more letterboxing

I couldn't just sit at home.

After the funeral, the guys took Garett golfing. I decided to grab the Bednarz Cousins and introduce them to our newest addiction, Letterboxing. We had a great afternoon.

We started out in Lubbock at the Windmill Center and quickly attemepted several easy letterboxes. With 2 under our belts, we were thinking we were the BEST letterboxers EVER! So, we attempted another one out at Lubbock Lake Landmark. We walked the trails for almost 2 hours folks, and at one point honestly thought, will we ever get out of this place! But the determination of finding the letterbox kept us hiking in the heat. And despite not finding the prize, the journey was worth it for the memories alone.

We had a BLAST! A BEDNARZ BLAST! LOL


Stamp from the Windmill Center.

The BEDNARZ BLAST feeling all confident after the first find.



Next stop... BUDDY HOLLY Walk of Fame.

Marking the log book.

Cute hand made stamp of glasses with a B and an H. Ahh...my favorite camera store! LOL


You have to play air guitar in front of a statue like this, right?



Out at the Wildlife Trials, most of the wildflowers were dead and brown, but you could still find a few. It was a great trail despite that, but me and Emily (my sis-in-law) couldn't help but think about the "what if someone lit a match" theory. Talk about a WILDFIRE! In the photos below you can see all the brown, dried out thistle!





Okay, remember...we are on a WILDLIFE TRAIL. LOL And guess what first part of the life we saw?


Yep...a SNAKE! We almost thought of turning back, but really didn't want to give up the hunt. But seeing that snake really did keep us more aware of our path and surroundings.



The photograph above was made about 1/2 way through our hike. Jack is NOT enjoying the experience as much as some of the gang. Can't blame the foul mood really. His tennis shoes were in his Dad's ride at the golf course, so ever so often he'd get a sticker or thistle stuck in his toe. Poor fellow. I won't even mention the "thigh in rayon shorts" issue.



America's NEXT TOP MODEL! Eat your heart out, Tyra Banks!

Me and Summer Zoe.

Me and Kalyn Marie.

Since Eli's death, I've made it my mission to be in more photographs with my children.



Despite the dried out brush, it was still a very beautiful hike.


Summer, Kalyn and Brooke. Notice Jack in the background, not even wanting to enjoy this moment.

Me and my sil, Emily. Looking pretty good for some old babes, huh? Um...old SWEATY babes. LOL

more wildlife.



Okay, this was so funny! At this point, 2 hours into our hike and seeing the end, we were desperately spooked by snakes, lizards, quail coveys, etc. So, when Emily accidentally kicked some weeds into the back of Brooke's leg, she screamed. VERY LOUDLY! And everyone took off running and screaming at what they didn't know was a very dangerous dead weed. Me? I was completely blinded by Brooke and the blue folder which she flung into my face when she took off. I did mange to photograph them when the realized it was nothing to be scared of. Such a great moment!

Wow!

This was such an exhausting week! And if it was this hard one me, can you imagine how hard it was on Elizabeth's immediate family? My heart just so hurts for them.

I got through the rosary and funeral just OK. I had help from good friends, and good family. I swear though, I've driven by her grave at least a dozen times. I so want to photograph it, but just can't. It's too soon and too hard. I just miss her so much!

There have been so many of you that have commented and sent emails and have poured out your hearts to me. I thank you so much! It has been such a strength to me and to the family.

If you are reading this and knew Elizabeth, I encourage you to visit her Google Pages that the Family set up. They are working on a Book of Memories for Eli, and need your help! They want to make the books for Kate and Dalton. Please go and include your Memories, too. Just click the link below. In the meantime, enjoy these photographs from her funeral. I only managed to click a few between the tears, but it was such a neat idea for the kids to release balloons.

ELIZABETH's GOOGLE PAGE

I also encourage you, when and if you see Kate and Dalton, to talk about Eli all you can! It's really the only way they will remember her. We have to remember her for them.

Thanks again.

summer time

In the midst of finding out about Elizabeth last Wednesday, and even though we knew it was coming, it hurts all the same. We've lived in our home since Summer, my youngest, was 6 months old. She is now 11. We love living out in the country and sometimes rarely brush our hair or get dressed. I love working in my pj's.

Something is changing about our surroundings, though. And I'm very excited!

We are getting neighbors.

And not just any neighbors either! A Bednarz Family is moving in down the road! Chris and Keri Bednarz and their kids, Braxton, Sydni, Mayci, Braedon, and Brady, will be our new neighbors just right down the road.

We can play together, ride bikes together and I'm even more excited that my very good friend, Keri will be within walking distance from me. Just right there. I can grab my bible and a diet coke and make the trek to her house.

So cool.

The following images were taken the night Elizabeth died. The light was beautiful!

eli

My friend and cousin, Eli, she lost her fight. She passed away at home with her family around her, tonight. You can view some of my photos of her, by clicking the link below.

She will be missed dearly.

ELIZABETH BEDNARZ
1971 - 2007

shirley + pat

I spent the afternoon and evening in Lamesa, Texas tonight. Shirley met Pat and they said their vows tonight in front of several preachers, but most of all, in front of their family. And there was LOTS of family! They each had their grandchildren stand up with them as bridesmaids and groomsmen. And even though Shirley, held it in and only cried a "tear or two", the emotion in the room was heavy, and heavy because of the blessings that God gives. A 2nd chance at love, it's a great thing.






This is Pat right before Shirley walked down the aisle with her son and grandson.




There were 3 preachers in attendance, all good friends of the couple so there was a lot of praying and singing. They did a sand ceremony and it was quite a thing!

















Congratulations you two! I'm so excited for you and for your families. It's nice to know you have each other.

letterboxing, the girls, AND shirley with pat

My girls are absolutely the GREATEST! As a wedding photographer, my busy season is every summer. Of course, by law of Bednarz Nature, where what can screw up is screwed up, they have more free time than ever in the summer. So, they patiently await the mommy. I try to take them swimming once a week, make sure they get fed ever so often and basically spend some time being present in their lives daily.

So, yesterday, we decided to go Letterboxing. Have you heard of it? We first heard of it in a magazine article advertisement, from GM. Apparently, there are folks all across the country playing this online game, that really is an offroad adventure of sorts. At least for us it was.

Go to the link I listed above and get started! WE are! And it was so much fun! But first...all good adventurers need food. So, we stopped at Chick-fila.






I have a wedding in Lamesa this weekend, and they came along for the ride. I always attend the rehearsals if possible, and since there was a letterbox hid somewhere in Lamesa, the girls wanted to come along, too.

This is Kalyn walking along the path reading us the clues outloud.


Counting the step. 157 I think?


Oh, no! No box. After a few minutes of searching, it was discovered that someone had indeed stolen, misplaced, lost the letterbox of Lamesa. WE were so bummed!


But the excitment of the adventure has made us want to find the 7 hidden in the Lubbock area. And we even want to try and create our own letterbox with clues and hide it in Slaton somewhere. We shall keep you posted!

Here's my adorable couple for this weekend. Shirley and Pat found love again, in the golden years of their lives. And they are getting married today in front of family and friends. I'll be sure and post more when I get home from this celebration. In the meantime, GO LETTERBOX!

meet shaye

She's graduating in 2008.

We ran out of light and decent sunflowers, so we are meeting again tomorrow. I can't wait!

brittany + jordan (the wedding)

I had been looking forward to this wedding the 2nd I met Brittany. And then when I photographed her good man, Jordan, and discovered how uniquely, goofy and adorable all at the same time he was, (especially when he's paired with her), well, that just sealed the deal for me. They are the top of the YUM iceberg for me. Totally!

Saturday, they got married out at Spirit Ranch, in Lubbock, Texas. And it was a perfect day for a wedding! I'll warn you now! LOTS OF IMAGES! To see their complete gallery, click HERE.

To Brittany and Jordan, thanks for being true to yourselves and true to your hearts, but most important, true to the path God has given you both. I gained so much from our time together and so enjoyed your WEDDING CELEBRATION! It truly was a worship service.

I'll call you soon!






























Okay, a little explanation is necessary on the photo above. NOTE TO FUTURE BM'S attending weddings at Spirit Ranch. The peacocks rule the roosts and yes they are beautiful, but their poo rules the grounds. The caretakers clean the pathways, sure...but the grass? Nope. Poor Amy. Wet, warm, and between the toes!












































poo'd again...







Last dance of the night, and guess what played? Marvin Gaye's, Let's Get it On. LOL Jordan jamming to the music with his gorgeous bride!

brittany + jordan

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

I'm so excited about this wedding! I can hardly stand it! Brittany is a photographer who recently graduated from Texas Tech and we first met months ago to talk about her wedding and did nothing more than talk about photography, which I could do all dang day! I invited her along to several sessions this summer, but she's been so busy planning her wedding and attending summer showers that she hasn't had the chance! So, now that the BIG day is here! We are finally photographing together! HA!

I attended the rehearsal last night out at Spirit Ranch, just to see how things were going to roll today. I think they are going to roll just fine.

Check back soon for more from their fabulous wedding!

krysta + toby

What a great day! Gorgeous Sky! Beautiful Church! Toby Cecil and Krysta Rinard were married on what has been determined the luckiest day of the year, 07-07-07.

I first met them moons ago when we sat down to talk about their wedding. Here is it, months later and all those plans paid off in a BIG way!

I'm very sleepy and desperately needing to rest, but first, I wanted to show off all the great photographs we made together. I had Stephanie on board last night and we met some interesting people last night, a vegan punk rocker and a fellow cingular 8125 phone dude I enjoyed talking too. Oh, and I met a new videographer in town, Melanie with www.raspberryvideo.com. I don't think the website is working just yet, but stay tuned. I think she's pretty good!

Check out Krysta's ring! OMG! Talk about your bling, bling! I would have said YES, too! Funny thing she said to me right before she turned this puppy over for it's mini-photo shoot. You know how you finally clean your ring and it shines so pretty? Well, right before she placed this in my hand, "don't touch the top". HA! I seriously don't think my thumb print would deter the shine off this baby!








We were at Thoma's place agagin. The French Salon over by the Oyster Bar across the street from the South Plain's Mall. I can never prounce the place! But I first met Thomas through Sally and Jared. Sally and Thomas work together and I've since worked with him and bridal parties quite a few times. I think he does the BEST Sexy Bridal Hair I've seen! So if you are looking for a hairstylist for your wedding, drop me a line and I will share the digits. LOL








Ahhh...now I'm used to groomsmen. Seriously I am. And sure, they all are fun and make me laugh and I just plain enjoy my time with them. I mean come on! Cute guys all dressed up and smelling nice? What girl wouldn't? But Toby's party of men? OH, my! 2 minutes into our posed shots and I was giggling like a school girl! Oh, and I so with I could remember the one I nicknamed "Baby". He was such a great kidder and general flirt! Toby's got some great friends. LOL


Check out Steph's smoking HOT shot below. LOVE it!


Krysta's HUNK of a man!




One of my favorite shots of the day! All dolled up, stepping under a spot light, fixing her viel. YUM! Add that to her curves and you have a most excellent shot for a wedding album!


She made a beautiful bride!


Krysta was so cute. She claimed she didn't know flowers, yet told her florits, Chris Collum by the way, that she LOVED shades of pink. So he created different bouquets for each maid in those shades. So, Cool!


You just gotta love it when they work with you as well as Campbell did here.


I DETEST selective coloring, but thought if ever, it worked here. When used in subtle amounts, yes. See, the lights in the bride's room at FUMC cycle, as in flourescent, so many times your images have yellow spaces of color in them. YUCH! A quick BW conversion will do the trick, however, I really wanted to show the pink in this shot.

Another YUM shot! The catacombs of First Church have windows in the basement that just barely let the light drift in. Makes for a great mood shot of the bride walking to meet her father.





Steph's shot of the processional from the balcony.





They look GREAT!


The reception was at the Texas Tech Stadium Club. Of course....Toby played for Texas Tech, so where else?
















It was a great night! You can view more of their photographs by Clicking HERE.

Congratulations you two!

bailey + cody

Bailey Keith and Cody Breunig were married last night at Spirit Ranch in Lubbock, Texas. I've known the groom ever since his older sister, Chelsie got married in 2003. He's grown up quite a bit since then and is serving in the military. In fact, to "calm his nerves" the guys took him target shooting the morning of his big day!

It was a beautiful ceremony, in such a great location. We had a wonderful time! Cody's Mom is a scrapbooker, and I still feel like one at heart, even though I haven't scrapped in quite some time. Some day...








Brides and babies! This little cutie is Miss Adleigh, the groom's neice. Isn't she the cutest!




Cody's mom made the cake. It turned out quite lovely. YUM! Butter Pecan!






Bailey sure made a beautiful bride!


And Cody? Not too shabby himself.








Competition in the crowd! I love catching other photographers in action!








There was a great row of purple trees just a bit of a walk away. I had my eye on them since the rehearsal and they made for a great moment together after the ceremony.





They were so cute together. All day long, Cody had been telling me how awful of a dancer he was. I told him just to hold her and sway and he did. YUM!


Bailey LOVES butterflies almost as much as I LOVE first dances. These pretty little things were EVERYWHERE!


The maid of honor caught the bouquet and I absolutely ADORE this shot! How fun is this?


And when guests enjoy a dance, I do too. This is Bailey's brother dancing with a guest/relative, i think. They were so much fun!

A smoky exit with family and friends all around!


Congratulations you, two! Have a wonderful life in Germany together and remember to lean on each other in this first year of marriage. So many wonderful FRISTS to be enjoyed!

You can view the rest of Bailey and Cody's wedding photographs by clicking HERE.

summer turns 11

And we celebrated at Julie's with a swimming day, and then a family dinner that night at our house. We had company in town, and I wanted to spend time enjoying our family instead of throwing a HUGE party. I told her she could have a slumber party at a later date with a few friends for her "birthday party". Of course, she agreed. LOL

Devin cooked ribs and of course there was cake. Just a really great night.

Happy Birthday Summer Zoe!

long time no hear...

It's been quite a couple of weeks. And quite some time since I've blogged.

Lots of weddings, lots of summer fun, and even a funeral in the mix. No, it's not my cousin Elizabeth, although she is under care with Hospice and is going home from the hospital in a few days. I'll keep you posted, now that the company is out of the house.

The funeral was Cindy Hays. You can read about here on my good friend Toni's Blog. Her funeral was beautiful and lovely, lots of tears, lots of laughs. It's hard to understand God's plans all the time. We just have to trust Him.

Company. I had my nieces and nephews here with me, along with my Granny and my Mom for 8 ENTIRE DAYS! How fun is that? And I would have a ton of photos to share with you, however, my camera BROKE and get this...

I had to video tape.

ugh...

I did manage to take a few before the shutters completely croaked.

We had so much fun!



They LOVED the trampoline and even wanted to sleep on it, but we never quite made it. We went to Joyland, played outside, broke into a trailor, ate tons of pizza. Your basic summer vacation! LOL



Check out Abby! Just so cute and sweet! We were having fun playing with the edges of my 16-35.



This is them! Hope, Abby and Noah. Trina, Summer's horse instructor was kind enough to take them for a ride on her horse. And you know what made it even more TEXAS COOL? It took place at Dairy Queen. LOL