Yep, it's your pesky photographer again, trying to make you think about the holidays when you can barely see past your school supply list. I have a couple of AWESOME shoots up my sleeve. I don't know all the details yet, just that it will be a little bit Rock, and a little bit Country. Great for Christmas cards, but also classic enough to hang up on your wall. So, for all of you who have emailed me over the year asking when I will offer a discounted session, THIS IS IT. So, email me now at admin@relishportraitstudio.com if you want to be on the First To Know List. I can only take a limited number of peeps for this. And yes, I know I'm being vague, but I will have details soon, and you will lurve it. Just email me if you want to get the email before it's posted on the blog, or shown on TV!  :0)

And don't forget all comments will be entered to win a cute charm (below), all weekend! And Kelly asked if you have to post on Shutter Sisters too. Since the contest is overwith at SS, you don't have to (to be entered here).

later gators.

Yes, she is a senior in high school. Oy.

Thanks for a super fun shoot Lourdes and Cristina! And also thank you to Sandra Saks and Annette Jimenez for the referral!

Also, I posted the little contest below a little too late to leave much room for the Shutter Sisters Daily Click deadline. So I'm going to extend all it through the weekend. All comments left here until Monday at 8am will be entered to win a personalized charm (below).

Katy gave me this necklace a couple weeks ago. I've gotten so many complements on it. A girl at the bank even told me she was going to get one with her cat's name printed on it. So I thought I'd show off the cuteness here. I love it because it goes with everything, and it's an understated alternative to those big dangly birthstone stick figures.

If you want one, call Nursery Couture at (210) 494-2627 or email customercare@nurserycouture.com.

Also wanted to let you know that Shutter Sisters is having a little contest for all the Daily Click entries. The ones with the most comments will be included in a Blurb book, which will then be available for purchase. So please come over and leave a few comments on the ones you love! The Daily Click is one of my favorite parts of the whole Shutter Sisters site. It's so amazing to see the kind of talent that is overflowing all over the place. And shoot, I wish I'd thought of this sooner, but if you leave a comment over there, and then comment here to let me know, I'll draw a name for a winner and send you one of these bigger charms. How about that?! So what are you waiting for? GO!!

I swear this is the EDITED version. All taken with the point and shoot.

I guess it's pretty apparent by the number of photographs, that this was one of the best trips ever. It was so fun to be with family. I've been going through withdrawals a bit, ever since we left. It's harder being away from everyone, when you know what you're missing. But I'm so grateful for the time. Thank you Mom and Bill for making it possible. I hope we can do it again soon. xoxo

Now are you ready for the way too long slideshow, 1950s projector-style? If not, you should stop here. :)

Lanterns on my mom's porch. She is the best at making "Hawaii corners".

I wish these moments happened enough to take them for granted.

Okay, so for 14 years, I've known that Bill has been a black belt in karate, but honestly didn't give it much thought. For me, watching all that stuff (as in kung fu movies or anthing similar) is almost painful. But he has been teaching Tom over the years, so while we were there this time, Tom got his green belt. And I have to say that despite my somewhat disinterest in martial arts, it was really fun. The guys had worked really hard, so it was also kind of moving. Not to mention surprising when they started chopping up bricks with their hands. Besides the entertaining aspect, it was impressive to see what can happen when someone focuses all their energy on something. When they were concentrating, he'd say, "don't see the brick, see the floor underneath it". I thought that was quite the awesome metaphor.

So this photo above is Jason (who couldn't help but get in on the action), Bill, Tom, and Bill's friend Gene. He is in his 70s, and was able to do everything. It was so cool.

So of course, my mom made a party out of it, complete with my favorite MOCHI!

Thumb wars in the back seat on the way to the lake.

A reminder of how spoiled people on the coasts are.

Tom's best side.   :)

Annie and Emily watching movies on the iPhone. That's pretty much all it was good for,

Nana finds magic wherever she goes, so it wasn't surprising that she found a place that sprinkled fairy dust on your cheeks.

Myrtlewood. It only grows in Oregon and Israel. Kind of random and interesting.

Yes that is a bandaid on his nose. Somehow the day before, I managed to only put sunscreen on my daughters, letting my son fry to a crisp. Ahh, the things they will have to talk about in therapy one day.  :)

The beach was COLD and WINDY. Here is Sari trying to snuggle in Emily's sweater, and Emily not crying because I finally gave her my sunglasses.

Jason and me (in my no-makeup glory). And if this post just isnt' long enough, there are lots more on my sister's site (thanks a lot kell!) Although I guess I can't whine since I'm the one that didn't wear any all week! 

These worms were going to be used for bait, but the fishing wasn't very successful. So the kids just made "pets". Eew.

More karate training on that awesome lawn.

Oh so serious.

And not so much.

Phew! That was a lotta pictures.

Went to Katy's yesterday afternoon to help with a project. She said "stay for a drink". Which turned into "call Jason, tell him to bring the kids over". Then turned to "fun night on the porch" and morphed into "holy crap it's eleven o'clock on a Monday, what am I thinking?!". (thank you Katy and Damon for the totally fun impromptu night. You guys are the best hosts even when your eyes are barely open).  xo  :)

Tuesday began to kick my ass at 3am, when Emily crawled into bed with us. I couldn't fall back to sleep. Tossed, turned, thought about things that ultimately don't matter. INCESSANTLY. Why is everything so important in the middle of the night? Got up, worked, went back to bed, tossed, turned until the sun came up. And now I'm running on straight caffeine. And livin' on love. Sorry, that song just popped into my head.

Anyway, today at noon I get to have lunch with some San Antonio photogirls. I actually need to start getting ready, but I will be back later today to post something besides boring updates and grouchy rants about airlines. And also glue myself to the computer to catch up on things if it kills me.