'Tis the Season

I'm very blessed to be a part of a family that takes the holidays seriously - even among the chaos and the hustle and bustle of shopping for our giant clan, my parents always take time to stop and enjoy the company of those we love.  Last night, my parents had a few of their close friends over for an amazing dinner (my dad made stuffed mushrooms, seared ahi, risotto, and osso buco).  Many bottles of wine were opened, and their friend ended the night by playing the guitar.  It was incredibly lovely, these are the memories of the holidays that I love to savor.

   

Christmas cards with the Coads

This is the second year that I've taken Christmas card pictures for the Coad family - I truly adore them, they feel like family.  I think they came out a smidge better than last year.  I love that they decided to take them at the park just a couple miles from our neighborhood, you really get a sense of Yorba Linda in the pictures.  Hope you all enjoy this beautiful family as much as I do!

   

  

Thanksgiving

I have a slight issue with Thanksgiving: that we spend so much time focusing on our blessings on one day.  I've made an earnest effort to be grateful for the small and big things in my life every day.  It helps to skip over stressing over the small stuff.  Other than that...it's a time I love.  A time for family, for my favorite foods, a kick-off to Christmas, and best of all - time off of work!  This year, my parents hosted our holiday dinner so I spent the day getting in my mother's way in the kitchen.  I contributed creamed corn, pumpkin pie, and brussel sprouts to our dinner.  I can't wait to some day host my own Thanksgiving dinner.
In the chaos of things...I forgot to take pictures, but here's a few snapshots of the calm before the storm.

   

Nicolas in the Fall

My brother is getting taller and more handsome by the day.  I was very grateful that he was actually willing to let me snap some photos of him around my parent's neighborhood the other day - there are certain streets that actually have changing leaves, a bit of Autumn in this sunny Orange County city.

Magic

Sometimes you have ones of those days where you laugh until your stomach hurts, and you can't believe how blessed you are to be surrounded by such amazing people.  I've had many of those days lately.  Last weekend, I made it out to Disneyland both days, as a couple of my besties renewed their annual passes.  The park was all dressed up for Christmas, and that always makes my heart so happy.  I've got so much love and laughter in my life lately, and I'm so grateful for it.

photo by Joseph Meyer

photo by Joseph Meyer

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photo by Joseph Meyer

photo by Tiffany Novak

photo by Tiffany Novak

The honest thing

The honest thing --
A choice I never make with myself

Yet at any moment
Trivial confessions
Spill from my mouth
Like an invitation
Testing the waters

I lie to myself
Pretending my openness is a sign of strength
But it only leaves more opportunities for the salt to pour in

I hide my expectations behind a mask of nonchalance
My vulnerability is something I pretend to be blind to
Yet I whisper my heart to it before every good-night

I proclaim to prioritize sensibility and rationality
When I truly want to be lost in all that isn't black and white
But feels like the perfect fit

And so I remove my blinders
Throw away my maps and itineraries
And let life be --
In the face of certain broken paths and unfinished novels