High School Graduation - Sarah (sweetheart)

First I have to say - Sweetheart I am so very proud of you and love you very much. The door is open for your future and all you have to do is step through it.

What is that all parents say, "Where did the time go", well I know where it went and the journey we all took to get here. With all the good times there's been a fair share of hard times, but I can truly say I wouldn't have changed a thing, although I wouldn't mind having my dark hair back instead of all of this gray that has somehow found its way on my head and chin.

I remember when you were born and when you took your first step. Taking you to Disneyland for the first time and when you first saw your favorite "Pooh". Reading to you while you fell asleep in my arms and coaching you in t-ball. Watching you grow has been a wonderful experience for me and I know this is only the beginning.

In the beginning

Taken just before we left the house for her graduation at Vet's Stadium.

The Ceremony

My sweetheart is now out of high school and starting the next stage of her life.

Stopped at Heartwell Park on the way home for a few shots.

I love you Sweetheart

2011 Southern California Special Olympic Summer Games

For the last four years in June I've had the opportunity to cover the Special Olympics of Southern California Summer Games, which has been my honor to do. I look forward to this each and every year.

The first year I represented Torrance Police Department and roamed around capturing various images from all of the sporting events, along with opening and closing ceremonies. The following year, which was my first representing the Special Olympics, I was asked to cover golf and then last year I was asked to cover boche ball and basketball.

Now for this year I requested to cover track, which I was given, but I was also asked if I could get a few shots of gymnastics as well.

So lets start this adventure. Opening ceremonies started on Saturday, June 11th, at approx 10am on the track field. This begins with the walk of champions as all of the athletes walk along police officers from all over Southern California.

Let the games begin. I spent the morning and afternoon roaming the track getting various shots of the athletes as they competed. These first two are from the tennis ball / softball throw.

Shot put

Wheelchair Slaloms

And now some shots from track

This next group of track shots were from the second day of activities

Gymnastics, well what can I say. This is something I don't have much if any experience in shooting, but I knew they wanted some shots so I spent Sunday morning and early afternoon covering the events of the day. I will say that I am very happy with what I ended up with, so take a look and let me know what you think.

In closing I want to add one final thing. During both days I was contacted by my Special Olymics contact and asked to take some candid shots of Johnny Knoxville. Now I thought this was pretty cool and have to say I was very impressed with his interaction with the athletes and fans. I did take a bunch of shots and these are my favorites.

I had a wonderful and full weekend covering the summer games and look forward to doing it again next year.