HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABY!!!!!

Sorry to all our followers, this one's just for James. Today we celebrate our 5th year married, jeez can you believe it's been 5 years already??? I remember looking at rings together in college and saying that someday we would marry. And when I was only 15, I knew how much I was just head over heels for you, but I never thought I would be sneaking out at night with my future husband, what girl thinks about that stuff in highschool? And after 13 years together and 3 daughters, I still get those butterflies that I had when you would kiss me good night on those first few dates. I love you even more now than ever... if that's possible. I guess just growing up and experiencing life together, fun times, tough times, fights, parties, kids, careers, morning coffee and late night giggles, has made me appreciate and love you more. The husband and father you have been has made me the luckiest girl ever, as cheesy as that sounds. Today is special just for us and in 20 more years, we will still be giggling, fighting, having morning coffee, and loving the family and couple we are.

Love You Baby!!!!!

The Feds Established on July 2nd, 2004

All We Are....

Brunch at the Levy's

Sunday Kate and the girls headed over to Doug's House for his going away brunch as he is leaving for Spring Training in sunny Florida (to bad you need to shovel today). The girls had a great time playing with the Photobooth setup and hanging out with Mike and Kate's kids Emmie and Chase, Tony and Anna's kid Christina. They also had a good time with Doug, Shyla and Rob as you can see in some of the photos.

Thanks Doug

xoxo
The Feds
(James and Kate)

Boston Wedding Photographers

Weekend Away In Snowy NH.

This past weekend we took a break from the busy wedding stuff, i.e. leads, marketing, etc. and had some quality family time. And when I say family I mean 7 kids under the age of 13yrs. and 8 adults... yikes that's a lot good thing it's a big place. It was -10 degrees on the ride up to NH, I never thought my car temperature reader actually would show a negative. On day two it was -28 degrees without figuring in the windchill, yikes again. My mother in law suggested this was a good day to take the kids skiing (-28degrees) but surprisingly it didn't feel cold, trust me we were dressed for the weather. We spent the day on the bunny hill with both girls, it was Layla's second year skiing and Annabelle's first. They both loved the Lady Bug, a conveyor belt thing that brings the kids up a slight hill. Layla was cross country skiing by the end of the weekend and Annabelle was begging to go up the chair lift by Sunday (she can barely stand on skis yet) We had some adult time and played a little poker, FYI if you play poker with me then watch out for my poker face.... I tend to giggle, oohhhaaahhh and smile uncontrollably when I am dealt a good hand, it's pathetic. The last day was spent making giant snow ramps for the kids to fly off of at the end of a huge snow slide. It was some well needed fun in the snow! Here's a video of the girls at the lodge playing around after a long day of skiing.

Pug weclomes Anne Ruthmann

Pizza, Soda and Anne Ruthman... is a fun PUG. We welcomed our first PUG with Anne has our new leader and she did a great job. :) After about an hour of mingling with lots of new faces, we moved up to a classroom at the CDIA in Waltham. Anne discussed the importance of calendar sharing, something only a few of us are doing right now. She went through how to set up a google calendar and after many questions, Anne closed up the night with some PUG announcements, and then a group of us went out to get some brownie sundaes and chocalate milk.... I know aren't we party animals at a bar at 11pm drinking chocalate milk ;) Some new comers to the PUG were Jeff Newcomb, Earl Christie, Karen from Kielka Brown, British Rob from Brown photographic and more. It was great to see a large outcome and I hope everyone returns next month so the "regulars" increases in size. Don't forget to see Anne at Mystic this weekend!

The room was hot and packed. Looks like Doug has some pizza :)


The group of us are always trouble in the back of the room. Here are two of the trouble makers Kate(from MKD) and Shyla

SURPRISE!

We have been a little preoccupied this holiday season as we found out that baby number 3 is on it's way! Oh yeah and all the morning sickness :( Many of you may not know this, but we lost a baby this past summer early on in the pregnancy,which was so hard for us. We waited to hear a heart beat and a few extra weeks before spreading the good news, chances of miscarriage after hearing a heart beat is only at 1%, so we were very relieved to see a very happy healthy baby on the ultrasound. Our little girls came with us to see the baby for the first time and they were so excited, and now the little mommy (Layla) has been discussing with me what is okay to eat, or do that is safe for the baby, i.e. no eating crunchy foods because the baby has no teeth. We will keep everyone posted on how we are doing and don't worry, I will be shooting through all nine months.

P.S.
Thanks MKD for offering a maternity photoshoot!


xoxo,
The Feds

ON THE 10TH DAY TIL CHRISTMAS THE FEDS SAY TO THEE....

ON THE 10TH DAY TIL CHRISTMAS THE FEDS SAY TO THEE.... EAT COOKIES.... GINGERBREAD ICE CREAM COOKIES THAT IS!

One of my favorite treats growing up were gingerbread ice cream cookies. They were so yummy that they couldn't last the night with all the sweet tooths in my home. Here's a great recipe for you to try out as well! Happy Eating!



Ingredients

* Cookies:
* 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
* 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
* Dash of salt
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
* 1/4 cup butter, softened
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 large egg
* Cooking spray
* 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided
*

Filling:
* 1 quart vanilla low-fat ice cream, softened
* 1/2 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger

Preparation

To prepare cookies, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, ground ginger, baking powder, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Place 1/2 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 3 minutes or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add vanilla and egg; beat well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed until well blended. Divide dough in half; gently press each portion into a 4-inch circle on plastic wrap. Cover and chill 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Unwrap each dough portion and place on 2 sheets of overlapping plastic wrap. Cover each portion with 2 additional sheets of overlapping plastic wrap. Roll, still covered, to a 1/4-inch thickness. Place dough in freezer 30 minutes or until plastic wrap can be easily removed. Remove plastic wrap; cut dough with a 3-inch gingerbread man cookie cutter to form 12 cookies. Place cookies 1 inch apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle cookies evenly with 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until set. Remove cookies from baking sheets; cool completely on wire racks. Repeat procedure with remaining dough and 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar.

To prepare filling, combine ice cream and crystallized ginger, stirring well. Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons ice cream on the flat side of each of 12 cookies; top with remaining cookies, flat sides down, pressing gently. Wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap; freeze 4 hours or until firm.


XoXo,

The Feds

On the 11th Day til Christmas the Feds said to thee.....

ON THE 11TH DAY TIL CHRISTMAS THE FEDS SAID TO THEE, WATCH A MOVIE!

There are so many Christmas movies, how do you decide which are the best to watch? Because we all know you can't possibly watch them all, so we have a list of our top picks. So here we go....


Fed's Top Pick: Charlie Brown Christmas (I think he sympathizes with Charlie's less than adequate Christmas tree)




Kate's Top Pick: Gremlins ( I have a sick sense of humor, Fed says this isn't a Christmas movie, but I say feed them chicken and let the holiday party begin)




Layla's Top Pick: The Grinch ( I think she thinks that she is Cindy Loo Who. And she said the classic is better than the Jim Carey version)




Annabelle's Top Pick: Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer ( We have only watched this movie about 30 times since Thanksgiving, so I wasn't surprised by her choice.)








XOXO,

The Feds

A Fond Memory From My Childhood.... Enjoy!

It's only 7 minutes long, but it's absolutely awesome!!!! I grow up climbing the local mountain singing, kill the wabbit, spear and magic helmet with my brother and sister. Needless to say, we were a happy and well quirky family. And I wouldn't change them for the world!!!!


via videosift.com

on the 12 th day of Christmas Layla sang to me.

Counting down to Christmas, 12 days to go! We will be posting the 12 days of Christmas with the Feds. Fun with our kids, favorite holiday moments, traditions and more. ( Pretty much whatever makes it the season of giving in our eyes. As so......

ON THE 12TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS LAYLA SANG TO ME.......

"OH, CHRISTMAS TREE" (an original score by our little L)





Also a big THANKS! to all that commented on for the Cans for Comments we got a total of 27 comments over the week and that equals 27 cans so we will post soon what we got and the drop off.



xoxo

The Feds

Christmas Parade

Earlier in the week the Feds all went out to Quincy for the Christmas parade. It was cold and raining but the kids had a blast watching the floats and were all smiles till the end, where the star of the show Santa was atop a fire truck.





xoxo
The Feds

The Feds Kids are wild

You have to watch this video my brother TJ put together. He just got a new camera for his work and was messing around playing with the in-camera slow motion and get the hang of the camera. What better subject to keep you on your toes, then a group consisting of a 2,3,4 and 5 year old.

Watch the girls right around the 2min mark they got the most genuinely happy faces as the water almost gets them. I will remember those little faces forever, that moment makes me smile.

xoxo
The Feds

Halloween 2008

I know we haven't posted any family stuff in a while (thanks for the reminder Jen)
While I guess I'll start from scratch and post a few images from the town's Halloween get together. And promise to keep blogging about us, maybe a few videos soon too.
The girls dressed up as princesses, all the girls.


My 3 princesses



Snow White really getting into the part.


Sleeping Beauty practicing her dancing



xoxo

The Feds

Guess who's 3

Annabelle!!
That's right our baby girl is now 3 years old, but if you ask her she will tell you she is 4 and argue with you about it till you just give in and say ok your 4.


And look at her now! she is soooooo big.




The same day we had a combined Birthday party for both girls at the Carousel in Hull.




After cake and spinning round, round the merry-go-round we walked, ahh stumbled across the street to the beach so the kids can run around a little more before for baths and bed.









And yesterday was my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!
and as I pulled a photo of Annabelle when she was born I found one of Bella and Nanny





Oh and Happy Birthday to our friend Cahtah who's birthday is the same day as Annabelle.


WOW! that's a lot of birthday love!


bye for now, wedding photo will be coming soon.



The Feds

First Day of School

This past Monday was the first day of school for Annabelle and first day back for Layla. The both of them couldn't wait, they were so excited they really didn't sleep the night before. Layla got her same teacher as her first year so she was ready to go when she got dropped off but Annabelle screamed like crazy. No, not because she didn't want to go to school, she just thought Layla was getting dropped off and she was going home. She calmed down after Kate told her that her classroom was around the other corner. Annabelle said bye then just went straight into the room. I think Kate was a little sad her little girl was off to school but when we picked them up Kate was all smiles peeking through the window watching Annabelle singing songs.

Here is the 5yr old off to her first day back to school. She couldn't wait to see her friends again.




And Annabelle! Wow look how happy she is for her first day. She was soooooo excited.


Layla, yes Layla told me the hair and bow were blown out in this picture but I like it.

Our lil' Girl is growing up

Look at how happy she is. We are so proud of her, she is a great kid and growing so fast. I some time think back and remember how small she was I can't believe it. Today we did what ever she wanted. We went to the park and both of the kids rode there bikes on the basketball court then we went over to the playground where all her friends from school were. After all the playing we when out for some lunch and got her a soft pretzel(she has been asking me for a month) finally :) Then we needed to come back home so Kate can head to coach her swim team and Layla tagged along. When the both of them returned Layla got the dinner she chose, Mac and Cheese and then got a little cake(as she will be getting 3 for one bday, today, then at my moms and her party)
She said her day was awesome ;)

While here is the shot just before the cake hit the table and we were all singing to her. Look at how happy she is. That face will make anyone happy.




One day after she was born. How cute.




We love you sweetheart. Happy Birthday M and D


The Feds

Nature is Amazing

A few weeks back The Feds Family went on Vac up at our house in NH. While on our trip home from Storyland we came across a baby moose and two black bears just off the side of the road. Since I didn't have my long lens with us, we drove back to the NH home and grabbed the lens and I ventured back out and was able to find both the moose and bears in the same area.

The Moose was a pretty small moose, but still amazing. It was hanging along side the road having it self a drink from the river. I was able to get down on the side of the road in the grass just across from the moose till it started to head my way I backed up and had to cross the road as the moose came across the road and within about 10 feet of myself tucked alongside other car.

After I when around the corner where a black bear cub and mother were hang out on the hills in this meadow. I didn't get to close but sat in the meadow ad watched the two while I snagged a few shots.

This shot the moose is about 15 feet from me, wow so beautiful.


I didn't venture to close to this Bear as the mother was just to my right on the hill


This next guy stops out back our house every night with his 3 buddies. It was pretty hard to get a shot of these guys as it was very very dark, but got a couple. And yes we totally used of camera falsh on a fox :)

The Feds on Vaca

The Feds Family is up in NH at the New Hampshire House (as the kids say). It looks like it is gonna rain the whole time we are up here, but we'll still have a good time. We have some photos from a wedding we shoot Saturday over at the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset and two Love Shoots from the week before we'll be posting very soon so check back, they will be up in the next few days.

Today we took a drive over to Littleton NH to Chutters, home to the Worlds Longest Candy Counter. Great! more sugar for the kids.

That's all they need :)


CANDY!


Bella at the diner for Lunch


Our amazing view off the back porch, blocked by clouds.

Pug Party 80's Style

Friday night the Boston Pug(Pictage Users Group), a group of local photographers went out on the harbor for some drinks and 80's music. Here are a few shots from the night, and yes I cut a mohawk and Kate teased her hair for the night :)

Matt with some of the 80's chicks :)




Kate and Anne












ahhh The Yu's







Here is Kate and I doing our best 80's Punk thing




That was totally one Banging Party! We gotta do it again fer sure!



The Feds

Hang with the Nephews

So as you know a week ago our nephews were up from VA to visit. Since we haven't seen then in a while, except via ichat, I had to get a lot of photos. Here are just a few that I got one day at the park. I know it is only a few but I didn't change the camera to shoot jpegs till later, since I shoot raw, but my little laptop don't read d300's raw files. I'll get a few more up later.

Chris wasn't feeling that great this day but I got some awesome shots of him playing with the sprinklers. Here is a shot of Chris hanging out on a bar at the park.


100% Matt's personality he is so cute


Oh ya there was a party thrown for Matt while they were here, and I(yes James) baked a cake to look like a volcano. I had to post a photo cause Tony gave me a cal the night before I made the cake and asked what I was up to, and I responded doing volcano research. :) so he wanted to see what I did. Here you go Tony.





The Feds
Cake baking kids photographers