Happy Birthday to my friend, Paula

In honor of Paula's "special" birthday, today I created this little slideshow - a collection of my favorite images from the Moore Family visit in April. Wish we could be together to celebrate. Instead here is your virtual birthday greeting. I am sure I would have ended up with a sore head if I was there in person!

Have a great birthday Paula. Not sure where the time has gone. Many fond memories of the last "couple" of years. Has it really been that long????

Enjoy the slideshow.

Brothers | Westchester Family Photographer | Debbie Allan Photography

I took these images back in the early Spring and have been wanting to make a slideshow of them for some time.

I love how this turned out. Please let me know what you think.

Last Day of School - Tappan Hill

Friday 25th June marked the last day of Kindergarten for Campbell and last day of Third Grade for Cameron. Time has certainly flown this school year and it really did not seem that long ago that we were starting the school year!

Saying goodbye to Kindergarten was an especially emotional time for many teachers, staff and parents this year, as Tappan Hill, the gem of the school district, was closing its doors for the last time. Pre K and Kindergarten is being moved to John Paulding School this coming September.

I was very happy to have the chance to observe the farewell tradition, as I had missed it three years ago when Cameron had "graduated" from Kindergarten. Mr Moynahan was on the roof as Chief Bubble Man and DJ, much to the childrens delight.

As the buses were loaded the teachers and staff assembled in the center of the circle to wave the child off as they were driven home from school for the last time this school year.

Tears were shed and many hearts were heavy. Tappan Hill holds many wonderful memories for our family and many, many more throughout the district. I am certain that with the amazing Pre K and Kindergarten staff John Paulding will be a place were tons more fond Pre K and Kindergarten memories are created.

Thank you to everyone for making this school year magical for our children.

Eddie's 6th Birthday Party

Campbell was invited to celebrate Eddie's 6th Birthday with him and his friends and family during the last week of the school term. What a great way to spend the afternoon on one of the many early dismissal days.

The theme was REPTILES. The children were in heaven when they got to touch and feel many different creatures. I have to admit I was a little surprised when the first reptile appeared - an alligator!! Luckily it stayed firming in the grip of the animal handler.

Sleepy Hollow Newborn Baby Boy | Debbie Allan Photography |

I had the pleasure of capturing memories for the A family last month after the arrival of baby M. Sister D has taken well to the role of loving big sister and Mommy's little helper. I enjoyed watching her cradle her little brother in her arms and kiss him so gently on his forehead. Such a strong bond had been formed in a very short space of time as baby M was 11 days old.

Mommy looked absolutely stunning. I certainly do not think I looked and felt as good 11 days after having my babies.

Here are a few of my favorites from the session.

Father's Day Weekend Camping Trip

For our first camping trip of 2010 we headed back to North South Lake where we camped on our last trip of 2009. We got lucky with the weather, compared to last June, when we did not even bother to leave home as it rained heavily.

I feel that each time we camp we are even more organized than the time before - experience counts for a lot when it comes to camping! As soon as we had parked the car on our site Cameron and Campbell made friends with the two children on the next site to us. They took a break from socializing to help Craig set up the tent, whilst I went off to buy firewood. The boys are getting to be wonderful helpers now and so the tent was set up in no time.

We had a simple dinner by the fire and then went off for a walk along by the pond. We found a mother duck and her six ducklings and soon enough the boys were hand feeding them.



Our neighbours, Ricky and Mayleigh



The boys spent a great deal of time perfecting their casting skills with Craig.....



Whilst I watched on and spent time with my camera, enjoying the wildflowers and bugs......



Craig taught the boys how to make a bottle trap. They caught 13 catfish (babies)

Another visit to the beach in Nyack

I loved my first visit to the little beach in Nyack several weeks ago that I had to go back. This time I met Natasha and three of her children for a chance to photograph together - always great to have the company of my friend and her camera. The children had a great time exploring the shoreline, whilst Annie seems to enjoy tasting the sand! She is getting more and more mobile every time I see her and before long I know we will be chasing after her with our cameras in hand! For now she LOVES the camera and for the most part sits still enough for us to catch those dark brown eyes looking into the lens. She is a photographers dream baby.



Her brothers were hard at work rearranging the drift wood and trying to build camp.