New Orleans

I can't stop watching. I'm sitting at the computer, TV on in the same room to CNN or any other channel that has coverage. All the while in disbelief and shock. How? Why? And I'm just on the sidelines. I can't imagine what it is like for those going through this firsthand. It's just such a tragedy.

I was just in New Orleans a few weeks ago and in my way of coping, praying, I thought I'd post a few images. They've called for a National Day of Prayer. For the vicitims, for the volunteers, for those involved. That's where I'll focus my emotional energy today.

Aces Cont...

3rd place ain't bad. Ain't bad at all. Especially when it involves water balloons!

Horrible officials, cruel and evil tournament directors, you name it. Not sure who's to blame, but the #1 seeded team should NOT be playing the #2 in the Semifinal. It just shouldn't work that way. But life is not fair and you have to roll with the punches.

Roll we did.

Sunday morning started with an unfair match against FC Texas Red 94 at 9:30 am. They scored quickly on a "fumbled" kick, that our goalie has easily gotten before at least a dozen times. That's the way soccer goes though. Our girls were half asleep and when you don't answer a goal right away, it's hard to come back.

Lonestar 94 vs. FC Texas Red 0-2

Our Consoliation Game was at 3:30 pm and our girls were back in top form. The easily took Genesis by storm with a booming 6 unanswered goals! OMG! It was AWESOME!

Way to Go Lonestar 94!

For complete tournament details, click below.

Aces Soccer Tournament

Aces Soccer Tournament

When I return to West Texas, I will post the jpgs., but Lonestar 94 is playing AWESOME in the heat of Denton.

1-0 Lonestar 94 vs. Genisis
0-6 Tsunami FC vs. Lonestar 94

more details later...

ellen + tj

Tying the know, March 2006

Sometimes you meet someone and it just "clicks". That's the way it was with this couple. I met Ellen + Tj at the Bishop's Center on Broadway and right way, (thanks to TJ's tie), we clicked. Very easy going, sweet, nice couple. And best of all? They are ultimately and completely in love.

::::insert the sappy (yet adorable) Counting Crows song here:::::

So I said I'm a snowball running

Running down into the spring that's coming all this love

Melting under blue skies

Belting out sunlight

Shimmering love



Well baby I surrender

To the strawberry ice cream

Never ever end of all this love

Well I didn't mean to do it

But there's no escaping your love



These lines of lightning

Mean we're never alone,

Never alone, no, no

On a side note, I found a "new place" to photograph in East Lubbock. With all the recent rain, the weeds are a blooming! Just off I27 was this nice patch of "flowers".

Thanks, Ellen + TJ! Hope there's no more "wedding lifting" and thanks for all you gave to me to photograph. Like I told you last night, you two are so easy.

Click HERE to see the entire session.

Lonestar '94

They are heading to Lewisville this weekend to take on some major Dallas area teams and the girls are ready. They've been working out hard, even doing some water training with a member of the Coronado Swim Team, (thank you Sarah!)

We got them all together last night to document this stage in their life with some team photographs downtown. Of course, now that I've really had time to think about just what I wanted to do with the girls, the shoot is over and gone.

the red wall
silhouette pose
the wall on the way to McKenzie

but at the time your shooting, all you're thinking about is the girls, and their hair, and what their eyes are doing. You lose track of time and energy and before you know it, you are saying, "Great job! We're finished!" And later, at home, you realize the things you missed and wanted to try.

Oh, well...such is life. And I think this bunch is forgiving...they'll let me try again.

You can view the complete session by clicking HERE. A "shout out" to Cyndy for all your help!! Thanks!!!

At last...

Tracey, Lori, Blane and Kash

So much fun! I spent the better part of a Sunday afternoon at the Civic Center photographing the Kitten Family. They were having their Reunion and requested a photographer on site for impromptu pictures. Of course anytime you have a camera, kids and some sort of sweet drinks, the fun will follow. The Reunion is up for viewing and ordering purposes by CLICKING HERE.

Andi and Alex

Clarence and Carol Sue

Sydni's 9th Birthday

cool ceiling @ RAVE Girl @ South Plains Mall

Oh, my! I just spent the better part of a Saturday in the presence of 10-12 nine year old girls with money.

IN THE MALL!

We were rewarded with Olive Garden after or I would have refused to go. Despite the rain and almost floating down the access road to I27 in my Denali, it was a wonderful night. I don't get to spend much time with my good friend Keri and when our daughters get together,we enjoy it.

Sydni turned 9 on the 8th, but to celebrate such a tremendous occasion, she invited her favorite friends to shop with her at the mall. Did I mention this was the weekend before school started? Uh, yep...very crowded, yet lots of cute clothes! Oh, and the price on those cute jeans are about the same as the price on my cute jeans. Geez...I can't believe I'm raising two girls. I'll be broke by high school.


Things that are In:

• chokers (necklaces) worn with any color that have flowers or butterflies on them
• Shiny lip-gloss, especially when it's FREE with the purchase of an item at RAVE girl.
• Napoleon Dynamite T-shirt and old style Bubble Gum Logo T-Shirts
• Cute, cropped high sweat jackets with funky t-shirts and short, SHORT skirts. Hmm...wonder what you do when your legs get cold? tights perhaps? Not sure.
  
• shiny, sequins purses in all kinds of amazing colors that Keri thinks looks stupid unless you are very dressed up. (shhhh... I'll come back when she's not with me and purchase the cute green one!)
  
• Hillary Duff music played very loud while you try to tell a 9 year old that wearing a shirt with words "Blow Pop" is not a good idea for 4th grade.
• "flow-ey", gaucho style pants that can't be found for less than $25 and then are worn with t-shirts or tank tops and flip flops
• funky, furry or glittery pens that are HUGE and quite phallic looking (explain that word to a 9 year old too.)

the girls waiting for their table @ Olive Garden

yes! Lizzie McGuire Makeup! Oh, my...

Summer Zoe showing me her recent purchase.

Sydni enjoying that FREE lip gloss

Soccer should always be this fun!

Mallory from Lonestar '93 and Anyssa from Lonestar '94,
Saturday morning during their scrimmage.

But it's not. At least not always. We all know that. Or at least this family does.

My oldest daughter, Kalyn Marie plays for Lonestar 94. A local Club Team. Their Coach is Robert Bond and it's a full time committment to play, because you practically play year round! Don't try out unless you LOVE soccer!

They had 2 scrimmages Saturday morning and I was thrilled! I'm at the end of my wedding season and could finally make a game! Well, okay, so it's not a game, but still. It's my child and my camera and what could be better?

Lonestar Photographs

Claire getting her game on!

My daugher, Kalyn Marie trying hard to score one for the '94's.

Coach Robert Bond, telling us like it is.

Brittany's dog, enjoying the first scrimmage.

girls, girls, girls!

Oh, my! These were taken a year ago at Sydni Nicol's birthday party! She invited all her favorite friends to a local Hair Salon that caters to girls her age. They had a wonderul time hamming it up and glamming it out.

I hardly ever get to work on my personal pictures, which is a shame. I'm thinking of adding a day to my schedule and doing so. Even go as far as to get them printed and in books. Wouldn't that be a wonder!

This is such a fun age! Your friends aren't playing all the head games, they all love just about every color under the sun, you aren't afraid to expeirement and have some fun.

Oh, to be 9 again.

a little bit country

Just not our country! I posted a pic a few weeks back of this rich New Zealand beauty! Such a fun spirit inside this set of lungs! Her name is Megan Laurie. And she's just on the brink of stardom. Although around these parts, she's there. You can view more of Megan's session (out and about Lubbock and Wilson, yes...you heard me right, Wilson, TX) by clicking here.

the big easy

Spent the weeekend in New Orleans, or "the Big Easy". (Gosh! I love that film. Remember? Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin?) Anyway, I was there photographing the wedding of Jessica and Dave with Laura Speake Photography. Such a wonderful wedding. Very "yummy" in every sense of the word! I had a wonderful time, "working", yet very glad to be home. (My kids called once crying and the tug never quite left my heart. Hard to be a working Mom.)

You can sneak a peek at their website listed here.

Enjoy!

Karen and Laura...miss you two.