Dad

Sometimes, no words are needed. 

If I knew these would be my last photos of Dad in his element, I would have filled my camera roll.
I miss you every day.
9/26/56 -- 10/30/14

My Favorite Face

My Favorite Face

So I know I haven't written or posted in quite a while. These past three months have been pretty intense. Aside from "the holidays",  moving to a new city, and raising my two little girls, something else has caused me to step away from the camera, something I have yet to discuss.

The last time I posted was my Halloween post on Oct 28th.
Two days later my father passed away. 

My dad had been sick for a while with the awful and terrifying Lewy Body Disease. This sickness, in layman's terms, can best be described as a mix of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. I'm not going to go much further than that, aside from saying that in September he was moved out to TX from NJ to be placed in a wonderful facility just minutes from my house. Thrilled about having him so close, my girls and I visited PopPop as often as possible, always with a treat in hand. (His favorite was either cookies to add to his personal cookie jar we kept hidden in his room or a Coke from McDonald's...sometimes both) The girls were my dad's biggest source of joy, and despite the awful day he might have been having, you could see his face light up from across the room when they walked through the door. He loved them almost as much as they loved him and for me, watching them interact was like seeing my childhood replayed.  When he was with them, his true self shined through.

Recently a friend encouraged me to submit to the I Heart Faces "Favorite Face of 2014" challenge. I have to admit, aside from documenting some of my family life, I haven't had a shoot or picked up my camera since October. Frankly, I just wasn't feeling up to any of it. I know it isn't what my dad would want from me and I know I need to find my motivation once again. That being said, I'm taking the nudge from my sweet friend and submitting the only face that could possibly be considered; the face I can't stop staring at, the face I'd do anything to see just one more time.

It's time to get back on the bandwagon and I can't think of a better way than with a tribute to the most amazing man that ever lived. This submission is for no other reason than to show you that I'm moving forward, Dad.  Like I promised.

This photo was taken on October 19th, less than a month after his 60th birthday.

Who's The Boss

I'll never forget the first time she requested to watch "Who's the Boss". I was wracking my brain..."When did I introduce her to the world of Tony Danza? I don't have 'Who's the Boss' on DVD, do I? I probably should....but, no."
It wasn't until in utter miscommunication-frustration, she followed up her request with, "Mooooooom, I wanna see the meeean witch on Whosthebossz" that it finally clicked.

Thus began her Wizard of Oz fascination. The kid is obsessed with musicals, but good ol' Dorothy holds a special place in her little heart. We watch WoZ daily, along with the terrible-but-kinda-grows-on-you-after-500-viewings, remake "Dorothy's Return to Oz". Poor Zoe is her unwilling sidekick, playing the role of Toto to perfection- as best her tea-cup yorkie self can handle.

Every raised surface in our house is a stage, on which she belts, "Ober-der, Ober the rainbow..." ("somewhere" is not quite in the vocab yet!) and when we drive, everything she sees out the window, relates in someway to the Land that is Oz. "Mom, dat tractor like in Wizard of Oz?" (we have the name down now.) "Mom, see dose trees? Da Yion live in der. He jump out and say rooooar!" And as if you were thinking the car was at least a respite from the Wizard of Oz DVD loop occurring at home, think again. The Wizard of Oz or Wicked soundtracks are her driving tun-ages of choice. (My vote lies with Wicked) ;)

And so, it seemed only expected that when I asked her a few months back what she wanted to be for Halloween, the answer was unmistakably: "DARAFEE!!"

Of course, lil' sis' costume was still up for grabs so I let Quin help me choose....

**As far as the editing goes, yes, I realize we are tipping the scales at a "10" on the cheesiness factor. But let me tell you something- her little face when I showed her these pictures...worth every single solitary yellow-GD-brick-placing-second. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father's Day 3.0

Hello All!

I know, I know...it's been about 100 years. I apologize and hope to be back on the radar more often now that the newest Baby Maconachy is getting a bit easier to manage. Did I mention I had a new baby? Oh, yes. Well, more on that later...

 Anyways, I wanted to jump on before it was too late and share our newest Father's Day picture. This has been SUCH a fun tradition for our family. My husband thought it was adorable the first year, but I believe he got teary the second year when he saw how much his baby girl had grown (and sprouted pig tails). I can not WAIT to give him this latest installment with our latest little "installment" included! ;)

Since we are going to be away for Father's Day this year, we are celebrating a bit early and I wanted to share this with you all so you could see the progression. It's never too late to start this yearly tradition for your own family!

So, an early Happy Father's Day to all of your fabulous Daddies out there and especially to ours...he's kind of the best!
 
For more on how the tradition started- click here .

Father's Day 3.0 

Planes, Flare, and Automobiles

Mr. M (which stands for Man) is one of my favorite little dudes. It just so happens that his actual name starts with M too, but Mr. Man suits him just as well. This kiddo is ALL BOY and I love every inch of him.

I'm been photographing him since the day he was born, literally. (Ok, so maybe it helps that his mama and I have been BFFs since the days of all-nighters, sorority parties, and mac & cheese for dinner on the pull-out couch. But I'm pretty sure I'd be just as obsessed with him if we weren't.)

Knowing this little man's love of planes, cars, and...well, running-- I came prepared for this shoot! His Mama and I may have lost a few pounds chasing after him...but for that, we thank you, Mr. Man! xo

Since Mom isn't using these pics for Christmas cards, I can finally share some pics with you of someone other than my own child! You're Welcome.  ;)