Happy Birthday Maria!

Well, this post is just for my sweet niece who just turned four years old! We had such a great time at her garden party today. We celebrated her birthday eating breakfast, painting, planting flowers, opening presents, and eating cake. :)

After cleaning up the party area we had fun exploring. The boys especially had a wonderful time getting wet and dirty at the pond where we saw fish, tad poles, and frogs! What a great day!

Here are a few pictures from Maria's special "derpday." Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Ginger Crackle Cookies

Well, yesterday I posted about a tradition we have at “Casa de Thornburg.” I bake ginger cookies to eat while we decorate the Christmas tree. We love these cookies! They are moist and chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Mmmm…

I baked these when we decorated our tree about four years ago, and it became an instant tradition…lol. The boys make sure I don’t forget each year! We all love them so today I thought I’d share the recipe with you. Be sure to come back and tell me if you liked them!

Ginger Crackle Cookies

1 c. brown sugar
¾ c. butter
¼ c. molasses
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ¼ c. flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground cloves
¼ tsp. salt
**sugar to coat

Cream room temperature butter together with brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Add in molasses, egg, and vanilla and mix until incorporated. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients including spices. Add dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Chill dough 30 minutes. Form dough into 1 inch balls and roll in white sugar. Place 1 inch apart on baking sheet and place in preheated 350 degree oven for 9-12 minutes or until tops are cracked and lightly browned on the bottom.

I know this post is worthless without pictures, but I’ll have to come back and post one after I’ve baked these!

Ciao!

We did it! We got our Christmas tree!

The boys had great fun checking out all the Christmas trees at our "favorite home improvement store" this afternoon. It's a favorite tradition. Tomorrow, I'll mix up a batch of chewy ginger crackle cookies to eat while we decorate the tree with ornaments and lights!






It is super fun to have older boys who are strong and willing to help out. They are part of things in a whole new way as they grow up.











I just love these little boys!






As it turned out we all had different ideas about just which tree we should take home! Which one do you like better? :)





I hope that you are all having a blessed holiday season with loved ones!

SALE! Canvas Gallery Wraps are 20% off until December 15, 2008

As many of you already know...these canvas wraps are awesome! Your favorite image(s) come(s) printed right on an artist canvas and is wrapped around a 1 1/2 inch wooden frame. Your new work of art comes complete with hanging hardware already assembled and is ready for hanging!

Take advantage of this limited time special! Happy Holidays!

B family | San Diego baby photographer

I had the pleasure of photographing this terrific family just a few weeks ago. Zachary is now 4 months and has changed so much since his newborn session at just 6 days old! (I was super busy when we did his session so he's not on the blog--sniff--I'll have to share those one of these days because he was a cutie!)

Enjoy!











Dad has been away for a few months and it was so great to see their new family so happy to be together!

Just a few of a cute Colorado baby...

I was in the Denver area last month for a photography workshop, which I'll write more about later, and had the added treat of a visit with my little niece. Spencer's sister and her husband were kind enough to host me for a few nights while I was in Littleton, Colorado.

Here are just a few snaps of Claire with her Mama.





I also got to stay a few nights with some dear friends Lee and Sheri (and their five fun kiddos) from WAY back when...special friends of ours from before we were married with children! It was so special to see them; I can't wait till we can get our families together again.

I enjoyed doing a session with the kids and then a mini family session before I left Colorado. I'll definitely be posting some pics of them here soon.

Ciao!

Not JUST another wedding...

How can I not post a few snaps from my own brother's wedding!? Yup, my lil bro (well, he's not really so little!) got married just 10 days ago! And would you believe Mike and Gigi got married at the same exact spot I married my beloved some thirteen years ago?! My "Papa" Vahac performed the ceremony and participated in our's too. These details made the day extra special!

Mike and Gigi did a great job planning and executing their wedding! The day was just perfect with gorgeous San Diego weather!

Here are a few I took while we were waiting for the limo to pick us up to go to the ceremony!












I love how happy they both look in this picture!






Leaving Hunter Park in San Marcos to go to the reception!






And last but not least! My new nephews! It would be an understatement to say that my kiddos are so excited to have new cousins close in age!






Spencer and I were both honored to be included in the wedding party, so I happily relinquished my "photographer hat" to Melissa. I'm so grateful for all she did for us that day. She's posted a sneak peek on her blog if you'd like to see a few more images from their special day.