There is so much to tell.  So much not to tell.  So much blessing.  So much trial.  But for today, I will keep it simple and just share with you some pictures.

If you keep up on this blog,  you know I had the joy of having Nancy in my life his summer.  I was so excited when we ventured out to Iron Mountain to snap a few pictures of her, the same place where I took pregnancy pictures when I was carrying Dayla, so of course I had to ask her to grab a couple of me there carrying this little baby boy in my tummy.

Today I am 30 weeks pregnant with a baby boy.  Just writing that makes tears well up in my eyes; what an incredible blessing and miracle to help create a life.  I am THRILLED to be bringing a baby into this world, THRILLED that our 2 years of trial and hoping to be pregnant is over, THRILLED at the idea of having a boy, and THRILLED to be able to give Dayla a brother…..

…and thrilled with these pictures! Thanks so much Nancy!!

The truth is that we could probably BBQ 9 months out of the year here in San Diego, but still, something about hot nights seems to inspiring firing up the grill the most.

Usually when I think of barbecued food I think of the standard: hamburgers and hot dogs. So this year Daniel and I thought it would be fun to think outside the bun (hehehe…you like that?) and open this awesome book (that sadly enough was given to us probably 5 years ago and has remained untouched until now) to see what other fun dishes we could do via the grill.

I would say it has been a lot of fun and a huge success!  I have loved keeping my kitchen cool and my taste buds happy.  We have tried all sorts of veggies (a perfect time to try grilled veggies as all the best ones are in season…just add olive oil and salt and… viola!), meats& marinades (through a lot of trial and error, I have found the secret to a good meat on the grill is the marinade), and even a bit of dessert (not a big fan of this one) …but of all the attempts, this recipe below (as well as this one) made it into my “favorites”.

Today’s Feature: Grilled Coconut Cilantro Shrimp

(on a bed of rice and with a side of grilled vegetables)

I never thought I would be “big” enough to have an intern, and honestly I am completely humbled by the fact that someone would want to learn from me (most days I still feel like a baby in the business myself!) But at the beginning of the summer Nancy came to me, asking to be an intern at Sundin Photography, and before I could say “Reallly? Are you SURE?”, she was saying “YES YES YES”…..

…and so our summer fling began.

Nancy is the most friendly, bright, ambitious, and joy-filled 18 year old I have ever met.  She came to learn from me, but at the end of the day it was I who felt so blessed to be around and learning from her.  So before the time comes that I will sadly have to let Nancy go find her own way in this big world, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to her.

Meet Nancy.

Hey Nancy……

Tell the readers 3 random things about yourself.

• I love salsa dancing!
• I wear footie pajamas. I’m 18
• I love cooking!

What would your ideal day be like?

My ideal day would be…waking up really early in the morning, go to the beach and have breakfast there. Then, I would take my family and friends to Belmont Park, an amusement park in Mission Bay. Lastly, at night I would host a salsa dancing party and dance the night away .

What do you love about photography?

I love photography because I do not have a good memory at all and I can use my camera to capture those moments forever in a single flash. I especially love when you can look back at the crazy birthday bashes, the turning point high school years, the unforgettable college adventures, and many more, and see how your life has changed and how you are changing as a person. To me, photography depicts so much more than what words can attempt to describe, and evoke emotions and feelings that inspire a hug, a kiss, a high-five, a thank you and the list goes on…

What type of photography do you want to specialize in and why?

Since I am a “newbie” to photography I have been trying out various styles but, I can honestly declare my love for candid, portrait photography with either a vintage/washed out or black and white feel. I love socializing with different people every day and learning something new about them, thus I would be happiest with taking photos of people. Also, as I am a very curious individual so I enjoy taking shots of people when they least expect it or when they are just themselves because I believe everyone has a special spark about them that needs to be revealed.

If you don’t become a photographer, what other profession would you like to pursue?

I do plan on becoming a photographer but also mixing that in with my double major in International Relations and Spanish. I honestly believe that in order for the world to change you must change yourself, as how Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. It is through photography that I hope to express the issues going on in the world and help make a change.

See what I mean? Don’t you just love her already? And isn’t she stunning? I don’t remember high school seniors being so beautiful!
Nancy, you are the sweetest and the best. I will be so sad to say goodbye but I am so thrilled for the journey that lies ahead for you! Good luck, God speed….and visit us again whenever you can! We will miss you so!

Yesterday I was thinking a lot how easy it is to compare ourselves to others….and how dangerous it can be to do it.  It is easy to want what someone else has, easy to want more, or different, or bigger or better or less, or whatever it is you don’t have that you think you deserve.  I personally believe it is hard to be truly, humbly, thankful for what we are given.

I am not great at thankfulness, but I can honestly say there is one thing in my life that I have always been thankful for: my Daniel.  Thankful for the moment he walked in the door that first night and the way he caught my eye.  Thankful that he asked me out. Thankful for the decision I made before we started dating to “be myself”. Thankful that we fell in love.  Thankful that I snagged the most thoughtful, kind, loving, strong, and funniest man I have ever met. Thankful for 8 years of beautiful marriage to a man that I DAILY feel lucky and blessed and honored to be married to.

Here is to 8x8x8 more years….

(This is us circa 2003, the year we got married!)

Holiday Mini Sessions are NOW OPEN.

Space is limited. Locations and times will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Times will be available in both the morning and evening. Please email Ginette at sundinphotography@gmail.com to reserve your spot. Can’t wait to see you and play with your family!

Mini Sessions are priced at $175

More Details:

• Mini sessions will last 30 minutes and are perfect for getting the latest family picture for your holiday cards! Sessions will include a mixture of posed and natural family photos. Things will move quickly, so please ensure you arrive 10 minutes before you session starts so we don’t lose any of that precious family picture time.
• Mini Sessions are limited to families of 5 or smaller.
• All images from the Mini Session will be up in an online gallery for your viewing 7 days after the session.
• The Mini Session will include three (3) digital images for your holiday card needs.  The files will be full resolution and will be emailed to you as soon as you contact me with the image selections.  These images will come with a print release so they are yours to have, share and enjoy.
• Sessions are booked on a first come, first serve basis.
• Session fee can either be collected via credit card before your session or by check at your session.
• When you book, I will send you a contract, more details, tips for what to wear and shoot location and answer any other questions you might have.
• Prints will be available at listed price for purchase as will a CD with all the images from the session.
• The session includes a $25 print credit that you can apply towards the purchase of CD of all images from your session or toward prints.