Just about a week ago I had the unique opportunity to capture the adoption proceedings for a new friend. This particular adoption was unique in that the family of the adopted child was part of the process and it was something I have always wanted to participate in. The adopting family, The Hemsley's, have two biological children and now with this adoption, they have three adoptive children two of which are siblings. The whole family took an oath of commitment and it truly was an awesome experience.

One of the sweetest parts for me...well there were a few really...was that UC Davis has this program called Princess Pals at UC Davis check them out on Facebook. These are undergrad med students who dress up and attend special events for kiddos. I've posted the Facebook link here: https://www.facebook.com/PrincessPalsUCD/

The other sweet thing is that Renee Hemsley, Executive Director, of https://www.hopes-anchor-inc.org/about which is a group that Encourage, Equip, Educate, Engage the Foster and Adoptive communities in Yolo County. She is passionate and fully engaged. Putting hands and feet to the needs of foster and adoptive families. It was a blessing and honor to serve their family as they do what they are called to do. Yolo County has been doing some great things and I'm grateful for my connections in this community.

Lastly, what made this extra special for me is that this all happened on the day that would have marked my Dad's 89th birthday. It was pretty amazing!!

Each Summer for the last few years I have had the privilege of taking my parents to my Dad's family reunion in Pennsylvania. Every year it is held in the small town of Altoona, nestled at the bottom of the beautiful Allegheny Mountains. It is also the next door neighbor to Holidaysburg, the home of the Slinky http://americanprofile.com/articles/home-of-the-slinky/ Both of my parents are from Altoona, which got a mention in the movie "Flashdance" and is home to the World Famous Horseshoe Curve. http://www.railroadcity.com/visit/world-famous-horseshoe-curve/. This year it was really sweet to have my mom with me in the car as we drove through old neighborhoods and heard stories of her childhood.

My dad, started his career with the Pennsylvania railroad in Altoona, after returning from serving in the Navy, on a submarine. It has been such a great experience for me to travel with them for so many reasons but the best reason is I have such fond memories of my visits to Altoona as a child. Both sets of grandparents lived and died here and it has been a beautiful thing to experience with my parents the place they have always known as "Home".

This year, it was important for me to capture the moments not just with photos but with stories of my parents and their lives. To know the different yet interconnected ways that they saw themselves and how their siblings saw them. My son mentioned to me an app called https://storycorps.org which allows you the ability to interview people and take photos of the interview participants with your smartphone or tablet. The quality of the recording is great and you can send the interview content to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to keep forever.

Another great thing about these journeys has been to reconnect with my cousins, aunts, uncle and to just be family. My Aunt, who has always been the organizer of these reunions, is having a harder time getting around. She has done such a great job of organizing these reunions and I so appreciate her desire to have the family come together. Although it was a hard trip for my parents we had the best time. My father looks forward to this all year long and he needed this time of connection as he was given a terminal diagnosis just two weeks prior to us leaving. This time spent with his siblings. nieces and nephew was so important for him. We again made the journey....traveling along the Blue Ridge Mountain and over the Allegheny Mountains....continuing to make memories as we go.

My Dad's Navy snapshot. This is not my photo but a scanned copy. Photo credit to the Navy.

My Mom as a young girl. This is not a photo that I took. This is a scanned copy of an original that photo.

This is the place is the home that my maternal grandmother lived for most of her days. I remember as a child looking out the window seat on the second floor and watching the traffic and sometimes the snow fall outside.

My Dad's childhood home.

Stained Glass Window

This window is so vivid for me from childhood. My grandparents home was so dark but this window would allow rays of color into the house and bright up the foyer.

The grave marker of my maternal grandparents in Altoona, PA.

Headstone of my paternal grandparents. Photo credit goes to my cousin Michelle. Thank you!

My childhood friend..

This is my oldest and dearest friend. We have known each other since 6th grade. The sweet baby in this photo is her granddaughter who I had the pleasure of photographing when she was born last year. Such a blessing for her to see my parents.

My Aunt Joyce.

My cousins and Uncle looking at old photos.

My Dad and Aunt.

The couple standing are my Aunt Donna and Uncle Gene. My Aunt Joyce is to the left, my mom is in the middle, my dad to the right. My parents just celebrated 60 years of marriage this last Memorial Day weekend and my Aunt Donna and Uncle Gene got married the same year one week later at the same church as my folks in Winchester, VA.