Cherished

I packed my camera, 2 lenses, a massive flash and lightstand into my mini van and a neighbor asked what special occasion I was going to photograph. A wedding? no I answered... A birthday party? No...Finally I let her in on the secret...It's Leaf Jumping Day.
She looked puzzle and I did not have time to explain this festivity...but now I do.

The Wols family consists of Barb and Jack..their 4 children and spouses..and their 10grandchildren. This family is nothing short of amazing. Whereas most families celebrate your token Holidays, (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays..). Barb and Jack create custom Holidays for their family. And Leaf Jumping Day was truly an event!

The entire family drove out to Jack and Barb's home and the kids took turns not just jumping in the leaves, but being LAUNCHED and CATAPULTED by their dads and uncles. Afterwards, there was hot cocoa and snacks and playtime. It was nothing short of a storybook day.

After witnessing this day, marveling at this family, and talking to the grandchildren, I know this much is true....
"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them."
Barb and Jack create these moments to make sure that their children..their grandchildren...their legacy know that they are loved beyond measure.
Truly cherished.

The Lucky Ones

Cari Plachy Dinglasan has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. If you don't believe me, you can check it out here on her youtube video of Chicago a cappella. Her husband Raymond Dinglasan doesn't sing professionally, but I have a good feeling that he can find his groove with a karaoke machine...afterall he IS Filipino and karaoke is in our blood.
Their home is filled with music. iTunes is a constant in this household and it played everything from Glee to Sandra Boynton to Katy Perry. But the soundtrack to their lives is heard in the perfect voice of their 2 year old daughter Penelope.
I first heard Penelope's voice when she woke up from her nap and the monitor boomed with her sweet soprano. She didn't cry or yell ..she was talking to herself or perhaps an imaginary friend..."You're done sleeping..You're not tired anymore...Time to wake up now". Her language astonished me and I couldn't get enough of the stories she told, the songs she sang or the way she kept saying my name for no apparent reason..."Lara...Lara...Lyra".

Their family photoshoot was not typical at all. We weren't in any rush. We did not have a schedule to keep. Cari didn't fuss when Penelope pulled out her barrettes. Instead, I was just invited to observe a day in the life of this adorable family of 3. It was the kind of day that made me realize that I could do this for the rest of my life... To be with a family for a few hours and capture the essence of who they are and what they mean to each other.

To show them the spring in their step when they take a walk together...

To show them what their family dance party looks like...

To show them how lucky they are to have one another...


Cari, Raym and Penelope made that so easy. They just went about their afternoon as if I was not there to impose, but rather to document all the things that make their life so beautiful..so perfect...right now. And of course at the center of that perfection is Penelope Grace.

Penelope told me that one of her favorite artists was Michael Buble...so I pulled some strings and made sure their movie contained his music! Penelope here is MY favorite Michael "Bluebay" song..and it's all for you!