Engagement Photo by Philip Charis

Timothy and I were given a very special gift from my sister Janice and her family.  Philip Stewart Charis, is a world renowned photographer who specializes in Renaissance like formal portrait art paintings.     We had our photo taken and Mr. Charis created an oil painting for us.  It is something that we will treasure and hope will be a family heirloom. 

Mr. Charis took a photo of me when I was a toddler.  It is framed and my favorite childhood photo.  I was so excited to have a photograph from the same artist 30 years later!

Thank you, Janice!

Timinda's Engagement photos

A heavy picture post... but I just can't choose my favorites!  Our amazing photographer, Melvin Gilbert (you can find his blog here) did a fabulous job shooting our engagement photos.  Timothy and I wanted photos that were fun and captured our personalities and love for one another.  We chose to have our photos shot at Irvine Spectrum for starters and then headed to Crystal Cove State Park and Beach.  We had our very first date here, and wanted to go back to where we spent our first evening together.  Enjoy!!!

There is only one happiness in life.  To love and be loved. 

XO, Melinda Marie

Hughie Family Photos

It's been 17 years since all of the Hughies (my parents, siblings and their families and myself) have all been together in one place at one time.  We live throughout the country and distance tends to keep us from all being together.  This made a family photo shoot a requirement!  I took on the project of hiring a photographer and coordinating the details to make it happen.  Since my parents live in an itty bitty town and it was the day before Christmas eve, it wasn't so easy to find an available and affordable photographer to take on the job.  I went the economical route (although it wasn't exactly cheap) and hired a local photographer.  She captured some great shots, but her editing skills weren't stellar and her pricing for getting the prints printed (or the digital file for that matter) were astronomical.  What was supposed to be a relatively simple process turned into some heated negotiating.  I was able to eventually get the disk AND my friend Melvin saved the day and artistically edited the images (although he refused to remove the under eye baggage...ugh).  I'm so grateful to have these shots.  I love them and know that they will be treasured.  Especially for my parents to have a photo with have their entire family in one shot!

My mom and dad and their beloved Jake.  They will celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2 years.  5 children, 2 daughter in laws, 2 (almost 3) son in laws, and 6 grandkids.  They have created quite a family and a legacy as well.

Child #1 Janice (Graffius) and her family: husband Mark and sons Gregory and Andrew.  (Along with the snowman that my brother David and family created!)

Child #2 David and his family: wife Julie and sons Caleb and Mason

Child #3 Ken and his family:  wife Sonia and son Nicolas

Child #4 Melinda Marie with dad and mom (family to follow, smile)

Child #5 Dana (Everett) and her family: husband Nick, daughter Elle and dog George

LOVED all of the snow.  It really felt like Christmas with the winter wonderland.  Somehow the beach and palm trees just doesn't feel the same.

Andrew (age 17) and Gregory (20)

Mason (6) and Caleb (7)

Elle Julianne (6 months)

Nicolas Kenneth (2 months)

LaLa and her nephews and niece

Nana and Papa Oregon and their grandchildren

The original Hughies ~ party of seven!

L-O-V-E