Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone that visits here a Merry Christmas and I hope
that 2009 will be the best year EVER for all of us! I wish each of you
the very best in health, happiness and prosperity!

We were so fortunate to have all our family together this year and to
be able to celebrate Ava's 1st Christmas was a MAJOR LEAGUE treat!
God bless us - one and all....

JM

Christmas Eve Gift!

The Bayshore Patriots

I LOVE these people!!!


The "Bayshore Patriots" were formed in Tampa, Florida from an outpouring of support for our country following the tragic events of 9/11/01.

On Friday afternoons following 9/11/01, patriotic Americans joined together at Bay to Bay and Bayshore Boulevards to wave their flags in support of our country.

The group was named the "Bayshore Patriots" by local media as their Friday afternoon efforts were well received by the community as they drove home from work.

As the City of Tampa developed plans for the one-year anniversary of 9/11/01, an event was created which expanded upon the "Bayshore Patriot" concept, and invited and registered tens of thousands of Americans to join the Bayshore Patriots on Bayshore Boulevard with their flags in a solemn event … "Flags Along the Bayshore: Tampa Remembers 9/11". It was one of the largest remembrance events in the country on 9/11/02.

Tens of thousands of Americans have now joined the Bayshore Patriot legacy here in Tampa. What began as a small group has expanded to include thousands, and continues with Bayshore Patriots on Bayshore each and every Friday afternoon, waving their flags in support of our country, our constitution and all those who serve and protect.

MISSION STATEMENT

Bayshore Patriots, Inc., is an advocacy organization whose sole purpose is to support the United States of America and promote patriotism in our community. And through its actions, events and programs, encourage support of our constitution and our country, its freedoms, its laws and those who uphold them.

The Bayshore Patriots, Inc. is not aligned with any political, religious or social advocacy group and will maintain its independence and identity in all its efforts.

WOW!!!!!

I'm not lost.....

A strange thing happened after my last post on the morning of
December 4th .... I went to my "day job" of the last 15-1/2 years
was told I was no longer needed by the company... It's happening
in BIG numbers all over these days, but that fact does not soften
the blow... It's a very strange feeling!
The INCREDIBLE response by customers, friends, family and even
competitors was overwhelming! Calls, emails abound with well
wishes and job suggestions. THANK YOU to ALL that encouraged
me and I truly appreciate you!

My experience has taught me MANY times that in sales and in life,
when you are turned back, your immediate thought should be NEXT!
So, I know that the sun rises every morning - I have gone and watched
the marvelous show our Creator puts on daily - I captured the image
below last year after another spectacular sunrise at the St. Petersburg
Yacht Club last year....

I'll wait for my next "SUNRISE" - knowing it is coming!

A real heart-felt thanks - again - to all of the phenomenal people in my life!


JM

Ava @ 7 months!!!!

We get new pictures every week and an occasional web cam
visit - we are always amazed at how fast she is growing and
how many new things she is doing! Ava is our 7 month old
granddaughter - she, Brook and Charlie will be here for Christmas
on the 17th to the 26th - WE CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!
Check out her 3 teeth!!!

Wall Postcard

Dancin the night away!

Kristen and Jamie's wedding reception at the incredible Tampa Yacht Club....

These 2 thoroughly enjoyed the party!!!

Kristen

The lovely Kristen from a wedding I shot on November 15th. Kristen
and Jamie were an absolutely gorgeous couple! It was a honor to be
part of their special day!!


Kristen was so proud of her green shoes....


It was great to work with Mark Moberg!
Very creative and a bundle of energy!

LOTS to be thankful for!!!!

Thanksgiving should be everyday!!!

We probably would be better off spending each day being
thankful for all the blessings in our lives! I KNOW I have been
far more fortunate than I deserve and remain overwhelmed at
the wonderful people that are in my life....

Obie came home for Thanksgiving!

Linda had turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, broccoli
casserole, cranberry sauce and the list goes on - just an
INCREDIBLE feast and an awesome afternoon! Courtney and
Doug came over to enjoy the day, pig out and watch some
football - it just doesn't get any better!

Charlie, Brook and Ava went to Louisville to spent the holiday
with the fabulous Cliftons! Brook's parents have been another
addition to the list to be thankful for!

Ty Pics!

Friday we continued the Thanksgiving treats! We went with Courtney
and Doug for a 4D ultrasound to see Ty - our grandson that will making
his appearance in late January!!! It was truly amazing as we watched
Ty go through his exercises on the monitor in front of us! Doug's
children, Riley and Gage came along and had their camera and cell
phones popping, taking pictures of their little brother to be!

Ty Marley on the way!!!

Sunday, November 9 was a celebration for Doug and Courtney and the
coming BIG event! Ty Marley Fox will be the new addition to the Moores
gang in January! Courtney and Doug's friends threw them an AWESOME
party as we all celebrated their joy!
Linda and I will be grandparents again!!!!!!!!!!!!

Future Gator Cheerleader!

My Buddy Wayne!

Linda is in Arkansas this morning to be with her family as they
prepare to bury her brother Wayne. He died Sunday morning
after complications from a heart surgery - the details are a
blur and rather insignificant, the bottom line is that this world
has lost 1 INCREDIBLE human...
I loved Wayne!
I often told people that he was my hero - that he had mastered
"happy"!!! He fiercely loved his family and anything to do with a
motor and tires! My last memories of Wayne come from a trip
where we hauled the Harley to Arkansas and Wayne was like a
kid as we unloaded the bike and prepared to ride the mountains!
I can still see him in front of us on his GoldWing - I sensed that
he was as much a part of the road as the center line - he rode
with the ease that only comes with riding a motorcycle for over
40 years.
We rode on...
He smiled...
He was happy!!!!

I'm good to go with that memory - I love you Wayne - I'll miss
you and your sister has a HUGE hole in her heart - that will be
filled with memories of your smile.....

Ride on, my friend.....

Wanda - thank you for sharing your awesome dude with us!

Marissa!

Marissa and Pete were married on Saurday, October 18 in
Tampa! Another incredible young couple! Once again, it
was an honor to share in this special day!

I have been "slack" on keeping up my blog and I will make
every effort to get in 3 - 4 posts a week. I've been working
too much and not just shooting for fun! BACK with the fun!

Marty & Sharon

Marty & Sharon
Lovers Key Resort
Lovers Key, Fl
Saturday, October 11

A really AWESOME couple! A beautiful small
ceremony and celebration in a gorgeous
paradise! I was working with the great
Jerry McGaghey again - what an artist!
More pictures to come!

Ralph & Donna, Tampa

BEAUTIFUL - all the way around! Gorgeous bridal suite at the Hyatt, The
incredible Scared Heart and finish off at the Tampa Club on the 42nd
floor of the Bank of America building! Ralph and Donna are both wonderful
people and we were honored to photograph their most special day!

Green Beret

What a proud time!!!
Last week we flew to North Carolina to see Charlie graduate from
the Green Beret program! It is beyond my ability with words to
express the incredible pride I felt as I watched my son take his
place among the very finest soldiers in the world! He has made
some life long friends going through the regiment that faced
these guys over the last year - I can tell you that each 1 of them
are guys that you would be proud to have respresenting our
country! Charlie, Brook and Ava will be moving to their new
home in Clarksville, Tennessee this week.
It was truly a trip I will never forget!

Travis & Amber

Friday night saw a beautiful couple start their new life together!
It was an extreme pleasure to share in the love and happiness
of Travis and Amber's special day! I was working with the awesome
Jerry McGaghey and his wife Mandi!