Shockingly, I did not manage to add a daily blog post during the past few weeks as I'd planned. I still have some favorite shots to share with you, however, so I'm going to squeeeeeeeeze them all into one post. Woohoo! Happy New Year!

We'll start with a four-generation session featuring some sweet ladies.

Kaylyn is the apple of everyone's eye, so she was naturally the star of the session.

Strong ladies tend to have strong opinions, and Kaylyn is no exception. I have my own strong opinion about this bunch, and that is THEY ARE WONDERFUL. The End.

I predict that Mason will be a young man with strong opinions as well. It was hard to hold onto my camera while giggling as I was getting this first shot.

All of Mason's people think he is wonderful, and so do I.

He does smile when his Mommy sings just the right song at just the right pitch ...

... but mostly he just looks at everyone as if he's thinking, "Just you wait until I decide to start talking. You will be amazed by my opinions and profound-little-man thoughts."

Kristin's general opinion is that everything and everyone is awesome and wonderful. Her smile lights up the world and makes that opinion become the absolute truth.

She is an awesome and wonderful discus thrower and was kind enough to show me her award-winning form.

With a non-stop twinkle in her eyes ...

Kristin herself is most awesome and wonderful!

Speaking of twinkling eyes, please allow me to introduce this fine family.

Skyler, Camryn, Chelsea and Spencer are experts at keeping Teena and John entertained. It's a tough job but someone's gotta do it.

This is a family that's really good at seeming normal but psssttt.... they're really not. What a relief!

The sand in the 2011 hourglass is quickly running out, so I'll hurry and share just a few more of silly friends at the beach ...

... silly grown-up kids conspiring with their sneaky dad to surprise their mom ...

... big-hearted Friends throwing a party for the folks of Oyster Creek and inviting them to stop by for a cup of coffee (with a side order of silliness) ...

... little friends who just happen to be some of my littlest cousins ...

... and two very serious musicians who stopped by to say Oh, Hello.

There was more, much much more, but this is all I have time to show you. I'll be back next year with more, and I will love every minute of it. I hope you'll be back too!

My hope is that my visit with you is going to be

one of Christ's more extravagant blessings.

Romans 15:25 MESSAGE

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and
a blessed New Year!

Fuel, a flame and a cannon.


Three canisters of ashes, three men saying goodbye, and a great bon voyage idea.

Brazoria Historical Militia members, a chilly December afternoon, and a quiet Quintana Beach.

Family, friends, and an admiral of the Texas Navy.

Final preparations, one last check of the pocket watch, and the all-clear.

A signal, a KABOOM, and an involuntary shake.

A second signal, a second KABOOM, and a steadier shot.

The final signal, the final KABOOM, and the final hurrah.

Smoking, swabbing and standing guard.

An up-close look, questions asked, and education shared.

Mission accomplished, stories remembered, and hearts lightened.

Farewell, Godspeed, and until we meet again, know that you are loved, Susan.

When our time was up, they escorted us out of the city to the docks.

Everyone came along - men, women, children.

They made a farewell party of the occasion!

We all kneeled together on the beach and prayed.

Then, after another round of saying goodbye,

we climbed on board the ship while they drifted back to their homes.

Acts 21:5 MESSAGE

Sometimes the good stuff really is worth waiting for.

Just ask Sherry and Scott.

Their journey toward one another has been filled with twists and turns, but it's only given them time to become better matched.

At first glance, Sherry is the obvious instigator, joking with Scott and getting him to laugh.

Scott is initially the quieter, calmer one, listening patiently and attentively while Sherry spins a tall tale.

But then they seamlessly trade roles. Scott gets Sherry tickled, and Sherry looks up at him from within a deeply peaceful place.

And in the blink of an eye they are perfectly synchronized, floating on air, landing on both feet, dipping for a big finish.

You'll only get better with practice, Scott and Sherry. Dance on!

Oh! Teach us to live well!

Teach us to live wisely and well!

Surprise us with love at daybreak;

then we'll skip and dance all the day long.

Psalm 90:12, 14 MESSAGE

Declan has a new baby brother ...


... and his name is Kian.

Kian doesn't look a lot like Declan did when he was a baby, but that only makes him even more amazing.

It's easy to welcome a new baby into the family ...

... when your Daddy is still your very most favorite playmate ...

... and the new baby stops squirming when you kiss the top of his head ...

... and both your Mommy and Daddy turn their full attention to you when you have a boo-boo that could very well be life-threatening.

It's also sort of fun to watch your Mommy and Daddy make faces at the baby and try to get him to smile for the camera.

And because they're having so much fun with this new baby, just like they did when you were a baby looooooooong ago ...

... you love seeing how much they love him.

Kian is blessed to have you as his big brother, Declan. What fun the two of you will have together!

Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you,

for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

1 Thessalonians 4:9