Day 14 of documenting the life of my family over the month of January. Stay tuned for a picture a day of my family just being themselves.

Captured as we visited Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour.

The story – This morning I cast my eyes upon my children and decided their hair-do’s were starting to resemble that of a sheepdog, so we headed into the barbers (or the ‘hair-cut shop’) as the boys refer to it. Usually they go with their dad when he can get away for a while on a Saturday morning, but on their last visit they were closed for the Christmas period. So, mummy did the job today. They are perfect little angels most of the time, and today was no different. They sat so nicely on the chairs, and relished in the whole experience. I think there are a few highlights of a trip to the ‘hair-cut shop’. 1. Looking and smiling at themselves in the mirrors. 2. Choosing a lolly-pop at the end. 3. The post hair-cut visit to Pa’s butcher shop across the road.

After that mini adventure we embarked on a trip to ‘Annies Icecream Parlour’ or the ‘ice-cream shop’ as the boys refer to it. For Bathurst locals, this place is an institution. I was determined I would take the boys there for our photo a day challenge because it reminds me of when I was a kid. This pink-laden ice-cream parlour brings back so many memories. Family outings on the weekends, primary school birthday parties, and after-school treats. It reminds me of the street races that were held out the front during the V8 races (when James Hardie was the sponsor). For those who don’t remember, or aren’t from around these parts it wasn’t a CAR race as such. Participants had to form a team and create a vehicle (out of cardboard, or milk crates, or whatever other strange items took your fancy) and jump inside it and RUN like THUNDER down the street. It was SO much fun, and our family entered some interesting vehicles over the years.

But…. my favourite ever Annie’s memory was when my little sister (now 22) was born premmie and her and mum were in Sydney hospitals for yonks. Dad took us there for dinner – yes, dinner. Yes, ice-cream was our main course. (Hahaha, good on you dad!). God, I thought that was the best dinner i’d ever eaten in my life!!!! I remember giggling deliriously, wondering what mum would think!

So, here is day 14. Dusty enjoyed his lovely mint choc flavour, while Beau licked on a bubblegum icecream. Me – well, I indulged in a sofala gold sundae with cream, nuts and a cherry on top and Nan joined us and sipped on an iced coffee. Talk about a nice morning snack!

{ All Session Fees for Feb/March 09 to be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal }

At the moment, it is hard to watch the news or read the newspapers. The stories that have been emerging about our fellow Australians are heartbreaking, and even the triumphant survival stories do little to numb the shock and pain we feel.

This big beautiful land of ours is currently gripped by horrific bushfires in one State and and major flooding in another.

Perhaps it would be easier to understand if the bushfires all started naturally. Unfortunately, some half-brained idiots appear to be the major cause of what our Policiticans have labelled ‘Mass Murder’. The death-toll is currently 181, but is expected to reach 300 as our authorities search the towns. Over 700 homes have been burnt leaving families with little to no tangiable evidence they were ever there. Their family history and their photographs have been wiped out in an instant, and I have no idea how the people directly affected by this terrible ordeal will have the strength to move on and rebuild their lives, families and their emotions. My heart goes out to them.

There is little I can do to help to ease the pain for those directly and indirectly involved in this turn of events, however a  gorgeous friend and Newcastle photographer, Kris Leigh, has decided to donate her session fee for Feb/March to the bushfire appeal. This has prompted myself and some other photographers from around Australia to do the same.

So, for those who book a session with Jennifer Stocks Photography during Feb and March, please contact me to book a date and time for your session. I will then ask you to visit the Australian Red Cross Website and go to the secure online donation form and donate your $150 session fee. Then just slip me an email with your  receipt! It’s really simple, but hopefully together we can make a small difference.

I must post a picture  – so here is a shot of my beautiful boys, who show me the value of love and family everday. I am lucky  – we are all lucky to be happy and safe and together.

It is the end of the old, start of the new! I am referring to my new blog of course! I say a big goodbye to the midget sized images from my last blog, and hello to lovely big photos.

This is my first post, and just the first of many to come. So, welcome to my new blog. It is kind of a photo journal, kind of a way to communicate with clients as a group, as well as being a way of letting everyone know what is happening in the world of Jennifer Stocks Photography. Watch this space!