Family Pictures

I just got some photos back and I wanted to share! This past July, my mom, my brother and sisters all got together after too many years apart! It was very fun! Because our gatherings are unpredictable, I had a friend and talented photographer, Gayle Vehar, take our pictures.

Orimi (wearing blue) is my oldest sis. She is a veteran school teacher (30+ years?) who runs a tight ship in her classroom. I've visited her class a few times and have been very impressed! She must practice yoga on her ride from school to home, because she morphs into a calm and laid-back mom. I would have to say her greatest love is her fluffy white dog, Shanden.

Linda (pictured in black) is the "middle child"--which describes her perfectly! She is always in the middle of fun and mischief. My favorite Linda story was when we were in Japan. Our Japanese grandma LOVED cotton-candy! She ate it for breakfast every morning. One morning we put actual cotton-balls in her cotton candy and watched her chew and chew and chew. After tears of laughter, we (in very broken Japanese), helped her spit out the cotton. There's always a good time when Linda is around.

In the picture, my brother David is wearing the only polo shirt he owns. He was a good sport to take this picture because I know it is way out of his "comfort zone". Dave is a t-shirt and jeans kind of a guy. He is the best brother I could have--kind, hardworking, and a great uncle to my kids. He can grow anything and he can fix anything. A true handyman.

My mom is the matriarch of our family. She is 81, but looks 70! (that doesn't read right, but it is meant to be a compliment!) My mom raised her kids mostly as a single mom and is a very determined and hardworking person. It was unique growing up with a Japanese mom--for "Show and Tell" one year, I told my class that my mom could flip an egg with chopsticks. EVERYONE was impressed.

So there you go! This is my family...I love them and miss them!

PS: Gayle Vehar is a fabulous photographer. If you are in Utah and need a great photographer, Gayle's your gal. Visit her website and blog: gayleveharphotography.com