ter vruggink

somewhere along the way I grew up...

it is time to tell you all that I have opened a NEW website (with a new blog)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have poured my heart out to this typepad site for over 3 years, and will miss it, but I am ready and very, very excited! From this day on you can find me at:

www.terrivruggink.com

Come on over and start with my first two posts, new baby Bella, and the Francisco family...

Many heartfelt thanks to my friend/photo partner Dan Socie Creative, for the building and training sessions that the new site required, and the excellent conversation and coffee/art at the Polski. :-) You're the greatest!

 

city chickens

I am struggling for the words here, in a good way! Ordinarily it is dificult to comment on a family's relationships, as they can be so complex- but when they are as tight knit and in-tune to eachother as these guys are, I can just simply say the love is plain to see. The Fox family is on target across the board, from the way they spend their days to what they teach their son and daughter about life. The only decision that leaves me a bit miffed is that they are living in Michigan by choice. Really? Give up that California weather? well, ok guys, if you say so...  ;-) Mom is a librarian and Dad is a journalism professor, so there's a fair amount of good reading going on, but in addition there is the raising of fresh food, entertainment of friends & famliy, and a good dose of old fashioned just playing around together. I love being at their home. Truly this was one of those times I wished I had brought a video camera in addition to my camera! Maybe we'll do that next year guys.  :-)

  

 

 

This next one gives me *chills*, I heart it so much...

  

 

 


 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 
  

 

what i do for fun...

Left to my own devices I will drag a man out of bed (at noon, just sayin') and take him and his coffee (ice added) and his fun shoe selection, downtown for a couple hours just to see what happens. Thanks Joey, you were captivating:

 

 

 

I love this:
 
 
 
  
  

Even models need a nutrition break:

you all know you want to go out to lunch with me now :-)

 

ok and now just for fun, the outtakes! Yeah this is him cracking up after he inadvertantly implied I am old enough to be his Mother. Which, for the record, is COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE. Just wanted to make that CLEAR. :-}

completely impossible. Just because I *might* be turning the corner on a certain decade this year does not mean I could be everyone's Mom! too funny! Enjoy the pics Joey.
 
 
 

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

and now for the long awaited baby Vivi

I knew I liked Rachel the moment I met her. I like her attitude, I like her style, I like her thoughts on life, I like her realism and I especially enjoy watching how she deals with her kids. Not to mention I could listen to her talk all day. It has got to be an adjustment to live in West Michigan when coming from New York, but let me tell you these guys did it with grace and aplomb. Baby Davita joined Tali and Zev in the family this summer and I was privileged enough to take her photos while Grandma and Grandpa were visiting. It was a rainy day and some certain small boy was not at all hip to the plan of photography but we squeezed some good snaps out of him regardless. :-) I look at baby Vivi now and can't believe how much she's changed already. Enjoy the photos guys, but more importantly enjoy the baby- it doesn't last long!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

yeah we knocked it out of the ballpark

just take a look! And Kat- tell your Mom I'm so glad she called me :-)

So imagine you are graduating and you are thinking of being an artist and during your senior photo session up walks internationally known artist Paul Collins . That kind of stuff doesn't really happen does it? well.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

bad bad (read~ crazy busy) blogger

ok really it's not that I don't LOVE the blogging world, and my readers, and I miss you guys, thanks for the e-mails! what it is- is this girl has been *busy*. Is that lame enough for you?  :-) so let's get up to speed! The Senior rush to get yearbook photos in now complete. whew. I have several amazing sessions to share soon. This is my craziest time of year for sure. Also my new website is very nearly ready, that's my new baby. Working with my right hand photography man, my partner in crime Dan Socie to get that going. Also I'm having a small show at the Starbucks in East Grand Rapids this month, so that kept me working. Stop on by for a Java every week- I'm switching out the photos every 7 days just to keep it interesting. Then I had this great article in  The Grand Rapids Press  that I was interviewed and photographed for! I know right! You have to know that business writer Chris Knape  is one rocking cool guy. And I really dig the photographer they sent to photograph me. Thanks Emily!  I never did get to mention the fun I had last Spring working to document an Art Show at Meijer Gardens either. You can read about that here. There were some wonderful artists that came out for the kids there, including Michele Haan, Betsy Ratzsch, Holly Goulet, Mary Reusch and Whitney Vydareny. That, combined with 2 of my photos being chosen for Festival of the Arts this year- set the stage for a fun summer. I also have a proper post of the beautiful baby Davita coming up next, and her lovely and *patient* Mom Rachel deserves a shout out from me- she's the best. I have had a host of beautiful loving families to work with this Fall and I feel very blessed to be allowed to capture their relationships in photos. In short, I feel blessed.

On the home front it has been an amazing Fall! Sawyer started first grade!!! Wait- you don't think that's a big deal? Then you haven't been home with a small person for 22 consecutive years like I have! Every time one of our babies got to kindergarten- we had another. Just to keep me busy :-) I know I was teaching for several years in there but my point is we no longer have a baby in the house. IT IS SO STRANGE. I am learning things like what I like for lunch. (did you know there are other options besides mac&cheese and pb&j crusts?) And I'm getting used to*quiet*. Chloe is gone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days for swimming and in her free time started a Habitat for Humanity club at her school. She never ceases to amaze us. Cade is rocking the 5th grade, and has had a bumpy start- but keeps us on our toes with his commentary. You all know the Cadeisms. And then there's Mik- he graduated from basic training in the special warfare unit for the US NAVY North of Chicago. So yes now I'm a military Mom. Who knew? And that- you need to see photos of. It was nothing short of amazing and we are very proud of him. 

Before and after boot camp :-)
 

And finally he sleeps. On his girlfriend Sarah's lap. I think it was a long 8 weeks. :-)

 
 
  
 

 

all together now

my new little friend Sophie {read- adorable, bright, and sure of herself} was not all that interested in having her photo taken. Ok she really didn't want anything to do with it. :-) But I have a few tricks up my sleeve and so do her parents, and you will love what you see out of her here! Her little brother Ari is one of the most *satisfying* babies I've seen in a while, I couldn't take a bad photo of him if I tried. These little ones are also lucky in that their Grandparents- Minne and Poppy Joe- live just a few houses down the street from them. What a great set-up to raise the kids in! Warning- long post, lots of great snaps for a sneak peek. Enjoy...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

kelsey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

I know right? Isn't she just *lovely*!? And smart and funny. Enjoy the sneak peek Kelsey, you were great!

a little shout out

 to my new friend and photographer, Keith (and the lovely Elane) for unwittingly letting me borrow his camera at Founders Fest (Founders,incidently, makes the BEST beer around these parts) - when I left my camera home! (bad photographer! bad photographer!) It's a little tricky shooting with someone else's camera, but we had a good time getting some fun shots of local band Red Frog who were doing some serious drumming out on the deck right next to us. And then Keith delivered the shots to me, even though before that event we had never even met! Just one thing to say here- fellow photographers rock! :-)

 

jump eric jump

          

so I first met this adorable little gentleman when he walked into the Montessori extended day (kindergarten) classroom in which I was teaching, um, a *few* years ago. :-) We had a great time cathcing up and running around downtown. He's an avid skateboarder so keeping him jumping was not an issue- he has plenty of energy, as I think these photos reflect! Eric is the 3rd of 4 awesome children, so we were lucky to find the giant 3. Ok, I admit I knew it was there. I might photograph exclusively at this locale from now on, it was such fun and has such great light. It was great working with you Eric! enjoy life :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

beautiful boys

 

man are these guys ever blessed! happy and healthy and obviously thriving in the care of their very much-into-them loving parents. We had a great time at their session, even with working around napping and feeding and how to photograph two little guys who are happiest flat on their backs. I am happy to report that the attacks of the cow (on Carter) and sheep (on Owen) were well received. Brandon and Brenda- you guys are doing a fantastic job, keep it up, and enjoy the sneak peek. :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

a day with my girls

Chloe, Sawyer and I spent last Saturday having a *girls only* day- haircuts, Marie Catrib's for lunch, a little LOCAL shopping, the farmers market and best of all- Sawyer got her ears pierced! I cannot tell you how much fun it is to be a Mom to these ladies, they are wonderful additions to my life, and to eachother. They are 10 years apart in age but still very close- sometimes it amazes me. Chloe has a way with children anyway but we all know when only Sawyer's "sis" will suffice for her. At 16 and 6 they turn a few heads when they go out and Chloe has been asked about her "daughter" more than once. I always thought that was weird- isn't it obvious they're sisters? and then I saw these photos and went "oh. wow." I think looking at them I might have thought Mother/daughter too! Uh oh. Where does that leave me??? :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

summertime...

On this particular afternoon I told Sawyer to "go outside and find something to do". In the future I will try to be a *little* more specific... ;-)

 

 

 

 

can't stop the movement

want to talk about women? and girls? and two Moms who knew what the right thing was for their daughters, and how it turned out to be the right thing for hundreds of other girls as well? Well then you need to go HERE and talk to Beth and Leslie about their journey of opening a dance studio when they weren't even dancers! :-) We have a fun project in the works, and here's a bit of a teaser:

 

 

it's the simple things in life

 These guys warm my heart.

 

 

 

 

Also I think we turned another corner. "6" and "10" sound so big somehow...

my girl is at it again

I found these after Chloe was playing in my family photo files and with my photoshop... she has the eye, that's for sure.

 

sawyer has big news

 

well~ have a good day!

That was a long awkward silence wasn't it? :-) I had a Kronos type debate with blogging and for the past several weeks the spirit just has not moved me. Do not worry, I am back to myself now and it will all be good! Where have I been you ask? ~ let me show you instead some of what I've seen while I've been living. I took a good mind clearing walk last Friday and happened upon this:

 

It reads "HAVE A GOOD DAY" Have you ever run into something like this??? Made my day. Just on some random corner. Just happened into it. Just happened to have a camera with me! I stood there and stared for a few minutes, surprises me that someone took the time to do that! Just way too cool.

 

I also was moved recently by this messenger bag:

 

and then there are the Angels in disguise. I don't do this work (not that good) but I'm starting to hear stories from my man. The volunteers in this country make the difference people! 

 

and some good people just living their lives, at a concert recently:

 

 

 

 

have a good day :-)

Happy New Year :-)

My way awesome friend Stephanie over at 2peas1pod.com whipped up my fam's cards this year when I was burned out, stressed out, and just plain DONE. Thanks girl- you do such great work: detailed, precise, and quick. Plus- it's fun working with you. :-)

Mikhail (21) holding Sawyer (5), Chloe (15 at the time), and Cade (9). Click the image for a larger version to pop up.

 

 

I was asked several times if these photos were in Alaska  (Alaska, Alaska) during our June trip- but they were actually taken in Houghton, MI at an abandoned copper mine up the hill from Mikhail's college. You can't beat the beautiful, beautiful UP for this stuff!  Took these photos on the same trip. And some outtakes:

 

 

 

close call

 December turned out to be one of the longest months I can remember. I didn't realize how worn out I was from it all until it was over. I had not one, but two, cancer scares back to back. They overshadowed everything. We had wonderful friends in town and family parties and the joyful faces of our children but I am sorry to say, I wasn't entirely present this year. I didn't help with the tree, couldn't sleep, kept forgetting things, and I know, I know- didn't blog much. :-) I had just a couple close family and friends that I relied on to keep me going that was as far as I could take it at the time. There is nothing like looking at your own mortality to clear life up for you, and people, I have checked back in! On the very day the last test came back with the all clear! stamp, and I was once again breathing deeply, the video posted below appeared in my mailbox from my friend Noonie. And then I wept. I did. wept. (and thank you girl- you hit the nail on the head again)  I want you all to watch it, but especially my own "life support staff" ~all of you that share some part of life with me :-) ~ you know who you are and I couldn't, wouldn't and won't do this life without you.  

sweetest thing

  This little guy stole my heart. He has the sweetest personality, and is very clearly, to me at least,  quite bright. He loves to read, and read, and read and will repeat the books verbatim. You all know I read quite a bit and have been around a lot of children, so take my word for it here! This is going to be a short post however, because his beautiful, dynamic, animated Momma has refused me permission to post any photos containing her! And she was a model. People- we have got to learn to be easier on ourselves! Trust me I am plenty flawed, and I need you all to know there is still much beauty in all our normalness. Little Mr. Cole:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Cade's holiday opinion

ok so this morning Todd was off doing ski patrol and the kids and I were running around the house getting ready for the holidays. As I carried a box of ornaments through the living room Cade walked by with a Santa hat on, completely in his own Santa world, practicing his best Santa voice, and I heard:

"Ho Ho Ho. Ho Ho Ho. Ho Ho Ho...   man I gotta find a new catch phrase..."

*happy birthday beautiful girl!*

 

you are a joy and we are blessed to have you in our lives! :)