Gonzalez Family - A Piece of Me

In Kindergarten (and pre-school) we develop most of our social skills.  I had the privilege to meet Christina Gonzalez when I was in Kindergarten.  We were in Mrs. Gibson's class (one of my favorite teachers) at Bedell School in little old Santa Paula, California.  Christina and I became friends and would go over to each other's house after school on occasion.  I loved going over to Christina's house.  She had a sweet family - mom, dad, older brother and sister - the family I never had but always wanted. They had a cool back yard.  Christina had guinea pigs and a turtle.  I was fascinated.  My grandma didn't allow any pets, so I grew up with a gold fish (several in fact - those suckers don't live long).

Although Christina and I were friends, (now don't kill me Tina for saying this), Christina was a little on the bossy side.  I was not.  So of course I followed Christina's orders to always play jump-rope during recess time (even though I didn't always want to).

I'm so happy to have had the honor to photograph Christina with her Husband and family at their beautiful home on the out skirts of Santa Paula.  Christina and I have lost touch here and there over the years (over 20  years +) but we manage to somehow always re-connect.

To The Gonzalez Family - THANK YOU for giving me such fond memories of my childhood.

To Christina - Thank you for teaching me how to now, 20 years later, stand up to bullies. (Just Kidding).

Mr. & Mrs. Gonzalez

Christina with her niece

Christina's brother and family

The Kids

with the Grand-kids

Christina and Hubby 

GORGEOUS couple

Just the Ladies

All the Men

The whole Gang (missing Christina's sister & fam)

Me & Christina

18 Degrees & Bergdorf Goodman

     It was Friday, January 25th, 2013.  My first Friday off in a long time.  I decided to take a look around the city.  Did I mention it was like eighteen degrees?  Yeah.  So anyhow, here are a few shots I captured on that amazingly freezing day.  Central park, a few buildings, and Bergdorf Goodman.  There's an amazing restaurant on the 7th floor.  Amazing.  Lobster Mac n' Cheese (and I don't even like lobster).