Last weekend I took the kids to an art gallery in downtown Salt Lake City. A friend of mine was one of the featured photographers in the exhibit. We spent a couple of hours strolling through all the galleries in the building, as I drank coffee and let the kids lead the way. It was a relaxing end to a crazy week at work.
His name is Brian Schiele and his innovative and compelling photography can be found here. He took a portrait of the kids and I two months after I came home from Iraq. A few weeks later he asked me to write a few words in my own handwriting on the bottom of the print. Looking at the photo, the words came easy and fast. When it was taken, I had only been divorced for a couple of weeks and the overwhelming transition to single parent was upon me. Here's a link to the portrait and text. And here's a picture of us standing in front of the picture, a year after it was taken.

Brian is affiliated with a photography group called The Salt Lake Seven, and they have a great new book out that showcases all of the work from the exhibit last weekend.
What a beautiful and happy picture of you and your children. You must be
so proud and the smiles say how great a Dad you are!!
I've spent a good deal of veterans day today reading your postings and
those of other vets. I've also been updating some of my artwork based on
photos and letters between my parents during ww2. It's been intense and
therapeutic. I also am intrigued by the artwork of your photographer
friend. This really serves to underscore the true complexity of the
soldier's life and his/her humanity. Some of us in the peace movement are
guilty of over-simplifying those who serve. Congratulations on your safe
return and lovely family. You can see my work on my site below...