IceSkating...

I love Ice Skating. It's painful to watch me Ice Skate. But I love it. What I love more? Taking pictures of Ice Skaters. That's less painful. These are from Fountain Square..yes, before Christmas. But like I said...JUST getting around to personal stuff. This is Bea and her buddy Marco. You should see this kids hair..it's fantastic! I'll see if I can find another pic of him without his bright orange construction barrell hat on.








Here he is. Those are all natural curls baby!

For Andy the Marine..

Andy is my cousin-in-law. I think that's how it works. Anyway, he's in the Persian Gulf on some big warship. He's a Marine. He rocks. He is one of the coolest people I know. He likes bugs too. This post is for him and for all the soldiers who risk their lives everyday so I can sleep in my warm bed at night. And for his mom who misses him so much. She's one of the yummiest cooks I know. Oh, and if there are any ladies out there looking for a cutie-pa-tootie - Andy is single!

A little lens flare on this shot but I like it.



He was home for a bit this summer and I got a few shots of him.

Snow Bunnies...

Ohhhh the weather outside is frightful...I'm finally going through some not-business-oriented pics. I found our first REAL snow of 2006. It was stinkin' cold that day! My neighbor and I were out shooting and here are just a couple to share. The first one is her son, Gabrielle in his tunnel/igloo. What a cool kid. He likes bugs and worms, he builds things (some big fort in the woods), he made this super-cool igloo in my side yard and helped me build some really big snow dudes in the front yard. And when the head fell off - he came back over and put it back on.




Bea's snowdude. She flipped out when the head fell off.



Do hats ever really stay on? She looks like the Muffin Man.



Randy Parker (Ralphie's Little Brother):



The locals: Check out Ethan, the kid on the far left. Can he see OK?

Jennifer Aniston

Wow! What a great time I had yesterday. I shot an engagement with Stacy & Jason and they were up for anything even braved the cold. Stacy went with a cute little skirt and high heels and they both did black. And when I photographed them, I didn't think she looked like Jen (I'm on first name basis with Jen, we're tight) -but looking back at the photos I really do! What a cool wedding they have coming up in March. Bridesmaid dresses from White House Black Market that I can't WAIT to see! And one more thing..shout out to Jason who had to have his 'picha' taken on his Birthday - he was thrilled! Here's a few from their session:

Cincinnati Roller Girls

Allright..how cool is this?
http://www.cincinnatirollergirls.com/home3.php

Count me in! How much fun would it be to skate around the rink, pushing some big, mean chicks out of my way! I could so do this! Oh wait, I just said 'so' do this...they would eat me alive. I use to LOVE rollerskating. I would win all the contests when they had the races. That was in Grade School though. I thought I was the Queen skatress. (I just made that word up). I was super fast on my WHITE skates! I'll have to try and find those..I wonder if they are at my parents' house. LIVE TO SKATE..SKATE TO LIVE...that is so cool...I wish I was cool. Oh my gosh, check out the coach! I'd join the team just to have arm muscles like that! I still think I might try-out...

Super Nikki to the Rescue!

Allright, It's early in the morning..we three yahoos are getting on the highway to hit Gymnastics class. The pick-up truck in front of me spins, flips and lands in a ditch (upside down) on the side of the entrance ramp. Yes, I'm right behind him, yes I'm the first one trying to pry his car door open. An older man, he seemed confused..I mean it was a scene straight of yes..my favorite show..Grey's Anatomy..except I'm no Meredith Grey..I'm Super Nikki. Well, not really. So then the cowboys show up and some guy kicks in the rear window and scares the poor confused man even more. I say, 'Let's wait until the paramedics get here...don't touch him -we could do more harm than good.' Because, let's face it, we don't know what we're doing. Lesson learned? We should ALL have CPR and First Aid training - allright, not for situations like this so much..as for situations with our kids, family members..anyone we need to help. I hope he was OK. I had to leave - my kids come first and they were in the car and only saw me jump and run out. And another thing..we should ALL have Ballroom Dance Training too - maybe a little Swing dancing if your naughty...

This is cute.

Happy New Year!!

Lessons in Life
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month.6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today. 18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain.25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?" 27. Always choose life.28. Forgive everyone everything.29. What other people think of you is none of your business.30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.33. Believe in miracles.34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.38. Read, learn, and use your imagination. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.45. The best is yet to come. 46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.48. If you don't ask, you don't get.49. Yield.50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Phew!

Allright then! The holiday photo rush is over. Now, I'm celebrating my first niece and I'm officially an Aunt. Alanna (pronounced Alaina) was born on January 1st! And even better...I'm the ONLY Aunt. So that makes me an extra special Aunt. Yep! And she is just gorgeous. I'll post some pics of her when I get a chance. Right now, I'm getting down and dirty and giving the old website a fresh look. Yack! I just get sick of it and every six months or so...it gets a little lipo and a boob job. And speaking of plastic surgery..I've officially decided I'm quitting photography and going to medical school so I can meet McDreamy and McSteamy. But my neighbor ruined that dream and said medical school is NOT as glamourous as Grey's Anatomy so I guess that means I'll stick with photography. Maybe McDreamy and McSteamy will come to my studio so I can take their pictures..naked. Allright, back to reality...pretty soon cute baby pics of Alanna!