Gary Gionet

A few weeks ago, we had a small fire at the back of our home. Isabelle became frightened of firefighters after seeing a crew show up in all of their protective gear. Capt. Anderson and the guys from Garden Grove Fire Station 6 took time out of their busy schedule to make a special visit to Isabelle. Isabelle received all kinds of goodies, including her new companion "Cliffiord." She got to ride in the fire truck and to see the crew in their protective gear. Isabelle is no longer frightened of the "firemen," and everytime she hears a siren, she says, "there goes the firemen." The kind gestures of Capt. Anderson, Mark Weiss and Steve Fellner from Fire Station 6 displays the true spirit of the best fire department around - GGFD!!! Be safe guys. CLICK HERE to see the web album of photos from Isabelle's meeting the GGFD.

Capt. Anderson delivering "Clifford" the red dog to Isabelle. She carries her companion everywhere she goes! This crew went above and beyond for our little granddaughter. What a great group of guys! Thank you!!!

Yes, I am alive. The studio has been so busy that I have found little time for posting to this blog. I apologize to those of you who kept checking back only to find the same old Christmas pictures. March 7 - March 17, I was very fortunate to be able to travel to Central America. It was a semi-working trip, as I shot a wedding while there. We stayed mostly in El Salvador, however, we did find time to travel to Honduras and Guatemala. I traveled with some good friends Mark & Mary, and with Kimy too (Kyle's girlfriend). Everyone was so gracious and accommodating. This was a life changing trip, and I hope to be able to post my thoughts on that soon. This shot was taken from a beach resort on the coast of El Salvador. It was sunset, so the lighting was perfect. I have almost 800 photos posted in a web album on my web site. Many are family shots, but there are some of the local people, volcanoes, police officers, fire equipment, markets, and a school, etc. Click Here to se...

Before leaving El Salvador, we stopped in Los Pilas, a small town near the border of Honduras. Driving high into the mountain region, we found a small farm. For $2.00 a small boy guided us over a river and to the top of a hill, where the border of El Salvador and Honduras is marked by a monument. We briefly walked into Honduras, and then quickly retreated to our vehicles.

We stayed the night in Copan, Honduras where we visted the Copan Maya Ruins. We spent about three hours with an excellent tour guide, and followed up with a trip to the museum. The slendor of Copan spans from 426 to 820 A.D. Copan is the most beautiful Maya city, once compared to Athens. According to archeologists, at its apogee, there were more than 3,400 buildings and a population reaching 30,000 inhabitants.

Our stop in Guatemala was to visit this wonderful church featuring Guatemala's Black Christ (El Cristo Negro de Esquipulas). The Cristo Negro, is a 410-year-old statue housed in the Basilica of Esquipulas in this town of the same name. The term "Black Christ" refers to black stone used to create the statue. Worshippers are funneled by railing to the front of the statue (enclosed in glass) where they have the opportunity to pray. Worshippers then leave by walking backwards out of the church, never turning their back to the statue.

Merry Christmas to all my web blog readers! Isabelle awoke at 7:30 AM and upon her discovering the tree surrounded with presents, she made the rounds waking the rest of the family. We had a great morning enjoying our time together. We are so blessed to have a little one in the home. Merry Christmas from Gary, Kelly, Kyle, Stephanie, Hippie & Isabelle

"I love my new teddy bear!" To view all of the photos from today, please visit my web site at www.garysphotographs.com select "Galleries" and then "Family". You will need to enter the family password. Send me an email if you need the password.

Today, we drove through the Temecula wine country and ended up at Lake Skinner. Just past the entrance to the park is a historical site. This is a photo of the 1890's Alamos School House. Unfortuantely, the facility was closed for renovations, but we had some great opportunities for some outside photography.

The bridge leading to the Alamos School House

A variety of old farm equipment can be found around the Whittier House near the Lake Skinner Park Administration offices.

This is a view of the lower camping areas at Vail Lake Resort. Lots of color for sure.

It's Sunday, and we are at the end of our day. While enjoying our dinner outside the trailer, this hawk came down about 50 yards away. He brought his own food and dined with us. I think, but don't hold me to this, he got the gopher that "Fred" the coyote has been trying to bag the past few days! Click on any image to view a large version. Use your browser's BACK button to return to this page.

We end this trip with our last campfire. It's been fun, but tomorrow we are back to the old homestead.

Saturday at Vail Lake was filled with a great deal of doing nothing (including photography). Kelly and I sat around watching the birds and catching up on our reading. Once again "Frank," as we have come to call our little coyote mascot, showed up in the grass clearing outside our trailer. He tried to catch that elusive gopher, no luck again today. We ate a late lunch, and then sat around the fire warming ourselves. What a beautiful day! Now we are off to the trailer for movie night. Tonight is "Flywheel" and some other Hallmark movie. Goodnight.

Friday, we arrived at Vail Lake Resort for the beginning of our 3-day weekend of rest and relaxation. So far, this resort has proven to be as beautiful and peaceful as we have been told. NO WORK, no phones, and no television, well, some TV is on the agenda as we watch our traditional holiday movies. Right now, we are watching "Bells Of St. Mary." Currently, it's in the low 30's, so a little hot cocoa is in order. More photos to follow.

While setting up camp, this coyote appeared in the clearing. It was an interesting site watching him trying to get at a gopher. After a few unsuccessful attempts he wandered off back into the oak grove.

Our kids all grown up! As expected, Kyle and Stephanie could not resist goofing off in front of the camera. Way to make Dad look good. :)

Kim and her family stopped by the studio for their annual Christmas portraits. Kyle just arrived home from work, so he was thrown in the mix.

It's that time when we pick a photo for our Christmas cards, and so Isabelle, Santa's newest little helper, offered to be our "very cold" little model. Thank you Princess! Love, Papa