Please contact me if you want to take part in this fundraiser for my beautiful friend and her amazing son.  More information on Fischer’s Wishes can be found on facebook @FISCHER’S WISHES…

One of my most favorite people in the world just got diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer… and it was just over a week after her husband was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer.  Yes.  You read it right.  Horrible, horrible news.   Most of us can’t imagine what they are going through…

If you follow my blog you probably remember when I photographed them last year while I was visiting in New York… a beautiful, happy, energetic couple with a sweet baby girl.  Sadie is now 18 months (remember how crazy that age is–even when you are feeling healthy!?) and Elisa & Nathan are both going through chemotherapy right now at the same time.  They have a long, long road ahead of them… but not alone.   There are so many people offering to help– with so many different things you wouldn’t even believe it.

Please, please take some time to read Elisa’s family blog… she started it to post updates about their life with Sadie… and never dreamed it would turn into something else. She is (and always has been) one of the best writers I know— her emails always make me laugh, her phone calls always make me laugh so hard I cry and somehow her blog still has a touch of humor even though they are facing something incomprehensible.

http://familybondingtime.blogspot.com/

We have also set up a website and fund.  Please explore and decide if you can help.

www.friendsofelisaandnathan.com

Also, please become a fan of their page on facebook to help spread the word…. and then forward it on to all of your friends or publish on your own wall.  I’m setting up a twitter account too… for anyone on twitter.

Elisa & Nathan:  SO many prayers and happy thoughts are heading your way.   Everyone seems to want to help you.  Even people who don’t know you.  They don’t know your heart or your smile or your past… they don’t know how amazing you both are.  What amazing friends, amazing parents and amazing human beings… but we all are going to get you through this.  All of us.  Your “core” group of girls would do anything for you (as I’m sure you’ve seen the past few weeks)… and we will continue to do this for as long as it takes.  I love you.

Here are a few pics from their session… and two of our group that I just love:

The photo session was just a few hours one day… we had the rest of the weekend to just hang out and be kid-free…. New York with two locals is pretty darn fun!  Especially the slumber party in the hotel!

We’ve all known each other since we were 18… Love you all!

THIS MAY TAKE A LONG TIME TO LOAD!!!!

This is the 3rd annual “Best of” contest… and I hope it is as popular as it has been in the past!!!  I have changed the rules up again this time… so pay attention!  :)

Photos will be NUMBERED…. please vote with the photo NUMBER only ONCE per day (and if you want to add why it is your favorite I will give you another point!)….

WAYS TO VOTE:

You can vote via my blog under the COMMENTS section for THIS POST and ALSO on facebook.  Become a fan of “Betsy Marie Photography” and you can vote under the post listing the contest as well!  Here is the link if you are not already a fan: FACEBOOK

Here is what the winners will win:

FIRST PLACE:

FULL session anytime in 2011.  The rights to ALL photographs.  Yes…. that’s what I said.  THE RIGHTS.  As in… the CD.  I’ve never, ever done this before… but it is something that will be available in 2011.  This FREE session will include the new “creative” package of Betsy Marie Photography (which is launching next month!)…. stay tuned for details on that!

VALUE:  $1200

SECOND PLACE:

16X20 of your winning photo (or another one if you already have a large one of this one)

VALUE: $250

THIRD PLACE:

11X14 of your winning photo (or another one if you prefer!)

VALUE: $200

CONTEST ENDS on SUNDAY, January 2nd at midnight. Winner will be announced sometime that week.

Obviously, the 1st place prize is worth whatever it takes to get the win.  And even though in the past I awarded more than one person with the 1st place price when it was close– that won’t be the case this year!  Good luck!!!!!!

Ok… here come the photos!!!  If your child is not below, it does not mean I do not think he/she is adorable!  I do… I love all my clients equally!   All family members and people I consider family members are not eligible to participate, so don’t even bother looking for your pics!  :)

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This little sweetie is just over two weeks old.  She wasn’t so sleepy, but luckily she was VERY content… only cried out a few times.  How adorable is she?  Trying to get a shot of her with her older (but still very young) brother was challenging, but I love what we captured.  It was true life… and that’s what I love about photography!

PS… E’s Mommy was looking for some black and white photos to go near the B&W of their son… so I converted a ton to B&W… hope you love them, Kelly!

ENJOY: