Baby Chase - 5 mos

Before I left Colorado I had the privilege of photographing little Chase. I photographed his parents for their maternity in March and now here he is. What a cutie! I'm updating the photography site weekly. Check back often for new additions. :) http://www.mJmphotography.biz

We Made it to VA!

Well, we made it safe and sound! Maggie, Izzy and I left on Thursday, Oct 2 from Colorado. We met up with our friends Tara, Jamie and their new little guy David in Greeley, CO. It was great to see them. Then we officially hit the road. We got to Kearney, NE about 11:30 that night and got back on the road the next morning. Made it to IL and Grandma Jeanne welcomed us girls in her home. Saturday we visited with more family that we had expected so that was nice! :) Also made a trip to Edwards Apple Orchard...yum! Hit the road again on Sunday and made it to just outside of Zanesville, OH at about 11:30pm again. We drove into the driveway about 5:15 on Monday. It was soooo great to see Mike and Riley again! I was tired, the dogs were tired but it was good to be home.

So, we'll be in touch but will be getting settled and into our routine for a few days. Our cell phones don't work but you can try the house...we don't have internet set up yet so I'm trying to check daily or so from the coffee shop in town.

That's all for now. :)


When we started our trip. They weren't so perky towards the end...

Lots and lots of this view.

Me and the girls somewhere on the side of the road in VA

Yay! Home with Mike and Riley!

Molly and Nate at the Apple Orchard! He'll be taller than me very, very soon!

Sometimes Life Throws You Curveballs.

Well, tomorrow is October 1. I was planning on leaving for Virginia (with a stop to IL) but I will now be leaving on Thursday, the 2nd. Why you might ask?

Yesterday morning Mandi noticed that Bucky, one of the horses at the ranch, was not doing well. We had noticed something the other day but thought he just needed to be wormed but that didn't make him feel better. We called the vet and he came out - took blood, gave medicine and said he'd call later.

Our friend Alecia came over. Alecia is an animal communicator (www.allbeingsequal.com) and for the hundreds of times she has given me the privilage of seeing first-hand what she can do, I completely believe in her gift. She informed me that Bucky would not be pulling through on this one. We talked awhile with her telling me what Bucky needed and me asking questions. It was absolutely a wonderful gift for me, for Mandi and I'm sure for Bucky because we had complete peace-of-mind and understanding between all parties. We knew he may not make it much longer so this morning when we checked on him we knew it was time. Mandi and I helped him lay down and stayed with him. We contacted Alecia again and she informed us that he would need help from the vet; she came over and worked with him some more. The vet did arrive around 11 and he left us peacefully. It was time and I'm so glad he wasn't alone and that we could all be there to surround him with love. In the end, Bucky had liver failure as a result of Cushings Disease. I'm so glad I was here with him though to say good-bye and to do what I could to honor him; had I not been here I would have felt even worse.

Alecia's help was a gift. Jose, who works here, was such a gift because he took care of Bucky's resting place in the pasture. And Mandi was so strong...for me and Bucky. She's such a strong soul and is really quite amazing - especially in hard times. She is always able to step up for me when I feel that I can't.

So, at times like this you think of mortality and life and love and it really gets you thinking. Animals have been such a gift in my life and every day I strive to be kinder and more loving because of them and to them. They have unwavering love and I think humans have a lot to learn from them.

Here's to Bucky - you'll be missed. xoxo.

I will keep everyone posted on my travel plans. That's all for now... Molly

Romero Family

One of my favorite recent shoots has been the Romero Family. They were one of my first Colorado families. I started baby-sitting Gracey (middle daughter) every Thursday while I was in school. They have always been so wonderful and supportive and I'm so happy that I could photograph them one last time. :)

Pictures!

Well, my communication has been pretty much non-existent lately. For that I apologize. I've been working 7am to 12am every day with no days off since my return from my Hayward/Virginia trip. BUT it's been good. I'm tired some days, yes, but I'm shooting a lot and I love it. Today, I'll be uploading some pictures from Hayward and some of the wedding in Hayward and some of a family portrait I did recently. I have done many more portraits but haven't been able to work on them yet. When I do, they'll be up. Keep checking the photography site for new images as I update fairly often now.

My soul has been so happy with all of the shooting. I truly love to capture a special moment between people, people and their animals, animals and their other animal friends. It's been great. :)

I leave on October 1 to head to Virginia with a stop in IL, most likely. It's coming up so fast that my head is starting to spin...if I realize it that day at all - some days it seems years away. I'm excited to get going on my portrait business and know it will be a blast and am really excited for our Healthy (yep, still not kidding...it IS healthy) Chocolate business. If you're interested in learning more about having your cake and eating it too - ok, well chocolate - check out www.coolchoc.net or www.thefivereasons.com or my photography site and click on the Xocai link.

I photographed a commitment ceremony on the top of Aspen Mountain this past weekend and it was in one word: incredible. The view just doesn't get much better than standing on the top of a mountain as the sun sets and the couple that I was photographing were amazing. I had one of the best nights of my life (well, things are going so well that I have many best nights of my life lately...how does it get better than that?!) with them and their family. I am so happy for them. It was a great way to end my wedding photography career in Aspen - a nice way to say good-bye to Aspen. So full of love and joy and comfort and beauty. It was an honor.

Oh yes...and we have been blessed with 8 baby bunnies here at the ranch. They are 2 weeks old and pretty adorable....really, really adorable actually. I'll have pictures soon, too but I'll at least post one from the other day.

The Pavilion

The Pavilion's back courtyard - Tess, Ingrid and Carly doing belly-dancing...so fun!

Tess and Chris: the Bride and Groom

Adam doing an Irish Jig (yes, ON the railing!)...Molly playing the fiddle. Wow!!! It moves my soul when she sings and plays.

Aaaahhhh....peace.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Fazio. Lovely wedding in their backyard with the bride walking down to a wonderful 10,000 Maniacs song: "These Are the Days. " Perfect. Just perfect.

What a great family. :) Too cute!

Mike and Thunder in VA. Thunder loves when Mike scratches his belly. :) It's pretty cute!

One of the babies. Will post more soon.

Mom and I at the wedding.

Bye for now...Love, Molly
PS - Congrats to Cari, Gerald and little Jack - Baby #2 on the way next Spring!!! Yay!

Vacation!

Well, it's been a little while since we last wrote. Here are some updates and I'll post pictures in the next few days or so. :)

I just got arrived back in Colorado from a little 12 (yes, 12 full days!) days away. 

First stop, Hayward, WI. I was asked many months ago if I would photograph the wedding of Chris and Tess - two employees of my mom's at the Pavilion (www.pavilionwinecave.com). I was flattered that they wanted me to come to whole way and were willing to pay for my travel. So, I arrived in Hayward on Thursday, the 19th and it was so great. Mom had to work of course but I, happily, spent most of my time at the Pavilion. Chatting up customers in the store (we all know I love to talk) and then enjoying the night scene once dinner service and entertainment started. It was such a great time and I'm so proud of what they have there. All of the people Mom works with are just so great and even though I've only been in their presence(s) a few times I'm welcomed whole-heartedly. 

The wedding was on Sunday and was just perfect. I'll definitely post images of the lovely couple who were so full of love for each other and their families. So easy-going and by far probably the easiest wedding in terms of stress I will ever photograph. The brother of the bride, Adam (whom also works for mom), was sweet enough to tell me that I was mostly invited as a guest since Mom means so much to them and their family and they were thrilled that I could be a part of their day. I really, really hope they're happy with their images.

Next stop: Boston, Virginia! On Tuesday I flew to Dulles and Mike picked me up in his new Tacoma (that he loves!). We had the entire week together and he and Riley did a great job of showing me the ropes. It's very, very quiet where we live but I LOVE it. No cell service, no internet (yet) - just peace and quiet. I do love the country and we are most definitely in the country. I was actually able to read and it was great! We visited Charlotsville, Middleburg, went to a horse show (it's definitely horse country!), did some wine tasting - it was very very nice. Mike treated me to ham biscuit sandwiches, his homemade bread, farmer's market goods, and fresh milk and butter from a little store down the road.

And some great news: Mike got a job! AT.....The Inn at Little Washington. www.theinnatlittlewashington.com. It is ranked #1 Hotel Restaurant in the World by Travel + Leisure Magazine in this year's August issue and I believe is in the top 10 restaurants in the U.S. He will be their butcher starting this Thursday. They did also have a position open in the kitchen but he wanted to stretch a little and give the other a shot. He's really, really excited to be working there: his interview went so well and he said he felt so comfortable with the setup and the staff. The HR Manager told him that the Sous Chefs told him they really wanted Mike to be a part of their team - that's a pretty nice feeling. :) 

Other great news: Mandi did fabulously well with the animals while I was gone. They are all very happy and very healthy. Waldo didn't give her any trouble at all and that takes such a large load off my shoulders. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that he's taken to her immediately. She has always been, as I think I've said before, naturally more nurturing than I am but has never been given the opportunity. 

Oh! Congrats to our friends Tara and Jamie on the birth of their little boy, David, on August 11!! We've been playing phone tag but hopefully I can talk to the new mom and dad soon! We just found out that our friend Ilse got engaged recently as well. She's one of the sweetest people I know and we're so happy for her. My cousin Sarah become Mrs. Sarah Snyder on August 2 at my Grandparent's farm in Shirland. I wasn't able to make it back due to timing of the crazy move but saw the fabulous pictures of Sarah and Sam. Things are good, things are definitely good. :) By for now... Molly

Mandi Made It!

Well this past week went much more smoothly! :)

My foot is healing very, very well. With the help of some energy healing, some homeopathics, and a little bit of rest (did you really think I would stay off of it for a week?...really?) I'm back on track. A little sore here and there but it's good.

Waldo is doing MUCH better. He's much more relaxed and that makes me very happy. His old owner's ex-wife and sister came to visit him and were very pleased with where he's living and his health.

Mandi and Jessi arrived Sunday night after driving all through the night + day after our cousin Sarah's wedding on Saturday. So, we're getting her unpacked and I think she's ready for me to leave...now. :)