Christmas at mom and dads

shooting toys

boots for Christmas

remembering Linda addendum

a few more from the balloon release...

#1 remembering Linda

...and with a thump we land at my #1 favorite family picture of 2010. My uncle Gale organized a Fourth of July reunion on an idyllic piece of property he owns at the base of a mountain range in Western Montana. Here aunts Laurie and Judy hold balloons on which we wrote messages to another aunt, Linda, who died way too soon and is missed a tremendous amount. The weather was unsettled alternating between rain and sun breaks. I took this snapshot right after they liberated the balloon bouquets from the van and wouldn't you know I like it more than hundreds of other pictures that live on my hard drive.

#2 camping

Charlotte, Leslie, and Molly (sitting). We're camping in a rented tent trailer. Molly's hating it, Charlotte's loving it. Leslie and I are coping.

#3 Aaron and Taylor

Missed the focus and framing on this shot of the kid's friends. What I did catch was the awkward reaction Aaron had to Taylor's hug ambush. Sometimes that's enough.

#4 Jeffrey at dusk

Here's cousin Jeff looking all cowboy-ish at the same reunion as the last picture. I had to pack away the gorgeous film used in #5 for the extra sensitivity afforded by the Canon's digital sensor. Even then the feeble light afforded just enough data to assemble a sort of "camping impressionism". Still delicious.

#5 fourth of July boys

Our family reunion over the fourth was a goldmine of great photo opps. The expressions on this surly line up of Connor, Andy, Jackson, and Derek is priceless.

Laser Hendrix

we take a break in the top ten list to bring you Molly and friend Layne last night at the Seattle Center for a Jimmi Hendrix laser show.

#6 Molly and Connor

Attending a wedding at Timberline Lodge we found ourselves with a little time to kill. The cabin we were staying at had a swimming pool so Les took the kids and I came by a little later. I was struck by the colors of the tile and pleasant diffuse light. By the time I went to get my camera the pool wasn't quite as vacant. Got a few good shots anyway.

#7 Ali and Art

Brother-in-law Ali knows how to party. A little Makers Mark and country music gets even those with perpetual back pain up dancing.

#8 Aaron and Connor

The dynamic duo wrench themselves away from the Xbox long enough to thrash an RC car in the mud. Ah to be 12 again. Hardest decision whether to skateboard, bike, or hang.

#9 pedi girls

Two of my favorite subjects. Molly (again) and Charlotte primp in front of a bright summer midday sun. I knew there was a picture there but couldn't find the one in my minds eye. This will do.

#10 evil snow angel

Certainly the most recent of my choices, this was shot two weeks ago during a Thanksgiving trip to Winthrop. There was just enough snow to sled and enjoy. Not so much to make traveling difficult. For whatever reason Molly forgot she was fifteen and enjoyed the cold outdoors. This shot captures a bit of the fun, quirky, personality that's emerging as the apathy of teenage angst erodes away.

my top ten favorite family pictures of 2010

What better time for a top ten list than now! See above.

Molly and Charlotte

decking the halls

finding a Christmas tree

What's usually a three hour ordeal was over in 20 minutes Saturday. Go figure.