Happy Birthday Son-Of-Mine

My guy turned 9 recently, and as usual my family celebrated with fun, laughter, music and love.
I am so lucky, we are so lucky!

Blowing out the candle. Happy birthday!

My niece & nephew are quite the musicians! They serenaded the birthday boy!

He's having such a great time!

Emily & her Daddy!

My sister & her 13 year old son. WoW, he's grown!

photos by & property of Jenn Burdick & Jenn Burdick Photography

Illustration Friday - "Afterwards"

Every once in a while I participate in this online illustration project called "Illustration Friday".
here artists from all over are invited to submit his/her artistic, illustrative interpretation of the word-of-the-week.
This week I thought I'd submit mine...

"Afterwards"                                                                                                                               photo illustration by Jenn Burdick

Note Cards For Sale

I have some of my photographs made up as note cards.

They are for sale at these places in Western Massachusetts & Connecticut:

Welden Hardware in Simsbury, CT

Cup & Top Cafe in Florence, Mass.

Sweetie's in Northampton, Mass.

Karen's Dance Shop in Greenfield, Mass.

~and soon at~

Himalayan Views in Deerfield, Mass.

photos by & property of Jenn Burdick & Jenn Burdick Photography

Musical Family

I grew up in a very musical family.
My mother's a pianist, teaches music, is an organist & choir director at a local church.
My dad played the guitar.
My son has been taking cello lessons for 3 threes now.
My sister plays the piano & violin, my nephew every instrument, now the trombone, my niece plays lots of instruments, too.
Me? I can't even read music.
I'm the visual artist in the family.

all photos by & property of Jenn Burdick & Jenn Burdick Photography

Family Vacation- Part5

On the last night we all went the amusement park in Old Orchard Beach.
Mike got each kid wristbands so they could go on any ride as many times as they wanted.
Zach went on every ride that allowed his size. He was too big to go on the rides Emily rode on.
Gregory was pretty nervous at first, but ended up REALLY enjoying the "big kid" rides.
His favorites were the rotating swings, & "Tilt-A-Wirl".

Gregory on the Swing Ride.

Her absolute favorite ride... the Motorcycle Carousel.

The barker at the "Spinning Teacups" was very impressed with Emily's first ride.

photos by & property of Jenn Burdick & Jenn Burdick Photography

Family Vacation- Part4

On our hike the kids were ready to pose on a moment's notice.

Mike found the tiniest salamander.

What are they looking at up in that tree?

It's a big spider web up there in the tree.

Our little tree-hugger.

Emily found a critter's home.
We learned a lot on our hike in the Maine woods that day of vacation.

photos by & property of Jenn Burdick & Jenn Burdick Photography

Family Vacation- Part3

On our family hike through the woods, we came across lots, and LOTS of types of mushrooms.
I couldn't resist recording all the different varieties in one small area.
Mike was once taught in his marine biology college class:
"Put your eyes where your feet are."
We did JUST that on this hike, and look what we found!

The tiniest mushroom found.

Emily holding the tiniest mushroom.  We didn't make it a habit of picking mushrooms, but she got to it too fast.
Though it does make a good reference to see just how tiny this mushroom is.

photos by & propertry of Jenn Burdick & Jenn Burdick Photography

Family Vacation- Part2

We're on an adventure on our vacation.
We are exploring the woods on a hike in a state park in Maine.
WE are two 44 year olds, and an 8, 7 and 3 year old to round out our family.
My son, his son, and our daughter.
We really had a good time together.
There was SO much to see.

Starting our hike.

Emily found THE coolest seed pod.

To me he roots from a tree makes an interesting design.

Our kids.

Zach found a leaf the same color as his jacket.

Emily wants to pose with a leaf, too.

photos by & property of Jenn Burdick & Jenn Burdick Photography