THE ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET

It was our last night together so why not all venture to The Original Farmers Market at the corner of Fairfax and 3rd Street. Amanda and I thought it would be fun for everyone to have dinner at Monsieur Marcel, nice long table, right at the center of the restaurant, hamburger and chicken friendly for picky eaters, wine for the adults. Somewhat of a bumpy start, but once the bottle of Chianti arrived and tempers subsided (it's all good, don't worry), we all settled in for a nice meal. It was a big day, earlier was Sylvie's birthday extravaganza and Shiloh got somewhat of an ear infection.

We've been going to the Farmers Market more and more the last year. It's a wonderful place of diversity and history so we wanted to share that with the family - places to get stickers, ice cream, restaurants, freh produce and meats, and of course candy. Dakota, Shiloh and Sylvie had a wonderful time, journeying off with Uncle Mike to explore the the maze like store fronts. They had a wonderful time.

A beautiful evening. These candids captured on my Fuji X100, black and white conversion using Photoshop.

I love how just the super super foreground is in focus on this one.

No wine yet

Wine...see the difference

Sylvie amazed by all the lights and candy

Cousins

Handsome young boy

My gorgeous wife...gorgeous

Handsome young man

Love the way the light from this machine illuminates Dakota's face

Classic Farmers Market

MELISSA CALOF 30th BIRTHDAY

Aunty Missy was in town this last week. We had the best time hanging out, going to dinner, and playing with Sylvie. We were fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Aunty Missy's 30th Birthday at Pink Taco Thursday night. Here are a few from the evening - some interesting shadows through the lens hood.

P.S. "Where Missy???" - Sylvie Rain

SYLVIE PRE-PARTY AT THE PARK

Our amazing nanny Glenda had a birthday party for Sylvie and all the kids and nanny's in the neighborhood. It was so special and sweet. Amanda and I are thankful to have such a wonderful woman spending time with Sylvie each day - Glenda is one in a million. Luckily for us, it fell on Martin Luther King Day so Amanda and I both got to go and share in the festivities. Here are a few from the party.

MANHATTAN BEACH

A couple cool shots from our visit to Manhattan Beach on New Year's Eve. It was a little foggy!

YEAR IN PHOTOS 2011

It's been a year - where to even begin? I can honestly say, it's been the best year of my life. Sylvie is so full of character, energy and life...it's incredible - I think it's even rubbing off on me and those that know me well, that's a good thing. My wife is incredible, my best friend in the world. I don't know where I'd be without her. She's let me realize my dream...I hope she says the same about me.

We saw friends and family, went to a wedding or two. We traveled, whether it was across the pond to Malta, down to New Orleans, over to the Windy City, quick getaways to Ojai, and of course back home to little old Minnesota where it all started. With that said, we definitely get it done and get on our share of planes. This coming year, little Sylvie gets her own seat - oh boy!

We celebrated each others success, met new friends, started new adventures, closed the door on old ones. We laughed, cried, cheered, pouted, argued, played, sang, skyped, smiled, etc...

I made six movies - six frickin movies. Broke bread with fancy celebrities - two of the biggest movie stars in the world, flew on private jets, had fancy meals, went to war, cut countless sizzle reels, and somehow came out the other side. I did all right I guess, but who is honestly keeping score...I'm a kid in a candy store.

I've realized what my favorite sound in the whole world is - Sylvie's voice. It's the greatest, so sweet, the way she puts an S on the end of every word, it just works. She is an angel.

So what about 2012??? Well, honestly, I hope it's more of the same. A new house with more space would be nice - it's good to set goals!

With that said, here is the year in photos from where I sat... I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I did this past year.

Evolution of Sylvie










Amanda & Sylvie




Family












Getsug/Taillon Wedding





Tennis


Sylvie & Friends

Places









Just Because...


Self-Portrait


Also, here are some of the leading news outlets year in photos as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/25/sunday-review/2011-pictures-of-the-year.html

http://www.boston.com/travel/gallery/reuters_images_of_the_year_2011/

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1112/pictures-of-the-year/content.1.html

http://lightbox.time.com/time-pictures-of-the-year-2011/