snow day

Oh, gosh. The alarm didn't go off this morning. YIPERS! I hate that panic feeling. Lucky for us, it SNOWED! And they started school 2 hours late. So, I stayed up, with a cup of coffee and watched the snow out my front windows. And then, because I can't just do that for very long, grabbed my camera! HA


Kalyn wore her Crocks to school, so I traded out boots with her. That left me bare foot with her crocks and they don't fit! Geez...the things mom's sacrifice. She's well worth it though.

the craig family

Oh, yoo hoo! Sydney! I know you've been waiting on these, girl. And a part of me has thought of you each and every day. Knowing when you get home from school you would probably log on to find yourself. To see if I had posted you and your adorable family yet.

I hadn't.

And I would imagine how sad you would be. How you would whine at your mom and then beg her to call me to see what the hold up was.

Or maybe you hadn't even thought of me since our session? You've been busy too?

Here's the sneak peek, Craig Family. The rest will be up soon!


I have.

Glad I worked on these tonight.

believe

I love it when I'm up late at night working on images and when a big batch is working over in PS, I get to blog. One of my favorite things to do.

SHARE

I was discussing salvation at the dinner table tonight and earlier today, with a customer at my video store we were discussing exactly what happens to us when we die. Our bodies. Our souls.

Some believe we will immediately go to be with HIM. That just feels comforting. Some believe that we go into deep sleep mode. Dormant. Waiting. Sleeping. Util that day when the 7th trumpet sounds and the dead shall arise. Part of that 1000 year reign.

I'm not sure what I believe. I believe in HIM. It's proof evident to me everytime I look through a lens and look at what he's created. What he's given us. What he's done for us.

That's all I care about.

And the sleep part sounds pretty good too.

for elizabeth

cropping

Did you know?

Your portaits that were taken after that magical moment of becoming "hubby and wife", well, they are saved in a RAW file, extremely large in size just for the sole purpose of a custom crop. Granny perfers the dress, Mom perfers the faces. So, in order to please.


BEFORE

AFTER

Just be sure when ordering, once the image and size have been selected, use the drop down window to select "please crop". I'll make the adjustment when I work on your order.

Just thought you' d like to know.

the texas titans

Teams are not my favorite thing to photograph. I mean, it's very difficult to get that many bodies positioned in just the right place, and get them all looking the same way, with similar attitudes. AND add our wonderful wind to the occassion and you may have me in the grumpiest mood.

But I love the individual part of it. I love it to pieces!

I just wanted to open up the online gallery to the TEXAS TITANS. This is the team my oldest plays on and they are raising money to go to WORLD and definitely needed some images for publication. (no offense, Mark. But thanks for admitting you really couldn't do this. I admit it. I can't coach softball worth a flip. I've got the sunflower spitting part down, no problem. But handling the emotions of all those girls? And getting them to actually play? Your job, thank you.)

If any of the parents of Titan Girls are interested in ordering, just click on the link above (their name) and it will take you to their online gallery. If you are interested in purchasing a custom designed team folio like I quickly threw together of my beautiful daughter, Kalyn, click HERE.

Thanks, TITANS! You did awesome!

baking

Happy Late Turkey Day.

It's a weird year for us.

Devin's mom, (a definite benefit to marrying the man) was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery yesterday (Friday) and things are good. They are 95% sure the cancer was contained to the breast. Early detection. Go get those puppies smashed, ladies. Two peices of hard steal for just a bit, and your life is good.

Anyway, we had dinner at her house and it was my job to bring the pies. My girls really got into the pie baking. REALLY. I'm mean look at these "mammas"! They were so cute!

Devin is nursing a sinus infection and it is seriously kicking his butt. But you know a MAN. They could be hacking up blood, moaning and rolling and still not go see the doctor.

the leake family

Meet the Leake Family.

Reagan, their daughter, and my oldest Kalyn play soccer together for Lonestar 94, so the family knows me and was very comfortable in front of the camera. Which is great! But I seriously doubt Ross, their son, would ever be uncomfortable ANYWHERE.

We had a great time, starting the session at their house and then moving to my favorite locations in east lubbock. Here are some of my favorites from the session. Not very many, because blogger is giving me grief. UGH!

did you see it?

issie and alex kissed

the world is good again.

oh, and the entire george thread made me cry. I so want to give george a hug.

the lockey family

Meet the Lockey Family. You may remember them from last year. We spent Saturday afternoon together trying to get the perfect family portrait.

Their Mom Kelly is an amazing designer that has these wonderful ideas, not to mention lovely body language. Girls? Just check out that baby on those lovely curves above? Can the girl stand in heels or what? She totally does not look like a mom at all, but obviously after reading Oliva's body language (the said child on hip) you can tell she is. Oliva knows her every move and was a bit leary of me photographing them at first. But a fun tea party with Dad and she was quickly on her way to charming this photographer's heart. Such a sweetie!














Thanks, Lockey Family. I'll have the rest up soon!

the shields family

I'm deep in "editing land" and really can't come up for air, but promised this beautiful family a "sneak peek" on my blog.

So, here ya go!


Somebody lock this 8th grader UP! Gosh! Only a year between her and my own, Kalyn Marie. Stunningly beautiful!!! (and I"m talking about both of them. smiles)


Not too bad yourself, Chandler.


Sweet Channing.


And Miss Courtland! "sas" all wrapped up in a very cute, furry vest. LOL







I'll have the rest up on your gallery soon!

meet commissioner mark

This is Mark Heinrich. And last week we voted him precient 2, City Commissioner. I've never had a personal friend, run for office. And I'm thinking it is because I'm getting old. But Mark, and his wife Davia, have been good friends of ours for several years. Our kids have grown up together and I just love what they stand for and how much they just give from their hearts. They are good people.

Last week we all got together down at Citizen's bank and watched the results on the TV together to see if Mark would win. Of course he did! And for that I'm so proud and excited. But even more than that, I'm just glad to know him.

I didn't get to stay to the end. Too many pictures to edit and Summer was feeling a little sick. But I watched his LIVE INTERVIEW (you did good Mark) that night when I got home and was smiling the entire time. Here are some shots I took before I left.

Congratulations Mark! We'd love some pavement between our driveway and Woodrow Road. I'm sure you can manage that by spring. (winking, of cousre!)















This was too cute! Some of the children there got together and made up a "VOTE FOR MARK" cheer and persented it to us after dinner. I think Mark almost blushed. Very cute, girls!

dalton + kate

We are taking the REAL Holiday photos over Thanksgiving, but last weekend, I got to keep the little boogers at my house and coudn't resist taking a few photos. Dalton and Kate belong to Garett and Elizabeth. But for 48 hours?

They were mine.

It sure was nice having little ones again. Especially since they were picked up by 6:30 PM on Sunday.

melanie + joseph

I he makes you laugh like this, then marry him! And that's exactly what Melanie is going to do next June when she becomes "Mrs. Joseph Behnke". They are the cutest thing together! I spent a little time tonight getting to know them better and laughing a lot.

Engagements are so much fun. I get to hear the details about how they met, usually two versions, hear the little stories about things that happended on their first dates and just all the fun things about life that are romantic and new. I get refreshed.

Melanie and Joesph have a great first date story involving a couple in a trunk of a car, by the way. If you run into them, be sure and ask. Oh, and cuteness? That just seems to follow these two around, as did this adorable puppy who posed with them for at least 5 minutes before I shooed him on his way. I seriuosly think Melanie would have had him in the car if I hadn't.

It was a great Sunday afternoon, we had amazing light and just plain fun. Congratulations you two! I can hardly wait for the wedding!























my personal fav from today, above. yeah, right!

halloween

What fun! I can't type much because I'm late for work at Take One - Video, but last night was fun. Every year I keep thinking it may be Kalyn's last. Afterall, a 13 year old may not want to trick or treat next year. And that's fine with me. Maybe... I just love doing this with them.

We met Dalton and Kate and Ida Lee's and then the fun started from there! Kate was kitty kat and "meowed" her way through the night and at one point, Elizabeth and I heard a "hoo - hoo" from Dalton. I'm sure he was thinking of a dog or simply barking, or cheering from the excitement of trick-or-treating, but it was soooo funnny coming out of "Batman's mouth".

hoo hoo, Dalton!

Kalyn and Summer were wonderful and helped cheer me up. It's been a hard week so far and doesn't look any easier any time soon. But candy? and friends? and cousins? That will do it everytime. Thank you Kalyn and Summer for helping remind me of my blessings.

Oh, and the Settles house? Totaly came through again for us. I so wish I had taken a photograph to share here. Don and Lynette are a Halloween Tradition for us every year. We always stop by their house for Popcorn Balls and fellowship. They always have a housefull of wonderful smells and wonderful people! We love the warm hugs on a cold night and just feel complete and great after leaving.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Summer, as "thing 2".


Kalyn, as "thing 1". We've had these pumpkin treat bags for eons.

Summer brought this home from school today. I call it "Canon's dinner". Because 5 minutes after taking this photograph, he ate it. Yep. THIS IS WHY PHOTOGRAPHY IS SO IMPORTANT!!!!


Gearing up for the "trick or treating". LOL


Ida Lee and her "treaters". She's so sweet to let us invade her home every year! The kids so enjoy showing off their costumes.


Kate went as a kitty kat. Her tail was on a peice of elastic around her waist and didn't make sitting down the easiest. It was so cute to watch this little munchkin go from house to house!

Owlman and kitty-kat



I love this shot above! Can you see the reflection of the girl's blue wigs in the light? LOL I took this from the car.





This young couple under the shetts were trick or treating with United shopping bags and sheets. YES! No joke. Hers didn't even have eye holes! She ran into a mail box once. Seriously....



Mark Jones and Trina Schwertner (can't remember her married name right now.) They were hanging out at the Settle's house too!



Mark's crazy wife Christy. She was roller/disco Baby! Girl can skate, man!!!!



Fellow trick or treater.