Shannon Montez Photography Blog » San Jose's Family and Child Photographer, Shannon Montez, captures all aspects of family life: Families, newborns, children, babies, high school seniors, and weddings.

Thanks for your prayers.

Teddy is doing well. The surgery went as well as can possibly be expected. They were able to remove the entire tumor, and the doctor is confident that it’s benign (lab tests will confirm, but it takes a couple weeks). He was able to come home on Sunday after only a few days in the hospital. He had a rough couple of days because the anitbiotic they gave him made him sick and loopy, but once they figured that out, he did great. He’s sore, but so happy to be home. His parents are relieved and happy to have that experience behind them!

(a word about the image: it’s not mine. I found it online months ago, and didn’t save the location. I’m sorry! But I really love how it feels… reverent)

A couple weeks ago, our local firefighters came to the neighborhood to wish Teddy good luck with his upcoming surgery.

The brought him a hat, a toy firetruck, and a t-shirt. We were all delighted with their generosity, but didn’t expect more. But these guys went way above and beyond a simple little visit.

They took him for a ride in the truck. They brought three trucks! If I was paying better attention, I could tell you which ones… a ladder, an engine, and a small one, not sure what it was called.

They even let him drive it.

Just kidding. That would be stupid.

But they did let him raise the ladder.

Sophie and Franklin went up while he raised the ladder too… they felt like rockstars.

They showed all the kids how everything works, all the gauges and gears and tools…

Each neighborhood kid was delighted to get a chance to spray the hose. Our lawn got a nice watering.

They let everyone try on the gear.

I love this shot of Teddy and his Dad.

And these shots of my own cuties.

Notice the missing teeth. *love*

Here are a couple shots of the cool guys that not only protect our homes and serve our community, but uplift and bring joy. I have so much respect for them.

At this point one of them jokingly asked if I could photoshop double-chins, etc. And I jokingly replied that I’d have to charge extra. To which he replied: “what’s your address?”

Getting his point, I offered to do all photoshopping free of charge. Thanks, guys, for having my house’s back! And for that, I have your double-chin’s back. (Did that even make sense?)

Thanks so much for everything, guys!

p.s. if you want to see more, I put a slideshow together of our fun afternoon.

Dave hates the tree in front of our house because of all the “poinky balls”  it drops on the ground. I guess I can see his point, it messes up the lawn and sends sharp little bombs into his ankles when he mows the lawn. But given that I don’t mow the lawn and it’s the only tree left in our yard since the day Dave bought a chainsaw, I love it.

I think it’s beautiful.

Even the poinky balls.