home again, home again...

...yes...another trip home. I know, you're shocked! Guess I'm just a traveling kind of girl these days. So this past weekend was my mother's birthday. My mom is the most amazing woman I've ever met. (she would say that I just don't get out much, but that's not true at all) She's smart and funny and beautiful and strong and selfless and so many other wonderful things that would take me too long to write out. I love her more than she can possibly know and am so thankful every day for her. I could not ask for a better relationship with her...I am so very lucky...there is nothing like it. Happy Birthday Ma...

the party was catered by the fabulous people at Glen Sanders

Mom & my brother-in-law

my sister & my son

APPLE PICKING!! It's Fall in NY!

my nephew...you've got to taste what you've picked!!

feeding mama

there is nothing better than apple cider donuts from Fo'Castle Farms!

time for fun at the park...

Schenectady, NY is home to Perreca's Bakery...AMAZING bread, tomato pie, soups, sandwiches...oh, excuse me, I just drooled on the keyboard

oh so true!

not photographically the best picture ever, but the boys are stinkin' cute! My brother (who also celebrated a birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!), my nephew and my son

I had to throw this one in because it's freakin' funny! This guy was hanging out at the park...REALLY hanging out...not to worry, he was fine, just sleepy

C is for...

...one of my most favorite families EVER! I've been taking their pictures since before their first child was born. They are amazing friends and fabulous subjects! Now that the kids are 2.5 and 1, it was (as we determined) much like wrangling cats today :) They certainly kept us on our toes! Isn't that what kids are for?! They are just so beautiful. Thank you {C} family, I hope you enjoy your preview...

OMG...these girls are G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S

The {J} man!

oh Daddy...this girl is going to give you a run for your money...crazy beautiful!

Daddy's little girl

YAY for smiles!

michael...

...on this day we are reminded again and again just what we've lost. We think of you daily, but September 11th makes us even more painfully aware. You were the bright light in the room, had a smile that warmed hearts (and melted some as well...mine included!), you were smart and funny and handsome and an unbelievably loyal friend. Michael, I hope you know how much your family and friends miss you, today and every day. Your life was far too short, but your impact was profound. Our hearts are broken, but, as in life, your smile helps us begin to heal. We love you Michael....always.

Michael and Vito were taken from us in violent and terrifying ways...don't ever let hate dictate your actions...violence is never the answer

631,138,519 seconds...

...10,518,975 minutes ~ 7,304 days ~ 240 months ~ you get the idea. TWENTY YEARS! It's a lifetime and the blink of an eye. Weddings, births, divorces, deaths...so much can happen in that amount of time. Yet somehow, when you look into the face of someone who once was so familiar, it feels like you saw them just yesterday. In most cases, it's been all of twenty years since I've seen my classmates from high school. I was SO nervous. Not just a little butterfly in the stomach. Nope...I'm talking hands shaking, don't want to get out of the car, might actually vomit NERVOUS. Old (and sometimes new) insecurities take hold and just won't release their death grip on your insides. Thankfully, an old/new friend was also alone and we were able to walk in together...a little less daunting that way. I can't even begin to explain how wonderful it was to catch up with so many people. I only wish there was more time.

Part of our reunion weekend was a memorial tribute to the men we've lost in our class. It truly was an uplifting and healing gathering of people...sharing in their grief and memories of these wonderful men whose lives were cut way too short. My task was the memorial poster, which you'll see below. People spoke so eloquently of each man and made us feel the warmth and joy that each brought to our lives. They are, and always will be, deeply missed. 

The Mike Canty Family Fun Run...what an event this has become! Raising money each year to help a graduating senior from our high school go to college. Mike would have LOVED both the scholarship and the event. We lost Mike in the Trade Center on 9/11. His family has helped our high school community begin to heal through their love of life, family, community, and selflessness. They truly are remarkable. 

So here are some pictures from my weekend. Since I was home I also got to see my oh-so-cute nephew. You KNOW I had to take lots of pictures!!! 

To Linton High School's class of '89...thank you for old memories and new...for your generosity of spirit and for making a girl who moved away so many years ago feel as though she is a part of the tight knit community that is the class of '89. I love you guys and can't wait to see what comes next!

Follow this link if you'd like to donate to the {Michael Canty Memorial Fund}...tell them Ashley sent you :)

the tribute ceremony

one of our amazing classmates is a fireman ~ he and his coworkers brought the fire truck complete with American flag to watch over our memorial

The beginning of the Fun Run festivities...

...and they're off!

the beauty of it is that you don't HAVE to run...you can enjoy a leisurely stroll if you so choose

these guys were awesome!  If you're ever in the upstate NY area, check out twenty ninety-six

there's plenty of action for the younger set too!

and now...(not so) baby pics!

he's a music lover, can you tell???

hhmmmphh!

this one's for me...my incredibly handsome 7th grader (he's going to kill me for this!)...first day of school

it's a nice day for a wet wedding...

...you read that right...WET wedding, not white wedding. Billy Idol got it WRONG! Saturday was wet. Wet. Wet. Wet. Did I mention that {M & M} got a bit of drizzle at their wedding???? Yep...we arrived at the venue and the skies opened. I like to think of it as the rain gods giving a thunderous applause to the upcoming union. Flash flood warning, thunder, lightning...enough to make a bride (and her photographer) hide in the corner and weep uncontrollably. But not our bride. Nope. She was FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC! She just rolled with it and made it an unbelievable day. Everyone looks to the bride to set the tone for the day and she was just laid back and happy to be marrying the man of her dreams. I ADORE this couple. They are so in love and wonderful to be around. And it turns out, their families and friends are just as great as they are. Go figure. It truly was an honor to be included in the celebration of these two amazing people. I feel as though I've walked away with some wonderful new friends.

On a side note, a dear friend of mine from FOREVER ago joined me this time to give my lovely sister a break. Krishna is a budding photographer and was an unbelievable help to me all weekend. She is going places people...watch out :)  Thank you Krishna, for your invaluable help and even more importantly, your friendship. 

...LOVE LOVE LOVE...

the magic 8 ball did not have good news about the weather, but {M} took it in stride

she is SO beautiful...

as my mom would say, bling toe

{M} & her sweet, sweet sister...making their way through the rain & thunder

this picture says it all...the weather and her wonderful attitude

I LOVED her flowers!

the way she's looking at him reading his vows is SO cute

first kiss as man and wife

the girls...FUN!!!

smooch

this is one of my all time favorite bride pictures...she's gorgeous!

after the ceremony the rain stopped in time for a few quick outside pics

this man LOVES his daughter...made me teary every time I saw them together

these two had the best time dancing...so much fun to watch

night's end...how adorable are they???

Here are a few pictures from the lovely and talented Krishna :)

this really captures the elements this couple braved!

instead of a cake, they had cupcakes made by their loving family...and they were YUMMY!

sweet mother of the bride...