Doug and Sara

It's hard to get a photo of my parents. Either my dad is behind the camera, or one of them isn't in the mood. When one is ready, the other is busy, or sleeping.

This was taken at Sandbridge in Virginia Beach during our Thanksgiving vacation weekend. We just wrapped up a family portrait in really cold, windy weather, and I grabbed mom and dad for a couple quick shots.

Lit with one Alien Bee B800 outfitted with a shoot-through umbrella. My very faithful photo assistant Craig Kuhns reminded me that we didn't have any modifiers on this light. It was straight flash to battle the sun.

Bombs Bursting in Air

Oh Zay, can you see by the donzerly light?

The Boy's First Hunt

This is Isaiah's first easter that he can actively participate in. Last year was a little tricky because of Amy's death, and the year before that he wasn't even crawling yet. Not that it would have stopped him, we just thought it best to let him wait.

We spend the morning hanging out in our bedroom, being lazy, then being rowdy, eating breakfast, then being rowdy again. After Isaiah "cleaned up", we painted some eggs, but Isaiah thought it best to eat his instead. I hid a bunch of plastic eggs in the lawn of Bright City Studios across the street, and Isaiah went to town.

Zoyenka will have to wait until next year to join in all the reindeer games, but she's certainly interested in what we were doing. We think she may have eaten a jellybean. Heather underestimated Zoey's prowess, and the little girl successfully opened a plastic egg at her highchair, and promptly "spazzed out", flailing her arms and squealing for joy. Most everything ended up on the floor, but that doesn't mean she didn't sneak one in her mouth during the diversion.

All the Halls have been Decked

This Christmas has been a little odd for me. Not to say it hasn't been good, it definitely has it's cheer and good will toward men (and women, not discriminating), but a lot has been going on in my two families. My sister-in-law Amy committed suicide this past spring so this is the first Christmas without her around. My dad was laid-off from his job just a few days ago due to budget cuts and general thickheadedness by people who are above him. These things have made it a challenge to communicate, relate, and balance cheer with sensitivity.

It hasn't been uncomfortable for me, and I didn't really expect it to be, because the people that have been affected by the tragedies are so secure and solid that they don't lash out at the people around them. Love has become the focal point and the driving force behind all the interactions in family experiences. Despite my father's current job state, and consequent state of mind, he has treated everyone around him with the same respect and humor that he always has. My wife's family, instead of feeling sorry for themselves and shutting people out, have opened their home and been just as gracious and hospitable as ever, without making the people around them feel like they have to tread lightly.

This Christmas vacation has probably been one of the best holiday trips we have taken up to Virginia so far.

And a big congratulations to my older sister Autumn, and her husband Matthew on the birth of their first baby, my first niece, and Isaiah and Zoe's first cousin: Isabella Aurora Jane Bender. Happy birthday, can I call you Izzy?

Heather and I are now preparing for an impromptu New Years party at our Fortress in Fort Mill.

Fondue + Fireworks + Guitar Hero = Explosive Dipping Karaoke. At the Bethune House on Durand Road, the last day of the year. You can come if you want.