Easter Sunday

I was trying to catch some snaps of the girls before we left and they were cutting up, blowing bubbles and throwing the football WHILE I was trying to shoot....annoying but very funny all at the  same time

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Easter Sunday was flat and grey outside- but we certainly managed to have fun!  The Easter Bunny was very creative and generous to our girls and they had a ball hunting for treats and treasures.  We had to scurry around and get dressed and ready to roll and we met up with Ron's side of the family for brunch in Kirkland.

Later in the day we had our friends the Mc Neeleys join us for supper, egg dying and some hoops games.  It was good day for sure! Gabbi and Steve are the jesters- always wrestling or messing with each other.  Trey and Oni are the quiet cerebral ones- reading or playing board games.  We grown ups- cooked, chatted and watched hoops.  We feel very blessed that we were all brought together- the families fit so well.

 *I Counted our blessings- as they are many*

Chix Pix

 You know- it all sounded good in theory....

One dozen little fuzzy yellow chicks. Check.
Giant plastic Easter Eggs. Check.
Easter Baskets. Check.
One dozen small children (and oodles of excited parents) booked to have photos taken. Check.

Permission to invade the yard of a neighbor, who has the perfect "little old lady"  house with soft dappled sunlight through enormous old growth trees, on the unmanicured lawn that is largely comprised of moss- and it was perfect for my giant Easter eggs, baskets and bunny ears.... and lots and lots of children..... Check.

But as I rose early on that completely dreary Sunday morning... it was pouring sideways rain, sleet, hail and snow greeted me when I opened the front door.  I was praying to all spirits who would listen to bring me sunshine- or at the very least- make it stop precipitating!  But the weather continued to get worse as the minutes ticked by and I took the weatherman's name in vein a number of times while contemplating whether or not it would make me a terrible person if I took up drinking at 8 AM.  I was relatively confident that I may have a heart attack- I was positively nauseous.

I began taking inventory of what I did have... (I had left two of my old studio lights burning over night to keep the garage warm for the fragile little chicks and consequently killed both bulbs....) I knew I couldn't shoot indoors in the garage studios with only one soft box and that many moving subjects. (lesson learned... ALWAYS  have a back-up on hand....) 

Gabbi and I began to brainstorm (she is the best little assistant some days!).  We realized that our front porch- was pretty good sized and with the overhang- well shielded from the rain.  Our house is boring old plain white with white trim... which acted like a natural light deflector and bounced around what light we did have.... so she and began running around gather props, light poles, clamps and back drops and set up a studio set on the front porch.  It was definitely more commercial than I tend to work, but it would have to do!

Thank goodness that my friends and new clients had faith in my craziness- because we got some cute stuff- and as the morning moved along- the sun came out and we had a glorious afternoon.

And I absolutely could not have pulled this event off without my two built in assistantants- Oni & Gabbi you were rock stars!  And a huge thank you to LSHS Senior and fellow photo-geek, Kaitie Jacobs.  It was certainly not glamorous work- but it was essential to making it all happen.

And so- with out further chicken scratch {pardon the pun}... enjoy the cuteness that is kids and baby chicks!   Happy Spring! xoox Didi V.

Country Girls

With all this sunshine over the last week- I've been running like crazy (and fighting a gnarly cold) so I'm trying to play catch up. (hence why I'm behind in sharing this set)... 

I was so fun to see my girl Bobbi last week when she was in town.  She's an Idaho County girl like me.  And she is the embodiment of simple, un-fussed with beauty.  Amazing hair, flawless skin, Jade green eyes, freckles (I heart freckles) and the sweetest smile..... the girl has got it goin' on!

Every woman should have beautiful photos of herself... mark these times in your life- don't wait to have  a photo-journal of who you are.  Embrace all that is perfect and unique about you......Your family will thank you....

xoxo Didi V.

Monkey-ing around.....

So I know.... I'm way behind on this post....  This was from October- on a very wet Seattle day.

I love the zoo- more specifically- I love the Woodland Park Zoo.  It's beautiful- and while I don't love that the animals are in captivity- I'm grateful to be able to see and experience them up close and appreciate how magnificent and magical that is.

Our dear friends {the P- Fam} from Spokane were over for a visit and the kids wanted to go to the zoo... and it was the perfect day to go- there was virtually no one there but us.  We could linger as long as we wanted to with no worry of being in someone else's way.  It was great!  We were also joined by Sean's sister Sarah and her family- so I had lots of absolutely adorable little monkeys to photograph!

If you haven't gone- or been a while- go in the off season- it's a better rate and way less visitors!

Have a great day- go monkey around! xoxox Didi V.

Weddings and Wineries....

This last week while we've been on vacation has absolutely evaporated!

Last weekend we were in Portland, OR to witness our dear friend Joel marry his long ago high school sweetheart Bridgette- who as the universe happen to see fit- to bring them together some 20 years later. They, along with Joel's beautiful daughters had a sweet ceremony at the lovely Elk Cove Winery. *you can read more about them here*

http://www.elkcove.com/

We had a great time as it was a bit of a reunion of old friends from our days in Bellingham and WWU... of course the boys had to keep the stories to a minimum as we're all respectable adults with kids now....(try not too hard to fall off your chair there.....). But truly- the rehearsal and the reception were great fun watching everyone reminisce and laugh out loud.

I had the luxury of just sitting back and playing at this wedding- but I couldn't help but snap a few shots- because the details, venue and couple were gorgeous.

I wish them a most happily ever after! xoox D

Here is the happy couple catching some last sweet sunlight on the fringes of the pinot grapes with their photographer. You can catch his work here:

http://shumakerphotography.com/

2010 Komen Race for the Cure Seattle

June 6th, 2010
Seattle Center- Seattle, WA
Susan G. Komen's RACE FOR THE CURE

I can't even tell you how my heart sank Sunday morning when I rose (at an un-Godly hour for a Sunday) to what can only be described as miserable drizzle...

I have been planning and fundraising for this day for months.... and it was going to end on a wet, wet day.... But- the rain didn't dampen our spirits- my smart phone and doorbell began ringing and binging off the hook at 7:15AM! Friends pulling up to the driveway or pouring into my kitchen- all ready and rearing to go. (have I mentioned I'm blessed with some of the most amazing circle of friends ever???? Seriously- they are the BEST!!!!!)

It turned into a game of hurry up and wait tho- as I5 traffic was a bit heavy considering the amount of rain and water on the roads... . Once we exited Mercer tho- it was a traffic debacle.... at the over pass as you are heading up Mercer- it was merged into one lane for construction... (I'd personally like to thank the City of Seattle for this genius move in planning....) and everyone who was headed for the 5k family walk- was all pretty much headed for the same parking garage on 3rd & Mercer.... (which is by the way- pretty swank for a silly parking garage...).

Once we located each other via cell phone... we headed up top and up Harrison and the fountain.... and a mile long line for the bathrooms for the kids before we started. Once we had found the remaining members of Team Miracle Miles- we headed for the start line.

Now if any of you have ever done this event- we're doing the 5k walk- which is more like a crawl- as you and 12,999 other folks- are trying to politely not flat tire each other- and stay with your group as a few rude rogue walkers and wanna be joggers and Johnny Come Lately scramble to find their groups- by stepping on you.... But soon that gives way to smiles and in spite of the pouring rain- laughter.... The announcers yell out team names- some are sentimental- others are bawdy- but all here, are walking in support or memory of someone dear to them.

Our team all walk for someone (or multiple someones) that are dear to them. Hence why I tried my hand at designing our own team T's this year. I wanted to be able to show onlookers the beautiful faces of the women we were walking for. It seems it was a hit- and I'm so glad. :)

Our team name, Team Miracle Miles comes from a conversation I had with my dear friend Nan Sarb about 5 years ago. She said she while she was going through chemo and radiation for her ACC (Adenoid Cystic Sarcoma) that she wanted to be known as MIRACLE NAN, she wanted to be the one who beat her exceedingly rare form of breast cancer- but, unfortunately, even after mastectomy and a battery of surgeries and treatment, it finally spread to her lungs and bones. We lost her physical presence- but her spirit and love lives on in us, the Miles Family.... and Team Miracle Miles. I'm blessed with friends and family who support my need to want to help others and honor my friend.

I am also blessed that I have so many women who've beaten it- who are looking back from this side- and shaking their fist- saying, 'not this time cancer- not this time!!!!'

And so for these women- and my friends, and my daughters and myself.......I will continue to walk every single year..... until we find a cure. :) Then- I'll just shake my ass in the streets and do a little dance of praise!

Thank you again- to all who supported our team- whether it was walking with me, financial donations or thoughts, prayers and kind words.... I love you & thank you. As Nan used to sign all of her correspondence:

Do small things with love....

Much love- Didi

Mimosa Meeting

A couple of months ago- my friend Amy and I hatched a plan..... she recently graduated from Massage school- and I volunteered my house to host a get together with my friends. A way for her to meet lots of new people and potential clients- all in one place. And I have a great group of girlfriends- all of whom are all crazy busy with work and family- and really- who couldn't use some girl time and some pampering and oodles of good giggles?

So everyone arrived yesterday morning in their pj's, no make-up, with brunch food and champagne in hand. We made yummy decadent coffees, mimosas in every flavor, and ate all manner of brunch foods bad for you. (calories were exempt from this party)

Everyone got in on some pampering massage from Amy and the rest of us snuggled up and watched old movies and giggled and talked while we waited our turn. It was fabulous-

You know you've all seen the email forwards about "have a group of girlfriends".... and it's true... we lift each other up when we've fallen or feel down, take each other's kids when needed, laugh and cry together, fill in when the others are sick or broken... you just do, because you love each other- and know that they would do for you in a second.... I love my friends- I'm so blessed. :)

I know that many were worried that it was too much-so soon for having a party here- but it was exactly what i needed...... I was energized by a day with girls. So thank you to all my lovies! My pretty tulips from Andrea- spring is coming- I promise. (even if my house is very confused right now- I got the Xmas down outside and Valentine's up.... but inside is still Xmas, and there are lots of spring flowers all over my kitchen....I need to get my holidays back in line!)

there were many casualties (fallen soldiers) at the end of the day- but it was a fun and bubbly day!

we only managed a partial group photo- but aren't we cute??? :)