Meghan Coffee

Hey! I am in the midst of hectic proofing, and my darling children are done with school for summer break. Hurrah! Busy busy, but I wanted to take a second to give a shout out for Meghan Coffee. I know someone who knows her, and I have exchanged emails with her about a certain photography seminar. So...yeah, I guess I still don't know her.

Love, love her voice:


Listen and enjoy. :)

Music ----->

As I work on the computer, editing image files and designing albums, it's not like I can walk around outside or watch TV. Additionally, we live in the country so there's always significant drive time to engagement sessions and weddings. I listen to a lot of music. I want to hear things that get my creative energy going, you know? So, yeah.

I recently discovered Pandora! I am in LOVE. For, like, three weeks now that's all I listen to. I created my own station by naming my favorite artists, and the cool little dealio they have over there plays them plus other (frequently obscure) artists with similar harmonies and tempoes. I can give it a big fat veto if I don't like a song and they promise to never play that particular song again... I can fast forward songs... I can add artists or songs to my station (to influence the music)... I can remove artists (The Beatles are great but didn't fit the flavor of my station).

So over there...on the sidebar..I added a widget that shows my recently bookmarked songs. But feel free to listen to my station, one of thousands of other stations, or create your own. ...I need to add my station to my phone and I'll probably never have to listen to anything else again. Did I mention Pandora is free online?

PS, I am realizing that I really like some techno. Who knew?

busy!

It is 6:30am on Saturday, and I am up. I woke up with the thought of "Jennifer and Jeff's wedding was awesome" and "I can't wait to share those pics" and then realized it was 6:30 on Saturday. I got up anyway. I cannot believe I got so busy that I haven't blogged favorites for them! I know they were too busy themselves in GREECE to notice. Right? Right?

What am I busy doing now? Well, yeah, lots of stuff. Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Yervant/Busink seminar in Chapel Hill. I don't sit still well... I was that annoying woman who kept getting up for coffee and then just staying standing. The seminar was interesting-- Yervant's style is definitely not my own and I fell in serious like with Joe B. He had me crying talking about autism....look for his book out soon. Anyway, the best part of seminars is meeting other photographers. Wish I could have stayed for the mixer after. ...I have to add here (so I can get it out of my head) a quote from a friend photographer "...we tell each other, this sucks, did you take this shot with your butt?" HAHA! My new goal.

Anyway, my goal today is to do Jen and Jeff's blog, and then go shoot another fabulous wedding tonight! I am living the life. :)

As they say in Greece: Adio. But just for a few hours...

my.brain.is.everywhere

What the Duck comic strip is so funny for us photonerds (altho I confess not to like the animated series much). I am hankering for a tee... one of these days I'll stop putting them in the cart and actually pull out the ol' credit card. Visit the What the Duck site for their funnies and other t-shirts ('my camera takes really pretty pictures' too).

I am in the midst of learning LightRoom. Someone quickly showed me (like in a minute) that with this program I can run actions and adjust background separate of the foreground from RAW. And fast. Or did I imagine that? New programs are so confusing. This one has lots of bells and whistles and I could probably play all day...but I really need to figure it out so I convert the RAW's to Jpegs already.

I've also finally ordered prints for the aluminum covered album I've flashed some of you with. I know, it was amazingly cool without photos in it, just imagine what it will be like finished. WOAH. Also ordering Kristine and C's album as we speak, which apparently will take 3 more hours. Ah...highspeed internet rules!

I could use a nap...but Dustin and Meredith's wedding needs to finish proofing. And I know... Autumn and John's album design, too. Somewhere in there I need to tease you with last weekends Duke Garden's wedding (so great!). And make Gwynne and John's proof book... I love being busy!

This has nothing to do with Earth Day

but Happy Earth Day, just the same!

Minor miracles today:
.Miya, my daughter, had her name called THREE times for awards day today. I'm so glad I went! I've never seen her look more proud.
.Even though I am not an aggressive person, I got sick of not having internet for two days and not getting a response from Charter, so I drove until I found someone from the company (bonus, he was only one street away). He came right over. I am now back to work.
.I am unequivocally happy that there has been lots of rain lately, beautiful skies, new growth in the garden, and a lessening of allergies!
.I have personal photo projects in my head. They look beautiful. They will require models, so, for now, they are just in my head. I am excited by the drama.
.I have gotten a little more used to my flaming red hair. A construction worker cat-called me, too.
.I wrote a letter.


It was just that kind of day.

my favorites...

I thought I'd share some of my favorite photographers, you know, those blogs I stalk often. The ones I have on bloglines RSS reader speed dial type thing. If you love photography too, you might want to go visit. :)

I think Angelica Glass is in NY somewhere. Her photography is sexy, sophisticated, almost naughty sometimes but above all gorgeous. I think I'd be completely tongue tied around Angelica.
http://angelicaglass.bigfolioblog.com/

Paul Johnson has been a favorite of mine since we lived in Florida. His work is clean, bright, thoughtful. Plus he added me as a friend on facebook the other day, which makes me feel cool.
http://pauljohnsonphoto.com/blog/

Cliff Brunk is a new find for me. I'm not sure where he came from all the sudden, but my gosh is he talented. Uber.
http://brunkblog.com/

Sol Tamargo does fabulous sexy work in exotic locations, and takes her once-boyfriend now husband Matt Adcock with her. She throws in personal snaps a lot. She seems like she'd always be happy... her photos are rich with color.
http://www.soltamargo.com/blog/index.php

Erin of Halo Photographic is the reigning holga queen. I bought an holga several years ago before putting it on a shelf to collect dust. She makes me want to pay for developing. Or something.
http://halophoto.blogspot.com/

So those are my very favorite favorite photographers across the country. It's really cool that I can view their photos and post links to their awesome work here, and consider it an extension of my work day? Awesome. Oh, I guess 'work' is stretching it... anyway, enjoy!

me!

What are friends for?

I am so, so wonderfully blessed to have friends that are honest, full of warmth, love, and very trustworthy. One local friend is Sherri Winstead, a very talented photographer from Fayetteville. We hang out or shop with each other about once a month... I wish it were more often but I'm so thankful for the time we do find to hang out. As you can see I have spring fever. Happy to see me out of black, Sherri grabbed her camera. Or is it the new hair? She shot me with my car. I love my car. John picked the personalized plates-- his says 'His PT' and we both have plate holders that say the business name and website. Again, his present. Come to think of it... the car was a present last JULY/AUGUST...

Thanks for the pics Sherri! I like them.. so rare to get pics of myself, and while we only had 2 mins to do these, it was so odd to be on the other side of the camera and have a photographer focus on me. It was a bit windy when we did these and my hair was loads of fun. And also the shirt/dress.. I actually have a pretty darn tiny waste if I dosaysomyself. John keeps saying he hates the current style of blousy shirt... ah, well, whatever. Tight stuff for dates I guess.

So funny, but the car was slightly greenish yellow, you can just barely see the tint on the far left side. The pollen is NASTY everywhere. There are eddy's of it by our front door... on the deck... obviously on the car. I've been given an inhaler-- how weird is that? Maybe they just like handing them out these days.

Hope you all aren't suffering with me...

Peeved

I have debated this post for months. But I have to say it. I have such a bad taste in my mouth from seeing this over and over and over.

First let me say that a LOT of photographers attend workshops, and I think this is great. It's fun, you meet other photographers, you might learn something, you might see an easier way to do something with software... It's great to stay fresh and current and keep challenging yourself to learn.

But I personally think it's unethical to use images from workshops in your portfolio. Especially as your opening image. I think it's misleading, and if what you learned (cough, copied, cough) at a workshop is the best you have... ugh!

I'm talking to more than one photographer. There's greatness in your own work. I think brides and grooms want to see what you did on your *own*, because those famous photographers aren't going to be there on the wedding day.

my .02.
...moving on...

locally...

worth trying again soon, longer lens next time.

I heart Charleston.

For those looking for Alex and Shelley's **amazing** wedding, a tease:

Shelley and Alex hired us for their 'destination wedding' in Charleston. We decided to make a weekend of it...because my best friend, Mary, thought it was marvelous as her family lives there (her sister being the most wonderful singer/song writer Milani Estrada, whose wedding I shot last year, and who is soon to dominate the airwaves... I digress). Mary said 'bring the kids! I'll meet you there, watch them while you and John work'. Mary lives 5 hours from me in Asheville, and with our busy lives as working Mom's-- and opposite schedules as I am working on weekends, when she is off-- we don't see each other nearly enough.

This was obviously an amazing idea. Mary is sweet and wise, and therefore my best friend forever. :)

Our trip starts with us snatching the kids from school just before their spelling quiz's. Strike one. Strike 2, the pouring rain slows us for a long while when... our car decides it's tired of all this shifting and throws itself into 2nd gear, while we were propelling forward at 75 or 80mph. Not so comfortable.

John limps the car into the one mile away Florence car shop while semi's thunder by and my babies don't realize the possible doom coming from behind. 2 hours and $157 bucks later we're on the road again.

But wait! Now the FAN that cools the engine... isn't working. Then we run into stand still traffic... I should mention here how lucky John is that there was a fabulous oldies station with the Beatles playing so I could serenade him. Once traffic began moving again... everything is peachy keen jelly bean. We were 5 hours behind schedule and unable to visit with my friend for Friday... but we'd made it to Charleston and the car was working as God intended.

[this is the most excellent explanation for why I come to town early for destination weddings. actually, this is true for me at just about any meeting, I am 30 mins early or more so that I am not late, I cannot stand to be late]

Saturday, all things were good to go! The wedding was really, really wonderful, and my visit with my friend was SO great. If you were at Embassy Suites, you may have seen us giggling uncontrollably over Cosmo's in the lounge downstairs Saturday night. I'm not so picky about where I find my fun, and besides, the bar made some yummy drinks.

We finished the weekend with a trip to an aquarium and a booking (knock wood) for another wedding in SC this year. Yippy! Who is more blessed then me?

Shelley and Alex's wedding pictures coming soon!!!!

good news!

I am nerd enough to have pointed out to at least 3 clients at their initial consultations just how much I thought of this image...do you remember? She was probably my compositional favorite of the year, and one of my few hanging pieces in my home. Huzzah! She placed:

And thanks again and again to my wonderful clients... Angela and Jeffrey! for giving me the opportunity to be creative.

...not sure if I should say this, but then again you all know I'm not the only photographer around. Right? hah. Anyway, I am really wowed by how many NC images placed for the Artistic Guild of the WPJA's latest contest. What a great state, full of wonderfully inspiring weddings and beautiful scenery... and humongo congrats to Shane Snider (4th overall in the country internationally!!!! WOAH, dude) and the Mr. and Mrs. of Azul Photography who each placed an image or two. Well deserved! Makes me feel warm and fuzzy to be in the same state. :) Plus I met you all before which gives me a tinge of coolness. Er, maybe not...

multi media

I really love documentary work. I keep thinking about doing some photo essays. I have like 3 stories going on in my head. Imagining them incorported into an entire piece, such as those found at mediastorm blows me away.

John has heard me several times ask him if he'd like to take up videography to compliment my wedding photography. Of course I love how we work now, but offering even more to our clients totally peaks (peeks??) my interest. ...He said no by the way. He has no interest... What happened to 'whatever makes you happy, baby"? haha! Kidding, kidding.

So back to the other site, I love this one. John and I put the cart before the horse, if you know what I mean, and I remember those early days similarly to this young couple. Their story is endearing to me, and the images are gorgeous. Matt is truly talented.

I need to take some pictures.

Fire

On a normal day, our home:

safe, sound, secure.

But just around 6pm last night we noticed fire truck after fire truck, lights flashing, sirens wailing, flying past our home. Before long they began parking in front of our home. I rushed through the woods to shoot this:

I was about 50 feet from the fire or something, with the wrong lens. I needed something longer.. Having no experience with fire before, I turned tail, ran into the house, chucked my camera equipment next to the front door and made a mental note to grab the external drives, contracts, receipts and cat on the way out should we have to evacuate. John put on the sprinklers, the neighbors all swarmed about with the firefighters, waiting sentinel apparently to see what would happen.

Finally I asked for some info, and the firemen seemed more concerned about their abandoned dinner. They said a tractor was out there, they thought that would take care of it. I guess living in a place called 'the sandhills' can have it's advantages, when it comes to smothering a fire.

Naturally I grabbed my favorite lens, slightly longer than before I marched back in the woods. I got close, it got hot, I had a little trouble with wheezing later, but I'm so glad I went closer.

I headed home, wishing that the tractors and firemen had been on my side of the flames (heck, I am a mom after all, no jumping over the flames for me). I thought, maybe if [when] the flames get closer I will shoot the men putting flames out. I was preparing an argument in my head for John to take the kids/cat/cars while I stayed and documented the day our house burnt to the ground.

Ok, if you didn't know I'm over dramatic and imaginative, you do now. I came home and John was chopping potatoes and saying the meatloaf was overcooked. Oh, how anticlimatic! The firemen drove away. The glow in the sky disappeared. I am thankful, but a drama junkie at heart.

This morning I walked through the affected area. Still smoldering, air heavily scented with burnt pine, very small fires here and there, but without yesterday's wind, I am certain it's soon to be a distance memory for all.

Giving Portraits

I don't do portraits much anymore.

I don't do them because I LOVE doing weddings. Weddings are my passion, my talent, my creative outlet.
Not that I don't do them at weddings... even brides that don't want portraits end up wanting portraits.

Portraits are formulaic and much like doing a puzzle. Sometimes at weddings...there are an awful lot of pieces! hah!

So what I'm saying is, it's not that my mind CAN'T wrap around structure, right, just that, well, I don't want to do that day in and out. Portrait photographers for portraits, wedding photographers for weddings.

I bring this up because, well, even though portraits aren't my favorite, I've registered with Operation Love Reunited, in an effort to give back to our community, and most especially!, to military families.

The Op-Love program is available to all military families with a soon-to deploy member. The families receive a complimentary (free! we like free!!) session (and my session fees start at $125 if I can squeeze you in at all) PLUS the deployed member receives a 4x5 album! No purchases, no hidden fees or taxes or demands for your next born child. ...but of course if you love me at all, when the member comes home, invite me to photograph the reunion. I am a drama junkie. :)
Go to the site for more information.

Cotton Picker!

Meet the latest addition to our fam, Cotton the kitten:


He is just SO adorable, I almost can't stand it.

but he has a dark side. For one thing, in the above picture, he's glaring at our old cat, Kiki. Kiki is like, 10 years old or something. She's fat, lazy, beautiful and calm. She has claws she doesn't use, has never scratched a stranger, doesn't meow... enter our new kitten. The kitten is not intimidated by the occasional hiss or bat of paw, and literally JUMPS on our old cat.




Cotton is the aggressor. I'm not sure I like cotton. Here... attacking my finger.

Cotton may also have cost me a booking, as he attempted to shimmy up the leg of a potential clients' sister recently. ugh.

darkroom dreams

For some crazy reason, I dreamt about the darkroom last night. It was so vivid, in it I told John b&w only because color printing is a pain in the booty (and you have to work in a pitch-dark room, worrying only about the color, getting the color right, testing for gray...oh, this makes me upset just considering it). Besides, I am all about the black and white.

I was so psyched, as soon as I remembered it, I really did have the conversation with John! And he said he would make me one, anything I wanted. Yes, I really am so spoiled... Hurrah!

Which is wicked cool because that means we'll make the basement into a darkroom instead of a studio/office like he's been pushing. I really hate the thought of meeting people under the house, like some kind of troll, haha! But working on prints! I'm so excited I can't stand it!

There's something about the process... the effort of putting light to film, of exposing a roll, even winding it back up. The little container that you 'agitate' for so many seconds (60? been too long!) and then hang to dry the film... careful, don't want any dust! And then the amber glow of the print room, trays of chemicals, the scent, the magic of image appearing on blank paper, burning just so, dodging here and there! Oh, so much fun! I love it.

On a nearly unrelated note, I need a White Stripes Diana, to match my Holga.
That is all. :)

Gadwill's....

What a crazy summer and early fall we've had! Of course, the cruise was great, but that was kind of an oasis in the middle of a sea of crazy family happenings. A great blessing that I'm sure the Lord knew we were going to need! Sometimes I'm amazed-- I seem to not book a date and wonder why? and then guess what? That date-- something happens and if I HAD a wedding I would have been a little stumped. Yet another reason to be prayerful over our business!

Miya and Hunter, our children, are only 13 months apart in age. This year I thought we'd try one BIG shared party.








The party ended abruptly just a bit after a ride like this one. Someone fell off! OUCH. :(

Our children have taken turns being very ill lately. First Miya was in the hospital for pneumonia and breathing problems. And then last week, Hunt had some mysterious illness as well.. he ran a fever for four days...and he just so happens to sleepwalk and hallucinate when he has a fever so let me tell you that was an awful 4 days!

AGWPJA award!

So, you all know what the WPJA is, right? Well, the AG WPJA is the artistic guide of the Wedding Photojournalist Association. I placed ...sixteenth... but I placed for quarter 2.


I've never been very competitive. I just do what I do, you know? But I'm way pleased to be included in the ranks of some of the most awesome photojournalists ever.

Tonight I will attend the One Light Workshop in Raleigh. I'm so psyched, because some of my very favorite fellow photographers will be there. Some I'll be meeting for the first time (ack! nerves!). The One Light is taught by this amazingly cool cat named Zack...he works with musicians on location and does weddings in Phat-lanta, too. If you've worked with me, you know I can do my location lighting... but I, um, am excited to really work it. lol

I'll post pictures soon as I can!

Charis + James Engaged!

I was just about to blog James and Charis' wedding, and realized I never blogged their e-pics. I am behind on blogging..and now events are out of order. *sigh*

Anyway, we got some way-cool pictures in downtown Fayetteville (thanks for driving all the way from Charlotte).



Inside the little movie theater. Teenager workers are so cool, aren't they? They don't give a care about rules at all.





So... After the above picture, Charis volunteers to take a picture of us. I'm not sure how we wound up on the wall...where she made this picture.

(cropping by me, I look fat so you get half of me, which makes me thinner. hah!)
Anyway, so then she tells us to jump.

..and then I got her point-- it is totally hard and stupid to have people jump off walls. So I won't ever do that again. At least, I won't make them if they are wearing heels like me. lol



And those are just some of the cool pictures we made that day. I'd like to close by saying that they started the session by telling me repeatedly how un-photogenic they are. And, yeah, don't do that people! You are beautiful to someone, and if that someone is who you're with...then we have absolutely no problem in the world capturing that!

...and these two are obvious cute and in love. Just WAIT till you see their wedding... maybe next week?

Be blessed!

8 Things About ME!

There's a little photographer game going 'round...and my friend Sherri Winstead has tagged me... so I get to tell you a 8 little known facts about me. Gee, thanks girl. ;0)

1)I've lived outside our great country...and lots of different states, too. I lived in England and Turkey for many years. I have also lived in Indiana, New Hampshire, Montana, Washington State, Texas and Florida. I absolutely adore different cultures and experiencing new things.

2)..but I cannot speak any other languages.

3)I have a quiet voice, which means I have to make an effort to raise it during group portraits at a wedding.

4)To relax by myself I: read, sleep, drink wine, paint. With friends: talking is my favorite. With my kids: movies. With John: rummy or poker.

5)I've been married before. Yep. I married someone at 19 that I'd known for a few months. We divorced one year later. Maybe a great reason to have a long engagement!

6)I met John when I was active duty Air Force. I looked very much like Private Benjamin, only a different uniform. I had a Top Secret clearance for what I did, and I did it in a building with no windows, and two entry-controlled doors. It drove me nuts...

7)because I LOVE natural light.

8)And about photography... it feels so great. I truly love documenting weddings. I have no current ambition to own a studio. I see myself maybe adding commercial or news work in a few years. My first camera was a Pentax Asahi Spotmatic... I still own it, plus a Mamiya 67RB as well as a little plastic Holga. None of those have been dusted off and used in years. Digital is completely a different animal than film...not necessarily better, just different.


OK...I don't network nearly enough... but now I have to tag 5 others!

Charo
Julie Ambos
Mark Turner
Climie and Co
and the girl who's wedding I photographed: Tonya Laker Woman, you can post your answers on your myspace page. :)

...come on down, you're the next contestant...

We Cruised...

and now we're back.
I did not realize how much I missed Florida.. the sweetly scented air, the humidity balm to my skin, the water soothing to my soul.

(I used to unsuccessfully write poetry. ;)

Our seven day cruise was supposed to be to Cozumel, and Ochos Rios. Another port, too. The hurricane rerouted us to San Juan



and to St. Thomas






Halfmoon Cay (private)


note: we used an underwater camera with actual film for this island... what crap! this was the best stop of all the stops. It was just paradise and wicked hot. I have the best tan of my life from this island. And also burned my scalp (hence dorky hat)">

and Nassau.




Who could complain?

I am kicking myself for not taking more pictures. It was just so relaxing and refreshing...I am so excited to pick my camera back up and dive back into wedding work!
I'm back if you need me!

Just Us

I don't want to forget this day... First we did some bridal portraits for a July bride at Duke Gardens...and then we went out to dinner.

OK, I admit I'm not busty. Which is probably why I like the 4th...I did touch up my under eyes a tad in 2 and the last...well, you have to know my husband. And that we don't eat tomatoes. :)
Anyway...it's never about what you do together...so much as how you do it.

WhatTheDuck?

To think there might be photographers out there like that...heh heh heh.

In other news (ok, I admit I just wanted to babble at you all) we have opened up 2008 booking and for 07 we are looking for November and December clients only.

Also...looking for clients who want engagement sessions at the fair this year, and/or other industrious, exciting and unusual locations (have to have some secrets of course!).
We are interested in brides who would like to take more adventuresome pictures in their bridal attire...after their wedding.
Also we are offering Sexy Sessions, too, for surprise pictures for your spouse. We do have experience and portfolio work is available to view on request.

Are you all enjoying spring? It is getting so beautiful here! John and I have made huge plans to actually plant a yard in the back, and do some landscaping in the front, with longterm goals of building a separate office/studio space to the left of the house. For now John has built two pergola (arbors?) on either side of the go-cart path. Way cool. He's amazing.

I'm a Star

Happy Valentines Day, Darlin's!

Well, it's not over yet...but this is shaping up to be a great one for me. John, that wonderful, amazing, handsome husband of my heart, got me 2 dozen roses...a box of chocolates...a card...and he named a star after me!

Yep, there is now a star inside the square of the constellation "Ursula Major" that is named Lacey Gadwill. How, wow!

Hope all you are lovin' up on your somebodies today. :) Love is certainly one of our biggest blessings to experience, our little taste of heaven.

Now go have fun!

family pictures

Well, hey.





It just feels like it's been too long. The first few pictures are of John and the kids and me doing 'cosmic bowling' for New Years Eve. Mouse over the pictures for explanations... and the last one was taken today. Our first (and they say probably ONLY) snow day. No sooner did we make the snowman and take a picture, then it's head fell off and it began to pelt ice. Followed by rain. Eww! There goes any nice picture-taking opportunities.

Despite that, I WISH I had a January wedding. And no one even wanted engagements in this cold month. Needless to say, I have been a mess with nothing to do but redesign a website (still working on it... grrr) and work on taxes. Oh, someone save me!

Next year, Januaray weddings will get a deep discount. Now is the time to offer me something...I just might take you up on it. Anything is better than not working. Oooh, here's an idea: pay for 2 photographers travel to Hawaii, Jamaica, or Timbuktu, get free coverage on your Januaray wedding for '08. :) I like the sound of that....

uh-oh, I hear an album design calling me. I may crack and pull out my studio lights today.

Christmas with the Gadwills

Belated Merry Christmas!

Like most families celebrating Christmas, we awoke somewhat early to children bounding with excitement to see their gifts.

My daughter received something she's been asking for for TWO years. A Venus Flytrap. ...Don't ask me, she's a really cool kid and just likes non-typical things.

Here you can see that my son received his favorite...a video game. He got a console for his birthday and that is ALL he wants to do anymore. I have to MAKE him go outside, or eat, or play k'nex or whatever. And of course in order for him to show any interest in his appearance, I have to buy funky stuff like this. The gloves glow in the dark... Notice he and his dad look alike. I can even see it in the way they hold their jaw.. wow.

Um...this is our cat. She got a gift of a 'dizzy daisy' which apparently is infused with catnip in the plastic. If you have a cat, this is one of those toys they will actually play with.

Now...My husband is full of surprises. I opened several...questionable..gifts before he headed to the garage and brought out a purple bag, and inside a purple box...

The box contained the 'world's most perfect diamond'. I'd love to tell you all about WHY I got this huge diamond, but it's a long story. If we ever meet, I'll fill you in. Anyway, I was shocked. I mean, yeah, I was hinting at jewelry, but between you and I, I was thinking an onsale tennis bracelet. Isn't it gorgeous?

And this one is an artistic, lens off the camera-body on my mirrored desk...

I have to tell you I got him an ipod and a docking alarm, plus a sander... and he so doesn't want the ipod. :( I told him I'm filling it with music anyway, and I believe he will eventually use it. He's saying a paint job for his van. Yeah, um, sure.

OK, so Christmas didn't stop with the gifts, but I put the camera down after that. We played with our new dart board for most of the day, ate delicious tender turkey, and ended the day with The Nativity movie. It's a go-see, inspiring conversation about the times and circumstances leading up to Jesus' birth. It was a wonderful Christmas celebration this year.
That's it for now! I'll check back in in a few days...

Family Fair

So I just wanted to post because tomorrow John and I are shooting Rachel and Forrest's wedding...yay! I'm so excited. Weather is looking good, too....

I'm hoping for a brilliant blue sky like we had at the fair the other day...
Isn't this sweet?! I caught my kids being loving to eachother.

We all had wristbands...

Which made me feel ill. FYI, this is a self portrait with my son on a moving twirly thing...centrifical force made it darn hard to hold a camera out in front...


Just cool lighting...pop gun with lens flare.


My son took this one of his dad and sister... I think he's got natural talent. Hereditary, of course. :)


So...hope you all had fun at the fair, too. PS, even though it only comes once a year, I'm not so sure it's worth eating tons of junk and riding ride after ride after ride....

Back to school time!


These are my fantastic children. Aren't they so cute and well behaved?!


Yeah, that's what they look like most of the time. Both are nice pictures, but I know that this second one is going on my wall. I wouldn't want them any other way...I love when they are happy and crazy.

My kids are so fun. It was nice taking some down time to be with them at the end of their summer. But I'm glad to be back to work-- stay tuned for new e-pics, bridals and weddings.


OK, a bit of lemonsnikettylookingstuff, but Thanks for Looking! Or come back and Look at us again! Or Here's looking at you! lol. Someone crack that whip....