Where the Wild Things Are

When all is said and done in this lifetime, what will jump to the forefront of our minds as our most important experiences? To me that is the true amazement of childhood- it all seems so vital because our understanding and intellect are growing everyday, but our only responsibility is to love, be loved, and treat others with respect. A hearty boxing match notwithstanding.

These images remind me of days that rolled by with my (dear) brother; we were each the other's best friend and constant companion. When our mother wasn't looking, fist fights may have ensued for rights to ride in the front seat, but next to these rumbles were our adventures as cowboys and Indians, pickers of wild berries, observers of tadpoles, and would-be catchers of birds who dared nest in our swing set.

Now Paul is the father to four children whose adventures and joie de vivre rival our own...

Ashley loves to mug for the camera. I'm sure her first memory of me when she's old enough to recount it will be that I was holding a big black camera up to my face.





Baby Emily. She doesn't say much yet but I'm excited to get to know her better as she starts talking. Her demeanor is pure sweetness.



Legos were huge for my brother and me, now I race my nephew on constructing his new Lego toys and Mandy and I have even been known to rush out into the cold to get a new box as soon as we're done "helping" (he's better than us!) him make the first spaceship/tank/submarine.




I planned this shot to try and capture the whirlwind!


Smoothies made by Daddy for big mus-culs.





Paul III vs. Aunt Mandy in the main event...


Noah takes a hit and regroups...






Ashley is not the family boxing champion... No princesses were actually injured in the making of this photo.


This was an evening of unbridled energy, the kind of hours with my family I will always be thankful for. And I have the photos to remind me!