Goodbye 2009...

We had some GREAT times this year... we're looking forward to next year's adventures.

For now, here is a quick selection of some of our favorite photographs from the year.

Let's see if I can get this right...
Happy 60th Anniversary Grandma & Grandpa!

This is a good mix of family, adventures, and photographing trips.

We HAVE to give a shout out to Justin's award winning shot!

Happy New Year!

(Click on the group of shots if you would like to see a larger size)

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

We had a blessed day spending time with the Balarie side of the family.

We had a great time enjoying time together and of course, some fantastic home cooking! Thanks mom!

When Some Borrows Your Camera...

... you just might get some fantastic shots!

You might see something from a different point of view...

... and even something that might not usually catch your eye...

... and then, well, things just might backfire.

Christmas Eve

Justin and I hosted Kelley Christmas Eve this year. As per family tradition we made Chicken Sausage & Potatoes. Yum!

And yes ladies and gentlemen, that is elephant garlic in there!

Each family also brought their presents to us and to each other. We have never had so many presents under the tree!

Here is a shot from the other side.

We had a great evening with family and newly made friends. Dinner was a hit and we were lucky enough to have the Wongs join us in time to open presents.

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas! Here is our 2009 Christmas Tree!

We got a new tree topper, as the old one was broken. I packed our storage box too tightly and the base broke. We are going to try to repair it, as we found a new, more special home for it.

Below, you can see our new tree topper, another angel.

This year, Cristina was inspired by a Christmas tree decoration at work. It was a 3 foot tree decorated with only bird ornaments.

We have expaneded our decorations this year and added a pre lit 4 foot tree for the master bedroom. (YES! The downstairs tree is a live tree!) You can see our original tree angel that was passed down from Justin's parents and our growing collection of birds.

It turns out we already had a few birds, and this year we enjoyed adding to the collection. We have had a fun time finding unique or handmade birds.

Last Year's Tree

Here is last year's tree! So pretty!

Justin thinks last year's tree was taller than the one we got last weekend... I will have to take photos to compare!

Welcome Baby Gabriel!

Welcome to our family little guy!

6 lbs 7 oz

18 1/2" tall

Happy, healthy, and SLEEPY!

You've got a LOT of family members to love you... especially your FOUR aunts and TWO uncles!

We love you little Gabriel Allen!

Ana's Baby Shower

I am happy to say my sister is rich in family and friends, and I was lucky enough to throw her last shower, with the help of my sisters & Ana's best friend, Sarah Smith.

We had the house all decorated, and found some adorable balloons for the flowers.

We had a TON of food! This is the table before we got the hot food on, there were deviled eggs on the glass dishes, along with lumpia (thanks Evelin!) and fresh BBQ'd chicken and beef! Hey, we're a Romanian family, it does not count unless there is BBQ!

Look how cute Ana looks! She looks so good!! Opening gifts... here are letters that spell out Gabriel's name. Lizi painted them.

I love you gals! I feel so blessed by God when I think about my fabulous family.

And lets not forget... SARAH! Thanks for the help!

Award Winner!

I placed in the top six of our local photo contest at the California State Railroad Museum!

Last month I participated in the World Wide Photo Walk. Over 32,000 people met up around the world to take photos.

Our group (thanks to Dave Henry) got the exciting opportunity to photograph in the Calfornia State Railroad Museum BEFORE regular visitors came in, AND we got to use our tripods!!

Our photo walk group was the only group to have a print exhibit on display and have a local contest. The museum staff chose their favorites. I was in the top six (we won Canon camera gear) AND I had a second photograph get awarded an honorable mention.

This photograph placed me in the winner's circle. It's a passengar car.

This mail car shot was given an honerable mention.