my breakfast

yummy

starbucks coffee and bundt cake




Thanks Kyle and Amanda!

my first time at the fair

I'm pretty sleepy as I type this, but I just know Amanda and Kyle are checking every few minutes. (Click HERE to view their web page.)

Checking my blog.

Anxious to see.

And nervous! They were worried about what I would so and show. I don't want them to worry...it worries me. No worries!

I had so much fun tonight. I had my first time at the South Plains Fair. Yep. I was a "fair virgin". LOL

I had been once before with Devin, but it was to see a concert, not walk the midway, smell the smells and ride the rides. Tonight we rode the rides! And I can honestly say, I don't think I'm a ferris wheel type of person. Or Amanda either for that matter. But the things we do for the sake of love, passion, and art.

Here's the sneak peek you two. You did fab! Thanks so much!

the alford family

Meet the Alford Family. Cody and Teresa, Presley and Jax. Super cute, huh? I had been looking forward to this session for months! I've photographed a few twins once before and I just love it when they cuddle together. And since these two still share the same bed, I really wanted to capture their closness and bond.

But...

Presley wasn't feeling very well.

At all.

Poor thing.

So I just stayed and concentrated on her adorable brother who was all too willing to play for the camera. I'll go back when she's feeling better and try to get the images in my head, out and in my camera.

patrick + chelsie

Last night I had the chance to photograph another belly. There's been several blessings from GOd of late, and I'm so glad I'm getting to see them!

Chelsie and Patrick were married several years ago, and I photographed their wedding. Now, she's expecting their first baby and it's a girl, so the field I've had my eye on for weeks since the rain, I just knew would be perfect.

It was.




This shot looks so serene, doesn't it. But only the three human's know what patience and understanding we gave to get this shot. Not to mention the sacrifice on my vocal chords for striking such amazing baritone notes! LOL I use the Operatic ABC's on large groups where you are having trouble getting kids to look at the camera. Guess what? Worked on Riley and Kia too.








Thanks you two! You can see more from our time together by clicking HERE.

spooky story night with the Hobsons

Last night was too fun!

Kalyn's soccer team kicked off the fall season with a "ghost tour" party of downtown Lubbbock. The girls met for food and fun and then just when the sun was setting, the ghost stories started. Cyndy, Shannon's Mom, knows everything about anything that has to do with "stories" of Lubbock, and she did a wonderful job of thrills, chills and excitement. I even got a bit spooked in front of the Pioneer hotel. Several of the girls swear they saw "the Lady in White" on the 5th floor in her white flowing nightgown. I think I was too chicken to look!



Shannon, getting everyone in the mood with some "spooky" faces!


Bree, having a hard time listening to the "golden arm" story. She is soooo dramatic! Had me a bit spooked, too, just feeding off her nervous energy. Kaitlin was there to comfort her with the hand hold.


This is Shannon and Kalyn before the party. They played together on Texas Heat and now together with Lonestar.



The Oh-Great-One-spooky-story-teller! Well, done, Cyndy!


I noticed this little guy up on the roof before we began the tour. Fitting, huh?


We were trying to hear the "Arguing Guy" who designed and built this building in 1932.



Ahh....the Pioneer Hotel. The girls were looking for the Lady in White.


Window shopping downtown Lubbock.


The girl's listening for the homesless man's breathing. Some heard it, others didn't even try.

my heart hurts

I cried so many times last night.

Grey's Anatomy premiered.

I loved every second. It didn't really answer any questions, and it evoked a ton of emotion in me, but I loved every minute! You'll have to comment below and let me know what you thought.

I was very upset that McDreamy got to slide on through this episode without a confrontation from Addison, that was so unfair. And at first I was annoyed by Finn, an obstacle from the hot scenes that the oogly eyes have for each other. ("I'm not looking at you." HA! ) But after last night's little speech about his hat being in the ring, I'm thinking the boy has enough passion for handling Meredith after all; and that's a good thing. It's going to take a ton of passion and "putting yourself out there" to win her heart. If it can be won. She is after all, avoiding anything like that right now.

Favorite scene... anything with Izzy. I love her. And I love that Alex is in love with her and plays the noble heart with her around. A noble heart, with crap attitude, but it still comes out once in a while and I'm fighting for these two to be together. I just think Izzy brings out the best in people.

Oh! And that scene with the body bag, (Denny) and Miranda? Gosh! That broke my heart for her. Despite the fact that she is letting someone else raise her child while she slaves away, or rather baby sits the interns, she won my heart a bit last night with her devotion to Omar. Of course if was "guilt devotion" for losing Denny, but hey...she won points all the same.

um...what else? Oh, yeah! How did Addison get the underwear if Derek never left the hospital? What was up with that? Any ideas?

Oh, and Christine and Burke? Definitely a crying scene when she showed up after and crawled/bawled in bed. I'm proud of her for becoming "human", but I hope they don't make her too human. I love her sarcasm.

Until next week...


Can't wait for next Thursday!

mankin spears celebration

This is Ashley about an hour into her day. Phone attatched at ear, still handling all the plans and process of trying to get a wedding off the ground. And she did! Beautifully. I've never seen anyone, seriously...ANYONE book a videographer the day of their wedding. But she did! And they were great to work with.

Ashley and Adam have been together 12 years. And through 12 years you accumulate a tone of friends that love you like family. And that ton of their friends was there in full force celebrating to the max! It was quite a show to watch them and I enjoyed myself tons except for the quick jaunt/wrestle around the dance floor by one said such friend. (we won't go into the details at all, but let's just say, I couldn't shake my groove thing very well being held so tight.)

The wedding was wonderful, yet at times it was a tad bit stressful. People were late, and I was a bit rushed overall, but the everyone stayed happy and stayed focused on the main reason we were all together. To celebrate these two.

I've got a sneak peek up on their web site, just click HERE. The rest of the wedding will be available soon. Give me about a month to get everything up and present. I need some down time after this BIG bad boy! On to my favorites....(LATER...blogger is having some trouble and I have to go and pick up the kids.)





First Baptist had tons of scaffolding all around it, except for this one little stretch. Made it very difficult for guests (and me) to find the entrance, plus, robbed my lighting at doorways that I love so much. Was forced to stretch beyond what I normally do for natural light.


After hair, the girls spent the afternoon at Arllington Hall along with the flowers and amazing cakes. The photograph below is of just a fraction of the framed images that Ashley displayed at the reception. It was too cool! It made you feel like they were throwing this shing-ding in their own home. I love the idea of displaying old (and new!) favorite images.


Flowers were superb!


Okay, see the nice little lady above? Well, turns out she did Ashley's mom's cake 26 or 36 years ago, and is still creating! I will try and find out her name and information. I see a lot of cakes and I've never seen one like this one! It was over-the-top ELEGANCE! Each and every flower was created by hand. Painstakingly rolled out, cut and formed with her own little fingers. AMAZING!




I love this shot above of Ashley enjoying her "ride" to the church! She was like this most of the day. A wonderful smile that just lit up the room!


Find me in the shot above? I love playing with mirrors and angles and included this one here in hopes of "describing" the chaos of the bride's room. That's what they are... complete chaos. And I love every second of it!














The toasts were just how wedding toasts should be! Embarrassing, but not too much, sappy enough so you will tear up, but not bawl, and amusing enough that everyone's mood stays high and fun!





Congratulations you two! Thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of this day.

what a weekend!

I'm exhausted. And not because Ashley and Adam's wedding wore me out, even though it did. Their wedding party went on long after I made it back to my hotel. No, the 6 hour wait at the airport did me in. I was supposed to arrive back in Lubbock by 6 PM and instead? 11:00 PM. There was some serious weather causing some serious delays.

t i r e d

So, today, all you get is the wedding rehearsal. I'll "sneak peek" the wedding later.

The rehearsal took place at the church, First Baptist downtown, and the dinner, in the new addition up the escalators. It was definitely a family affair with lots of laughter and hugs.

brandon + alisha

How fun is this!

Today, my good friend Lauren and I, photographed a couple together. We recruited them with a free e-session ad and Alisha's sister saw the ad and called. At first I was a bit spectical, due to "site unseen" and not exactly sure how they would feel. I mean, 2 photographers shooting away, and you have no choice of where we are going and all? Wow! Guess these two are the "glass is half full" kind of people. I'm not sure if I would have done that?

But I'm so glad they did, because this was so much fun! And I'm dying to do it again! It such a great experience to photograph with another photographer. To shadow them and watch how the run the show. How they interact with their subject. Talk about shutter speeds and wide open shots. What iso are you using? Do you use a UV filter?

Brandon and Alisha were great through the entire thing. Even when we wanted to them to walk and sit where I"m sure a few varmants lived. No problem. Thongs and all.

Such a great day.

Let's do it next week, Lauren, wanna?

levi stephen

Isnt' he just the most precious little thing? Oh, my! Levi was born today and I walked in to meet him just a mere 45 minutes after he was delivered via C-section and he was nursing! Wide awake and checking out his mother, Stephanie. It was so cool!

Levi joins 3 older brothers. (yes, Stephanie is the proud mamma of 4 boys!) and numerous cousins. I've lost count at this moment. But he is very much loved and very much a blessing.

Congratulations Stephanie and Nathan!

You can view more of Baby Levi HERE. It's only a "sneak peek" right now. Will have the rest up on the 20th.

look how amazing Stephanie looks! Seriously folks...this is a mere hour or two after delivery. I guess after 4 births, she's a pro, huh?

the rain

Yesterday morning was beautiful. I made myself go outside even though I've been nursing a sincu infection/cold (not sure because I won't go to the doctor....ugh.)

and photograph the yard.

Morning is such a great time to take photographs because the light is so gentle and cool toned. I love it! But somehow the pjs and coffee (or couch and TV) take precendence and we just don't make it to where we need to be.

Which is present with HIM in his world.

I made time.

9.11.01

When I was little, I remember people talking about Kennedy and "where they were" when that happened. I guess, 911 is my Kennedy moment. I will always remember where I was. The track at Slaton HS walking with my girlfriends. Chirstine Kitten came walking up telling us some idiot flew a plane into a building on the coast. We were kinda laughing about it and making fun of the person, not really knowing what was going on. I mean, how could someone not see a building?

I felt a bit wierd when she said it though. At the time I couldn't put my finger on it, but later, looking back, I felt a bit uneasy. I didn't walk my full walk, and instead, got in my car and called my sister. Of course, the radio stations had the story going and by the time I got home, still on the phone with my sister, with the TV on, I watched them fall.

I think everyone can remember where they were when they fell.

It was such a shock. Such a tragedy. I hurt. And I was kind of scared. I wanted my kids. I wanted to hold them and hug them and make sure they were OK.

Even thinking about it now, I want to do the same thing. They are asleep in bed, but I hurt just thinking about how scary this world is, and how scary it might get.

the wall family

Allyson and Dustin are expecting their first baby. A girl. Taylor. And I can hardly wait!

I've known Allyson for over 10 years now and even though I hardly see her ever anymore, (which is way too long!) with Ally, you can pick right up where you left off. She's just an amazing fun human being with a totally open spirit that just shares and shares! This Baby Girl Taylor, is so lucky that God gave her to this couple. She will have so much fun, laughing, playing and loving, and growing up a "Wall".

Hey, you two? Thanks for the grand tour of the place and just sharing a bit of your lives with me. I'm so thankful that I get to do this.










Click HERE for the rest of The Wall Family Photographs. I should have them complete by September 18th.

cooper volleyball

Kalyn, my oldest "teenager"(gosh that is weird to type! I feel so old!! my only teenager...) juggled volleyball and soccer this weekend. The volleyball tournament was over in Brownfield. You can see the complete gallery by clicking HERE.

I've never photographed this game before and it was a bit tricky to be where you needed to be to get the shot. Not knowing the rules did not work in my favor either. What is with this rotation thing and figuring out who goes where? I could NOT keep up. Plus the game moves pretty quickly and I didn't do very well. But, I'll learn.

I'll keep learning if Kalyn keeps playing. She doesn't play much, but then again, she hasn't quite mastered the serve. So, when that gels, I'm sure her game will too. I mean, she's pretty good at everything she ever tries, so maybe I need to learn the rules?

here they are

lonestar 94
2006

coach robert bond

I spent some time with my oldest daughter's soccer team on Thursday. It was time for their annual team photos. They had some new girl join the team and we Coch Robert wanted to show off the team trophies.

I'm so proud of these girls! They have grown into such sweet ladies and friends. I feel so fortunate for my daughter to know these girls and share with them memories, and most of all build character. And I feel fortunate to call their parents my friends. I just love this team and pray for it daily.

They play their season opener this weekend, so everyone root for the Lonestars!

I'll share a few of my favorites and then you can view the remainder of their photographs by clicking HERE.

kalyn

kourtney

shannon

claire

destiny

karrlyn

anissa

anyssa

brittany

bryanna

reagan

kaitlin

vicotoria

kelli

alexis

rebecca

sarah linna

lonestar 94

I'm photographing Lonestar 94 tonight and wanted the team to have access to the photographs in an easy to remember place.

Click HERE for your online gallery.

And be sure and check back tonight for a sneak peek of the girls! Their first game of the season is this weekend and they are pumped up and ready!

the light in my room

It's been a tough week, but I'm hanging in there. Last night, one of our few nights home, I cooked and then when I looked up to help my kids with their homework, I found it.

It's been overcast since we got back and I hadn't even noticed it missing.

the light

in my bedroom



oh, and if you'd like to see what kalyn got for her birthday, click HERE.

cloudcroft pt 2

old friends and mud

Oh, my. I should have known when we arrived in the dark and it was chilly and wet. The wet hasn't stopped since we've arrived. But that didn't stop us from riding.

cloudcroft new mexico

This will be brief and quick, but wanted everyone to know where I was over the weekend. We are on our annual Labor Day Warrior trip. We've been going strong for over 10 years, which is disbuted depending on who you talk too. But I've been going since Kalyn, my oldest was 2. It's so much fun to get together with these people and watch our kids grow and build memories. We always try to go down on Thursday and maybe get some sleep before the entire bunch hits. We stay at Waterfall Lodge which cooks us breakfast each and every morning, so we are pampered a bit, which is great when you are in the mountains.

We arrived late, almost 3:00 am Friday! Put the kids to bed and Devin and I stayed outside a bit to count the stars.




Devin will kill me for exposing this, but he doesn't read my blog anyway, so here it goes.


The man sleeps with a stuffed FOOTBALL. I'm not kidding. He even took it with him on our honeymoon. He swears it kept him from fumbling the ball during his football years in college. So, whatever. But here it is on our vacation. The girls think its funny and even goof around trying to play keep away. Sort of like a ritual now that he's had this thing for over 20 years.