Christmas in da 'Burgh. N'at.

One of my fondest memories of childhood during Christmas time was piling in the car with my family in our PJs driving around where ever we lived at the time (Birmingham, Memphis, Mobile) to look at the different Christmas lights.  In fact, I remember one year my dad voted in some kind of competition.  I am not really sure what city we were living in at the time but I do remember him asking me and sisters what our favorites were.  Amazing what memories stick with you, huh?  Anyway, the love of Christmas lights has stuck with me.  I love driving at night and seeing the different light displays (of course some better than others).  It just makes me happy :)

I have been trying to convince Chris for the past five years to drive around with me to look at lights.  And every year he has laughed at me.  Except for this year.  When I told him I wanted to go downtown to see the Christmas lights he said, "okay."  After the initial shock of his answer I asked him what changed his mind - he said, "my heart has grown a few more sizes this year" hehe.  I am not quite sure what it has been about this holiday season but I have felt very home sick and being able to capture a little bit of my childhood with him this year has helped.

Here are a few of the photos I took while I was down there.  We did not spend as much time as I had hoped as it was the first really cold day/night this season and were both not prepared.  Plus, we had to get back to watch Elf and Love Actually (holiday favorites) with good friends Timmy and Martin.

 It has become a tradition to have ice skating open to the public during the holidays for ice skaters to skate around the Christmas tree in Market Square.  Kinda like Rockefeller.  Kinda :)

 I have been dying to try bokeh photography.  This was my result.  Not what I had in mind.  Regardless, I still do like it. 

For this photo I hoped to get something similar to this photo of the Eiffel Tower!  Again, not what I had in mind.  But I still do love the colors.  

Thanks for stopping by to take a look at my photos.  I hope you enjoyed them.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!

Love,
Alyson

Fall Beauty - Sewickley Heights Park

One of my favorite things about Pittsburgh and it's surrounding suburbs are the beautiful parks.  Sewickley Hieghts Park is probably my favorite.  It is a beautiful year round and is always enjoyed by runners, walkers and their pets.  The hardest part about photographing in the park is getting a photo without someone in the shot.

My husband and I went for a walk on a early November afternoon after learning Chris's high school alma malter's boys cross country team won States for the first time.  Chris was feeling nastaligic as he has spent many years racing in this park.

Here are some of the photos I was available to snap during our walk/hike (it's not fair to keep the beauty to myself):  

(The first three photos are taken on our drive to the Park.  I love fences)

 This is where the Park pictures start :)

I hope you enjoyed!  I just love the colors!

Hope everyone is staying warm!  

Alyson

Amelia - 1st Christmas

The Sunday before Thanksgiving I spent some time with this sweet little one to photograph photos for Christmas cards.  I just love hanging out with little ones!

Amelia is the daughter of my favorite Westminster couple.  I roomed with her mother, Sara, for half my sophomore year and enjoyed (note the sarcasm) a semester of Neuroscience with her father, Josh (aka Harold).  I knew them both separately before they met and started dating.  I have loved watching their relationship grow over the years.  They are perfect for each other.  From the moment I first met Sara (first day at Westminster in my dorm room in 2001) I knew she would be such a great mother.  If you know her at all, you know she was just born to be a mother.  They both are great parents to Amelia.  You can tell by way Amelia's face lights up when either one of them is the room.

Here are a few of my personal favorites from our shoot:

Love all three of y'all!  See you soon, Sara and Amelia!

Have a great week everyone,

Alyson

Fall Beauty - Economy Cemetary

I forget where I was driving home from (maybe Costco?) when I looked to my left and saw the beautiful trees in Economy Cemetery.  I have driven by there often but for the first time really noticed it.  Kinda hard not when it looked like this:

Minus the trashcan this was such a lovely path.

Hope everyone had a fantastic and stuffed Thanksgiving weekend!  

Alyson

Fall Beauty - Merriman Road

Anyone who lives in Pittsburgh knows it is one of the most beautiful cities in the US to explore.  Pittsburgh in Fall is EVEN more beautiful.  Driving on back rounds, twisting and turning, up and down hills is one of my favorites things to do in the Fall here.  I drove down this winding road the morning before I took these photos to run some errands and took note of the time of day so I could come back the next day to capture Fall beauty at it's finest.  Much to Chris's dismay, we did.  And I am so happy we did.

ENJOY!

These photos were taken on Merriman Road in Harmony.  It connects to Big Sewickley Creek.  

I love how you can see the winding road from here.  Feels like you are in a story book. 

Sun's peaking through. 

I love the sun rays coming through the trees here.

LOVE the yellow.  

Stay tuned for more Pittsburgh in Fall photos.

Have a FANTASTIC Saturday everyone!

xoxo,

Alyson  

Gareth & Family - Winner of Drawing

Sunday I was able to get together with Jennifer, the lucky winner of my drawing I had a few weeks ago, to photograph her sweet little man Gareth and the family.  I know Jennifer from Westminster.  We were fellow Psychology majors and suffered through a semester of Neuroscience classes and labs together.  Jennifer and I had lost touch after that fateful semester but I was thrilled when I saw she "liked" my Facebook fanpage and even more happy when I drew her name in the drawing.  We have been friends on Facebook for a few years now and I had known she had gotten married and had a new addition to her family.  From the photos I had already seen of Gareth I knew he would be such an easy subject to photograph.  

Definitely one of my favorites!  LOVE the shirt. 

Another favorite!

So snuggly.

Santa's little helper!  Look at those legs - love it! 

SANTA! I know him.  I KNOW HIM!

Just SO happy. 

Thank you so much Jennifer for allowing me to come into your home to photograph Gareth and your family!  It was so great to see you and catch up a little!  I hope to see you again soon.


Have a great weekend everyone and stay warm!  


xoxo,
Alyson