The Better To See You With My Dear........ 

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

I'm not sure where to even begin with the description for this picture. I took this set of photographs on Sunday afternoon,,,the light was magical and for some strange reason I was called to do Angel pictures.....and on Sunday evening a friend [and online friend], another mother of a precious little girl with Trisomy21 passed away. She was in the beginning stages of treatment for cancer and had a stroke. I'm in shock.....as I look at this photograph, I realize now that this calling to do these photographs had a purpose for me....to realize the fragility of life...to recognize the beauty of children and the magical bond of friendship. With a Heavy Heart I dedicate this picture to Anne.

In Loving Memory

Shine out, my sudden angel,
Break fear with breast and brow,
I take you now and for always,
For always is always now. (Philip Larkin (1922-1986), British poet.

In Loving Memory of Anne.

Our hearts are heavy at the sudden news of your death.

Angel in February~3

Angel in February~3
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

I love this shot as her extra chromosome shines brightly on her facial features in this photograph....what a little blessing you are Miss Emma Sage.

Angel in February~4

Angel in February~4
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

Straightening her 'halo'.....

Sweet Angel in Febrary~5

Sweet Angel in Febrary~5
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

Emma Sage is blessing herself in this picture....she loves to bless herself these days...she says 'Father, Son, Holy...and the SPIRIT!' with such joy.

Sweet Angel in Febrary~5

Sweet Angel in Febrary~5
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

Emma Sage is blessing herself in this picture....she loves to bless herself these days...she says 'Father, Son, Holy...and the SPIRIT!' with such joy.

Guess who got new sandals and has been wearing them all day! Emma Sage is so funny with these sandals....we are not sure if she will be able to keep them on or not,,,her big toe kept slipping out...but never-the-less, she is just smitten with them and will no doubtly figure out a way to keep them on and get around in them!

Angel in February~2

Angel in February~2
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

Our Sweet Angel....... 

Green and blue.......what magical eyes you have young lady. 

The Joy......The Love.....The Happiness.  

Chilly-friends.....here is Emma Sage and Claudia when we went to the pond to see if we could skate this week.....because the days went up to the high 30's our skating was out,,,but we had fun looking at the frozen pond and trails around it. 

Its been chilly, but the days without the high-winds, we always go outside to walk and play.....this is little Miss on the stone fence at our neighbors the other day on our walk. Like her mittens? Lol!! They are socks......they seem to work much better for little ones as they can be put on up to their elbows....they don't have that dang thumb thing to worry about and are light but comfortable so the kids don't get frustrated that they can't move their hands....Socks.....great for the feet,,,,wonderful for the hands. 

Well hello-there.......this is one of the peacocks Emma Sage had just been looking at when I took the shot below....I wonder what she was thinking after seeing such a magical creature like this peacock. 

I love shots like this of Little Miss.....she has such a sweet aura about her.....here we are at our neighbors looking at the peacocks.....see picture above. We are truly blessed to be able to take daily walks up the lane to visit so many amazing animals,,,,horses, ponies, cows, llamas, peacocks, emu's, bunnies, goats [our three goats live here now], swans, doves, chickens, roosters....etc....it truly is a child's dream. 

I've been busy 'playing around' with film and Katrina's new 35mm camera. I did this still life of a slice of watermelon the other day [as soon as I cut it open to serve the children I was taken by the amazing colors and swirls within the fruit].......so the kids had to wait for their snack of watermelon while I quick grabbed the camera and did a few shots.....Looks Yummy, doesn't it? 

Hanging out with my big sis 'Nini' and her bestfriend Katie......Emma Sage just loves being with her older sisters.....the are so funny together and she is truly a four-year-old, turning 16 year old, from all the fun times she has just 'hanging out' with the bigger girls. 

Can you say "Silly Little Girl".......Little Miss thinks she is so funny when she does this....Mommy is not too sure about this new little trick!  

Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

Life is moving swiftly these past few days.....hoping to have time to reflect tomorrow...but wanted to share Miss Emma Sage at breakfast this morning. Lately she is very into Rick Krispies...would eat them all day long! lol!

Theme Competition Kids & Babies, ANIMALS Theme Mosaic

Theme Competition Kids & Babies, ANIMALS Theme Mosaic
Originally uploaded by Theme Competition.

This is this weeks 'Theme Competion' mosaic..........and the wonderful news!?! Our photograph of Miss Emma Sage having a conversation with a cow was chosen as 'Best B&W'!!! How wonderful....and what an honor! I so love taking pictures and sharing them....and winning an honor is quite nice too!!!!

bf_40150

bf_40150
Originally uploaded by annikaleigh.

Guess what these are? Yup,,,you guessed it,,,they are Little Misses new glasses. We ordered them today after her 6 month eye exam.....she is farsighted and these will help her see more clearly. I had noticed over the last few months that when she is writting or working on smaller print books she was really working hard on focusing. Her doctor said that it was a big difference for her since her last exam.

Emma Sage picked these out and they look adorable on her. They are NineWest and have little hearts on the sides [can you say 'Girly-Girl']

They should be in, in about a week, so stay tuned for our first picture in her new glasses.

This child always seems to have the aura about her.....this beautiful light of happiness that just radiates from her being. I know just from being within her company day-in and day-out, my heart is always full of joy! 

Lost in a winters thought.... 

The Red Mill in Clinton....this is the view Emma Sage was peeking over the railing of the bridge at....it is so beautiful. I used to ride my bike down to the falls when I was a young girl and the children and I love to visit this little town often and enjoy the view and shops.  

Watching the river fall over the little falls by the Red Mill......and wondering how those ducks can stay perched at the top of the falls without falling over them?!? 

Come on Otto,,,,you can't catch me....teehee....that is the cheerful words I heard as I snapped this picture. 

Being silly with my brother Otto on the bridge over the River in Clinton..... 

Competition #30 - I Heart You

Competition #30 - I Heart You
Originally uploaded by Theme Competition.

This was last weeks Theme Competition.....I HEART YOU~

My entry is the second row, last picture [Little Miss Emma Sage's hands holding a heart]

Precious group.......

This week's Theme Competition is 'Animals'....but not pets. My entry is of Emma Sage having a conversation with a cow!.....'How now, brown cow'....actually it is a white cow! lol!

Silly little girl......I took these after a 'photography session' that Katrina had with her little sister [Katrina just got a new camera and had her first assignments for Photography Class]....so Emma Sage was actually quite done with the whole 'photo-shoot' business and was being quite silly for her Momma....here she was pretending to be a fish for me in this one....silly little girl! 

Me and Nana [my Mommy].....Greta took this picture of us today when we went to Applebee's as a treat. I love my Mother dealy.....she is one of my dearest friends and such a great Mother and an incredible grandMother......Emma Sage calls her Nana every day and asks if she can come over and visit.