We spent the weekend in Kansas City recently with Courtney and Gil. Beautiful weather, nice fall colors and great company! Planning a June wedding in Minnesota, they took time from their busy schedules for a little play time with me! Courtney is in communications but her passion is cooking and she's looking around for that great combination niche. Kansas City is one of the BEST places for that I would suppose. I know she'll find it soon. They took us to all the great local food places while we were there. So good! Gil (this comes from his last name, Gilroy, which I didn't know for a quite awhile) is a liver specialist at KU Med. If you need a liver, he's your guy! It takes a special quality to be a doctor and also to be a doctor's wife. Lots of sacrifices of your personal time are made - - and for people you don't even know. I'm always so amazed and impressed by their dedication. These two have that special dedication. Their time together is precious and they totally enjoy each other when the are together. I love the way he just looks at her and smiles, when she doesn't even know it. The way she just slips her hand into his as they walk. At first we thought we would go up to Lawrence but then decided to stay just a stone's throw from their hi-rise home and all the things they look out upon from their windows - the Veterans Park and the Train Station.  It was the perfect choice.

There was a government protest going on in the park with these shipping containers spelling out I.O.U. (These two are the modern day version of Mary Matalin and James Carville.) Thankfully, they just agree to disagree about some things. I think it's gonna work!

October is my favorite month for many reasons (like THE most gorgeous light all year!) but at the top of the list is because our little baby Kate was born in October. 17 years ago today! At 3:00 p.m. (I always tell her she had to be born after Y&R and before Oprah- haha!) She's THE BEST KID EVER! She is really funny, super smart, a most excellent writer, and she keeps her old parents feeling young! (Okay, not young, but younger). Not 5 feet tall but mighty nonetheless! We love you Peanut!

Happy Birthday Kato! XXOO  So happy I'm you're MOM!!

Waiting on the corner of Main Street, he saw her car. "Here she comes, here she comes!" He was like a child on Christmas morning, wringing with anticipation. She pulled up and opened the door. She had on the cutest little dress. Short, off-white, soutache trimmed. Gorgeous. He gasped "Oh my God. Look at her!" and headed across the street. I watched them meet half way in the middle of a Main Street crosswalk and just stare at each other and I knew. This was going to be a great day. That's how Bette and Carter and I met for the first time. On their wedding day, October 1, 2011.  On a corner on Main Street. In Broken Arrow. We had a little time for photos before their evening wedding at Tarp Chapel and we took full advantage of it. They are so comfortable with each other. So fun together. As if they had been together for a long time. At one point I asked them how long they had been together, expecting an answer of several years. Five Months was the answer. I thought they were joking with me. Nope. Five Months. Each single for a decade or more, having never met "the one". He in the corporate world. She as a doctor. Finally two mutual friends intervened and introduced them to one another. Like they say in the movies - "Magic". They knew right away that this was it so why wait any more. He loves her laugh (a real, loud, throw back your head and laugh kind of laugh). She loves his wit. Which I'm sure he'll keep sharp just to make her laugh! They pretty much forgot I was there and isn't that how we all want to be in love? Find that one person who just makes the rest of world go away? Bette and Carter have it and we wish them all the happiness in the world!  Their ceremony was just before sunset. Simple, classic and beautiful. Surrounded by family and close friends, they exchanged vows and then greeted each row of guests - many meeting the other for the first time. Beautiful bouquet - The French Bouquet of course! Ludgers cakes were beautiful and yummy! Fall centerpieces added just the right touch to the light and bright reception hall. Congratulations Bette and Carter! Many blessings!
 



Ahhh, the paparazzi. They're everywhere!

September 24, 2011, was the date set for Evan's Bar Mitzvah more than 2 years ago. It is a very anticipated event in a young Jewish man's life. It marks his entrance into the adult community. It comes with celebration but also a newfound responsibility to the Jewish community. It is a rite of passage. Sophia and I were honored to be chosen to capture this special time in Evan's and his parents' lives.  We took some images on Friday afternoon to accommodate the Sabbath and the service was held on Saturday morning, followed by a total celebration that night! The skies drizzled a bit early Saturday but cleared enough to play at Central Park, across the street from the Temple Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.   We first met Evan in 2008 in Greensburg, Kansas, when we went to photograph for New York Says Thank You. Evan, you see, is the catalyst for that organization. As a five-year old boy, he saw suffering in another community - wildfires in California - and told his dad they should go help them like people helped New Yorkers after 9-11. His father listened. They got a truck. They loaded it with toys and things. They drove it to California. They paid it forward. New York Says Thank You was born from the simple, selfless, kindness of this little boy. Evan has been instrumental in helping his father in the organization that has grown from his first trip to California to a group who has helped countless Americans rebuild, regroup, and believe in the American spirit again.  And, like his father, doesn't really like anyone to talk about him, but to focus on the task, the mission. Evan is incredibly well spoken but doesn't like to talk too much. He peers at you through locks of curly hair with huge deep blue eyes and the cutest grin ever! He really doesn't have to say much!  The Bar Mitzvah service was beautiful. Sophia and I were mesmerized by the traditions. Evan read from the Torah. The Torah is a handwritten parchment scroll containing the five books of Moses. They are kept in an ark in the sanctuary when not used for services.  As a bar mitzvah, Evan must read a portion of the Torah in Hebrew aloud to the congregation. It takes months of study and practice. He used a small pointer, a yad, to keep his place and follow along, as no one is allowed to touch the scrolls with their hands.  The cantor was marvelous. Really. Marvelous. The entire experience, new to us, was just divine. But then, I think that's how it was designed. :)
    

THE CELEBRATION!! Now this was a PAR-TAY!  There was luau theme - Evan loves the beach! Surfboards, shells, beach cabanas.  Appetizer bar of sushi and all the trimmings, which changed out to a buffet of pastas, pizzas and more, which changed out to a dessert bar of candy, cookies, make your own sundaes and some of the best lemon and raspberry sorbet I've ever had, PLUS a smoothie bar all night long!  Custom airbrushed T-shirts, hula skirts, straw hats, colored socks to dance in, light sticks, a photobooth, necklaces, chocolate candies and a bag to tote it all home in were some of the favors. I have to say, Sophia and I were completely blown away by the DJ at this event. Yep, some guy playing songs, right? Uh, not quite. He had an Emcee and 3 or 4 "dance motivators" with him! They kept this party rolling from the first dance on. They were AWESOME! Giveaways of iTunes cards for various feats in the crowd. Limbo, run & freeze Coke & Pepsi games. They even had a special segment - Who Knows Evan? that was hilarious!  The Hora, hoisted Evan and his parents and little brother Josh, up on a chair to be danced in circles.  Toasts, candles, blessings, and a slideshow - all a testament to Evan's being loved and nurtured to this day.  You're a great guy, Evan, and we are proud to know you and call you friend!
 

In Native American culture, fire is the gift of The Great Spirit. So, I thought it was terrific when Anne and Monty wanted to include the sculpture of The Great Spirit at Woodward Park in their maternity session. These teachings are part of their new son's culture. Part of who he is. Who he will become. They want him to feel that now too. His parents are passionate, strong, caring people. They will live in Washington D.C. after he is born but Oklahoma will always be a part of his heritage. I have no doubt when their little boy is born later this month, that he will have a fire in his spirit to match. (and probably a ton of dark hair and definitely beautiful eyes!)