)

Coming soon...

Coming to a newly designed website near you soon.... Doctors Dan & Nicole Morin and their lovely staff Kim & Lisa!

Yesterday was SUCH a gorgeous day- it worked out perfectly for us to do some quick head shots of the office for their new office website. Can't wait to see it all put together!

This is such a fun group- Dan & Nicole are our friends- and neighbors- and our own chiropractors- love them to death- they are a laugh riot- and not stuffy in the least! If you're looking for a good "bone-cruncher" - they both rock! You'll be standing at your full height again in no time! Check them out!

http://www.naturallychiropractic.net/

Naturally Chiropractic Family Wellness Center303 91st Ave. NE Suite E-504 Lake Stevens, WA 98258425-334-6258

Hot Shots

Tip-off!

Just before Spring Break, Oni was invited to join a new AAU team being formed in the Sno-ho area. These are typically a select team situation.... and since she just picked up a ball in November-we were excited and grateful that they would take a chance on an inexperienced player. Now- that's not to say that there haven't been a couple of bumps in the road- and that it's been a good wake up call for her.... she has to learn to work as a TEAM- and it's hard work- but can be a TON of fun! And it can be a total tear-down of your self confidence before it's a build back up- but I think we're on the build back up... she was not real sure going into this double header yesterday..... and even tho it was hard play- full court- for two games back to back.... she left with a smile and a renewed sense of "can-do"... she wants to try harder and pay better attention so she can play better this weekend.... cross your fingers and say a little prayer!

Our team is red- we're the "Hot Shots". And while a bit shell shocked at the very start- we came back strong in the second quarter of the first game- playing a team that was crazy fast and a couple of girls with some amazing vert- pretty sure some of these kids from Seattle have been playing since kindergarten- they were really good!

Here Oni & Emma the "Twin Towers" as we like to call them-(at over 5' each *in shoes* ...they are definitely the tall girls on the team) mapping it out as the ball comes toward them....

Looking for the rebound....

Emma giving this girl no room to move

I'm sorry I don't know all the girls' names yet- but our girl protecting the ball...

Oni- taking it out

In our second game- it was turn over city- the Wolf pack was very effective at stripping the ball

Tho our girls were trying to make it difficult to move-

Emma going for and making 2....

Oni- taking a piece of the rebound action

Emma- back in there fighting for the ball

The look on Emma's face cracked me up- she and 22 were having a battle of wills and she was sick of the other girl's trash talk.....

#1- wrestles the ball back into possession

Sadly we didn't win either game yesterday- but we now have a far better idea of what it's going to take to get there!!!! Wish us luck this weekend!

Easter Sunday

Yes- I know- it's Thursday night- and that Easter was in fact nearly 5 days ago- but better late than never, right????? C'mon- please say I'm forgiving..... Thanks! :)

I think part of the reason I stalled on these- is that I was totally frustrated that things happen at such a crazy, break-neck speed on Easter when we all meet up for brunch at Anthony's in downtown Kirkland. And you are in and out so quickly- not a lot of lounging happening.

And it was pouring buckets of rain- so my only real option to snap a couple of pix of the girls in their pretty dresses was in the busy foyer before any breakfast made it's way onto their chins or dresses........

And that security glass- it's not really what I would call a perfect background. I had a plan- I was going to set up the studio in the garage- but the kids were out of their dresses and into sweats about as fast as.... well- danged quick- that's for sure!

And I had to get moving on the food for later in the afternoon- lots of prep work... so it is what it is- there are some fun quick pix- and they are smiles and pretty dresses and our silly girls together having a good giggle. I guess I just need to smile and take things as they come, huh? I'm working on that- I really am......

Geepers Creepers...

Anyone remember the Foster Grant jingle from the 70's????

Geepers, Creepers, where'd you get those peeper, Geepers, Creepers- where'd you get those eyes??????

Anyone??? Well speaking of some beautiful peepers...... Check out my little neighbor babe.....

Those lashes and those eyes just melt me.......

Have a great day! Find something to giggle about! xoxo D

Era gone by????

I have share with you a small part of my shoot from Saturday.....because it's just so danged fun!~

I love it when a plan comes together- and the planets align and pitch in some extra good luck. This was a make-up shoot from last month that got rained out and we need to get it done as it's for Dave & Tiffany's wedding anniversary. And even as ominous as the clouds were.... we did NOT get rained on as predicted!

I love shooting pix with Tiffany and her BFF&E Rosie. I've known this duo forever- and have shot with them several times- and trust me- nothing is sacred or dull with them around!!! My sides hurt from laughing!!!! And if there was audio to this shoot- we'd be in trouble- let's just put it that way..... :)

Tiffany and her alternate persona Fi-Fi came prepared with a trunk load full of props and clothes and shoes- and neither of these girls are afraid to change clothes in the car or alley way as needed (transients and drunks cat calling doesn't even phase 'em!) So we had a ball mixing and matching and playing with our surroundings in historic downtown Snohomish. The buildings and antique shops keep the feeling of an era gone by.... and with the props begged, borrowed and bought- we not only had fun- but recreated some shots that look like they could have been taken at several points in the last century.

I have to thank Miss Kim at Faded Elegance for letting us invade for a few minutes- her shop just exudes glamour and class from it's every nook and cranny. If you still haven't checked her out- take a few minutes- wonderful shop- my absolute favorite in Snohomish!!!!

http://www.fadedelegancestyle.blogspot.com/

I love this shot above in color as much as I do in sepia....

A last minute addition to our bag of tricks was this Asian inspired "little black dress"... I happened to have a couple of gorgeous parasols...(this was that extra bit of luck I mentioned before)... but we were quickly losing our daylight- and as luck would have it- we found a great tree- in bloom right on the river... so we got our "cherry blossom/geisha" pix too!

This however did not come without a price.... Rosie was covered in petal from maneuvering the delicate blooms to frame Tiffany- who was traipsing down a steep bank, in 4" pumps and climbing through baby blackberry brambles.... they were such great sports!!! But the results were stunning!

We finished in the garage studio to give her the "glam, pin-up" photos she wanted for Dave.

Let's just say- I think he'll love them....

....ya, think?????

Tiff- thanks so much for choosing me on this project- I had an absolute riot!!!! Love ya girl! & you too Rosie- you're next!

xoxo D

Race for the Cure

Hi all!!! Hope you had a great Easter weekend! It’s that time again- Seattle’s Race for the cure is June 7th, 2009. Please join the girls & me if you are able - in our efforts to raise funds for detection, awareness and a CURE!!!! We are walking in the 5k Co-ed family walk and we’d love it if you’d come and join our team! We are team name “Miracle Miles”. We walk for so many of the survivors in our lives…..

Lyla Manning
Elinor Smith
Lu Lu Sansburn
Marsha Moody
Norma Marvin
& many others..

**** photos courtesy of my mother, Vicki Geis of Photos by Vicki *******

We walk in honor of our dear friend Nan Sarb who ultimately lost her battle in February of 2007. We walk for all of our survivors and pray that we never have to walk for ourselves or our daughters.....

Come and walk with us- raise some joyful noise- spend time together giggling, make a day of it in Downtown when you're done- you'll be glad you did- I promise!!!!

If you want to join us in the walk or make a donation- check with your employer- some will match your donations!!!!! :)

Click here to view the team page for Miracle MilesIf the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:http://www.pugetsoundraceforthecure.org/site/TR/Race/General?team_id=18150&pg=team&fr_id=1130&et=jlzvpaYm3dypUCZRA4ylqA..&s_tafId=14031

Thanks so much for your support!!!! Xoxo Didi, Onika & Gabbi

An I'm sorry......

There's not much more heartfelt in this world than an "I'm sorry note" from a child........

......Gabbi had a rough weekend last weekend- and she thought we were the meanest parents in the whole wide world because we made her clean up her room and parts of the house that she left cluttered and trashed in her wake. (Tasmanian devil or Peanut's Pig-Pen come to mind here.....)

Gabbi gave me this last night- complete with the flowers taped to it as I pulled in to the garage. And she looked me straight in the eye and apologized for this last weekend....

I could have been hurt and angry about the things she had said in her phonetically spelled rant- but I know that she is growing up- and smart.... she took her anger & frustrations with me.... about me on paper- she was just not forward thinking enough to destroy the evidence... and her sister was only too happy to hang her out to dry by showing me what she had written..... but that's another story all together there.......

Pink Star Magnolia

ok- have you ever seen anything quite so delicate and exotic looking?????

My next door neighbor just planted this Pink Star Magnolia and it's the view from my home office window- I couldn't stand it-I had to grab my camera- I love this tree!

I fell in love with the regular white one that is gi-normous at the arboretum over the years...

but this one is special!