Robert Holley Photography

Max’s basketball team made it to the championship game but fell short.  He had a great season and made All Stars.  I think basketball is turning into his favorite sport.

I visited my brother and his family last week in Connecticut and had the chance to see my niece play basketball.   I was very impressed with her hustle and her team’s overall play.  They work very well together and pass the ball like the Globetrotters.  It was so much fun to see her play, I wish I did not live so far away!

I spent an afternoon with the Thomas family exploring their neighborhood.  N & Z were happy to show me the stream they love to explore.  Mom and Dad transported the boys in their red wagon.  We had a great time and got some fantastic shots.

I shot Michelle and Kevin’s wedding in the fall of ’08 and I was honored when they asked me to shoot their newborn daughter, Leighton.  Kevin decided that a mom and baby photo shoot would make the perfect Mothers Day gift.  I could not agree more!  Enjoy.

Max is playing on a travel baseball team called the Sterling Xplosion.  It is a great group of players and as of this writing they are 10-1 this season.  Go X!

Max is playing football this fall and his team, The Cougars are 4-1 so far.  In his second year on the team Max was named defensive captain.  He snaps the ball on offense, handles the kickoffs and plays linebacker on defense.  The black and white shot is with his best buddy Wyatt.

Christina and I got away a few weeks ago and visited  Ed and Angela in Asheville, North Carolina.  Ed is one of my oldest and dearest friends, having known him for nearly forty years.  He and Angela moved to Asheville a while ago and we have been wanting to visit them for a while.  Its too bad they do not live closer as Christina and Angela hit it off like two long lost sisters.

Asheville is a fantastic town.  Set in mountains of Western North Carolina, it features a funky and eclectic downtown full of art galleries and unique restaurants.  Christina and I spent hours wandering from shop to shop taking in the scene.

We also spent a day at the Biltmore estate.  The largest home in the United States, this palace was built in the late 1890’s by George Vanderbilt.  The photos below do not due it justice as it is a majestic castle set on amazing gardens.  One picture shows Christina  relaxing on a deck, and the next the mountain view.  Simply amazing.  The Biltmore is a must see while visiting Asheville.

On our drive back home we stayed over night in Charlottesville, VA.  Home to the University of Virginia, it has a downtown area about 5 blocks long blocked off to traffic.  We spent a warm summer evening strolling along in search of a spot to eat.  We picked Himalayan Fusion and sat outside not knowing what to expect.  Oh my!  The food was out of this world.  Operated by a family of émigrés from Nepal, this casual bistro serves a mix of spicy cuisine’s from the Himalayans.   We loved it!

P.S.  Sorry about the photo quality.  They were all shot with my Iphone, except for the first two of Ed and Angela.

Tommy Trouble hooked us up with some AMAZING seats to see the Amazing’s play the Nationals.  MB, JA, Tom and I were sitting in the second row directly behind home plate!!  We could call balls and strikes for the ump.  If you closed your eyes you could tell if the batter got a hit just by the sound of the bat.  The Nats got a homer from the Donkey, Adam Dunn and beat the Mets easily.  Now that they have signed their first round draft choice, Strasburg, things are looking up.  I absolutely love the new Nationals Stadium.   They created a wonderful combination of old school stylings with a beautiful modern facility.

Jack and Max were on the Astros together this season.  Jack made AAA All Stars and Max made District All Stars.  Christina and I did not miss any games and we loved watching them play together.

Jack's pitching style is similar to Greg Madux.

Max about to smack one

Max attempting to steal 3rd as his buddy Will applies the tag

They both look to the ump for a call as the ball pops out of Will's glove

Max adjusting the lid

Jack gets props from Coach after ripping a single

Max always has fun....

Jack at Shortstop

Max has been asked to play on a “travel” baseball team.  This is a great honor bestowed on only a handful from his entire Little League.  The level of play is much higher, but so is the pressure.  The boys are asked to work a little harder and take everything more seriously.  So far he seems to be having a great time.

Looking good in the new uniform

Max's pitching style is a combination of Tim Lincecum and Juan Marichal

Maybe some Ichiro influence?

Crushed that one!

Bringing the heat.