Jakobe 'Kobe' Ryan

Celebrating and realizing each moment as a gift is just a way of life for me now. No, I don't have cake and decorate with streamers every day, but it's just a new attitude of gratitude that I have learned to live out.

Monday, November 1, 2010 brought with it new reason to celebrate and cherish life... my newest grandson, Jakobe 'Kobe' Ryan, came into the world and I was blessed enough to get to witness this miracle, camera in hand.

Kobe's mom the day before his birth

Birth Day Slideshow

Thinking back to where I was this time last year, recovering from Bypass Surgery in another town, unable to have the privilege of welcoming my fourth grandchild into the world firsthand... I've come a long way and am so thankful! I can't even begin to put into words the feeling of hanging on to each moment of my daughter's labor and then getting to hold this beautiful little bundle of joy right away. It was almost overwhelming for me. Like I said earlier, I have a new appreciation and gratitude for life. It's better than good!

Congrats to my daughter and her husband... they are truly awesome parents and I couldn't be more proud!

xoxoxo

Home Sweet Home

Kym and I are now home from our get-away to the Florida Keys and I have to tell you that there are absolutely no words to describe how fabulous our vacation was. If you've never been, I highly recommend Key West as the perfect place to relax and let go of all your worries. It's probably one of the most laid-back places I've ever visited. We plan to go back soon. Very soon. Below are just a few reasons why...

Duvall Street

Crowd gathering at Mallory Square to watch the sunset

Waves crashing in South Beach, Miami

Sail boats at sunrise

Our resort in Islamorada... gorgeous and so serene

Sunrise in Key West... what a welcome!

With over two-thousand images to sort through, I'm slowly making my way through them all but am in no big hurry. Right now, I'm finishing up the images from the birth of my fifth grandchild, born November 1st, Jakobe ('Kobe') Ryan. I've also been working on the maternity shots of his beautiful mom, taken the day before he came into the world. I can't stop looking at either one! More on that next time.

For now, all the images from our Key West trip will be up for viewing on my photo hosting page within the next two weeks. Wish I could share with you every detail of our trip, but each day brought so many new activities and experiences, I'm still processing it all. I truly can hardly wait to go back... but until then, it feels so good to be back on my farm, driving down my gravel drive, seeing the calves chasing each other in the field, feeling the chill in the air and just watching the leaves change color outside my window. And of course there are those I live and breathe for... my family and friends. I have a new love and excitement for traveling, but the old saying, 'no place like home', still holds true in my heart.

xoxoxo