Christmas Festivities Part I

Christmas came to Baywood early again this year. I love the look on Joyce's face as she checks out her gag gift from me - a very short black silk dress that she would NEVER wear. I waited in anticipation for a disgusted response, but like always, she remained composed and grateful...but not as grateful when she realized it was a joke when I handed over her real gift.

Our roommate J (right there in the middle) will be moving in January so sadly this was our last Christmas together. I'm so thankful for all you girls!

Fun, fun, fun at Grace's house (who is my vote for hostess with the mostess) making our version of a gingerbread house using rice krispy treats! Turns out even as a group, we're not fabulous carpenters because it wouldn't stand for more than 5 minutes on its own (check out Teresa's face as it starts to fall apart). It did look awesome though!

More to come but for now, Happy New Year!

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris, originally uploaded by LightMirror.

I know I didn't take this but I loved it so much I couldn't resist blogging it!

Swirls and Twirls

I'm not your typical girly girl (at least not anymore....) but after taking family portraits of the Sanchez kids on Saturday and getting this shot of Alejandra in her gown, I think that every little girl should have a picture in a swirling pink dress.

Sister, Sister

My sister has an incredible sense of style and a pretty big personality to boot. She's sassy, compassionate, sarcastic, creative, generous, and hilarious among many other things. She was actually pretty camera shy and kept yelling at me to stop taking her picture, but I couldn't resist. :-P

Beautiful Fall!

It's true...I love fall more than the other season, even summer when I've been known to hit the beach every other day. The only pitfall of San Diego is that there are not many of the vibrantly beautiful bursts of colors that the east coast or even SACRAMENTO has! I didn't count a leisurely walk around the neighborhood as something to do during my thanksgiving visit but it was a highlight. There couldn't have been anything more inspiring than to wander among shapes, colors, and small town feeling. I felt so rejuvenated when I returned to the craziness of my family. I hope you can enjoy it too!
Truly, wonderfall...

Thankful for...

20071119-IMG_7987, originally uploaded by Courtney Lynn.

I'm thankful for...Olivia! She's become a little buddy that I look forward to seeing every week. Her face always makes me smile, especially when she asks me to sing "The Wheels on the Bus" with her. One thing I love about the family is seeing all the little ones run around.

around town

Fall Festival 2007

IMG_6520

IMG_6520
Originally uploaded by Courtney Lynn

It's really nice to be congratulated and appreciated. :-D

The Gift of Mornings

Mellow morning, originally uploaded by Courtney Lynn.

I miss mornings like this.

When I was in college, Cha for Tea was my place to eat, think, and drink. During winter quarter, I spent a significant chunk of time there as I was reading through Paul's missionary journeys in Acts. I would always take the back corner table after ordering my strawberry milk tea and pull out my journal, Bible and just write. It's amazing that I was able to concentrate amidst the buzz of such a busy atmosphere and I think that's why I loved the mornings there with still morning light. Even though I wasn't ever a "morning person", I treasured this hour before heading off to class - I was reminded that I had a fresh day before me.

Time has passed and there aren't any mornings at Cha for Tea anymore, but it does make those quiet times so precious when I can find a little corner to fill...and think about those fresh days before me.

Tea Party

Tea Party, originally uploaded by Courtney Lynn.

Right now I am just loving the Collegian girls from LBC. This was from the first time I got them all together, which was for a tea party at my house, last spring. Grace, Keziah, Cindy and Steph all have such incredibly diverse and vibrant personalities that the muted colors in this photo is a pretty ironic contrast.

Kaitlyn at FITS (Fun in the Sun)

So if you do a double take, Kaitlyn cut of an immense amount of hair since the last time I shot her with the rest of Lillian's small group. She went from long and straight to short and curly! Man, the camera sure loves this girl. It was a super day of Fun In The Sun (FITS for short)

including a rousing game of steal the bacon!

Lillian's Small Group

After volunteering to help her small group "bond" I was pleasantly surprised at how excited Lillian and her small group were. We had a lot of fun at Renaissance on a Sunday afternoon. You'll have to check out more portraits from our photo session on my flickr page, and hey, if anyone else wants to have an impromptu photo shoot, I'm down!