If you don't dream big, there's no use of dreaming. If you don't have faith, there's nothing worth believing.

The time between mid-May through mid-September is quite possibly my favorite time of the year.  This has nothing to do with the fact that it is the summer season, fall is actually my favorite season.  It is not because my birthday falls between that timeframe either.  It is because of what has become known as Team Carter.  Back in 2007, I decided to run the Rochester Marathon and wanted to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey in my nephew Carter's name.  The RMH provided a home away from home for my family and made an unbearable time in their lives not only bearable, but memorable.  In the past 4 years we have grown from 3 people to a team of over 50 runners all coming together to run, raise money, and most importantly - celebrate miracles, family, and an amazing charity. 


If you want to learn more about our story, please visit - http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/Team-Carter/2011-rochester-marathon


This year was my first year not running the full marathon (only running a portion of the relay - 6.5 miles), so I was able to experience Team Carter from a different vantage point while cheering on my sister who joined the 26.2 mile club this year & all of the other amazing Team Carter runners.  I of course was also able to document this year with a few pictures!  While these might not be aesthetically the best pictures I have taken, they are most definitely some of the pictures that mean the most to me.

Well since I am in this picture, I obviously didn't take it, but I am so proud this photo!

Here is the 2011 Team Carter!

The coolest part of being a spectator this year was seeing all of the "Team Carter" shirts along the route cheering us on.  Here is one of my favorite cheerleaders! 

Over half of the marathon takes place on the canal path, while it can be lonely for the runners at times, no one can deny it's beauty.

Looking strong at mile 13 and again at mile 18.

 No Speed Limits when you are on Team Carter.

Here is the inspiration for the day.  He just happens to be a little nervous at this moment, waiting to cross the finish line with his Mom.

Mommy's biggest supporters - waiting at the finish line!

Here she comes down the home stretch - she finished in under 4 hours.  She's a machine.

Carter joins his mommy for the last few yards to the finish line. 

"We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success."

"My heroes are and were my parents. I can't see having anyone else as my heroes."  

 The kid who teaches me daily how to overcome obstacles & to persevere

Team Carter is a family affair - we were so lucky to have our entire family there this year!

Congrats to Team Carter relay team #3 for completing the marathon! So proud of you!

So excited that this family could "physically" be a part of Team Carter this year, hopefully a tradition that continues every year!

 Every year, we celebrate Team Carter & honor all the runners by hosting a party after the marathon.  

A big part of the party is the kids "marathon" - Ready, Set, Go!!

It's a fierce competition!

"Families are the compass that guide us.  They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter."

Carter - you are my inspiration.

Other things may change us; But we start and end with family.

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to take a few family photos of some people pretty close to my heart.  My sister was in town for the weekend with her family and we decided to plan a photo shoot.  You see, I'm working on honing my skills and building my portfolio of work by offering my services to friends, family, and acquaintances at free of charge.  The only condition is that I can blog some of the results.  So, basically it's a win/win situation.  I get to practice shooting different situations/people in a low stress atmosphere and they, hopefully, get to take home some nice shots at no charge!

This is one of my favorite shots from the day! 

One of the most important goals of the day was to get some close ups of each kid. I think we managed to do that, and pretty successfully!

Group pictures tended to be a bit more difficult to manage, especially when we added Murphy into the mix

This little one was ready to go, right off the bat and didn't hesitate to start posing.

And she was off again - to find her next pose!

We have a future stud on our hands.  

I may be biased, but I'm definitely not wrong.

It was a little more difficult to capture this beauty, but I was more than pleased with the outcome!

Innocence defined. 

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return"

A quiet moment with Mom and her girls

A daughter is a day brighter and a heart warmer.

Perfect form! 

I was lucky to get to have this house guest for the weekend.  He is such a great boy!

Someone was so obsessed with her new shoes & she was so excited that I took this shot!

This was towards the end of the day - I think the kids had just about had it!

One of my favorite shots - such a calm moment!

Family faces are magic mirrors.  Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present & future.

"Our family is a circle of strength and love

With every birth and every union the circle grows

Every joy shared adds more love

Every crisis faced together

makes the circle grow stronger."

A Moment in my Tummy. A Lifetime in my Heart.

A few weeks back, I met a close friend out for an afternoon of manicure's/pedicures, shopping and dinner.  In the midst of our girl's day, she asked if I would mind taking some pictures of her and her husband to capture this special time in their lives - her first pregnancy.  Would I mind?  Of course not, I was thrilled!  I had actually been thinking of asking her if she would mind if we did a fun photo shoot so I could get some practice.  Needless to say, great minds think alike - or maybe it's just because we have known each other for years!


So about a week later, we set out to the park behind their house to see what we could come up with - after she knowingly supplied me with a glass of wine to calm the nerves!

I was so lucky to have such beautiful and photogenic subjects!

They were so much fun to shoot and definitely helped me relax for my first go!

So in love with each other and their newest creation!

Of course we had to incorporate the Red Sox booties!

Love this belly shot - what a perfect pregnant belly she has!

She just radiates beauty - makes it so easy to get good shots!

I couldn't have asked for a better time - we had so much fun!

Mommy & Daddy loved you from the moment they knew you existed.

The Arboretum provided countless opportunities for some beautiful pictures

 

I so love this couple. They made my job so easy!

We were blessed with the perfect evening

We brought along some special treasures for the baby-to-be

"Pat the Bunny" - it's a classic!

Oh Sweet baby - I can't wait to meet you in October!

What amazing parents you both will be! 

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside...when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone."