Photo Contest Winners

Thank you for helping us celebrate the spirit of family!

 

Pictures are powerful testaments to how we live our lives together. We received 85 wonderful photos that expressed the joy, affection, adventures, ups and downs that make a family. We thank our three judges, all professional photographers: Sarah Tarabocchia and Jackie McCool of Richmond and Elizabeth Bailey of Culpeper. And also many thanks to Target and Walmart for supporting our contest. Congratulations to the winners:

GRAND PRIZE for "Summer 2010." Our newest daughter, Sage, walking hand-in-hand with her great-grandfather, Smiles Green. From walks on a deserted island, to noses touching while they sat in church- these two are smitten with one another. As her parents, we watch with overwhelming joy knowing that: yes, Sage, we are family.

FIRST PLACE for "Sharing apples." The Patterson family loves an adventure. Here Avery, 10, Zach, 8, Ethan 5, and Lexi, 3 share apples at a shopping center. Submitted by Steve Patterson, Midlothian, Va.

SECOND PLACE for "Sean kiss." This is a photograph with my oldest child from our summer vacation. We had just had dinner and were enjoying a ferry ride back to our motel when this picture was taken. My son is 10 now and the hugs and kisses that were almost overwhelming come a little less frequently now. I have this picture to remind me of a wonderful vacation moment and that the little boy is still inside.Submitted by Laura Hogan, Richmond, Va.

THIRD PLACE for "Sisters." After a long journey of trying to start a family, my husband and I decided to grow our family through the adoption of a slibling group from foster care. Our daughters came to live with us in July 2009. Savannah (age 5), Dixie (age 7) and Sierra (age 4) were in foster care for three years. We finalized their adoption March 22, 2010. It has been over a year now and it has not always been easy, but we would not change a thing. Submitted by Cherie Ramsey, Lewisberry, Pa.

SPECIAL AWARD: Benjamin Fraits of Bridgewater, Va, submitted this charming photo of his children “coloring outside the lines,” which we used as our agency Thanksgiving card. Fraits writes, “Family is taking a new approach. Trusting one another with our colors. Trusting each other with our hearts. Family is daring one another to color outside of the lines; it’s finding a new way to make everything new and beautiful.