This is a picture of my two kids and two nephews at our local creek. It was a hot summer day and they were thrilled to be in the water. I love this picture because you can see their joy. Pure and simple joy!

This is my 2 year old daughter enjoying her first ice cream cone on a beautiful summer day. Nothing says summer like kids and ice cream!

A absolutely perfect '10' day on Long Island Sound. My 3 year old grandson enjoying the September warm temps at the beach.

This picture was taken at a pivotal point in my life. I was abandoned by someone who I was very much in love with just picture leaving for Vietnam (location of the photo), and the constant feeling of returning to an empty home sunk me to depths I'd never known. This was a month into my holiday, when I eventually began to see things clearly and regain some self-esteem. Being on top of the mountain so far away gave me clarity, and a peace that I welcomed with open arms. Since then, I have been making a steady recovery from my heartbreak. This photo was taken by my 18 year old sister on August 19th 2013.

these boys enjoyed their icecreams on a hot summerday

This little farmer had to take a quick break in the field to enjoy his favorite food and to remind us that laughter is good for the soul. 

This picture is special to me because it's one of the few places I've visiting that is nothing short of awe-inspiring and magical. It's from my four-corners road trip that I took with my best friend. This was taken in September 2011.The picture was taken at shoshone point in the grand canyon, Arizona. The theme is travel/vacation as it summarizes in short the grandeur of traveling and the magic of places that transforms you.

These sprinklers were at a local mall, and the children were having so much fun staying cool and playing in the water spouts.

This picture is special to me because it reminds me of sister love and that special bond between sisters. This picture was taken on Cocoa Beach in July 2014. The heart they formed represents love and the fun to sisters can have together.

How cute is this little clown? She brought so much joy to the nursing home residents at a circus-themed picnic event that I photographed in May 2013. I love how she is missing her two front teeth! I think she is extra special with her toothless smile and rosy red heart nose!

I captured this as I was watching my son swim in our yard. He got out the pool and noticed his BIG shadow on the house and began making muscles. I think it is so funny.

Mother and daughter caught in a moment of laugher. Both of them are gingers with amazing hair. The photo was taken in Southern California's beach.

My granddaughters sheer delight of being at the beach. 

My daughter Isabella and I raise butterflies! We love nature and noticed all the lizards ? eating the  chrysalis so we went on a venture to save the  fritillary  species ! We raise over 100 of them and let them go into the world! It was beautiful to see and teach my daughter about butterflies, compassion and love!

We enjoyed every moment!

This little butterfly Bella, decided to give my daughter butterfly kisses, to thank her for a great job of helping Bella and her butterfly friends! 

So, off they go into the world! How beautiful! 

Local high school baseball marks the start of Summer. Play Ball!

This picture has a lot of meaning to me. I was out in the country, taking pictures. In an impulsive decision i jumped off of one. Then comes the broken ankle. It was really hard to deal with because i missed out on so much of my summer.

Summer fun in the surf on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

This picture captures my 5-year-old daughter's first visit to the ocean on June 27, 2013. She was fascinated by the crashing waves, enormous rocks and immense fog that added to the mystery of the beach. We traveled from Minnesota and visited Duncan's Cove on the Sonoma Coast Beach.

This is a shot of a father and daughter at the July 4th fireworks in DC. I love how the father is looking at me while the daughter is fixated on the fireworks.

The captain is ready to take the boat out.

This is my one and only grand baby. The photo was taken at the Lincoln County fair in Troy, MO. July, 2010.

Every year we go camping with my sister and her family. We take our raft and float down the river. It's really the only vacation we take. My oldest loves the river, but in this photo he looks really uncertain. I thought his expression was funny.

Wedding day bliss 

This photo is taken 7/14/13 in Paradox Lake NY. Our family goes camping yearly and love the water and as you can see so does Penelope Brozost. She is a Black Lab that loves the water and will go swimming any time you want.

Traveling throughout the world, I have always been drawn to the youth. With smiles, laughter and innocent, inquisitive stares, the children of Asia make great subjects for photography. Whether the kids atop a temple in Cambodia who intently listened to my Ipod or the little monk who followed me around Mandalay with not a word uttered, children provide good subjects for photojournalism and conversation. Like the elderly, they are easily approachable and often curious. Chance meetings often develop into ongoing relationships and avenues to inside, locals-only knowledge. I caught these kids while waiting to cross a river to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Beautiful Portugal, tranquility, peace, and the friendliest people I encountered from my travels so far. A place that I never even thought of visiting before. Well worth it.

Don’t disturb,  I am soul searching.

This photo was taken by my husband on our wedding day. He surprised me with a trip to Key West AND a wedding ring! I am in front and my great friend Lisa Wilburn is there. We were on a sunset cruise celebrating the wedding day. (March 4, 2005) This picture can pick me up any time - it reminds of what a wonderful day it was.

This picture was taken at the end of my son's second birthday party. He had gotten some bubbles, and his great Grammie was showing him how to blow bubbles.

Playing marble with friends is a fun for the kids. Their soulful laugh reflects the joy of amount how much the enjoy the game.

I was trying out my new underwater camera and asked my twin grand-daughters to swim to me and smile, the result was more than I could have hoped for. The joy on their faces says it all! Taken in my pool in Jan. 21, 2014 in Brisbane QLD

My grandson enjoying the summer.

A dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed, & has faith in you even when you fail.

It's spring, but it feels almost like summer. The air is fresh, the grass not yet green. You're lying with your favorite person in the world on the grass and can't stop smiling. And that all in the best city to live in - Berlin!

My husband is a good sport and a wonderful father - and we want to say "Happy Father's Day!"

Editor's Note: Wishing all Dads a Happy Father's Day!

This is my Grandson and his first Baby Girl. This captures the love a father has for his child. It was taken at the home of my grandson in Eastlake Ohio. Taken on March 30th, 2014 It relates to Family Love for our Little Babies.

This picture is priceless to me. My husband and our children safe in his hands. It was my sons first visit to school and he wanted Daddy to walk him in. This is my everyday hero and our babies wanting to be just like him.

Sunscreen ✅ Cute, tiny swim trunks ✅ Leo took his first steps on the beach ? and into the water ? ... and hated it lol we’ll see if we can change his mind by the end of the week ?

Laughing, enjoying this moment with my dad is the best thing ever.

I remember trying not to cry, trying not to mess up my make-up. And holding Dad's arm tight. I was so glad he was there walking alongside me.