Ciao 2011

we have had an incredible holiday season.  for the last 3 weeks i have been super excited to go through the mail each day. i heart holiday cards. i especially love the ones with photos. and i especially, especially love getting cards that have photos on them that i shot! it has been a super rad way to reflect on 2011, the year of the official start of oliverblue. what a year of photography it has been! i have been blessed to work with so many fabulous clients! i have also had the privilege of learning from some super amazing mentors who have inspired me beyond measure. 

my very favorite card this year came from the van tulder family... this family was the recipient of my first portrait session giveaway earlier this year. beatrice had recently been diagnosed with aggressive ovarian cancer and she was ecstatic over having new family photos.  i was humbled and amazed by her beauty and courage.  for months, i wondered how beatrice's treatment was going but did not want to pry.  my happiest moment of this holiday season occurred when i opened their holiday card a couple of weeks ago and learned that beatrice's therapy has been a success.  a beautiful reminder that the greatest gifts of this season, and always are family, friends, health and happiness. 

(beatrice and her boys)

the van tulders are one of so many amazing families i have been lucky enough to photograph this year.  i have had soooo    much     FUN!

below, in random smorgasbord order are some of my favorite photos of 2011:

 

and this. this ladies and gentleman... this gem of a photo (not for image quality but for pure awesomeness) is my 2011 PIC OF THE YEAR:

(houseboat slides... whoa).

2011 was a roller coaster.  i lost family members and one of my very best friends.  those lost will remain on my mind always and they are especially in my thoughts today as i reflect on the year gone by.  2011 also brought sooo many blessings my way.  i have had an incredible time watching my son grow.  he is the coolest kid.  i have also had an incredible time watching my belly grow and checking in on the new bean at each ultrasound! growing a business has been so cool! 

2012 is sure to be a year of wonder and excitement!

cheers to a new year of family, friends, health and happiness. 

and lots and lots of rad photos to records it all.

happy happy new year!

xoxo

nikki

"the more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate" - oprah winfrey

p.s. if you haven't signed up for the portrait session giveaway yet, you still have one more day! sign up to follow this blog and comment (here) to enter.

p.s.s.s. tried this lemon beurre blanc sauce over pan-seared rockfish tonight.  if it is the only new recipe you try in the coming year... do it.  delish.

p.s.s.  got a brand new outlook tonight on how fast time flies, and the changes time brings with it.  was playing blokus with my husband and my parents and at one point started imitating my parents' "game faces."  i told my dad "if only i had a beard, i would totally have your woodhouse game face nailed."  he quickly replied "don't worry. be patient honey. someday you will have one."  oh dear.