BLACK SWANS

Sylvie was so excited for her first ballet class. I wasn't kidding when I posted the day she was born that she already had her sight on the Julliard School of Dance. Sylvie went directly into class and didn't look back - Amanda cried, Daddy beamed. With all the parents gathered in the hallways, I felt like I was in the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer - it was a bit surreal, every parent watching, yes they are only two years old, but you can't help but think years down the road. Not many shots inside the studio because it felt like there were more candid moments to be had outside. Her dear friend Sylvie Bea was there for the class before.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO

Mexico. Long overdue getaway for Amanda and I this past weekend. We traveled with friends Meghan & David Thwaites to Cabo San Lucas. Little did we know that the G20 Conference was being held at our hotel The Sheraton Hacidena - metal detectors, armed military, secret police - we were in possibly the safest location within Mexico's boarders. Even the President of Mexico made an appearance along with Hillary Clinton. No, we didn't see either. Just like Hollywood celebs - they were there, but just a rumor from where we were sitting.

It was a wonderful trip, day at the pool, day at the beach. Dinner at a great local spot that Meghan and David introduced us to called La Fonda, late night shopping at the local snatch and grab shops where everything is negotiable, ice cream fire side back at the hotel. We ventured out to the Esperanza Hotel for M & D's wedding anniversary, which was amazing, a beach side fireworks display and some interesting chats about the King of Pop over some desert wine.

Coming home was another story - Air Force 2 was holding up departures out of Cabo. And of course United Airlines decided not to announce anything to it's passengers until the very last minute as we were all waiting frantically to get our boarding passes. It was handled so unprofessionally. It's just another reason why air travel sucks.

But we made it home in one piece, gave Sylvie many hugs and kisses, and were so fortunate to have Susan and Don make the trip to take care of Ms. Rain.

Check us out. Canon 5D Mark II w 24-70mm f/2.8

Sherraton Hacienda Hotel

Dinner at La Fonda

Trinkets

Late Night Fireside Chats - SHERRRRATONE!

Meghan & David's Anniversary Evening

NEW YORK CITY

You are going to laugh, but the truth is I haven't been to NYC since '98. It was my sophomore year of college and my dad wanted to do a driving trip before we were too old. It was actually one of the last vacations we all went on as a family. We drove from Minneapolis to Sleepy Hollow New York, stayed with my mom's sister Judy and Uncle Steve on the Hudson River, we went into the city for a few days, back and forth to Jersey, and a few other places I don't recall. My mom had to see CATS so my Uncle Steve drove us early one morning to Time Square, so we could stand in line for tickets. The show sucked!!! The running joke for the rest of the trip was if you ever want to get some sleep, take a nap, or just close your eyes for a couple hours...go see CATS!

So 13 years later, I finally made it back and got to spend an Saturday on my own with the great people of NYC. I'd always wanted to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge so I spent most of my morning over the East River and in Brooklyn, made my way down to Washington Street where you can see the Manhattan Bridge framed perfectly. I later made my way back and went shopping in Soho, picked up some super cute Tretorn Sneakers for Sylvie and some Jack Spade gear for myself. For only having a day to myself, I think I did pretty good seeing the city. Everything shot on my Fuji X100.

Chambers Street/Church Street

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Queens Expressway

Cadman Plaza West

From Brooklyn Bridge Park

Washington Street

Centre Street/Brooklyn Bridge Promenade

Intersection of White Street/Church Street/Avenue of the Americas

West Broadway

Greene Street

Jack Spade Dressing Room

Broadway/Broome Street