Last Minute Christmas Shopping

(Grand Rapids Press Photo)

Merry Christmas from Diane and Joana

Sisters Diane, 4, and Joana, 2, are originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is their family's first Christmas in the United States. (Grand Rapids Press Photos)

Coffee With Santa

It's not every day you get to sit down for a cup of coffee with the big guy. I like this top photo because it feels like Santa was caught in the act, buying cookies. This man, however, is diabetic and ended up just getting black coffee from Janies Cookie Company. (Grand Rapids Press Photos)

Goodbye for now Dad...

On Friday, December 4 a ceremony was held for local Army National Guard troops who were being deployed to Iraq. These are a few images of the soldiers saying goodbye to their families. (Grand Rapids Press Photos)

Lake Effect.

(Grand Rapids Press Photos)

Decking the Halls

Gangster Baby

Rachel's Wedding Photos Are Finished!

First Snow of the Season

I woke up this morning, looked out the window, and instantly was five years old again. Snow is magical. comforting. beautiful at any age. I called my husband, who had been posting school closings all morning while working the night shift at WZZM and said "what the heck?!" Apparently our predicted six inches of snow became 10-14 overnight thanks to Lake Michigan. After shoveling our driveway and making a big breakfast to Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong," Chris wandered outside to make some pictures of our big oak tree as the sun came out.

Learning about the Pilgrims

Becoming a Family

On Tuesday, November 24 sisters Elizabeth, 3, Ariel, 5, and Abby, 4, officially became a part of Jenny and Ben Lewis' family, gaining two brothers- Alex, 5, and Thomas, 2. I loved this assignment. The girls were so sweet, giving me hugs and asking me to smell the flowers the judge had given them. As our Thanksgiving story, assignments like this make me glad I'm a journalist.
(Grand Rapids Press Photos)

Rachel's Wedding Part 5- Ceremony

Rachel's Wedding Part 4- A few In Between

Rachel's Wedding Part 3

Thanksgiving #3-Zoladz Family

Thanksgiving day was spent on the east side of the state (Chris and I rotate every year for the actual day), which consisted of parade/football watching, making crab cakes, lots of dogs, and of course, Mrs. Z.'s amazing cooking.