A Chill in the Air
This year, just after Thanksgiving, everything seemed to shift to winter. The fall-like breezes and somewhat unseasonable sunny days in the 60s seem to have disappeared with the turkey and pecan pie. Instead, the wind is brisk and cold, the skies have leaned into grays, and it's time for searching the back of the closet for winter coats and mittens. One family braved the chill with me at Reservoir Park in Ashburn, VA. This is one of the newest parks, a partnership between Loudoun Water and NOVA Parks - and it's really quite picturesque. Seated along Beaverdam Reservoir, a welcome center, benches, paths, and a pier (with water access) give a lovely view of the water and tree line. The Frye family and I met in the parking lot the weekend after Thanksgiving, puffy coats in tow, to capture some family memories.
As with many this season (and maybe every year), the annual holiday photo seems to have gone to the bottom of the list. Halloween came and went, and Thanksgiving was upon us all too soon. With that in mind, I wanted to help get those holiday cards done alongside an update to the family photo for Kathy and her family. The kids were such troopers, running back and forth along the paths and rocks near the waterfront as we posed and moved locations. Coats went on and came off, but they had smiles the whole time!
We chatted about the holidays, about how this year held lots of challenges for their family, and about the daily ins and outs with kids. Life is so full and busy, and I give kudos to those who keep pushing through and managing the days as they come. I took some family photos in a few different spots, and once we moved back up away from the water, a few more of mom with the kiddos and some of dad with them, too. I also snuck in some of just the parents - a pose often declined, but this time requested (yes!) - together.
Once the kids had reached the end of their tolerance with the wind and temperature, that was the end. I really couldn't blame them - it was cold! I hope these photos are only a small snapshot of memories for you all as you enter into the holiday season. I hope to connect again in the coming months!
