I went home for the holidays,

it was a rigorous drive down the street from my apartment over a bridge and through a neighborhood.

10-15 minutes tops.

It was a pleasant Christmas Eve  spent with my parents and their 3 dogs and 2 cats 

watching Elf and How The Grinch Stole Christmas

you know, 

the classics.

Christmas Morning came with some pleasant surprises 

which included a new camera bag and the 1.4 50mm lens.

I'm blessed with   a very supportive dad and step-mother.

And Christmas Night brought new found family traditions:

 red wine

apples to apples

white wine

talking around the dinner table

cheap wine

smoking pipes and cigars and cigarettes on the front porch after dinner

post christmas dinner chillin with the cousins

all in all

this was probably the best time I've ever spent with  my family

For once,

 in a long time,

I'm looking forward to the next one.

I sincerely hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have a very blessed and happy New Year! 

Adventure Time

Ryan + Leah

The other day I shot some Christmas card photos for this rad couple.  I've known Leah for a couple of years now, through a two year college we both graduated from, and we got to be pretty good friends, but since we've been out of that school we haven't had much time to hang out, so it was really cool getting to catch up and get to know her new guy Ryan.  I'm light years away from being considered any sort of knowledgeable about relationships but, from my perspective, they seem to be made for each other.  I can tell his heart for Jesus has lifted hers because of the blatant joy that radiates out of her eyes every time she looks at him.  I'm truly happy for my friend, excited to watch where their love will take them next, and blessed to know them along their journey together.