Thank you thank you thank you! All your good vibes made my reunion a RESOUNDING SUCCESS! I had SUCH a GREAT time! Sure I was nervous walking in, but after like five seconds it was all good. It was a blast to see so many people and the years have treated us all well. Every single person told me I looked like I hadn’t changed AT ALL, which I took as a good thing. (The zit on my cheek probably helped that. 😉 ) I was talking to one friend and he told me that it felt like everyone was in a really great place – everyone seemed happy and happy to be there. No pretentions, no airs, no misery. I totally agreed with him! There was a fantastic vibe to the evening! I guess all the miserable people stayed home. The turnout seemed great. My outfit was comfortable (even the spanx!) and my hair behaved and I felt really really good. I was so pleasantly surprised, I can’t even tell you. I even got to talk about knitting! (Hi Diane! It was so great to see you!)
I ended up wearing a black pair of dress pants, a sleeveless black top, black backless sandals, and my shawl. It was perfect. This is how good the evening was: on my way home I stopped at McDonald’s and after I ate, I popped my zit. All in all, a really nice night – I’m sure I’ll be ready to do it again in 10 years!
The rest of the weekend was just as fantastic. My sister’s mil gave my sister her gently used bike for Mother’s Day and since the seat needs to be adjusted for my sister, I got to ride all weekend! Her mil put a seat on the back for the kids so I played pony for the weekend. What a blast! I had so much fun! My sister literally lives in Mayberry USA and every time we passed a neighbor they’d wave to me and the kid on the back of the bike. Then, to make things even more idyllic, the ice cream man came and we all got treats! Dude. I never ran into the house so fast for money! I’ve known this for a little while, but it all solidified this weekend. Being a kid as an adult is SO MUCH BETTER than being a kid as a kid. My sister and I decided that it’s because we know just how much fun being a kid really is and we can appreciate it so much better. I also understand, though, that being a kid is just as hard TO KIDS as being an adult can be to us. I’m so happy to be grown up!
For Mother’s Day, I did a photoshoot with the kids for my sister. I haven’t taken pictures of them in a long time – too busy being their aunt to worry about pictures – or even bring my equipment down. Besides, that’s work (as much as I love it) and I like to play when I’m with the kids. (See paragraph above.) Anyway, the shoot was great. My niece continues to be my BEST model – since she was four days old. I’ve got LOTS of pictures, so I hope you enjoy.
And even though it was an absolute MESS getting home last night (a train hit a deer on the Northeast Corridor line), there was my favorite boy and YARN waiting for me when I finally got home. Socks That Rock yarn at that!
Knitting tomorrow – hope you like the photographs! Thanks!
OMG! The curly on that little one is so BEAUTIFUL.
You’re right, being a kid as an adult is way better!
Beautiful kids, Cara. I love the curls! You did a great job on the photos.
Oh my God, the hair on that child! She’s gorgeous! Is that natural curl?? Great photos, Cara. You have a wonderful talent. I used to work in a portrait studio/photo developing place (I was the digital restoration artist, self-taught), and they had a little clip on the wall from a Reader’s Digest. It went something like this…
“A man who happened to be a photographer went to an acquaintance’s house for a dinner party, and brought along some of his work. The hostess looked at his work and exclaimed, “What wonderful photos! You must have a great camera.” When the man was leaving after an evening of great food, he turned to the hostess and said, “The food was excellent! You must have some great cookware.”
Out of curiosity, what equipment do you take with you on location?
Also, the pictures are fabulous and especially the ones of the two boys make me want another baby, stat. I wonder if you have pictures of them fighting? 🙂
YAY for a happy reunion!
And OMG that hair on your niece. I LOVE IT. As a curlyhead myself, I am so glad to see a little girl rocking her curls (esp. since I was always made to feel bad that my hair was “unruly” and “wild” which I guess it is but I realize now that unruly and wild can be a good thing – for hair and for girls!).
Love, love, love the sweet pics.
Those photos are just gorgeous – you have a real eye for portraiture! Such cuties.
Glad to hear you had a good time at the reunion after being so nervous about attending – they can often go either way, but it sounds like yours was a fun night.
Some of my favourite childhood memories involved racing inside for change for the ice-cream man, on balmy evenings in the middle of summer. Even more fun when you can share it with other kiddies!
Photos are AWESOME! I want your niece’s hair. And I long for days where my biggest issue is that the black crayon is not sharp. I think that was my major problem at age 4…
omgoodness! :o)
those kids are just too much! what cuteness!
and i’m sooo glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself at your hs reunion–it gives me hope that if i choose to go to mine that it will be half as good as yours! :o)
It sounds like a truly wonderful weekend – I am so glad everything worked out after your last post. Your niece and nephew are beautiful!! It’s great that you got to enjoy them – always uplifting to read your blog. Thanks!
Great pics! Glad you had fun.
Those are beautiful children, and even though I can recognize that, I gotta say that I am SO HAPPY I don’t have to comb that little girl’s hair.
Fabulous fotos!! You’re right, she’s a wonderful little model!
Oh and to be honest, I think I would be terrified to go to my own ruinion, thank goodness I live too far away to go to any. A girl has to have some kind of excuse, right?
The photos are great. Thanks for sharing. Glad you had fun at the reunion.
Wow, what gorgeous relatives you have! I’m glad you had fun at the reunion 🙂
Such lovely pictures of gorgeous children! You are very talented, Cara. And your sister makes beautiful children 🙂
The photos are fabulous. I think your niece looks a LOT like you.
I’m so glad the reunion was so much fun. What beautiful children! wow!
I’m so glad you had a great time! Your sister’s kids are beautiful and your photographs are amazing too! If we ever visit that way, I’m totally hiring you to do our family portrait 🙂
Thanks for sharing your happiness, Cara. It’s nice to know that there are good reunions out there. Those pictures of the kids are wonderful, just wonderful!
What a lucky sister, your photos are truly wonderful.
Glad you had fun at your reunion! Rare thing for that to happen.
Every time I even *think* of going to my HS reunion I get what I call reunionitis, in which I am totally 15 again except for being twice as insecure (which, if you knew me when I was 15, you would realize is no small trick). I even get a mild case of it at fiber festivals. So I offer you massive congrats on your successful reunion, I’m sorry I didn’t see your previous post, you are beautiful, I know I’m not supposed to tell you that but you so are, and those pix… well. I am stunned adjectiveless.
See, even thinking about *your* reunion I start writing like I’m 15. Shutting up.
You’ve said it so well, as always 🙂
And, WOW! what cute curly-tops!
So glad you had fun at your reunion! Your family is beautiful, great pics! I’d kill for those curls! :o)
Cara, what a wonderful gift to your sister…the photos are gorgeous. Of course, it helps that the kids are gorgeous, too! (Though really, aren’t all kids?)
Those kids are just gorgeous. I’m sure glad I don’t have to manage your neice’s hair though. Whew, does she have a head of it! The family resemblance is uncanny-did your brother-in-law contribute any DNA?
I’m so glad that the reunion went well, and that you had a great time.
The photographs are beautiful. Your niece and nephews are perfect models.
The kids are all gorgeous – but your niece! Incredible! What a fabulous portrait subject (and fabulous portraits!)
Yeah! I am SOOOOO happy that the reunion went as well as it did. So, where are the pix of you in your FAB outfit? Hm?
Anyhow, the ice cream man. Gosh, how I miss that! Why aren’t there that many anymore? It’s a part of my childhood that I is missing in my son’s life and I feel so sad about that. I wonder what it takes to start one? Can you imagine that? How much fun would THAT be?????
Your photos (once again) are amazing. My fave is the baby being thrown up and giggling wildly and, of course, your niece with the azaleas. Wow!
Thanks for sharing!
Wow! The love and happiness that lights up your nephew’s face in photo #5 is just breathtaking! Gorgeous kids: magnificent job.
Those pictures are the BEST!! I wish I had a sister like you!!! By the way, I just received my note cards and they are so exquisite! I hope you don’t mind, but I am thinking of framing four of them and then sending some out. The colors and composition are just so great and they make me feel so happy every time I look at them. THANK YOU!!! Love to see a great talent (and now I want to learn to knit miters…heaven help me!)
Elise
I want my hair to look that cool when it blows all over the place like that!
I’m totally with you on the kid as an adult thing. I’ve decided that part of the problem is that kids want to badly to be grown up that they miss a few things (I’m always telling him that as a kid, it’s his “job” to play, so he feels more grown up about it…it’s funny). I’ve also decided that I’m going to start telling people my age with fractions…so like, I’m 40 and 1/4 quarter hahaha.
I’m so glad you had a great time! Those kids are absolutely beautiful!!!!
Gorgeous shots of gorgeous kids. Love that boy and baby too.
So funny how sister is molto curlioso and brother got zero curls!
xoxo Kay
Your photographs are gorgeous!
those photos are WONDERFUL. each one just got better and better! glad to hear your reunion was a ball and you relaxed & enjoyed. looking fabulous too!
Dude! Their hair rocks. What sweeties.
Are we going to see pics of you in your reunion outfit too?
Glad you had a good time. The photos are stunning.
What a great weekend.
You are a seriously talented photographer. Any chance of swinging by Wisconsin and taking pics of my completely unphotogenic family? We have yarn!
GOD they’re gorgeous. What a wonderful weekend! Thanks so much for sharing.
omg that little girl is adorable
Great photos and such beautiful children! You did an excellent job capturing joyful fun.
Gorgeous photographs Cara, glad you enjoyed your reunion.
Love the curls. What an adorable bunch!
People always stop me and tell me my kids should model but dude they are no where near your niece. She is one of the most photogenic children I have ever seen (the talent of the photographer aside;)). Really really beautiful.
The boys are adorable too of course:D
how cute are the curls!! omg! i’m so happy you had a fantastic time at your reunion!! how was the pedicure!?! i hope you liked it.
i’m working at patricia’s on sat if you’re around 🙂
Gorgeous kids!
Great pictures and way cute kids.
It really was a fun night, wasn’t it??! I’m glad I went too—and got the chance to catch up with you (and see those socks in person!!) You did look stunning and I totally appreciate the beauty of the shawl. Isn’t it funny how the women looked great and the guys looked, well, old?
Your neice and nephews are adorable. Next year I’ll book a session with you.
Glad your reunion was fantastic. And the pictures! Lovely, lovely, lovely!!!!!!! You are so talented!
I am so having you do the girls graduation photos . . . hey, the cards got here today . . . I might have to actually write people.
You are amazing, as is your photography. Good models only take you so far, I know, as my kids are beautiful, but my pictures of them never turn out that way.
Wow those pics are magazine quality….what beautiful babies!
look at those curls!!!
Wonderful pictures! Oh, those curls!!
I’m glad you had such a good time at your reunion. I’ve got mine in September; I’m really looking forward to it – even more so now. 🙂
Great pics. It’s great to be reminded of what it was like to be so young.
Please email me. I have a QUESTION on your cable fix tutorial posted in January 2007.
Thanks in advance.
I hope that little girl grows up to love her hair as much as we all do! It is incredible! And great photos!
What a beautiful family!
So glad that the night went well- and your niece is incredibly cute! The pics had me smiling!
WOW! Those are some terrific pictures of some great looking kids!
Precious….I’m so glad you had a wonderful weekend. I got my cards today…Thank you for making them!!!
Oh my heavens, look at those curls! The kids are absolutely darling (and mine are no slouches themselves, so I know darling). 😀 Are you told all the time that you all have the same eyes?
OMG! That BEAUTIFUL hair! Wow, she will probably hate it most days but it is absolutely stunning! The boys are sweet too! You’re a good aunt!
awww! happy happy happy!
(btw – i, too, am so happy i’m not a kid anymore.)
Oh.my.gosh. I love those pictures!! Those curls…I just can’t get over them! What kind of camera do you use? Someday I want to take good pictures…someday 😉
I am so glad you had a good time at your reunion! You deserved it!
You have so damn much talent it seems unfair that it’s not spread around a little more. Those kids’ pictures are amazing. Your niece (who looks much like you BTW) is just angelic. The boys are so boyish, impish. You’ve just captured them so people can look at the pictures and feel like, yeah, I know those kids. What talent. Congratulations.
Your pictures are incredibly beautiful. You have an incredible gift. Thanks for sharing all of their smiles with us.
The pictures are just amazing.
Oh, and I thought of you as we drove through Connecticut the other day–saw a license plate that said “JAN ONE” . . . I’m guessing it’s another New Year baby!
What great photos… they are so lucky to have you for so many reasons.
Aww. Those are some of the BEST kid pictures I’ve seen! You’ve definitely got the photo-taking talent! Glad the reunion went well!
lovin’ the little-boy knees!
that hair!
great kids, great photos!
I am so glad the reunion was great! I grilled Ann to make sure. 😉 Mine is next year. Thanks for the Spanx link…if I don’t lose weight they might come in handy.
Omigosh! All of those children are beautiful, but your neice is absolutely stunning!
Glad you had fun at your reunion. I skipped my tenth (more than 15 pounds on me!) and will probably skip the rest, too. I have no interest in most of the people I graduated with anymore. Glad to hear that yours was fun!
Those children are absolutely beautiful! And do I detect Auntie Cara in your muse’s little face?
A warning about Spanx-they’re fabulous and good for an optical loss of 10 lbs. but I kid you not, I literally threw my back out big time trying to get into them!
I am so happy to read that you had a good time at your reunion!!! I knew that once you got over those initial heebee jeebees, it would be all good :-).
What a fantastic photographer you are!! Such beautiful babies!
Oh she looks like you or vice versa. I see it.
Such sweet kids! Beautiful pics. Glad you had a great time!
Such beautiful pictures, and of course gorgeous models too! Love you niece’s hair!
Between your talent and those beautiful kids, ya just can’t go wrong! What darlings. Nice that your reunion went so well too, nothing like visiting with old friends-great for the soul.
Fabulous photos, gorgeous kids. So happy you had a great time. Thanks for sharing. Kids ARE fun to be with!
Awsome pictures, no doubt about that :o)
Glad you had a great weekend. Those kids are so sweet!
The curls!! Oh my goodness—such beautiful curls!
Okay, now that that’s out of my system. What an idyllic weekend. So glad you had such a nice time. The photos of the kids are fantastic. Of course with your talents and such photogenic kids it’s a win-win situation, right?
That one of your two nephews laughing with eachother is so joyful–phila-delphia rocks! xo, c.
Congrats on an excellent reunion, both with your high-school friends and with your own inner child! It’s great that you’ve had so much fun this weekend. your photos are beautiful; I like that final one best.
Those kids are absolutely gorgeous!! And that little girl…she’s America’s Next Top Model!!! Save those pictures for her portfolio.
Those photos are just beautiful. *squishy warm feelings* It looks like the kids are getting the great childhood fun that you and your sister were talking about. 🙂
So glad for you that your reunion went well – sounds like you looked great!
And the photos… just beautiful! The kids are gorgeous, and so photogenic – I wish you lived closer and you could make me look like that…
I’m glad you had a good time at the reunion and that it was all good in the end. Beautiful pics of the kiddos. Your niece has an unbelievable head of hair!
Those are some really gorgeous kids. I bet they keep you running and laughing and enjoying being an aunt. Thanks for sharing your photos.
I cannot believe how cute your niece is, with that perfectly uncontrollable curly hair! Wow, she is adorable. (Of course, when she’s a teenager, she’s going to hate it, and have it chemically straightened. People with great hair never seem to like it the way it is!) The boys are awfully cute, too. You’re a lucky aunt! I keep telling my brother he needs to have kids already…
Dude. Love them pictures, everything about them.
o.m.g.
georgous.
amazing.
wonderful.
the reunion sounds great, and those pictures, cara.
just… wow.
GREAT hair! I have hair that is just as curly but very red. YEAH for her and her mother that she is leaving it to curl into it’s natural state. She’s learned very early to leave it curly and it will save her a lot of time : )
Sounds like you had an awesome time. The pictures are great. Look a all those curls! They are all adorable!!