Take a peek. Thanks again, Tina, for capturing many of these "intimate" moments. Btw, ignore the black spot you see in several images. Pretend it's not there. I know by calling it out now you're probably going to be fixated on it. Thought it might be dust on my camera's sensor, but in some cases it's in the same spot in multiple portrait orientation images even though the camera's tilted at different angles. Weird. If it was sensor dust, seems it would rotate to be consistent with the camera tilt angle. Now that you're ignoring it, any ideas what it could be would be much appreciated.

Recognize this place? People from DALLAS will know this place, but I suspect anybody out there that grew up in the 80's knows this pace. I went to a wedding here on Friday and fired off a quick image on the way out. Got the song in your head yet?

Ally is such a sweet, old soul. Bad hips, enough hair shed to make a small sweater, and semi-controllable drool can't hide the fact that she just can't wait for you to rub behind her ears and show her some love. She never gets tired of seeing you every time you walk in the door, as evidenced by her whole back-end wagging, not just her tail. This precious old girl is staying with me while my friends Tina and Jerry our out of town visiting family for Thanksgiving. She doesn't get around as well as she used to, and she's a little - scratch that, a lot - nervous about tile and hardwood floors with a propensity to do a spread eagle and/or fall. My heart goes out to her every time that happens because I know it has to hurt her hip.

I've always thought dogs are the perfect example of how God desires our relationship with him to be. They can't wait to see you every day. They're most happy when they're in your company. They rely on you to feed them and take care of them and would be lost without you. Their loyalty is undying, and there's nothing they wouldn't do for you. Occasionally they upset us, but ultimately they bring us so much joy. Is this not how God desires us to be with him?

Hurry home, Jerry & Tina. Precious Ally misses you guys. Maybe it's just the de facto look on a boxer's face, but she just looks pitiful, and she frequently whimpers and keeps looking around for you guys.

Good friends + good food + [semi] good football + a little impromptu fotography = fun. Does life get any better? I submit it does not. This year's Thanksgiving was one to remember... Life really is all about relationships and I think that's why I loved this year's Thanksgiving so much. Kylie and I spent the afternoon and evening with a small group of friends and a couple members of the German gov't. I felt a tad underdressed in my t-shirt and jeans to be dining amongst such dignitaries, but they were so nice, and they were interested in seeing how real Americans live, and well, jeans and t-shirts is real life for me. They were actually here on an exchange program as part of a 2 week tour of several parts of the US, and my friend Jordan was hosting them for a Thanksgiving meal. Check out the rockstar pumpkin pie Kylie made. I'm not a big pumpkin pie kinda guy, but I thought this looked really cool with the pumpkin-shaped dish and the leaves lining the edges. Props, sweetie.

Jordan and Rachel have been house-sitting for Jordan's boss while his family is out-of-town, so they were gracious enough to invite us over in addition to a couple of other friends. The house was incredible and was the perfect backdrop for a celebratory meal.

Here's Jordan & Rachel. These two just got married a little over a month ago, and every time I see them they look like they're still on their honeymoon. Two of the nicest people you' ever meet, both with a heart for God and an amazing connection with each other.

And here's Ray and Hannah, also married within the last couple weeks. These two are the perfect compliment to each other and you can't help but laugh when you hang around them. Just. Good. Peoples. I met Ray and Jordan several months ago, and as it turns out Jordan & Rachel, Ray & Hannah, and Kylie and I all ended up signing up for the same pre-marital class.

And finally, here's the real star of the day. Meet JJ. He's a little guy with a HUGE personality and enough charm to get just about anything he wants. If I thought I coulda got away with it, I'd have tried to throw him in a a tupperware container and snuck him out with the rest of the left-overs we brought home.

Oh, I almost forgot... I eluded to Abraham Lincoln in the title of this post. I was schooled in Thanksgiving history yesterday when Jordan - as part of the blessing before we ate - did some homework and dug up Abe's Proclamation of Thanksgiving, where he established this holiday back in 1863. Definitely worth the read. Hope everyone out there had a fantastic day as well. Now... time for more leftovers.

There's something nice about a routine. It's known. It's familiar. It's comforting. Not too long ago, I met up with the Patels for a family session, and while they're anything but routine, the past two years we've done photography together twice a year like clock work. I always look forward to these sessions because 1) it's very relaxed since the kids are used to - if not oblivious to - me now, and 2) it means Christmas is right around the corner. This time we initiated a new rookie into the program. Neil (below left) recently got engaged to Sheetal, so this session turned out to be an engagement/family session. Here's a sneak peek at a few of my favorites. { From left to right: Neil, Sheetal, big brother Jai, his sidekick Rishi, Minal and finally Suki. }

Jai's just a little rockstar. Period.

... and Rishi's gonna be easy on the eyes, too, future ladies.

A few of the soon-to-be happy couple. That didn't sound right... of course they're already happy, but what I mea... you know what I meant.

A little texturification adds a nice touch, doesn't it?

And finally I've gotta thank little, Rishi. Check him out pushing the ginormous photo bag around. This kid's got a future in this industry.