Gillette Castle ::: 10.12.08 (Part I)

This past weekend, I met up with one of my very best friends, her husband, and her adorable son. I have only (only!) known her 8 or so years, but I cannot imagine my life without her in it. We met *online* (GASP! DORKS!) and what I love most about her is that she will always, always tell me the truth. She's practical, honest, and one of the most caring, giving people I've ever met. I have learned so much from her over the years about life, beer, pivot tables, card games, recipes, taxes, health emergencies, and more.

We don't see each other all that often, though we are in constant communication every single day. =) But I love most when we have reason to see each other... like family portraits!!!!

We met up at Gillette Castle here in CT. It's such a unique little place. It was originally commissioned and designed by William Gillette, an actor who played Sherlock Holmes. It's very random, if you ask me, but it's one of those quintessentially Connecticut things. =)

The best part for me is always taking the little car ferry across the CT River! I took a ton of beautiful shots of the castle surrounded by the foliage, as viewed from the water, but I haven't even looked at them yet. They'll be in Part II. Definitely worth the $3.00 fare. But I just couldn't wait to get these pics up. =D Enjoy!!!




(I think this shot is the only one I have that has identifiable castle in it!)





Lookie! I got a ton of flare! Too bad I didn't know what to do with it! =D


OK, I can't pick so I'm posting all of my favorites. Aren't hose curls just to die for?! (Says the curly-headed girl.)





Such a beautiful family...



OK, so you can't see THEM... but how cool was this scene???


We played peek-a-boo for quite a while. 99% of the time, I don't know how to act around kids. But there was talk of elephant poo... and I fit right in.





This one has become one of my most favorite pictures ever. You can just feel the silliness of the whole moment, can't you?





MWAH!





I'm sure she'll kill me for blogging this... but...

1. How cute are the glasses?
2. That smile shows how much fun we had, doesn't it?
3. And most importantly, I think this was the BEST part of the day. They are raising such a polite little gentleman. I was snapping away, I stopped and was chatting with Dad, when he very politely interrupted me with a very sweet but relatively confident and strong "Excuse me. Will you take a picture of my mom?" =D Never mind that I had been taking pictures of them for an hour already.

So I did what I was told, and snapped this... and look how beautiful??? I'm so all about "in the moment" stuff... the moments you can capture on the fly are just so REAL.


And now I just lost one of my best friends for posting that. >=)

Thanks guys, for spending such a fun day with me. :smooch: Buh-bye!