Last Sunday Amanda and I walked the Susan G Koemen Race for the Cure. Over the years we’ve had friends and clients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It wasn’t until several years ago that two of our close family friends began their breast cancer journey that we saw up close the personal side of cancer.

Becky just celebrated her two year anniversary of being cancer free. Her hair is back…. different but back. Her eyebrows may never return but that’s okay…. eyebrows are a small exchange for your life. Her then fiance – now husband attended her doctor appointments and was there through all the chemo treatments. Things you do when someone you love is fighting for their life.  She’s a stronger person now having gone through this journey.

Kai did all the right things. In a preventive move she decided to have both breasts removed, she did the recommended course of treatment and then reconstruction surgery. Her family stood by her as well, going to her doctor appointments and chemo treatments, making sure she was in good spirits and comfortable. All was well until a year ago August when the cancer returned with a vengeance. In December, with her family by her side, Kai lost her fight. Her husband misses her desperately every day.

Last Sunday we walked with Becky to celebrate her life and we walked to remember the life Kai lost.

We’ve gotten very far behind on our blog. Seems life, the flu and a host of other out of our normal day to day experiences had gotten the best of us. But all things have just about come full circle and we are now getting back on track. So to show you just one of the wonderful photography opportunities we’ve had lately – I give you Thomas at 10 days old. Thomas is adorable with massive amounts of hair and the most wonderful parents to grow up with. We look forward to watching Thomas grow into a handsome toddler. We can only imagine the joy he will bring his family,

I had one quick minute to finally sit down and go through photos from our shoot with little Jack and his family. I love “moments” photos. Jack’s grandma clearly adores him and you can see how much in this moment.

More later….  but I really wanted to post this sweet, sweet photo.

Bob, Spencer, Grace and I have made it to California! We picked up our oldest son, Parker at his soon to be old apartment. He’s all packed to move back to Colorado. We’re taking the everyone to California Adventure Land (Disney’s newest CA theme park) today. I love Disney.

Las Vegas was fun. The Planet Hollywood Hotel was great. We saw The Blue Man Group Friday night, they’re amazing. So creative. The high yesterday was 116 degrees. I imagine that’s how cookies feel while baking – how on earth to people live there and have a normal lifestyle?

Debi

Our nephew, Marco, and Auntie Chelly kicking back and watching Dad and AC kill pirates on Father’s Day.

Family is awesome.

Welcome Troy James, the newest addition to Stacy and Jason’s family. We shot Stacey and Jason’s wedding last January at the Grant-Humphries Mansion in downtown Denver. Little Troy is so adorable, with the bluest eyes and a darling grin. I’m sure his grandparents a grinning with delight!

Meet Grace and her horse, Fischer. Fischer is a 5 year old paint who just reaches above “pony” status in height. Together they are a great pair. Each is learning to be patient which is not easy for either of them. Fischer is a dorky teenage boy, can’t wait for his food but is scared of shadows. Grace is a typical teenage girl, plugged into either her cell phone or the ipod.  She is training him to be a great horse and he is training her to be a responsible young lady.  It’s win-win for everyone.

I’ve fallen behind on our blog but before I add anything else I just wanted to say Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, Joan. We just returned from California where we celebrated my aunt’s 80th birthday. It was quite the event. Before we left my mother had to spend some time at the beach. We use to live in SoCal, the one thing we miss the most living in Colorado is the ocean. Chatfield reservoir just doesn’t cut it!

I’ll blog more later about Julie and Troy’s Wedding and the 80th birthday party later – right now – Happy Mother’s Day mom!

Last August our oldest son Parker moved to Marina Del Ray. We miss him a lot around here. Not that when he lived in Colorado he was around much – he’s always been a social guy, even as a little kid he was out and about with friends. But now he’s not here to eat all the leftovers in the refrigerator, complain about the old stuff still living in the pantry or to give his younger brother a hard time on a weekly basis. It’s strange… really strange!

Yesterday I had a few minutes to look through some of the photos of our trip and came across this one. I thought I’d share it. Before we left for the airport we had brunch at Paradise Cove in Malibu. Great food, huge glasses of fresh squeezed orange juice and some of the best people watching around. We walked the beach. Spencer and Parker beat up on each other – as boys do. It was good for Spencer to spend time with his brother. It was good to see Parker again.

So, Parker – we miss you. See you in April?

Love you – Mom

For the past 30 years Bob and I have hosted Christmas Eve dinner at our house. The door is open to everyone. At times we’ve had as many as 30 people, some from as far a California, Wyoming and even Germany.  Our tradition is a big cheesy lasagna, plenty of snackie stuff and chocolate — lots of Chocolate! Over the years we’ve added enchiladas and as the older 20 something kids noted — more “grown up drinks” are served.

There are presents, but more important there is family. Our family has grown over the years, in numbers and in size. Our babies are now in their teens and 20′s, taller than I am and no longer wait up for Santa. I miss the stage where the anticipation of what Santa might bring was the center of their lives. But I like this stage too. I like being able to have adult conversations, seeing the world through their eyes. Having the 16 year old nephew tell me a dirty joke — which was pretty darn funny! I like that most of them can get themselves to and from the party on their own and will help with the dinner without being asked. Ana and Cody had little Marco this September so there’s a baby again. Next year he’ll be old enough to sort of understand what Christmas is about and the cycle of anticipating Santa’s arrival  will continue.

Happy Holidays – Debi

My favorite ornament — this year.

Miss Sophie got a toy mouse for Christmas.

My father, David

That sibling thing never goes away no matter how old you are! Bob’s sister Lisa expressed her feeling about having her photo taken.

Spencer hamming it up for the camera. He’s feeling much better these days

My mother, Joan and Cinnamon. She walks in the house and Cinnamon goes right to the treat door. I’m not sure who’s got who trained!

Me holding little Marco. Grace and Jessica were amazed at his little tiny fingers. Really — they were hoping to get to hold him next.

AC and Dori