New Year's in the District

After the wedding festivities wrapped up in Maryland we repositioned ourselves in downtown Washington, D.C. for a few days of sightseeing and friend reunions. Although we lived in the D.C. area for two years and toured the national sights many times over, the kids remember nothing. And now I'm hanging my head in thought over all of the places we've taken them to that we'll have to redo again someday. Oy. So for them this visit was like the first visit. And for Trevon it really was his first visit, but it doesn't matter because he'll remember nothing. And in a few years we'll be doing this one over again too. Oy.


Pennsylvania Avenue




















Lincoln Memorial, still my favourite








Ice-skating in Alexandria, Virginia with great friends (curse you florescent lighting!)






Dallin earned most improved skater for the night, starting with a death grip on the wall, before graduating to a death grip on people, to this . . .




Lunch at one of Scott's favourite D.C. restaurants with friends from Virigina


A la National Treasure Dallin escapes the National Archives with the Declaration of Independence (or a $5 replica)














At the base of the National Christmas tree in front of the capitol building








Our own private New Year's Eve celebration in front of Ford's Theater (where Lincoln was assassinated)




Dusk over D.C.

David + Brooke

Scott's brother David got married! We wanted to be there on David's special day and meet his new bride, so we flew out to DC just after Christmas for this winter wedding. I was happily not the photographer for the event (thus not properly equipped), but I managed to snap a few (and Brooke managed the whole shoot in short sleeves without a single shiver). It was a wonderful day! Dave and Brooke are a great couple! Congratulations!

Merry Christmas

. . . and best wishes for a great 2011!

(2+3) x (2+1) - (8/2)

Sometimes things just appear to be a lot less complicated and lot less problematic than they really are. To others things might seem smooth and placid, or even fortunate, when in fact waters of frustration and despair swirl beneath. What I find remarkable about this is that despite the fact that we all realise that most of the time our lives, so logically the lives of those around us, appear more glossy on the surface than the real chaos that often lies beneath would reveal, we continue to put forth a more positive reporting that is often grossly incongruent with our reality. Whether it's by replying with an insincere fine to the how-do-you-do? Or with a blog, like mine, that seems always to showcase a seamless existence. Or the perpetually clever or "amazing" Facebook posts. And then there's the family Christmas card photos, everyone perfectly coifed.

In thinking on this topic recently I've often thought of closing up shop on the blog, because I don't think it necessarily reflects me or my family on the whole. It's rather the highlights of our corner of the world. As with the photos I post, I weed out those that are out of focus, badly exposed or just plain less attractive, so are the posts on my blog. Like life, there are easily a hundred bad shots on the cutting room floor for each good shot posted on the blog.

I don't know if it's habit, human nature or some sort of coping mechanism to effectually distort our realities for the benefit of others. And I suppose there are some good reasons for it. It would be a bummer if we were all walking around sporting the downtrodden, dark circles look. Sometimes things are too personal to air out to the masses. And likewise this kind of sharing can be painful, putting a finer point on hard things you'd like to forget. And sometimes we're trying to put forth a positive projection of ourselves, not for others, but for ourselves.

So here's my attempt to add a little tarnished ying to the often perceived polished yang. I'm not going to itemise my troubles here, but suffice it to say we have a great many out of focus and unattractive shots pilling up on the cutting room floor. Life is rough. But I am trying, albeit feebly, to stay positive. I'm especially proud of Dallin for his persistence and positive push forward amidst such opposition. He is such a great kid. And he's 11!

Here are some highlights from our celebrations of Dallin's 11th birthday . . .




The birthday boy enjoying his birthday outing to Six Flags




Sledding down the manmade snow hill at Six Flags








Go carts, Dallin has mad driving skillz!


A birthday hug