This Christmas was extra special because I got an amazing camera right before I went home for the holidays. I have always loved photography and taking pictures of things that are special to me.  It was great to be able to capture my whole experience at home, from my point of view. Here are some of my favorite photos from the holiday season.

Trying on some of my Great Aunt’s jewelry.

The Raindeer came early this year!

A view of Lake Erie from our backyard on Christmas Eve Eve.

My mother has such a knack for decorating around the holidays; I wish I could show you the whole house!

One of the best handmade ornaments from the “Make Your Own Ornament Station” at our Roots Day Party.

Two of my favorite people meeting for the first time.

Around midnight on Christmas Eve, after the extended family left.

Opening presents on Christmas with my family.

Thanks to my cousin who put together the show, we watched old slides on Christmas night with the entire family. The picture below is of my Mom and my Uncle David.

Boxing Day mocktail with fresh cranberries, ginger ale and cranberry juice.

Every week we ask some of our friends to send us a picture they took.  This week, we specifically asked for a picture from New Year’s Eve.  Thanks for all the photos guys!  Happy 2012.

Rachel –  Cleveland, Ohio – First annual New Year’s Eve sushi making party.

Catherine – New York, New York –  My first Phish show at Madison Square Garden.

Lauren – Erie, Colorado – No pressure New Year’s.

David – Cleveland, Ohio – New Year’s Eve meditation at home, before heading out for the night.

Colleen – Cleveland, Ohio – A friends wedding at the Ritz Carlton on NYE; best way to celebrate!

We hope you’re all enjoying your holiday.  Every week we ask some of our friends and family to send us a picture to share with you.  Here are this week’s photos:

Drew and Carolyn – Arlington, VA

Jack and Bear pose with Santa for one of the most professional pet photos we’ve ever seen. Well worth Drew’s wait!
photo credit Jeanne Taylor Photography

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Bridget – Cleveland, OH

Detroit Road bus stop.

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Julie – Bay Village, OH

Devlin and Sonora getting a bath.

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Albert – Boulder, CO

Santa after dinner.

I lost my phone and my brother Teddy was kind enough to send me his old one to use. It has about 300 of his pictures on it and they are either beautiful or hilarious. Here are some of my favorites:

Every week we ask some of our friends to send us a picture that they took and tell us about that picture. Here are this week’s photos:

Andrew – Grasso, Sweden

My most favorite sandwich.  Bacon, spinach, avocado, tomato, ham and muenster cheese between two pieces of “egg in the hole” bread.

Bridget – Columbus, Ohio

 Outside of my work a few weeks ago.

Tatiana – Austin, Texas

 …fresh air, peaceful, nice people

Karen – Los Angeles, California 

On the Disney Studios lot for a few meetings.

Hey Party People! Happy Monday. We hope you had a lovely weekend. We asked our friends from around the world to send us a picture they took. Here is what they had to share. Thanks friends!

Ben – Amazon Rainforest, Peru

Jessica – Torrey Pines, California

Michael- San Francisco, California

Laura – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Jason – Miami, FL

In addition to one of our own, a few of our nearest and dearest have shared some photographs they took with us (and you)!

Rhode – Macy’s Window Display, NYC

Dave – Purple Mashed, Denver, CO

Farrell – Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland, OH

Teddy – Teddy’s Old Cell Phone, Probably somewhere in Florida

(image via La SuSea)

Over the past couple of years, I’ve started to pay more attention to street art. I seem to be drawn to the written messages that people put out there. I wonder where they came from and why the artists choose to convey whatever it is they have. Below are a few shots I’ve taken of things that caught my attention.

“You Would” is written all over my neighborhood.  I find it to be a particularly strange message and don’t know quite what to make of it.  Much to my amusement, someone has started responding, spraying along side “Yea, so would you!”.

Along these lines, if you haven’t yet seen it, I’d highly recommend checking out the documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop.”  

We asked friends to send us a picture they took. Here are this week’s photos. Thanks, everybody!

Mike – Monterey, CA

Mike – British Columbia, Canada

Bridget – Akron, OH

Sarah – Houston, TX

If you want one of your photos to be featured in an upcoming post, send it our way!