Sara P. Photography

Dinner @ Tu Tu Tangos

2010-08-05T16:52:00.000-04:00

My parents are in town to help us celebrate our anniversary. We began with dinner at Tu Tu Tangos.

Delicious!

My dad even tried it - quite amazing!

Love the live entertainment

Getting rid of the grill

2010-08-04T16:36:00.000-04:00

Just another day

2010-08-03T16:34:00.004-04:00

Library run

Dinner with friends

Sweet treats

2010-08-02T16:31:00.003-04:00

Tootsie Pop Drops

Bread and boxing

2010-08-01T22:08:00.000-04:00

Homemade bread

Matt playing Wii boxing

Summer thunder storms

2010-07-31T22:02:00.004-04:00

Colors and Matt

2010-07-30T21:53:00.003-04:00

Colors is so happy that Matt is home.

Grief and plants

2010-07-29T21:50:00.002-04:00

We received a lovely plant arrangement from the school where Matt and I work.

Carla and Shayne are married!

2010-07-28T21:14:00.001-04:00

I had the privilege of capturing this beautiful couple. They went through a lot to get married - the day of the planned wedding day the bride was in the hospital having emergency surgery! But love prevailed, she recovered and they married soon after. Since their original wedding plans flew out the window, they didn't have a chance to capture the day in photos. So when they came to visit her sister on their adjusted honeymoon, we spent some time at Bella Collina in Montverde together. You can really tell how much they love each other!

The bride and her sister

The bride is a florist, so she designed and created her bouquet herself!

They had a surprise wedding shower at the end of our session thrown by her sister!

Pocket Pies

2010-07-27T19:39:00.000-04:00

Matt has been busy in the kitchen.

He made pocket pies!

This one was my favorite

It was filled with Nutella! OMG so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunflower

2010-07-26T19:36:00.005-04:00

My garden took a beating with me being gone so long this summer, but I do have a few things to show for it. Here's a happy little sunflower

Library run

Ikea

2010-07-25T19:31:00.004-04:00

Quick Ikea trip today

Sleepy Wonder Cat

2010-07-24T19:27:00.003-04:00

The Wonder Cat and Matt

2010-07-23T19:21:00.006-04:00

Owen has really missed Matt this summer. Since Matt's been home, Owen has been pretty much camped out in his lap.

More summer art projects

2010-07-22T19:19:00.000-04:00

The other picture

Summer art projects

2010-07-21T19:13:00.000-04:00

The kids began some art projects last week and now they are finishing them up. Quite impressive stuff!

Wonder Works in Orlando, FL

2010-07-20T19:03:00.014-04:00

I took the kids to Wonder Works today and we had a blast!

Outside of the upside down building

The wind tunnel

Bed of Nails

Giant piano

T is an astronaut!

Laser Tag

3 story ropes course

Hibiscus

2010-07-19T18:54:00.000-04:00

Another new addition to the garden

Book run

Butterfly flowers

2010-07-18T18:48:00.009-04:00

New addition to the garden

Toy Story 3

2010-07-17T18:43:00.006-04:00

Today we saw Toy Story 3. We'd both been looking forward to seeing it for more than a year.

Apparently we are both still quite raw - because we sobbed our eyes out at the end. It was intense guys!!!!!!!!

First - it is so stinking hot in the summer here!

Lights in the movie theater

Toy Story 3

Matt and Colors enjoying a quiet moment

Home again

2010-07-16T18:37:00.001-04:00

Our first full day back home. The first time my husband slept in his bed in more than a month. The first time he saw our cats in a long time.

It feels good, but it doesn't. It feels wrong for feeling good.

The grief is strong, real and ever present.

Last day in Miami

2010-07-15T18:28:00.000-04:00

Today is the day that my husband finally gets to drive away from Miami. For so many weeks, I've wanted him to come home, but this is not the way I wanted it to happen. It's very bittersweet. I feel guilty for wanting to go home, but there isn't any reason for us to be here right now. We need to go home, we need to start figuring out what the new normal is.

Before we headed out, I photographed some of the lovely flowers that have found their way into my parents house since the funeral.

Parrots, Penguins and Parties Pt 3

2010-07-14T18:19:00.025-04:00

At the end of a long but great day, we got together at my parents house to celebrate Jack's birthday. There was pool time for Jack and his buddies, presents, tons of food and two kinds of cake!

Jack and friends in the pool

Tina came over with her gorgeous daughter - aren't they lovely?

The birthday boy takes a break from presents to attend to his legion of fans

Max and his mama

Jack, Emily and James

Jack is 8!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark and Jack celebrated their birthdays together with both kinds of cake - Ice Cream and Cheesecake!

Parrots, Penguins and Parties Pt 2

2010-07-14T16:53:00.000-04:00

Here are some images of the incredible beauty you can enjoy at Jungle Island.

Now - onto Penguins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here they are all lined up for us

And it's officially penguin time!!!!!!

They were willing to pose oh so nicely

Don't mind Jack's face. He's slowly melting due to the heat :)

This is what happens when you bring out the bucket of fish

Yes please, I will have a fishy

This is a baby flamingo - the only one to survive this year. She's only 3 months old.

Back to penguins

Any more fishies guys?

This is Rafiki. He spent the ENTIRE time trying to smuggle himself home with me. He was my shadow - wherever I went, he followed. I was the only one who did not feed them fishies - so it definitely wasn't a food thing. The animal handlers were cracking up - they said that penguins definitely can choose favorites. Apparently I was Rafiki's favorite. I nearly stepped on him a dozen times because he was THISCLOSE to me!

Posing on the rocks

Matt petting a penguin

Matt, Jack and a penguin

Libby finally meets a penguin!

We nicknamed this one Grandma Penguin - she's in her 30's. About 10 years older than the oldest penguin in the wild. She has arthritis and can't walk well, so she stays in the water most of the time.

More penguins

Apparently penguins are very cat like. They LOVE to play string!

The flamingos at Jungle Island - just like the old Parrot Jungle.

Parrots, Penguins and Parties Pt 1

2010-07-14T00:31:00.047-04:00

Today is Jack's 8th birthday! Today we choose to celebrate, laugh and live. Tears are a part of living, so we embrace those too.

To celebrate Jack's birthday, we went to Jungle Island in Miami. It used to be Parrot Jungle Island and before it was that it was simply Parrot Jungle in Pinecrest (way back before Pinecrest was Pinecrest). Even with the new location and fancy name, the parrots are still there and still cool.

Here's Pinkie - one of the oldest parrots on display there

Jack sharing some noms

One of the main reasons we decided to visit Jungle Island was for the penguins. They have a penguin exhibit that you can visit (with a special purchase) and actually touch and feed the penguins. Libby has a love for penguins, but has never seen one live and in person. So this was big on our to do list. First we sat through the animal show.

Our first view of the penguins

This is Rafiki. He was the penguin chosen for the show that hour. Later on, he feel deeply in love with me - but that is another story.

After the show the audience was invited to come to the edge of the fenced in area and watch them for about 5 minutes - so cool!

Then we had some time to kill before our meeting time with the penguins. Matt and I wandered over to the lorikeet cage while Jack and his buds headed off to the splash area. The lorikeet exhibit was actually this giant cage that you could walk through. For a dollar, one of the staff members would hand you a cup full of sugar water - which apparently they REALLY REALLY love. Here's Matt being mauled by countless little birdies.

At first everything is calm....

But before you know it, they are all over you! The flapping of their wings actually moves your hair. It's a little much, at least it was for me.

The red one was a bit of a bully - he pushed the others out of the way.

This guy wanted every last drop

A little while later, Libby and Mark joined us. The lorikeets LOVED Libby!

But I'm not sure the feeling was mutual

Stay tuned - penguins are next!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Funeral

2010-07-13T15:39:00.000-04:00

Today I buried my mother in law.

Today sucked.

It was really hard and full of sadness.

I don't want to have to go through this again for a long long time. Watching my almost 8 year old nephew bravely help as a pall bearer until he was crying, just about broke my heart. Holding my husbands hand as we cried together - hurts. Walking out of the church sucked. There just aren't prettier words for it.

There were some moments of laughter though, there always are with this family.

After the funeral, we gathered together at my parent's house. We spent hours looking through old family pictures and it was completely awesome. Jack played in the pool, we had a ton of food, we laughed and cried and told so many stories.

Things to remember with a smile

"Yoann", "Yoan" and "Jo-Ann"

Crop dusting

"We look like refugee children!"

"Who wears short shorts? Mark wears short shorts!"

Morbid humor

Images from the day

Wake

2010-07-12T11:53:00.026-04:00

Today was the viewing and wake for Joan. It was also the first time the entire family was together in the same place. Matt's brother Mark was in Chicago when Joan passed away and he couldn't get back until late last night. It did give him the unique opportunity to visit the places he was born and raised in - all the kids were born in Chicago and the family lived there until the 70's.

Today was a mixture of laughter and tears - as the previous few days have been. It began early (even with the late night before hand) because life still happens. People still need to go to work, cars need to go to the mechanic and the monotony of the death business needs to happen. Linda had to go to the cemetery to authorize what needed to be done, Matt and I needed to deliver his mom's clothes to the funeral home.

Sleep has been hard to come by. Especially for Matt.

One of the hardest parts of tonight was the viewing. It just wasn't her. She was gone. The reality of that slams home where you are face to face with the person that just isn't her anymore.

Memories to keep:

The love and kindness of our friends and family who sacrificed their time to be with us at the viewing. Thank you all.

The inability of so many people who work in Miami to pronounce the name "Parets" correctly.

Joan being such a tight ass about rules that her Moose friends took the opportunity to vent about it at the viewing!

Glitter flower banners.

Joan buying us all dinner together.

Here are some of the flowers that people sent. Words can't express how lovely they were and how much it meant to us.

Grief and Family

2010-07-11T18:14:00.001-04:00

Another day full of plans and grief. The funeral was arranged, the paper work done, the clothes chosen. We shared a meal with all the family that was in town. We cried together and we did laugh together - Joan gave us plenty to laugh about.

Memories I want to keep from the day:

Libby walking in and saying "teeth"

Watching the pride that Libby had when her coworkers met sweet Emily for the first time

Casket Bling

Jack being the chillest kid ever

Matt and Linda laughing over family pictures

A obituary that makes you laugh

The family:

Death

2010-07-10T17:43:00.004-04:00

Today, early in the morning while she was resting, Joan Parets died.

My husband's mother, my mother-in-law, my friend died.

We found out when Linda, my sister-in-law, called this morning.

This wasn't supposed to happen. She was getting better. We were actually getting ready to go home - the first time a month for Matt.

But things change.

Today has been a day. There is no go to "how to handle with a parent dies" list. The practical stuff was already in motion - most of those decisions she helped make a long time. Thank you for that Joan, not having to worry about if you wanted a funeral or where you wanted to be buried took away some of the burden.

But there was still much to do. Flights to arrange, plans to make, clothes to buy, tears to shed, meals to eat and family to meet and grieve with.

I only touched my camera for a few moments today. I went outside a few hours after hearing the news to get some fresh air. Squirrel met me outside and spent a few moments with me. My mother in law loved animals, so I took this a message from her. Some love and comfort on an impossibly hard day.

Rest in peace Joan.

The last day before 189/365

2010-07-09T17:16:00.001-04:00

I'm blogging these about a month late. I'm post dating them so I don't mess up my organization, but there is a big surreal factor. Why you ask? Because the reason I'm a month behind on blogging - the sudden death of my mother in law. She has been ill, but we were expecting a recovery, not this.

These were the last pictures I took of what is now forever known as "Before". She died a few hours after these were taken.

They aren't anything special. In fact - they are really quite sub par. That's because I had just driven into Miami for what felt like the hundredth time that summer. I was there to visit my mother in law and pick up my husband who hadn't been home in a month. He had been in Miami for weeks - visiting with his mom every day. Since she had recently been moved out of the ICU into a regular room, he was going to come home for a few days. We were leaving the next day, so I just went out the back yard and took a few quick pics.

A quick picture of my husband

Aloe flowers

Yard art

Fun in the pool! 188/365

2010-07-08T17:07:00.001-04:00

Big splashes!

I love these two!

Garden update 187/365

2010-07-07T16:56:00.011-04:00

With my unexpected absence this summer, my garden is taking a beating. But some things are persevering.

As far as the veggie garden goes, my only true success has been marigolds. But I'm really great at those!

What's left of my tomato

Morning glory

Cucumbers

Stormy weather

2010-07-06T16:47:00.000-04:00

David's House 186/365

2010-07-05T16:37:00.000-04:00

David got the wall in his master bedroom refinished today and it looks great.

He also has a hole in the wall

Kitchen cabinets

4th of July 185/365

2010-07-04T16:17:00.000-04:00

Friends, family and fireworks - it's what makes the 4th of July so fantastic.

Danny's very cool Craftsman grill tools

Friends and family

David - being goofy

David and mom

Lavonia

Roger

Desi

The lovely centerpiece we had - yummy too.

Fireworks

Watching them

More fireworks

184/365 David's House and other stuff

2010-07-03T15:27:00.010-04:00

David is making progress on his house. He tore down the wood paneling in the master bedroom and has his office painted.

Awwwwww

Matt and Squirrel had some lap time tonight.

Flowers I bought for my mom

Dinner

183/365

2010-07-02T14:42:00.000-04:00

My view as I headed south yet again.

Miami is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

Quick garden update.

Things aren't so good after me being gone more than a week. Even with our fantastic cat sitter watering things, insects invaded.

Lost this one

But I do have new growth

Baby watermelon

And the morning glory is a bright spot

182/365 Garden

2010-07-01T20:22:00.000-04:00

Just some loveliness from the garden

Another month done

2010-06-30T20:20:00.000-04:00

It may have taken a while to upload, but June is done.

181/365 Matthew and Jack

2010-06-30T20:02:00.000-04:00

Matt and Jack spent the morning together hiking, geocaching and making sand castles. They came home tired but happy.

Jack enjoyed some video game time while Matt cleaned up.

Big shoes to fill

Hanging out in the hospital

180/365 The Hospital

2010-06-29T19:43:00.011-04:00

This is what where we have been every day for what feels like forever. The most plain and uncomfortable waiting room ever.

Matt calls this the "Your life sucks and so do your snacks" vending machine. Keep in mind - you have to walk down more than half the length of the hospital to even find this machine.

I'm sure this woman was incredibly generous and a very lovely person to know, but the portrait is a little creepy. This was the only thing other than posters warning us of horrible diseases to look at. Oh yeah - the TV that the orderlies keep setting to Telemundo.

Such uncomfortable chairs. Considering that officially the ICU visiting hours are only supposed to be 15 minutes every few hours - you'd think the waiting area would be a little nicer. Fortunately the staff has allowed us to visit with Joan for much longer, but still. Chairs that you can't move without moving the entire row - WTF?

179/365 Another day in Miami

2010-06-28T19:35:00.000-04:00

Today was a very emotional day. I'll write more on that later. For now - the pictures.

Miami on the drive home from the hospital.

Matt and my parents kitten Sundae

178/365 Matthew and Jack

2010-06-27T17:52:00.000-04:00

One of the few bright spots of having a family member in the hospital? Lots of time with awesome relatives you don't see enough. Uncle Matt and Jack have been bonding over the past two weeks.

They are buds!

177/365 Another day in Miami

2010-06-26T17:39:00.000-04:00

We are all still in Miami. Things are going. It's hard, but we are trying to enjoy being with each other.

Of course - the highlights are the great kids.

Here is sweet Emily so comfortable with her Grandma

And of course - awesome Jack! We went to Miami Beach of dinner and Jack always brings the joy.

Uncle Matt and Jack being silly

Jack ponders the menu

On our way out I treated myself to Shake Shack's dessert

176/365 Miami Skyline

2010-06-25T17:11:00.005-04:00

This is the view on the way home from the hospital

Mt. Sinai ICU

Heading over the Julia Tuttle

Getting on I-95 south

Heading to US 1

175/365 Sparklers

2010-06-24T16:57:00.026-04:00

This evening after dinner, we enjoyed some fun with sparklers. Jack has been awesome through out all the hospital visits and waiting - so he totally deserves some fun.

First - the moon over Miami

Fun with Sparklers

Uncle Matt lighting Jack's sparkler

Dustin was pretty good at them too!

Jack was all about the sparklers

I love how happy Jack is in this one!

Matt got into the fun too. He was patient enough to hold them still while I got my shots

More Jack

This is Jack using his sparkler like Harry Potter's wand

175/365 Casola's Pizza in Miami

2010-06-24T16:39:00.022-04:00

Casola's is one of our favorite Miami places to eat. The pizza is delicious and it's a Miami landmark. Right off US 1 as you exit I-95 - it is almost one of the first places to eat off the highway. You should definitely check out Casola's for yourself - but until you can, these pictures will have to do.

There is a front entrance with a few parking - but the parking lot is in the back. Here's the rear entrance.

Being so close to the beach - the shirts and shoes required actually applies.

Decor

Menu

Pizzas ready to eat

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

One of my favorite parts of Casola's? They cut up a slice of fresh cheese pizza into bite size pieces for you to munch on while you are waiting for your order. This slice lasts approximately 5 minutes and they just keep replacing it.

Ready to eat!

Order up!

My favorite - plain cheese.

Matt's order - all the way. Nearly every topping - piled one on top of the other. This pizza was HUGE!

Our nephew Jack gave a thumbs up.

174/365

2010-06-23T23:53:00.016-04:00

More time with family in Miami.

Jack and his new cousin Emily.

Uncle Matt and Jack

Linda and Emily

Linda, Emily and mama Libby

Sweet baby Emily

Day 2 173/365

2010-06-22T13:43:00.000-04:00

Joan made it through the night and we found out today that she has pneumonia. She's being medicated and is on the ventilator and feeding tube. Stress is high, but we are doing what we can and trying to enjoy this unexpected time of all of us in one city.

This is what how we spend the time, eating and hanging out.

Libby and Emily

Jack

Cupcake 172/365

2010-06-21T22:40:00.000-04:00

Bad news from Matt - so I am heading back to Miami tonight earlier than expected. I took a photo of the cupcake I got with the kids to celebrate the first day of summer.

Father's Day in Miami 171/365

2010-06-20T22:33:00.000-04:00

It's Father's Day in Miami. I'm spending the early part of the day with my dad and then leaving Matt in Miami to be with his mom while I go back to work for a few days. I'll be back soon in the week.

Father's Day cards

I love my dad's orchids

Family time 170/365

2010-06-19T22:18:00.000-04:00

We arrived early early this morning in Miami. Matt's mom is in the hospital so we spent some time with her in the afternoon and then went over to his sister's place for a family and friends BBQ.

While it's stressful to have someone you love in the hospital - Matt's family is a ton of fun. We can't help but laugh when we get together. Now we have yet another great reason to celebrate - newborn baby Emily!

How cute is she?

The happy little family

Emily loves her grandma and the feeling is completely mutual

Grandpa is pretty smitten with her too. Hard to believe Matt's big brother is a grandpa!

Emily's second cousin Jack is happy to no longer be the baby of the family :)

Matt and I with James and Libby and Emily

James and Mark Ryan

After most people left we played some cards till it was way tooooo late

Pie and books

2010-06-18T23:59:00.003-04:00

Getting ready to travel to Miami. Late tonight I'll pick up my husband at the airport and drive straight to Miami. His mom is in the ICU and we want to spend as much time with her as possible. Since it is Father's Day weekend - I baked this pie for my dad.

Library Run

Best Friends and craft time 168/365

2010-06-17T23:51:00.007-04:00

J had her best friend over today - how cute are they?

Making Father's Day Cards

Baking Banana Bread 167/365

2010-06-16T23:41:00.009-04:00

One of my goals this summer is to teach the kids to cook some things. Today lessons began with letting J. bake Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. She did all the work, read the recipe, made sure we had the ingredients, measured and mixed everything. I helped getting the equipment together and the oven set and supervised. She even was responsible for cleaning up afterwards. She did a great job and the bread was SOOOOOOOOO yummy!

You can get the recipe for yourself over at three pugs & a baby!

Finished result - so yummy!

Later on - fun in the pool

166/365

2010-06-15T23:34:00.011-04:00

Today was full of fun!

First some time weaving on her small loom

Then fun with the yo yo

Finally watering the yard and mostly soaking each other!

Book run with J.

2010-06-14T23:27:00.005-04:00

Another library run!

J and her books

J.'s books

My books

Sunrise 164/365

2010-06-13T23:18:00.009-04:00

Since I had to wake up at 4:00 am to drive Matt to the airport for his way too early flight, I decided to wait up and greet the sunrise. I treated myself to the rare McDonald's breakfast (pancakes, yum!) and waited for the sun.

Brunch with the hubs 163/365

2010-06-12T23:13:00.002-04:00

The hubster is leaving for a week in Texas tomorrow for work so we took some time to enjoy brunch together today.

Double features

2010-06-11T23:09:00.003-04:00

Our car was being worked on all day long, so we ended up seeing two movies.

Fun at band camp 161/365

2010-06-10T23:02:00.000-04:00

I picked up T. at Band Camp today to discover a room full of kids equipped with nerf guns! They were having a great time and the pastor is a good sport.

Books and Basketball 160/365

2010-06-09T22:51:00.000-04:00

Today I did a book run with J.

Her books

My book

Later we picked up T. from Basketball camp and took a chance to capture a few action shots!

159/365

2010-06-08T22:45:00.003-04:00

We enjoyed TV and dinner with friends tonight.

I love the lights in their kitchen.

National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! 158/365

2010-06-07T11:43:00.000-04:00

Today was National Chocolate Ice Cream Day - gotta love America! Don't believe me? Well then check the interwebs here and here! What other way is there to celebrate than with some delicious ice cream at Scoops in downtown Winter Garden, Florida?

Book run at the library

Blueberry Pie 157/365

2010-06-06T11:10:00.009-04:00

With the many pounds of blueberries we picked this week, the logical thing to do was make Blueberry Pie!

First I had to go through more than 6 lbs of blueberries, sorting and storing them for the future. Then I washed the 5 cups I needed for the pie.

Then I prepped the blueberry and sugar mixture and poured it into a pie crust. I rubbed a little milk on top and dusted it with sugar.

Poked some holes in it to let the steam out

Then baked until golden brown and delicious. Matt couldn't wait to dig in!

More blueberries from Lake Catherine Blueberries! 156/365

2010-06-05T10:56:00.001-04:00

We went back to Lake Catherine Blueberries today to pick some more before they closed for the season. We ended up with more than 6 pounds of blueberries - I see pie in our future!!!!!!!!!

Heading to pick more berries

Rows and rows....

Even in these final days of picking the berries are still plentiful!

Sunset dinner on Lake Florence 155/365

2010-06-04T10:29:00.000-04:00

We enjoyed an end-of-school-year dinner on Lake Florence at sunset tonight. Lovely location and fantastic friends.

Blueberries are ripe!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lake Catherine Blueberry Farm 154/365

2010-06-03T09:45:00.025-04:00

Can you guess what I did today???????????

Here's a hint.....

You should have it by now, but if you are really sleepy this will cinch it.

I went to the fabulous Lake Catherine Blueberry farm to pick my own blueberries! You can visit them on Facebook for more info!

The farm is absolutely gorgeous

Here's a view of Lake Catherine

You can get to it by heading south on 50 and turning north on 19. It's about a mile down on the left. Just look for the sign!

There are rows and rows of blueberries

The blueberries are delicious and gorgeous

The Wonder Cat 153/365

2010-06-02T19:28:00.000-04:00

Owen the Wonder Cat enjoying some ear rubs

Then having dinner

Miami flowers 152/365

2010-06-01T19:16:00.000-04:00

My mom created a lovely flower arrangement for Memorial Day

Some of my dad's orchids

May 2010 - Another month down!

2010-05-31T13:28:00.000-04:00

I've completed my 17th month straight of taking at least two photographs every day. Here are the mosaics for May 2010.

Project 366-1 2001

Shutter Sisters 365

Brand new person! 151/365

2010-05-31T12:44:00.001-04:00

I was so lucky today to meet the newest member of my family - sweet little Emily. My husband's niece Libby had her first baby on May 30th and we were fortunate enough to meet her in the hospital.

Daddy holding his daughter

Holding Emily for the first time

I just love sweet little baby faces! Especially ones that are not even 24 hours old yet!

Look at that skin! And the hair!!!!!!!!!!!

I love newborns in black and white - so classic and pure.

Look at her checking me out!

Doesn't her yawn just melt your insides?

More black and white baby

My mom holding sweet Emily

Emily and her Daddy

Emily and her Mama

A few last baby shots - till we meet again little Emily!

Memorial Day BBQ 151/365

2010-05-31T12:03:00.001-04:00

Other than meeting sweet little Emily, we enjoyed a relaxing Memorial Day. A little shopping, time with family and the day ended with some great food and games at home.

Check out my mom's attention to detail - the red white and blue table cloth PLUS the ribs were served on a dish with navy blue stars on it!

My mom makes the BEST macaroni salad - so good!

Lovely Anna in Miami 150/365

2010-05-30T19:22:00.000-04:00

I was lucky to spend the afternoon with one of my best friends Anna while in Miami. She's beautiful inside and out and we had a great time getting some fun shots!

A few pictures I edited twice to get some different looks

Color

Black and White

Others were just fine with the single edit!

Color

Different Coloring

Regular

With an added sun flare (hey it is Miami!)

Anna has a terrific smile!

And a WONDERFUL sense of humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another regular

Black and White

Color (love the eyeliner!)

Black and White - so elegant!

We moved from the hot pink bougainvilleas to the yellow ones

Then as the light began to fade, my crazy friend let loose!

Fun in Miami (150/365)

2010-05-30T18:09:00.000-04:00

A busy and fun day in Miami began with a quick tour of the progress in my brother's new house. You might remember what it looked like a few weeks ago: http://sarapphotography.blogspot.com/2010/04/115365-renovating-davids-house.html

Well Ashley spent this week painting and it looks a LOT better.

Just to remind you - here is what the front room looked like before:

Now here's the repainted room! He still has to do the trim - probably in a simple white. The red carpet will come up and underneath is gorgeous terrazzo.

Then there was the room he has decided will be his office. It was covered in wall paper that was PAINSTAKINGLY removed by every member of the family!

Here's what it looked like with the wall paper down

There are these kinda cool closets in there

Here's what it looks like now. It's received a coat of primer and David is now choosing wall colors.

Finally the guest room. Previously it was a BRILLIANT shade of green.

Ashley choose the paint color for that room and it is now a BRIGHT shade of purple called Baroness

Baroness

SW6837

Later on we were back at the house hanging out with one of my favorite people - Anna Rosas. I noticed my parents' neighbor posted some yummy pictures of a mango daiquiri he had made on facebook and I made a comment about people across the street with empty tummies. Well about 30 minutes later to our complete surprise the door bell rang and there was our neighbor carrying this box!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So surprising and so yummy! My family has the BEST neighbors ever!

We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying those drinks, the pool and the beautiful yard my family has. How pretty are their bougainvilleas?

My dad was working hard on repainting the back patio and we tried to stay out of his way

As the sun began to set....

I snapped a few pictures of my lovely friend Anna (stay tuned for those) and then my mom took a few of us. Here are some edited versions

I added a sun flare to this one

This is Anna telling me to put my hand on my hip cause it makes you look better

And we finished the day with a delicious meal grilled by my brother

Ashely & David in love in Miami (150/365)

2010-05-30T17:03:00.001-04:00

My brother David and his girlfriend Ashley are too cute together. They laugh, they have a great time and they love letting me take pictures of them! They are so much fun!

This was shot in Coral Gables, Florida at the Country Club Prado Arch, Coral Gables.

To schedule your own session in Miami or the Clermont/Orlando area - contact me on my site.

I love how Ashley is so quick to smile! She's just a fun and happy girl.

They are so sweet together

I love this one!

Miami for Memorial Day Weekend 149/365

2010-05-29T13:20:00.000-04:00

I'm in Miami for the Memorial Day weekend visiting with my family. Just minutes after pulling into town, my mom and my brothers girlfriend took me to get pedicures and manicures - yay!!!!!!!!!

I snapped a few quick pictures of David and Ashley before they went out for the night.

After Care fun 148/365

2010-05-28T12:46:00.000-04:00

Fun with some After Care friends

Book Run

Garden update 147/365

2010-05-27T12:35:00.000-04:00

An update on my garden.

Here is my square foot and container garden

In the square foot garden the first row are peppers, the second is tomatoes and the back row (not really visible from this point of view) is cucumbers. In the containers in the front are yellow squash. The small containers on the side are melons and the large container behind it is a watermelon. The hanging basket on the other side are morning glories. I also have two marigolds in the garden to attract ladybugs to fight the aphids.

A close up of the squash blossoms

The tomato plant that is really making a comeback after the hornworm

Pentas

Sun flares through the tree

MVA Middle School Awards Night 146/365

2010-05-26T12:16:00.000-04:00

Montverde Academy celebrated the achievements of the Middle School students tonight and what achievements they were!

The evening began with Mr. Delmolino & Mrs Soares greeting us.

Members of the student body greeted us with welcomes and prayers

Then the awards began

National Junior Honors Society

Florida Juniper Berries 145/365

2010-05-25T11:41:00.000-04:00

The Juniper in our front yard has the prettiest little berries.

Garden update 144/365

2010-05-24T11:29:00.000-04:00

My garden is making a comeback from the dreaded hornworm.

Check out how bushy the once decimated tomato has gotten!

Topsy Turvy Tomato

Dill

Christmas Cactus

Avocado Tree

Book Run

Busy day 143/365

2010-05-23T11:18:00.000-04:00

Today was quite busy! With my brother and his girlfriend in town, we decided to take advantage of our location and do some window shopping at Ikea for David's new house. But we started the day with breakfast with the Armstrong family!

Then it was off to Ikea!

First David found a corner couch he really liked.

Then a desk he felt was perfect - doesn't he look great at it?

Then he discovered bedroom furniture! This is huge - you have to understand that my patient brother has been using the same bedroom furniture for the past 30 years! It's the set that my parents purchased three decades ago when my mom was pregnant with me. Don't get me wrong - it's great stuff and well made, but it's exciting to see David begin to discover what he really likes.

The Hemnes Collection

MVA Baccalaureate c/o 2010

2010-05-22T21:39:00.002-04:00

Congratulations Montverde Academy Class of 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We celebrate Baccalaureate for the class of 2010 today and the students were fantastic! It's always so neat to see them in their dress outfits. They loved hamming it for the camera too!

This group has all been at MVA for more than 6 years - quite a feat for our school!

Valedictorian Yi (Samantha) Shen, Roger Ross Dean of Upper School, and Salutatorian Binbin Zheng

Matthew Parets and his students

Getting ready to go!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the day.

It's always so exciting to watch them walk out - they are full of pride and purpose!

Headmaster Kasey Kesselring getting ready to go!

Toni Specht and Kasey Kesselring

Matthew Parets

MVA Faculty 2009-2010

Bonnie Parks - Study Hall teacher extraordinaire- greeted every single student with hugs and tears of joy.

The Baccalaureate Ceremony

Shiyou Yang, Class of 2010 singing "The Time of My Life"

Soo Min Kim & Fatou Gamatie, Class of 2010 singing "A Moment Like This"

Harvey Perez, Class of 2010 singing "I Believe"

Yoshi Kodate Class of 2009 - accompanist

Thanks to the staff and faculty of MVA for guiding these students to success! Thanks to Kasey Kesselring for leading a great team!

MVA Graduation c/o 2010 142/365

2010-05-22T10:53:00.011-04:00

Graduation has finally come for the Monvterde Academy Class of 2010!

Don't they look great??????

Valedictorian Yi (Samantha) Shen

Entering the Fine Arts Auditorium

Commencement Speaker Senator Mel Martinez

Assistant Headmaster Jon Hopman delivers the Invocation

Binbin Zheng delivers her Salutatorian address

Yi (Samantha) Shen delivers her Valedictorian address

Commencement Speaker - Senator Mel Martinez

Headmaster Kasey Kesselring hands out awards

MVA Choir

Hats off to the class of 2010!

New glass 141/365

2010-05-21T13:14:00.000-04:00

A new lens

MVA Upper School Awards Night 140/365

2010-05-20T13:04:00.000-04:00

Tonight was the Montverde Academy Upper School Awards Night. Students were honored for their academic achievements through out the year and the next years honor council and prefects were chosen.

Headmaster Kasey Kesselring and his assistant Toni Specht did a fantastic job of keeping the program moving quickly - no small task with this many students!

A mosaic of students receiving their awards

Congratulations to the Montverde Academy Upper School teacher of the Year - Troy Urquhart!

Troy is a fantastic teacher! You can purchase his latest chapbook here http://www.airforcejoyride.com/gg24.html

After care fun 140/365

2010-05-20T13:02:00.000-04:00

Fun with After Care friends

Montverde Academy Athletic Complex 139/365

2010-05-19T12:33:00.000-04:00

Montverde Academy is nearly done with the new athletic complex it is building.

Here is the gorgeous track.

Baseball field

My poor, poor garden

2010-05-18T12:25:00.000-04:00

In about 36 hours my tomatoes have been devastasted. You can see what they looked like on Sunday here. Monday was raining, so I didn't got out to water. When I woke up on Tuesday - this is what I saw.

Shocked - I hurried outside to investigate.

It looked like something was munching on my garden! Could it have been this little guy?

No, no.

I found the culprit in this picture.

Can you see him? The giant caterpillar? The dreaded HORNWORM!!!!!!!!

How about now?

I had two of them and in about 36 hours they ate nearly all the leaves, flowers and tomatoes I had. I removed them and sent them away - here's hoping my garden recovers.

After care fun 137/365

2010-05-17T12:20:00.006-04:00

More fun with my After Care friends

Book run

Garden update 136/365

2010-05-16T12:08:00.000-04:00

Just a few quick pictures from my garden

Tomato flowers

Bright and colorful marigolds

Colors 135/365

2010-05-15T12:02:00.000-04:00

Just a relaxing Saturday at home.

Colors and Matt hanging out

Night for the Cure 134/365

2010-05-14T11:41:00.000-04:00

Tonight was Night for the Cure - an event held at Montverde Academy to support the American Cancer Society. The event is all night long and members of each team take turns walking the track which is surrounded by white luminaries in memory and in honor of those who have fought cancer. As the American Cancer Society says "because cancer never sleeps."

Here are some of the luminaries before they were lit up.

The student band did a great job keeping the crowds entertained!

The lighting of the luminaries was accompanied with a silent lap in honor of those who have lost their battle with cancer.

The students formed teams and raised money for the American Cancer Society throughout the night by selling food, drinks and goods. They had a great time doing it.

Even our younger students had a great time!

They were gearing up for even more fun at and craziness as they night wore on - but it was all in good fun.

Congrats to all the students and a big thanks to the staff and faculty that worked so hard to make this a great event!

After care fun 134/365

2010-05-14T11:37:00.000-04:00

Today was also Yearbook day in the Lower School. I love how intently she is examining her book.

Fun with my after care friends.

Yearbooks are out! 134/365

2010-05-14T11:11:00.027-04:00

After a long year of work - the yearbooks are finally ready to hand out! Charles has really done a great job and he's ready to get them out!

The kids were really excited to see them.

They were handed out after school in the Student Center where all the Seniors, Sophomores and Freshman gathered. (The Juniors had a college info assembly to attend). It was controlled chaos and quite efficient! Members of the Yearbook Club did most of the work and they did a great job.

I loved seeing them stop as soon as they got the book and start flipping through it.

They quickly found chairs and couches and settled down to really get into it.

Even as they walked back to the dorms - they were still paging through the book!

Cupcakes and Court 133/365

2010-05-13T13:04:00.001-04:00

Just another day in the Lower School! :)

As part of the book fair fun this week there was a special reading of "If You Give A Cat A Cupcake" during assembly. To continue the fun - cupcakes were served at lunch and they were a hit!!!

To reinforce a lesson they read earlier this week, the 4th graders decided to act out the story and put on a trial. How fun!

Magnolias and books 132/365

2010-05-12T12:46:00.000-04:00

The magnolias are finally blooming!

Library run