AHH, MINNESOTA AT ITS BEST

There is something very special about Minnesota during the summer time. In fact, when I tell people about where I'm from, I tell them there isn't a better place to be for June, July and August. Amanda, Sylvie and I were home this past weekend to celebrate our sixth anniversary. Yep, six years. Ask her what she got me and what I got her! It was another jam packed weekend with guests coming and going, swimming at Pap and Susu's, walks around the lake, Wimbledon watching, playtime at Zade's, off to the park...you name it we did it. Though all I begged for was a Dairy Queen Blizzard and sadly, we didn't make it this trip. Oh well, next time I guess.

Here is a sneak peak at the weekend - some shots that I think define my favorite place at it's best.

ONE PHOTO TELLS THE WHOLE STORY

Father's Day 2011. Sylvie ran around Cold Water Canyon Park like she owned the place, though she did try and make friends with every kid, whether big or small, she came in contact with. It was a fun afternoon watching her grow and play. She's such a kid.

UNCLE DAVID TURNS...

We had the great pleasure of spending the evening with our favorite peeps - Meghan & David Thwaites. It was also a celebration for David's birthday before he heads back to Atlanta to make a big Hollywood movie in a few weeks. We love them. They are so good to our little Sylvie - they treat her like she is their own and we love them for that.

Their house is also so beautiful, so fun to photograph - almost like its right out of Restoration Hardware. Meghan and David made dinner on the grill, steak and chicken, we brought the salad, and it was finished with baked beans. Dessert was a lovely lemon bunt cake with vanilla frozen yogurt, topped with strawberries from Meghan...delicious.

On the way home we had to stop for gas, Amanda's tank was literally on zero - she likes to ride it down to the bitter end. There is is this amazing futuristic gas station on the corner of Olympic and Robertson that I've always wanted to photograph. It feels like its right out Blade Runner - cool neon greens, silver paneling, and clean lines. After all these years, finally got a chance to shoot it.

It was a great evening with our best friends. Can't wait to see you both soon.

SYLVIE GOES TO THE WEST HOLLYWOOD PARK

Amanda talked me in to power-walking to West Hollywood Park with Sylvie on Sunday - Sylvie of course road in the stroller...duhhh. Anyway, the little daredevil took on the "colossus" of slides without any fear. Despite the pain of the long walk - yes i'm a wimp but i played two hours of tennis the day before and was beyond sore, it was a fantastic afternoon with Sylvie and Amanda, not to mention I got break out some new gear...Fuji Finepix X100. So excited to take this little gem of a camera to Malta next week. More later on that. Here are some from the afternoon at the park.