St. Patrick's Day Parade

Here are a few pictures from St. Patrick's Day when Jason came to visit. It was so crowded that we could not see any of the floats due to the wall of people lining the streets. So instead of taking pictures of the parade, we decided to take them of the bystanders.

A kid holding onto a pole while trying to see over the wall of people.

A crowd of people on O'Connell Bridge

A shot from inside a pedestrian sidewalk cover near a construction site.

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New Year's in Germany

Spending New Years in Germany was a trip.  First of all, they have fireworks everywhere, but the odd thing being is that the large fireworks are not done by city professionals like they are in the States.  Instead, every German lights their own full size fireworks wherever they want.  This creates a very interesting atmosphere where one can spin 360 degrees and see fireworks everywhere one looks, creating a panaramic view of colorful lights.  Oh, another interesting thing  about German fireworks is that they purposely light fireworks towards you.  This is freaking insane.  The 6 of us were standing underneath the water tower enjoying some champagne and the German couple directly adjacent to us lights and throws a firecracker towards us.  I think they eventually felt bad about it because they gave us a few large bottle rockets for our own enjoyment.

Another interesting thing we noted regarding the Germans is their lack of excitement for anything.  They didn't count down to New Years, they didn't scream "Happy New Year", they didn't have kazoos, or poppers, or anything.  All they did was light fireworks.  The only way you could tell that it was midnight was by the increase in frequency of fireworks.  That was it.   No hoot and howler; no screaming "Frohes neues Jahr"; nothing.  "Nope, we'll just light more fireworks.  In the meantime, us Americans were in the corner yelling our heads off; counting down from 10 at the top of our lungs; giving each other hugs and toasting to 2009.  It was very clear that the Germans were just...stoic.  

Anyway, Cindy and I had a wonderful time and experience during the German New  Year.  It's simply wonderful to have such great friends with whom  you can share these moments with.

 From left to right: Diana (Fellow American soldier and neighbor of the Reeves), Stephanie, DJ, Jonathan (Stephanie's brother), Cindy, and Nick.

 The adjacent Germans lighting off a large bottle rocket.

 DJ showing Cindy how to properly light a German bottle rocket.

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Christmas in Germany

The next best thing from spending the Holidays with the family is to spend it with friends! We were very fortunate to receive and invitation from such wonderful friends to spend Christmas and New Years in Germany. It's so great to have a real christmas tree, the smell of christmas baking, and decorations to adore the home. Among the creation of many sugar cookies and sweets were the assembly of the almighty doughnut snowmen. I've never made snow men from sugar doughnuts, and I'd have to say, it was quite fun. The snowmen ranged from faceless doddies to wheelchaired vixens to the infamous Abominable Snowman. Other festivities included a large Christmas dinner and trips to the German Christmas Markets.

A wheelchaired vixen made of delicious powerded doughnut holes and candies.

Everybody pitching in on the cookie decoration extravaganza.

Everybody sitting down for Christmas dinner.

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The Morrissey Wedding

Drew & Christina's wedding was awsome! It took place at the Dana Point Marriott and the weather was perfect. The entire wedding party was gorgeous, and so was the groom and his bride.

Adam Tate, one of the groomsmen, escorting Drew's mom, Nancy, down the aisle.

Dr. Acierno escorting his lovely daughter, Christina, down the aisle.

The Maid of Honor, Andrea Acierno, giving her toast during the fabulous reception.

It's all about the cake!

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Drew & Christina's Rehearsal Dinner

On Friday, Cindy and I had the pleasure to attend Christina and Drew's rehearsal dinner. The ceremony and reception are taking place at the Marriott in Dana Point, CA and the day of the rehearsal had fabulous weather. The early wind gusts dissipated the marine layer and made the scenery extra clear. The wedding rehearsal went well and the rehearsal dinner at the Chart House was fantastic!

Christina being entertained by her photographer and wedding party

Drew & Christina practicing what they're going to do on Sunday

Adam Tate contemplating life while looking out on Dana Point from the Chart House

A night shot of Dana Point from the Chart House

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4th of July

The 4th of July was a lot of fun. Cindy planned a surprise party for my 25th birthday with all of my friends and such. We ended up getting to Doheny beach around 5:30am to wait in line to get a good beach on the grass. The day was fabulous and was spend eating, napping, relaxing, playing a little bit of volleyball and of course, watching the fireworks. Below are a few shots from the day.

The sunrise at 6 in the morning

Tate spiking the ball against a really good team. The reason for the blurriness is because I took these shots late in the day and there wasn't enough light.

One of the many fireworks shots I was experimenting with

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Father's Day at the Beach

The first part of Father's day was spent in Doheny Beach with my brother and sister-in-law and their friends. There I took my first set of "action shots", trying to capture the moment in a photograph. It's amazing that I only got a few good shots out of the hundred or so I took.

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Gaute & Allyssa's Birthday

Saturday night Cindy and I went to my relatives, Gaute and Allyssa's, birthday celebration. There was food and of course dancing! Below are two of my favorite shots.

The blurring was not intentional but I thought it came out pretty cool.

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Darren's Graduation

This weekend Cindy and I went to my cousin Darren's graduation from California Lutheran University. This was my first chance to test out the new camera by taking portraits. Below are some of my favorites.

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Maui, HI

This is from when we went to Maui for Cathy's wedding.



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