Thank You Kim

My friend Kim, whom I've known for 17 years is taking on a big challenge.  She's vowing to post a new photo on her blog every day - for all of 2009.  So far she's doing really well... keeping up very nicely and it's been fun to catch up with all that's happening with her.  Kim and I have a unique history.  I actually knew OF her, before I KNEW her, she was a star student at UW-Eau Claire where I was attending.  I tried hard to follow in her footsteps through the Journalism program there.  When I transferred to UW-Madison, I thought I might never hear of her again, except that she was a producer at the TV station where I not only interned, but was hired for my first job.  Kim called me on the phone as my future husband walked through the newsroom - to tell me I might like the new guy... and his green suit.  Kim knew before I'd made the announcement that I was expecting my first child and my first child was born on Kim's birthday.  If you've ever known someone like Kim, you're grateful and thankful and you spend a bit of time wondering how their place in your life could just be a fluke.  Well, I don't believe it is.  I'm not particularly religious, but I know she's in my life for a reason.   So, now Kim has this blog and once again I think she's here to lead me to something.  I've been spending a lot of time recently trying to figure out what my photography THING is, you know, my style, my purpose, my reason for getting behind the lens.  Her blog has said nothing about what exactly I should do with myself, but it's helping me define what I love so much about photography.  I cannot put it into words, yet, but I'm thinking with a few more posts it's bound to become more clear.  Thanks again, Kim, for all that you bring to my world - even if you're not trying to!

http://www.kosmatka365.blogspot.com

Lucky Me

You know that feeling you get every once in awhile - that feeling that you're the luckiest person alive?  I've had that feeling lately, when I look at my children, my nieces and my nephews.  I know there are a lot of people in the world who would give an arm and a leg to have what my family has, healthy, happy kids.  Each of them is special in their own way and making a space for themselves in the world - and for that I'm so thankful!  I snapped a few photos this last weekend of the kids, just being themselves, as the family gathered to celebrate Christmas.  We had a fun, chaotic, hectic weekend!  Started off with a sleigh ride - ended with full bellies and lots of great memories.  Here's Cate, Jackson, Maverick and Eli... 

Oconomowoc Christmas Parade

When it comes to the Christmas Parade, my family is really lucky.  Every year the parade stages on the street right in front of our house... which means we can stay warm and enjoy the sights - all at the same time.  We like to drag our firepit to the front yard and get it going... it draws in lots of folks who are trying not to freeze before stepping off to entertain the rest of Oconomowoc. People seem to enjoy it and we know we do... the chance to meet someone new and perhaps bring a smile to their face.  This year we were joined by friends, whose two daughters are the cutest things out there.  They climbed up onto the snowbank with my kids and it made for a really priceless picture.  Enjoy the view from our front yard - and Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone - what's left?  A pumpkin pie hangover and lots of great memories, I guess.  I spent the long weekend with family, lots of little ones all around again this year... all aged 8 and younger... so it was a lot of work but a lot of fun too.  We made Christmas ornaments and cooked together, but for the first time this year the kids really entertained themselves.  Nice.  We capped off the weekend with a trip to the Christmas Tree farm and picked ourselves out a doozie.  Actually, it's pretty small, but fits nicely in the corner of my tiny living room.  We decorated it on Saturday night... also a chore with it's highlights.  I think my son Jackson dropped every ornament before finally securing it on a branch.  He also insisted on wearing a bright orange camo hat that my dad gave him.  Thanks Dad.  Add that to his camo vest and his camo pants and his camo backpack and his camo blanket and you've got quite a theme going.  Anyway, he loves the hat so it's not going anywhere.  Caitlin was great as usual - reveling in all the traditions we've come to enjoy.  She's not one to forget just exactly how we did things last year.  Enjoy a few photos from this latest holiday weekend... 

Christmas Kids

Art for Africa

I had the rare honor of photographing a really great event last week... a silent auction to benefit children in Africa.  We're talking about kids who get enough food to eat maybe once a week and have few people to love and watch after them.  So - a Wisconsin woman is working to change that.  She's raising money to start a meal program in their tiny village.  It's proof that one person can really make a difference.  For more information, go to www.pctz.org.

Celia Celebrates!

Happy First Birthday Celia!

This beautiful baby girl, you may have seen her featured on my site, marked a major milestone over the weekend... she turned one!

Celia tottered around in her tights amid the Grandparents, aunts, uncles and close friends who'd all gathered to help celebrate this pixie and all she's accomplished!  Taking just a few steps in a row now, but watch out mom and dad, she's just a piggie toe away from really walking!   Can't wait to see what the future holds in store for this miniature marvel!

Love you Celia, Auntie Carol