2010 was a blessed and wonderful year. As some of you know, my wife Ashlee and I had our first child Zoe at the end of June. Her mid-year arrival made 2010 kind of like a roller coaster that begins with a slow steep climb of anticipation and a little nervousness but once past the apex, the point of no return, it becomes a heart leaping ride of some fear and uncertainty. Then if you dare to let go, so to speak, it becomes a screaming thrilling arm raised ride of jubilation. Our lives have been forever changed and I can say, without hesitation, it has been the best year ever. What a ride. I am definitely winded but I can’t quit grinning.
While I might say the 2nd half of the year flew by like a theme park ride, it is the tiny things that brought, and keep bringing, the most joy: the good morning stretches and smiles, the kicks and the coos, the big eyes of wonder and Zoe’s fascination with ceiling fans. It is amazing how she recognizes Daddy’s voice with a quick head turn and a smile but then she’s also never truly happy until Mommy is home. ”Daddy you’re all right, glad you’re here and all, but where’s the pretty one with my dinner?” There is her thick head of dark hair, her long eye lashes, and her own signature laugh that flatters me into thinking I could make a living at being funny. We are truly blessed.
We ended the year with a whirlwind Christmas trip through the NW visiting a ton of family and friends who were anxious to meet the new member of our family. The trip was, as always, way to short but somehow Zoe was able to meet and be held by 64 friends and family as we put 1,000 miles on the rental car. We spent some time on Day Island with Aunt Donna, my Mom, cousins Angela & Josh, Kacey & Ray. Then in Seattle for Christmas Eve, there was Aunt Mary, Aunt Karen, cousins Ruth, Ian & Catherine, Maurita & James and their children Elliot, Lucas, & Madeline. We celebrated being together and watched ancient home movies of Christmases past recorded on shaky blotchy 8mm film. Christmas Day was at Grandma Doris & Ralph’s where Grandma got to hold the 15th of her Great-Grand-Children. The video is precious.
Later in Eugene Oregon (“Go Ducks!”) it was great to see my nephew Jonathan, great friends Mark & Leslie, Ben & Taylor, Steve & Sally, Baylee & Harrison, then uncle Bill & aunt Linda, cousins Karen & Ben, Elizabeth & Emily. On another night it was my dear friends Sheri & Rob, Carmella & Jacob & Brie, Percy & Linda, Marv & Marilyn, then uncle Mike & aunt Sharon, the Meili’s, the Russnogels, the Elmores, Hank & Bev, cousin Joe & Tina and my sister Heidi. Then by sheer coincidence and serendipity, in the lobby during the opera La Boheme, Ashlee and I ran into wonderful friends Holly & Lance and their daughter Hannah. Unplanned, I was so glad that happened. In Portland for New Year’s Eve, it was cousin Mike & Trace and Olivia and Suze. Then out of the cold NW wind came friends from long ago days at Seattle Pacific Univ. JD & Amy and Jay & Donna. Wow! That was a surprise flash from the past. Thanks for pulling that together Mike. It was a fun time.
After Portland, we returned to Seattle to see Grandma & Ralph again and cousin Kim before catching the red-eye to Newark and then back to St. Thomas.
Previously, I mentioned watching ancient home movies on Christmas Eve. It was fun to be with family and revisit some childhood days. Later, however, in reflection I counted 9 who are no longer with us and need to be named: my grandparents Millie & Lorin, uncle Harry & aunt Dorothy, uncle David, uncle Rex, my cousins Ross & Blaire, and my father Phil. (Not in those movies but still dearly missed are uncle Ed and grandpa Walt) Let me just say I miss you all and thanks for being there. I’m sorry you missed holding Zoe.
The home movies also gave me a chance to reflect on why I love being a photographer. This year I recorded over 60 weddings, several family trips to the VI, a few pregnancies (pregnancy is so incredibly beautiful), and a couple new babies which have all been fantastically fun. How awesome is that? Forever, hundreds of people will be able to revisit 2010 milestone moments in their and their families lives through beautiful pictures created by me. That’s pretty cool.
2010 was a great year and we ended it with a fun trip spending the holidays with family and friends. A big thanks and huge hugs go out to everyone who helped make Zoe’s first Christmas a special one. You all mean a lot to us. Life without family would be pretty boring and extremely depressing. To my Mom, thank you. We had a great time and we love you very much. And to everyone else who’s reading this? Have a fun 2011 and take lots of pictures! Eric
(Please forgive the lousy quality of the iPhone photos. I’m sure you can tell which ones they are. They sure look a lot better on the phone.)
Just landed in cold cold Seattle
The Family on Christmas morning with a pony from Santa
Cousins on the stairs in PJs just like Grandma Johnson made us do
All of us on the stairs & Yes, I am shooting the picture
There's that smile that melts Dad's heart
Look at me Daddy sitting up all by myself
With her Great Grandmother on Christmas Morning
Zoe in her snow suit with cousin Angela
In her Oregon Duck stocking made by Aunt Linda. "Go Ducks!"
With cousins & fellow Duck fans Emily & Elizabeth
With my buddy Steve at the Glennwood Restaurant, Eugene OR
With Grandma wearing the coolest knit hat from cousin Angela
At Starbuck's with cousin Kim on our way to SeaTac airport