rick's eagle

Rick Cunningham is an amazing artist that creates creatures of flight out of steel remnants area shops discard and can't use. I had the chance to photograph his latest piece this afternoon before picking up my rugrats.

Amazing creature he created! You can view this work in person at shidoni, an art gallery in Sante Fe, New Mexico. But don't go until Thursday or later. It's traveling there tomorrow.

laura + joe

After a hot day at the soccer fields, I met Joe and Laura at La Gladiosa down off Buddy Holley Ave. here in Lubbock. I cooled off, but these two, definitely got hotter. They are planning a June 2006 wedding and wanted to photograph their engagement session before the pressure of planning a big family wedding got underway. Laura expressed a bit of anxiety at first, but not Joe. This guy was calm, cool and best of all...so into Laura. These two fit together so well, they made my job very easy.

Thanks you two! For a sneak peek, click HERE.

@ the soccer fields

I spent Friday and Saturday at the soccer fields watching soccer game after soccer game. As usual, my camera went with me and I've posted the results at my Web Event Page. I'll share a few here too, as well. Friday Night... Kalyn took on Mercedez. Well, at least their teams took on each other. Lonestar '94 took on Ballistic in a Friday night game out at the fields. It's competition on the fields between these two, and they both wanted to win! Yet, despite the rivarly, these two sweeties have remained friends. Good game , Mercedez. We love you!






Saturday morning... We started early, 9:00 am. Shockers vs. Honeybees. My youngest daughter, Summer Zoe has grown up out on these fields, watching her big sister play. (or playing under the bleechers.) But somewhere between last season, and this one, she's totally grown into her game. I noticed it last week and just thought I'd missed a few games, but when Dad noticed it too at this weekend's game, I knew everything she has absorbed, heard and watched, had all gelled, and she "got her game." Way to go Summer! We are so proud of you!



Saturday afternoon...

I only took pictures at the Jazz game. The heat quickly got to me and I became a bleecher mom instead. Later on that day, we also played a team from Hobbs, NM that is known for it's cheap shots and hard hits. They didn't dissapoint us. Geez...you'd think at this level, they'd bring their game on instead of their elbows and pushes. We still beat them, of course, but tempers and frustrations ran high. It proved to be a "teachable" moment and I'm proud of our Coach, and our parents...well, most of the parents. (Devin, you know who you are?!?!?!) Great Job, Lonestar!

Mexico Day @ Cooper South

My youngest daughter, Summer Zoe, celebrated Mexico Day at school on Friday and parents were invited to attend. Of course, her "parent" brings her camera everywhere. (and uses that as an excuse to NOT participate in the "waltz of the handkerchief". Lovely and fun, I might add. A big shout out to Aunt Barbara for the skirt! It's turned out beautiful!


...

right down the road

When you carry a camera with you EVERYWHERE, you find opportunites to use it. This was a day last week, a hectic day as usual, and driving home, the usual way, I quickly slammed on the brakes when I drove past this fence. (luckily no one was behind me...)

Just last week, no blooms. This day, a different story.

The Torrence Family

Oh, my...ever heard the phrase "ants in your pants"? Ask Alexis if she got them in hers. I photographed the Torrence Family yesterday, and we went to a secluded, outdoor place for the "family groups" and being the West Texas we live in, ants were the first life form to live there, I'm sure. A family of black ants swarmed Alexis feet, most likely headed for the "dreaded pant" area, but Dad swept them away and made her feel better. Thanks for a wonderful morning!

cell phone woes

My cell phone company has changed voice mail services and to let me know, they are sending me "bulletins" throughout my day. Over 15 per day on Saturday alone! So, if you are getting the message that my voice box is full, PLEASE FORGIVE! They promised me they would take care of it ASAP, but in the meantime, I just have to live with it.

I apologize if I've missed any of your calls. We will work this out soon, and if not...hello Cingular!

jill + corey

Jill met Corey playing pool. And apparently his friends knew she was THE ONE when he took her to a Wal-Mart parking lot with his boat and truck and taught her how to "back her up". True Love is always so simple. Like Jill said at one point during the day, "it's not supposed to be hard." I like that. Of all the things that are hard and difficult in life, once you find "THE ONE", it should just be easy and right.

We celebrated together in the High Hill area. It was a wonderful, heartfelt ceremony that got the best of me. I usually cry, yes, at all the weddings I attend, but this one really tugged at my heart. Jill and Corey (and their respective families) have both prayed for so long for the Lord to bring the right "helpmate" into their lives. So they wouldn't have to live alone. So they could have a friend, a companion, and lover. And like HE's always done, when it is part of His plan... he answers.

I'm so glad they have each other and enjoy the same things. Sure, he's an Aggie and I'm sure will get constant ribbing from the Texas part of our family, while the Wisconsin part will accept him with open arms. But Aggie or not, he loves Jill and for that, I couldn't be happier.

Congratulations you two! I had a wonderful time and I'm sure the two of you are too. Honeymooning in Hawaii! (I don't know where I went wrong in not getting to tag along on that one, but hey...you can tell me about it when you get back). In the meantime, enjoy the sneak peek.

High Hill, TX

I'm in La Grange, TX this weekend for Jill + Corey's wedding. Jill is Devin's, my husband's, first cousin. High Hill is where the Bednarz Family first settled back in the 1800's when they "got off the boat" in Galveston. We even have a bit of stained glass with our name on it at the gorgeous church Jill chose for her ceremony. I'll have to show you that later.

After the rehearsal, we went to a little place for dinner that has amazing food! The stuffed mushroom's were to die for! And Devin even liked them, and the boy "don't do mushrooms". Wish I knew the name of the place. It's a European cafe type place, but it's under new management, they are not even open to the public yet. Private Dinner Party only last night.

More later.

Got any of these?

WANTED! The tops off your beer cans (or soda cans for that matter.) My youngest came home from school today and started tearing the tops off my husband's collection of alluminum cans. It seems they can help raise money for a cure for cancer. Not sure of all of the details, but something about a summer camp. It wouldn't take much to pop a bunch of these in the mail, and send them to us at

Summer Bednarz
5007 ECR 7640
Slaton, TX 79364

Or if a school in your area is doing this, collect them and turn them in! Seems like a simple thing that can really help. Who knew, drinking all that beer was good?

Stephanie's Boys

This is Benjamin. Such a cutie! His brothers have been on here before, "The adventures of invisible boy!". And I finally finished their session while I was in NM. Wanted to send Mom (Stephanie) the link to the photos and showcase their cute little faces again.

stephanie's beautiful boys

Labor Day Warriors

taken outside my cabin door @ dusk

You may not have been able to reach me over the weekend, and I aplogoize for that. I didn't know we wouldn't have cell phone service, and once back home, it was too late to return calls. (I'm saving that for tomorrow, among other things.)

This weekend was the "Labor Day Warrior Weekend". Several years ago some friends, originally from Slaton, started a tradition of "going somewhere" over the extended weekend of Labor Day. Possom Kingdom, Ruidosa, Red River and the past two years, Cloudcroft, NM.

We stay together, eat together, play together, you name it. 10 couples enjoyed the high altitude and fellowship, sometimes involving cards and cash, but mostly involving 4 wheelers and fun! We don't sleep much, but it's worth if for the smores.