Pool Fun and Summer Sun

Happy official start to summer!  What better way to show summer's skin than to have pics of cute kids in the pool. I'm also listing 10 things I hope to do/attend this summer.......

10 in Summer 2013 (in no order)

1. Readington Balloon Festival (Readington, NJ) - July 26-28
2. Peach Festival (Chester, NJ) - an annual family tradition since I was a kid  - Sat., Aug 3
3. Peach Festival (Peddler's Village, PA) - August 10-11
4. Go to the Philadelphia Zoo
5. Go to PA local parks I've not yet been to, or haven't explored in depth, including Peace Valley Park,  
    Tinicum Park, Valley Forge Park
6. Have a picnic dinner with friends
7. Take my nephews on 'dates' (for their birthday presents)
8. Eat as much potato salad, pasta salad, macaroni salad as I can, and drink homemade sweet tea as
    often as possible
9. Get to the NJ beaches at least once
10. Attend a free music night in a local park and then get ice cream

There was a plane overhead

Celebrating Stephen's birthday

Opening his cards from the kids

Oma's 90th

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to photograph a surprise birthday party for Fran, otherwise known as "Oma" to many family members, at a restaurant in south NJ. The staff at Stefano's Ristorante Italiano in Mt. Laurel were so kind and the food they offered was delicious.

More than fifty people gathered to surprise Fran, and when she arrived, she was shocked to see so many people she loved in one place -- all there in celebration of her. The family organized a slideshow of pictures that was running, and everyone enjoyed being able to enjoy Fran.

Here are some images from the day...

Ironworks TKD

Toward the end of last year, I had the opportunity to photograph taekwondo students, as they participated in their first tournament. I didn't know quite what to expect, as there was a flutter of activity going on at once. Names were being called, there were four different areas where students would be presenting before judges, and the terminology was unfamiliar. But I figured out quickly where I needed to be, and enjoyed watching this sport that I've not watched often at all.

The founder of Ironworks TKD - Helmut Hensel - went to the university where I work. It is great to see his dedication in building up this business from a dream he's had, and as people in the community become more aware of what he's doing, I hope that they will continue to grow.

The event took place at the United Sports facility in Downingtown, PA. Students participated in poomsae (forms), open hand, breaking (boards), and sparring. I watched most of the students from Ironworks do their forms and - as you'll see below - breaking boards. The sparring went late into the afternoon, and I only got to see the very little kids do this. It was so cute seeing these tiny kids all suited up to spar with one another.