The process began in October 2010 when we had been informed they had been nominated for participation in the program and we attended an informational meeting in Billings.  Sam and Larissa were excited about the opportunity and Doug and I at the incredible learning experience this would be for them.  In November, they were interviewed in Billings by the delegation leader, a Billings elementary school principal, having to bring along three letters of recommendation from past and present teachers.  About a week later, we learned they’d been accepted.   And that’s when the real work began…monthly meetings in Billings, online learning and quizzes to complete on each country’s art & history, geography, food & customs.  Journal projects.  A special presentation and report on any topic they will see or experience along their journey AND a community service project.

I must admit it was going to be a challenge for them to accomplish these tasks in addition to their regular schoolwork, ski racing season and music lessons during the best of circumstances.  And then the doozy of a winter hit which left us snowed in on numerous occasions, broke down our snowcat forcing us to call in bulldozers & front loaders to dig us out, all topped off by Doug’s accident and hospitalization.  Stress, major unexpected expenses, exhaustion.  When Larissa suggested that maybe they shouldn’t go on the trip this year, I wanted them to go all the more.  And we plodded on taking it one day at time.

This past Sunday was their last meeting in Billings where the students presented their final projects, before next month’s “Bon Voyage” party.  We made it!!!  We did it!!  I have tears in my eyes!  Now all they need to do is pack their bags and practice a few simple phrases in French, German and Italian!  We are so proud of our little ambassadors, the youngest in the group.  We were also especially proud of their concept and the amount of work they put into their Community Service Project to benefit the Stafford Animal Shelter in Livingston.  Here is the video they presented at Sunday’s meeting:

Their efforts impressed everyone at the meeting including the Stafford Shelter who blogged about the twins’ project here.  And finally, here’s a photo of them relieved after surviving their first-ever interview last November:

Well, I just HAD to choose and how could I resist?…today, this super sweet family, fellow Bridger Ski Foundation (BSF) members and skiers won out over shoveling!  Bozemanites, Wendy & John bid on and WON my family portraiture session donation to include a 20×30 fine art canvas print at last December’s Black Tie and Blue Jeans BSF fundraising event at Bozeman’s Riverside Country Club and boy, did we pull out all the stops (including mom picking the kids up early from school) to get this session in just hours before the first big winter storm hit!

The temps were dropping fast and it was so windy in Sypes Canyon that the sisters’ jacket hoods kept blowing off  their heads, but they held on to them!  Evan (14), Jenna (9) and Ashley (8) were troopers, smiling through it all.   And, as luck would have it, the storm brought enough snow to allow Bridger Bowl to open early on Thanksgiving weekend and that makes a lot of us SNOW HAPPY!

I also love photographing families this time of year…little ones playing in the straw bales, picking flowers and having some honest-to-goodness ol’-fashioned fun!  Kirsten and Patrick and their busy 3 and 2 yr old, Sawyer and Quinn were a super-fun family to kick off the season with!  And…I had the pleasure of running into Kirsten and Patrick again a week later at her exhibit’s opening during Livingston Art Walk!  Kirsten is an amazing artist…check out her work here.  Thanks Kirsten & Patrick, for making the trek up to Elk Ridge for your session and for purchasing my package at the annual Chocolate Moose fundraiser for Great Beginnings Montessori School in Bozeman!

What’s just as rewarding as benefiting a good cause is getting to meet and photograph wonderful families, such as the “K’s”!  They came prepared with beautifully coordinated outfits, abundant smiles and a fun and relaxed “We’re prepared to do anything!” attitude.  It’s obvious that their carefree style is a reflection of the love and respect they share as a family…

Her beautiful daughter Serena brought along her dog, Scarlett.  Cindy’s horses Bo, Romeo and Shammy had been meticulously groomed for their photo session that day and Cindy’s handsome friend, Andrew was all duded-up in his cowboy finest ready to ride off with Cindy into the wild blue yonder at sunset…

Now I’m dying to know, which photo she’ll select for her 20×30 fine art canvas print included in the package!!  Thanks again, Cindy for supporting the Stafford Animal Shelter and for your winning bid!

Sadly, as this operation comes to a close within the next few weeks in Yellowstone County, Montana, dogs are being shipped cross country by the NESR (National English Shepherd Rescue) as opposed to being placed in homes right here in Montana. Volunteers who have given 8 months of their lives to these dogs, who love these dogs, know these dogs and with whom the dogs have bonded, are being denied adoption. Yellowstone County residents are being denied adoption. And yet, volunteers and Yellowstone County residents were to be given first priority in the adoption process by order of the District Court.

This video chronicles the story of one volunteer, Penny and her unwavering dedication to Joy and Love, both of which were denied a home with Penny…

Please…I know how busy you are, but it is within your power to make a difference TODAY. Please lend your support to Penny and the Operation New Beginnings volunteers by joining their cause, Give Joy and Her Friends a Voice or the Facebook Group at Give Penny her Puppy! to learn more about how you can help.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

As a mother, I can only imagine the pain and strength of Candice to rock her beloved baby to sleep…for eternity.   Then to let her go…  to allow Kezley to be taken from her arms.  For her father, Stewart, to kiss his sweet baby girl goodnight one last time…and all the extended family members present to say their last good-byes, much to soon, for a child much too young…

And we seek answers…

I pray for peace and healing for Kezley Kay’s parents, Candice & Stewart, for the grandparents, among them Julie and Kelly, who I spoke with today,  and all extended family who were so involved in Kezley’s life.  Today, there is another sweet angel in heaven and her name is Kezley…

This was my first OpLove photo session since signing on in January and I was both nervous and excited!  The OpLove sessions are to incorporate a patriotic theme and Holly did an awesome job coordinating the family in red, white and blue and the outfits are just in time for the 4th of July as well!  I just LOVED Thayden’s “Daddy’s My Hero” and Lilly’s “All-American Girl” t-shirts.  I thought for sure Holly ordered them special online, but she boldly shared her secret shopping meccas…Walmart and Target!

I will soon be sending Travis a keepsake session album overseas while Holly & the kids will receive a designer DVD musical slideshow to hold them over until Daddy returns again…

Welcome Home, Travis!…and thank you for your service to our country!

Quite a spread…I know…in fact, there were some who suggested that I open a retail space in Bozeman!  Others were truly amazed at the variety of luxury boutique photography items that can be created and that it’s not just about 5×7′s and 8×10′s and holiday cards anymore.  The photo session is only the beginning in creating everything from fine art canvas prints to grace your walls to heirloom quality photo jewelry and handbags with which to adorn yourself!

I was pleased to introduce my new line of handmade frames by Obrien Schridde.  Designed to look weathered and worn, these romantic frames have been featured in Country Home and Country Living magazines and are absolutely stunning.  The quality is second-to-none!  My new accordion wallet books were a big hit and are perfect for baby, child or senior portraits.  Appreciated above all were my trio of custom-designed albums housed in a luxurious Impression Box.  The trio included a 10×10 Flush Mount Panoramic Album, an 8×8 Companion Lay Flat Album and a 5×5 Companion Press Book.  I have a variety of custom designs available for baby, childrens or high school senior portrait albums.

For the time-being, my boutique remains high on a mountain-top at Sky Ranch, but will be traveling again in July to the next LillyLu event near Springhill.   The two-day event will be held July 10th & 11th.  Save the date!!!