Ally and Jon are expecting!

My cousin Jon and his stunning wife, Alece. These are two of the most beautiful people I've ever known, inside and out. Thanks so much you two for letting me share this time with you by taking some photos of the beginning of your new family. The toughest part... picking out my favorites. They looked fantastic in all of them!

Amy in action

The other day we visited Amy while she was working at the farmers market. That lady can sell an Armenian cucumber like nobody's business!

This is an example of one of those everyday events that most people probably wouldn't blog about, but the veggies (and Amy) were so colorful and pretty that I couldn't resist.

Culture & Cocktails

Amy has been taking event photos for the San Diego Museum of Art for a while now. On Thursday night she asked me to come along and shoot with her. What a fun gig... and quite the party. I highly recommend it.


Georgia O'Keeffe and Eleanor Antin are currently being featured. These exhibitions are so amazing that I was tempted to just put down the camera and enjoy the art. I'm definitely going to have to visit again before they're gone. Here are some shots of people enjoying the Antin rooms.




I can't take full credit for this last one. Amy got the girl to lie down on the floor, I just took the shot.

Amy's art

Amy just got her Fingerland Forest website up. I love love LOVE it! Check it out for yourself.

Family Reunion in Reno

Desert flowers in Reno

Dick sports his reunion nametag
Gracie, the happiest pit bull I've met
Pampa and Erin
Art, Jerry, Jeff & Dave
Dick, Lee, Joel & Erin - outside the Atlantis Casino
Mom prepares for family photos
Family Photo #1 - the whole group
(taken by the waiter)
Family Photo #2 - just our gang
(taken by Dad's cousin John)
Still at the Atlantis Casino, post-reunion

An evening in Reno

Last weekend we headed to Reno for a family reunion. Friday night, before the festivities, we visited my folks in their little travel trailer. Of course they brought their travel companions.
The RV park was next door to the Peppermill Casino and Ruby River Steakhouse. We had dinner at the steakhouse and took in all the local ambiance. My "baked" potato was battered and deep fried to deliciousness.

Bud's Corn Sauce!

I took a few product photos for my brother's and his in-laws' new family business: Bud's Corn Sauce! Stay tuned for more info on how to order...

Ladies' (and Dick's) Baja Cruise!

Sarah invited us to join her for a weekend cruise to help celebrate her (and her twin sister's) birthday. I wasn't sure it would measure up to the seven-day Carnival cruise we took to the Mexican Riviera a few years ago, but I didn't need to worry at all. It was an excellent trip! Thank you Sarah!!

Friday afternoon we arrived early hoping to avoid lines, which turned out to be a great idea. We just hung out on our balcony in long beach enjoying some of the wine we brought aboard.
Eventually we ventured out into the main areas. Here's the busy atrium just as guests are arriving.
We ran into Debbie, Sarah & Wyniece getting a snack.
Mmmm... margarita! My drink of choice for most of the trip.I didn't take a whole lot of photos that evening - I was too relaxed after our massage and facial. The next day we arrived in Ensenada greeted by the biggest flag I have ever seen. Check out the size of the people in the photo.
On Saturday we enjoyed the quiet pool area on the ship while the rest of the tourists went ashore. It was great to just stick our feet in the water and forget about work and responsibility for a few hours.
Check out our room - you can see Dick sitting on the balcony. We were really far forward (2nd room from the bow) on the Veranda deck (third level from the top). It was a great spot because there were fairly few guest cabins in that area - we didn't have the same long corridor walks to our cabin that most guests do. It was also a really short walk to the Lido deck to get my coffee in the mornings. Very important.
Dick took a shot of this crazy group when we met for drinks before dinner. This is Sarah, me, Wendy, Marsha, Karen, Wyniece and Debbie.
Lilly, Leanne, and Lisa (mother and daughters - I work with Lisa) met us in the dining room. What a genuinely sweet bunch of ladies.
Here are a couple photos of Sarah with her sister and with her mom. Hmmm... I wonder where Sarah got that smile??
The coolest bar (Rotterdam) and coolest bartender (Surjeet) on the ship. Any time Dick disappeared from the dance club we knew we'd find him here.
We took quite a few party photos Saturday and Sunday nights. In looking back at them I notice a trend. The ladies LOVE Dick! "I'll be Charlie and you can ALL be my angels"

(hmmm... should I be concerned?)

On our way back to the cabin after a long evening

Here are a few final shots I took of the ship before debarking in Long Beach

Waiting for our deck to be called for debarkation
Want to see more photos? If so, click here!

Charlotte & Sheldon

The garden ceremony and reception were held at Sycuan Resort in Chula Vista, CA.

I just loved how he'd watch her. So sweet.