67/365 - holding jessamine

67/365 - holding jessamine
Originally uploaded by riebhoff

My parents came down from Oregon for their first visit in almost a year. It was great to see them.

65/365 - all I want for christmas...

65/365 - all I want for christmas...
Originally uploaded by riebhoff

G lost her second top tooth today. I say lost, but actually, her kindergarten teacher ripped it out for her. Classic!

63/365 - g's 100th day

63/365 - g's 100th day
Originally uploaded by riebhoff

My oldest celebrated her 100th day of kindergarten today. This is her 100 day project, a giant heart with 100 cut-out, stenciled, or painted-on hearts inside. She did everything herself (or with her 4-year-old sister's help). Not a technically great shot, but a special day for her, she was beaming!!!

62/365 - beach day

62/365 - beach day
Originally uploaded by riebhoff

Beach day with our three little ones. Michele loves it there and finally got to relax a bit with our littlest. She looked so beautiful holding her, I had to make it my picture of the day.

61/365 - a promise

61/365 - a promise
Originally uploaded by riebhoff

I went to a memorial service for a former student at our school. 24 is far too young. The father gave an amazing talk that made me think about my own three children. So here is my promise to them:

I will always love you. Nothing will ever stop that love. It will be there when you are bad, when you are good, whether you are near or far. I will love you regardless of where life's road leads you, no matter who you choose to be. I will always be here for you when you need me, and even when you don't. I will always love you.

lulu and juju

lulu and juju
Originally uploaded by riebhoff

Yes, there is a pattern emerging here, Monday-Friday I get home late and with no good light, no family pictures. The weekend comes, however...I love these weekends!

tres lindas

tres lindas
Originally uploaded by riebhoff

OK, more of a personal fave than anything else, but I am ok with that. Three of the four most beautiful girls in the world (Gabby was decorating the house for our cioppino night with Gradpa Brice and Bama).

golden girl

I loved chewing on the sour stems of these flowers when I was a kid....

sweet baby j

she is looking through our sliding glass door to where her older sisters are playing. soon enough, baby j, soon enough.

five hearts

My 6-year-old is always making tiny art projects to ornament our home. This one appeared on the glass door of our shower one day. A heart for mom, dad and our three girls. For all the heartache that comes with being a parent, these little gifts make it all worthwhile.

first shot

This was Alex's first shot in a basketball practice. She made it and had a blast. Gabby smiled the whole time as well. A great day.

let the swim begin

Back to school, so stuck in my class all day, ran home with Michele to take the kids to swim. Gabby is in the advanced class and they worked her pretty hard. She was a trooper, though.

a heart from alex

Went up to Pinecrest lake for a snow day today with my four girls. Little alex sent me this heart. Gotta love that!

pack up the holidays

Today I spent about 10 hours straight in our garage cleaning up. I grabbed my camera to take a few shots of stuff I was planning to throw on Craigslist and saw my two oldest putting away the Christmas decorations. You can see the three of us in the reflection.

g in a tree

It's been a pretty good year. new baby, new art house, gabby and alex in new schools doing well. I am excited to see what the next year has to bring...happy new year!

capitola - michele and jess

A great day in Capitola today. The girls were cute and mom was glowing. Of course, every time I decide not to bring a board along, the surf is great, so all of you who had a solid session yesterday, I think a little thank you for my sacrifice would be in order.

gradndma char and baby j

Again with the baby? Yep. Papa and Grandma Char are up for Christmas and I was able to snap off a few shots before I went out to work on our art shack.

cool baby j

Yes, I know it may be a bit overdone, but little baby in shades is classic. You have to admit she is the cutest thing ever...Merry Christmas!

visions of sugarplums

Tonight is the night. The girls were extremely excited, so I was surprised to find them sleeping. Can't wait till the morning!

Michele and Jessamine

Waiting for Santa to arrive at the mall. Had a few really nice shots, but how can you pass up two of the prettiest women in the world?