my dad came to visit

and beleive it or not, I had to work. AT THE VIDEO STORE. Big bummer. Seems the stomach bug was going around Slaton and one of my employees was not going to work. She called, I went. Dad drove in, let himself in the house and made himself at home, my insistence of course. We had a great visit! He lives in Kentucky and I don't get to go there as much as I need to to or want to for that matter. So, I was really not planning on doing a thing when he got here.

• card games, Phase 10 mostly
• played several games of "one on two" BB and HORSE and anything else that involved our 1/2 court and basketball goal.
  
• went to Tinseltown and watched the movie Narnia, which was so beautiful and well done that I would see it again and again!
• listened to Dad's new Christmas CD and some of the tracks on his up and coming CD, although my stereo sucks and we couldn't get it to play very well.
• played on the laptops and computer and even set up a blog for dad!
• laid around the house being lazy and staying in our PJ's all day. (Okay, so that was me and not them, but still, I loved it.)
• visited constantly and tried to get caught up on every day things you miss in each other's lives and basically just thorougly enjoyed each other's company.
• realized Mimi has an inner thing going with "biker chicks". That woman can RIDE!
  
• cried when we read the sweet notes they left for us the morning they left.

WE LOVE YOU!

Here's just a few of the images I took while they were there. Can't believe it was such a short visit. And once again, I had a wedding. Must go back to KY for a visit really soon. Anyone getting married in Kentucky?

Summer, putting on her best face for a chance at Phase 10. The girl can pout!

my 2 professional models, mugging for the camera

the winning hand?

the crew posing for an after game shot

the real game begins! Can't belive you didn't let the girls win, Dad. Come on!

Of course they still wore you out.
Don't feel bad, they do me too.

Christmas with Wisconsin

Great Grandma with all her Great Grandkids!

Every other year we celebrate Christmas with Devin's family from Wisconsin. This year was no different. We pigged out, played games and exchanged gifts with the Traditional Chinese Chirstmas. This bunch has so much fun playing together! We hate for it to end, but very quickly, the babies start to fall asleep and the evening comes to a close.

Monica, Laura, and Valerie

Jack, in his tought man, mood!

Ashlyn and Kate with Kate's new Princess CD! Boy, did she need some new tunes
after 15 minutes. Shame I can't beam her a few files from my phone.

Jason, listening to Frosty say "Happy Birthday".

Ashlyn, my goddaughter, already sick of me and my camera.


her twin sister, Megan, apparently a vain little child that LOVES
to be photographed. Hey, Emily and Jason...can we switch?


Grandma hitting the egg nog!


Marcus and Bridgette


me and Jack
this is what the Holidays are all about!

Sharing the LOVE!!!!

Santa Came!

And he brought Apples!

The girls could hardly believe it! I don't think I've ever seen them so surprised! They slept in after our busy Christmas Eve and once they woke up, we quickly heard them from the squeals of excitement! Santa had them set up and turned on, placing them underneath the tree.

Both were ready for emails and messenging. And he even had the elves (or someone from the North Pole) email them with their usernames, email addresses and passwords. Way cool.

I'm so excited for them and me! Now I can keep my laptop to myself instead of finding it underneath the couch.

playing catch up

tis the reason

BIG POST!

I've kinda slacked on the blogging lately. My Dad has been visiting from KY, and with the Holidays and everything going on, there simply hasn't been any time.

I'll start with Christmas Eve. We celebrated at my inlaw's home in Slaton and after a wonderful meal together, along with gift giving, we went to Midnight Mass at St. Joseph Church.

Both my girls were angels in the Christmas Pagent, complete with costume and solos! We had been practicing in the car for a "month of Sundays". They were nervous, very nervous! But they pulled it off and sung like pros!

Kalyn and Summer (in curlers), Brooke and Jack
all right before the gift opening.

Brooke with the shoes her Aunt Kristin bought her. Chuck
Taylor High Tops! The BEST!


all the grandkids got the new ipod shuffles


Jack, getting an "angel sandwich". He's such a cutie!


Kalyn Maire with her new ipod and scarf from Aunt
Emily and Uncle Jason.


You just thought it was "lords a leaping!"


Devin and his new Bomber Bat!



The BIG solo...the were so nervous!


Jenea and her brother Jayton played the piano for the kids choir.


I just love mass!



one of the kings with a shepard.
aka Braxton and Kaleb

the zabrinski family

Meet Devin's Cousin Brenda. This is her family, Tom and the best bud, Benjamin. I've had the pleasure of photographing them since Benjamin was born. He's such a cutie and we had the chance to spend an afternoon together, just us. Kinda nice, especially if you knew just how many relatives Devin has over for Christmas dinner.

Desiderata

by Max Ehrmann.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

christmas @ Tracy + Lori's

We celebrated the Christmas Season with a "Texas Stew and Texas Hold'em" party at our friend's Tracy and Lori's house. We also had an Chinese ornament exchange that Keri and I were in cahoots over. I fell in love with the ornament above that Annette Jones brought and just had to take it home! Our plan worked and it is now hanging on my tree. Poker was fun, and I hung for a bit. But Leslie won out in the end. Either way, the evening was so much fun just being together again and enjoying in the fellowship of each other. And besides, I can win the money back next year in Cloudcroft.

the gang in Lori's kitchen

lori with her ornament

davia and gayla

chris and keri

holiday deadlines

Just a quick post to let you know that all reprint orders, and Christmas Card orders will need to be turned into me by December 15th to ensure Christmas Delivery. All orders places after that deadline, will not be processed or shipped until after the first of the year.

On a side note...because it is the "Bednarz Wisconsin" Christmas, I will be taking "Holiday" from December 17th through January 6th. Of course, I will pick up the camera again to photograph Becca and Erik's Celebration on the 30th.

And since I can't stay away from the computer for more than an hour or two, I'm thinking email will get checked too. So, what's the purpose of the Holiday? Oh, yeah...I will not be booking sessions during that time.

Happy Holidays!

amarillo has trees

Ahhh...you see, all fall I've been "2 weeks early". I photographed a wedding in Wisconsin, back in September, and I was 2 weeks early from seeing the trees turn. Everyone was kept saying in that adorable, nasal North tone, "yep, just wait and see it 2 weeks from now. It's will be peak time for tree turning."

Next, I head to North Carolina, and guess what? 2 weeks early. Then Tyler, TX. Again, 2 weeks early. I had just about forgotten about fall completely and then...

I'm driving to Amarillo to photograph Melonie and Brancent. They are getting married in January, and guess what I found out in front of the Prebysterian Church? Yep! TREES! Glorious Red, Fall TREES!

Thanks Melonie and Brancent for showing me that little "corner" of Amarillo. I had a wonderful time capturing the two of you together in the freezing cold. And despite the pigeon feathers and that rustling sound I can't get out of my head now, it was a nice escape from my everyday view. Much needed.

Someone once told me the drive to Amarillo from Lubbock is a good time to think. I agree. And I think it was great.

remember rick?

I wrote about Rick a few weeks back. October I think. And he's busy again creating his next bird of flight. He's having a website built to showcase his work and I thought it would be cool to have some "artist at work" type images.

The brids are amazing to watch being created! I must confess, I had no idea the amount of detail that goes into these great beings. Each feather is worked on meticulously and in great care. Too much heat too soon and the feathers will falter. Bend. Or break. The shell of the bird is cool to see too, as well. I'm really enjoying watching this one come together in stages.

Next time, body feathers.