FINALE

THE LAST PHOTO SHOOT

Well, it's finally here, our last post.  It's been a year of fun

and frustration.  The idea of sharing my family's  Forest Park

Christmas came to me several years ago.  When Santa came back

into my life, I knew the time was right.

In the beginning, it was about the crazy things Santa would be

exposed to if he was around all year.  I dragged him everywhere.

Eventually, he was too heavy for me to handle alone and I was

afraid he would be damaged.

My cousin Randolyn came to the rescue.  She made it possible

for ME AND SANTA to travel.  She gave me lessons in 

photoshop and taught me everything I know.  I'm still learning.

She's  always been my "go to girl".  Could not have done it

without her.

The other reason for this blog was to introduce you to the Embreys

of the Forest Park Christmas House and the urban legends and

stories behind the scenes.  I wanted everyone to know that it was

as special for us as it was for all of you.  All of this makes me feel

as though Mama and Daddy are still with me.  It was Daddy's

vision and Mamas photographs that I visited every week.

Mama and Daddy

The Stork Club, New York City

I was also lucky to have a ghost writer.  I was all over the place

with my stories and needed someone to reign it in.  Next to my

family, no one knows me better.  Taisha was able to make sense

of my ramblings and edit, edit, edit...  We also worked together 

on staging and creating our photo shoots.  Our last shoot for our

last post was yesterday.

THE LAST SHOOT...

 December 15th, 2013 was my wedding anniversary.

The blog was ending in two weeks.  I always thought about

getting one, but have always been afraid of needles.  Funny

how the holiday season and a trip to Best Buy will make you

throw caution to the wind.  Yup, I did it.  

I am not a model...

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and joined us on our 

journey.  Thank you for your kind words and support.

It's been a long ride but well worth the trip.

I wish for everyone good health, happiness, and the wealth

of memories past, present, and the future to come.

BONUS...

PS  Daddy is Santa and I'm the elf on the left.

That was then...

This is now... Same elf suit.

Mahalo

Mele Kalikimaka

CLAUDIA MAKAIKE

formerly

CLAUDIA DENISE EMBREY

2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAUOLI  MAKAHIKI  HOU

OUR CHRISTMAS-THEN AND NOW

CHRISTMAS EVE

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

We know if you've been sleeping

We know if your awake

We know if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake...

From our family to yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2013

ME, JAY, AND RICHES

HO HO HO

Every Friday after Thanksgiving, Mama would take me and 

Jay to Riches downtown.  It was always a special day for us. 

Actually, it wasn't special until we got there.  We would have

to get up really early so that we could find parking and beat 

the crowd.  Once we got there, we'd go straight to Santa for 

photos.  Lunch and lots of shopping followed.

Mama would leave us in the toy department while she

shopped.  We'd get to pick out what we wanted, and in 

those days, Riches would deliver all your purchases.  We'd 

also get new winter clothes.   

We would be there most of the day, but was sure to leave

by 3:00 pm, to beat the traffic.  Of course, the day would

not be complete without the roof top ride of Riches famous

Pink Pig.

At first, it was just Mama and me.  She started me young

with the Riches Santa Photos.  Most kids cried  when they

sat in his lap.  Not me, I have always  loved Santa.  When 

Jay came along, he did his first alone.  After that year, we

did doubles.  That is, until I thought I was too old for Santa.

Who knew he would come back into my life so many years

later.   

Mama kept every photo from Riches in an album.  

Thanks Mama for the memories.

That was then...

This is now...  with our very own Santa

2013

PS   Riches has always had a special place in my heart.

So many memories, so many goodies.  One of my favorite

memories is of a London Fog Coat, the color of lime sherbet.  

Nannie bought it for me for high school graduation.

I loved it...

GALLERY

PHOTO PHAVORITES

As you already know, I'm having to really dig to find

anything that remotely represents  a career in photography.

Albums, anything saved on my computer, and lots of 

scanning of things on my wall.  These are not the best,

but the best isn't always your favorite.

Rachel... Red hair, deep tan, tiny waist, in the most 

beautiful white gown.  Success...

The only spectator at a high school soccer game

Local girl, Makaha Beach, Hawaii

Coco

Pit stop on the way to Biltmore House

They met at a bowling alley, and was leaving the next day to

compete in a tournament in Vegas.  They said, "I do", kissed,

and rolled two strikes.

Three brothers,  Waimea, Hawaii

Lawyers, Buckhead, Atlanta

Local girl, Colorado

Champagne Cocktails,  Bank Grand  Opening

Wedding, Mormon Temple, Laie, Hawaii

Rose, Aunt Nelle's yard, Montebello, CA

Wyland, Oceanic Muralist

I also did a shot of him painting this, with several

people holding my legs, while I hung over the side

of the top of this building.

Hood ornament, Mama's Jaguar

Not so much my favorite, but the most erotic and

interesting.  This is all I could show without being

busted.  No pun intended.

This is a real groom and his groomsmen,

Monte Vista, CO

I'm not making this up.  This cat was found with his tongue

stuck to a frozen pole.  They took him to a vet, cut off his 

tongue,  and has lived in this gift shop ever since.

Creede, CO.

Above and below.  A real cigarette and real guns.

 Wedding, Perry, GA.

Waianae Coast, HI

James, my great nephew, Newnan, GA.

Beach bash cooler, Kailua, HI.

My two girls, the day they were chosen.

Winder, GA.

Off to find their future... Stockbridge, GA.

Looking at their future...

A ranch, Monte Vista, CO.

2013

PS  I'll keep digging...