My Grandpa turned 80 a few weeks ago and we made the trip up to Sacramento to visit him for a bit with my dad and sister at a restaurant of his choosing: Olive Garden. My Grandpa Hodges is, well, probably one of the most fiesty-yet-hilarious 80 year olds you’d ever meet, and it was really great to get to see him. His real name is Clarence, which he hates, so he tells everyone to call him Doug, which somehow turned into Doc, which has got to be the coolest nick-name ever. We also got to meet my Great Aunt Mary, who I haven’t seen since I was 7. I say “got to meet” because I really can’t remember meeting her the first time, although she reminded me that I was really into this pirate lego ship that I had made, which I had TOTALLY forgotten about until she said that! Man, I did love that thing. It had canons that sort of worked. Anyways, Aunt Mary found me on Facebook and Twitter a while back and when I looked at her birthday I was impressed beyond all reason. No family members in their 60’s are finding me on Facebook and Twitter but her. She was surprised that I recognized her when they arrived and I showed her that I had her facebook profile loaded on my phone. Later she complained about how I don’t really participate on Facebook. (Lovingly/Sarcastically of course) Not your everyday “Great Aunt” sort of experience, but it was awesome. Plus she’s SUPER funny and reads our blog, what’s not to like?

This trip was right on the heels of a double-wedding weekend, which really made it brutal, but it was such a worthwhile experience. We take pictures of other people’s family, friends and cherished memories but it’s such a different thing to take photos of your own family. There’s a meaning and a connection that just can’t be had taking photos of anything else, at least for me. It was a great reminder not to get so caught up in frantic mayhem of life that I miss the things I’m living and working for. With Mt. Post Production and the Valley of a Gazillion weddings before me right now, it was a very welcome distraction.

“I’m still here!” was his motto for turning 80.

So apparently my Grandpa has started making these awesome canes, one of which he was showing me here.

I said, “one more with just the hot guys.” I think the idea of this photo was lost on him, which kinda makes me like it more. I love the, “What the heck are you doing” look on his face.

Family peoples: Contact me via e-mail or facebook for more photos and downloads.