Police, Fire, EMS FREE Portrait

Jay and I, had been racking our brains trying to think of a way to help during the wake of the tragedy in Newtown and then it hit us! One of things we noticed looking back in our own lives especially being first responders (yep Jay and I, have been EMTs for the past 10 years both in a volunteer and paid capacity) was that we never really had any nice pictures of us together and having put together memorial slideshows we really have noticed that it is so often that families have become so busy that pictures just go to the wayside.
So, with the help of the Bethel Fire Department we will be holding an event where all first responders can come with there families and have a professional photo taken of them completely free of charge. No gimmicks, no nothing, come in and get a digital portrait with the ones that mean the most to you.
Anyways, since I can't be on the ambulance right now because of the baby, this is what we thought we could do to help and give back to those that mean so much to us and do so much for others!

You can follow updates about the event on our "event page" on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/143911752431530/

xoxoxoxo

J&M

 

Be sure to check us out on facebook click like and LOVE us :)

www.facebook.com/jasonandmaggie and www.jasonhenriques.com

email us some love notes to photos@jasonhenriques.com

Sky Blast Party 2011

In a continuation from the last blog post we left off at the parade. Well the festival continued on that day and concluded with the Sky Blast Party which included dinner provided by Vazzy's and some awesome dessert and music. The night finished out with viewing the Bridgeport, CT fireworks (the best I can honestly say that I have seen in a few years) from the absolute best seats in the house. So sit back relax and enjoy just a few more pictures from the 2011 Sky Blast Party.

Armando thanking everyone for a job well done!

Armando posing with some fabulous ladies!

The royal family rocking out to a rap they wrote over this 2011 festival season

Some of the faces behind the festival

Nancy receiving flowers for all the hard work that she put into the festival and for just being an awesome woman, wife, mother, aunt, sister, and friend!!!

Here is Nancy again!

Here is Jay’s Dad looking on at Armando’s thank you speech!

Jay’s cousin Brian

Jay’s cousin Kevin

And here I am rocking out to the music!

Now on to the awesome Firework display!!!

Here we have a smiley face!

Fireworks

Red, White, and Blue Fire Works

Part of the finale fireworks!

For more pictures check out our facebook business page: www.facebook.com/jasonandmaggie (more pictures will be up later in the week on this page as well)

The Barnum Festival Parade

The Barnum Festival began in 1948, as the city of Bridgeport was dealing with the catastrophic collapse of industries that had once been flourishing during the wartime economy. So with the unemployment rate through the roof and peoples spirits floundering, a select few individuals came together to create something to celebrate. Which is something we now celebrate every year with a series of events culminating with the Barnum Festival Parade and the Sky Blast Party!

This year was incredibly special for Jason and his entire family because his Uncle Armando Goncalves, had been named ringmaster of the 2011 Barnum Festival. For those of you who do not know this is an incredibly huge honor because not just anybody gets chosen. Armando would be joining the ranks of 61 men and 1 woman who have previously led the annual celebration and festivities.

Jay’s Uncle Armando arrived in Bridgeport with his family from Portugal in 1965, and among the many new and exciting things that were here for him in this new country the Barnum Parade was one of the first events to catch Armando’s eye and a mere 46 years later with a ton of hard work and long days and nights. Armando worked his way up to become the president of People's United Bank's southern Connecticut and New York divisions. This was not something that came easily and he worked hard for to get everything he has achieved including the title of Ringmaster. Jason and I, are so incredibly proud of Armando for this amazing honor that has been bestowed on him and after seeing him in action he did not disappoint as the Ringmaster. He was truly amazing and a sight to behold!

Armando is by far an example of how hard work and drive do in fact pay off. He worked long hours while simultaneously going to school and raising a family. Not an easy task by a long shot and where many would have looked at all of the obstacles in front of them and shy away; Armando took them all head on and his fortitude is what got him to become a very successful business man, and family man. Many people can take a lesson from this truly incredible man! Congratulations Armando!

So for the Barnum Parade Armando’s theme as the Ringmaster was “Cultures United” and as a theme it was amazing and he totally pulled it off! Check out some of the pictures from this years parade.

Jay’s Uncle Armando, Beautiful Aunt Nancy (who was totally rocking that hat!!), and his cousin Kevin

Doesn’t he make an awesome Ring Master!

The official signage

One of the cultural dancers

Bagpipers

Civil War Re-Enactors

One of the accordion players from the Portuguese Club

Nancy dancing with the Barnum Festival Royal Court

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This girl along with a little bit of help created this outfit!

Armando and Ronald McDonald

Les Diplomates drove to Bridgeport from Canada to take part in the Parade of Champions which took place Saturday night and to take part in the Barnum Festival Parade.

Another marching band known as the Brassmen all rocked out at the parade

Park City Pride also was amazing at both the Parade of Champions and at the Parade.

Jay’s Dad Archie and his Aunt Nancy

Jay’s Dad Archie and his Uncle Armando

Stay tuned for more pictures from the Sky Blast Party and of course the fireworks!!! More Pictures will be available to view on our facebook site facebook.com/jasonandmaggie in the next few days.

John and Kate

No, no its not who you think this couple was truly heaven made. I actually found a poem that I think describes there relationship better than my words ever could.





Fathers and Daughters by Heather Joy


The bond between father and daughter happens instantly, starting right at birth,
When a father first lays eyes on his little girl he loves her more than anything on this earth,
When a daughter grows older her father is the first man she will love,
The bond between father and daughter is the most important bond indeed,
A daughter will always have the memories of her father, her best friend
This bond has a beginning, but there is never an end.
The bond between a father and daughter is so profound
The love shared is well renowned,
From the beginning of his daughters life, he is a changed man,
At that moment his life really just began.
From the moment their eyes meet,
two souls instantly become complete.

Look at these two, how perfect are they!

Little Kate working on strengthening those walking legs

Rapid fire photos, got to love all those faces!

I loved this picture of cousin Jonathan, Grandma and Kate they all look like they are having so much fun!

Of course we had to get a shot of Grandpa and Kate!

The entourage trying to get Kate to look at us and not the pretty animals!!

The gator was sooo cute, that I just had to snag an up close and personal shot!

Sometimes the cutest pictures are when you capture that moment when a little one is thinking I am really not sure about sitting on this gator thing!

So the Beardsley zoo actually lets the peacocks run wild and it was so cool that when the peacock looked at it self in a window he got defensive and put up his beautiful feathers and I was so happy to be able to capture it!

Love Kate's cute face here!

Thanks John for letting Jay and I spend some of you most precious of moments with you and your beautiful little girl.


~Maggie

Memorial Day Celebrations

Monday was the West Haven, CT Memorial Day parade. So of course we had to go, I mean its so far away too. We walked and walked and walked some more then about 38 seconds later we were there, come on now it runs past the end of our street, haha.

I know I say it all the time but I am super proud of our troops and all they do for us. So we went to show some love, and decided to brinf along our dog Frankie. Well he lasted about 5 minutes because he has a hatred for bicycles, and of course some kids had to keep riding by and getting him all worked up. Or maybe it was those creepy street vendors selling blow-up spider-men :)

After a brief trip home to let Frankie relax I got back to the parade where Maggie and another friend were all setup in our fold-up chairs watching the festivities. I don't know about you but when I was a kid I loved parades except for when I had to march in them, hehe. So we grabbed a photo of these not so excited kids, come on kids get jumpy about it, yeay, hoot and hollar or something. geeze.

As a supporter and a son and grandson of war veterans I hail to the troops as they pass, God Bless Them All. Thanks for all you do. :)

Here is a little bit of my tax money, um I mean one of West Haven's Finest on a nice little Harley doing some little figure 8's and all for our enjoyment.

Now who's got it better than Hankee the clown? You get to do the craziest, stupidest stuff and most people love it except the ones that have nightmares about Hankee eating you in your sleep, but seriously clowns rock.

These folks actually live up the street from me and walk this giant dog on a leash, I swore it was a horse but who walks a horse on a leash, hahaha. ;)

One of our good friends just got hired on West Haven's Fire Department as a Firefighter/ Paramedic, Congrats to him but 4 days after being out of the academy he gets stuck driving the new Rescue truck in the parade. I thought for a moment he may of needed a medic with all the pressure, but he did a great job. Oh yea that's a little more of my tax money ;)

After the Parade we headed down to Long Island for a Family picnic with Maggie's relatives. It's a bit of a ride but always a good time, here are some shots from the picnic.

Maggie's god daughter was all about working the camera and she had so many cute little faces.

and pose...and pose...and pose

Its always a good way to end the day star-wars style.

I hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day, and again a big thanks to all the veteran's!

-Jay