seattle

We landed yesterday back in Lubbock at 2:20 PM and even though it was sad for the "mini vacation/birthday celebration" to be over, it was good to be back in Lubbock. I have so much to do and catch up on this week! But I wanted to share my "favs from Seattle", so here I am, BRINGING IT ON!

I took photos with the iphone and my 5d. I was very impressed with the iphone and just love the idea of touting one electronic on walks and such. See if you can pick them out, as obviously the first one, is iphone of us on the plane.

Steph was nursing some major sinus trouble this weekend. It didn't keep her from keeping up with the flow of the trip at all, but I'm sure it was miserable for her a time or two.




We watched some episodes from Season 3, Grey's to prepare for the season opener.

I think the thing I love most about Seattle or any major city, is the architecture of the buildings and just the access of the city itself. Not all are laid out as nicely as we had it, but we could literally find anything we needed (except Target) in just a city mile. Seriously.



Seattle is a port city and that means, seafood and LOTS of boats.

But here's why we were here! Yep! Mc Dreamy himself!

All the moisture in the air yields amazing flowers EVERYWHERE!

We spent most of the weekend WALKING everywhere! Obviously this is a shot taken of the first day of walking, because I never took another like this again, i don't think. Probably because of all the heavy breathing fogging up my lens. LOL Talk about staying in shape! Maybe this is why most of Seattle is looking good and fit.


We found a little antique shop right by the dock so we went in and looked around. Very cool.






The Public Market is just nearby and I took quite a few photos of all the colors and sites there. LOVED the public market and how you could literally (except for underwear) find everything you need.


The original Starbucks. Yep. But there's another coffee shop in town called Seattle's Best, and you know what? I like theirs better! You could find a Starbucks every 60 feet, but I LOVED the coffee from Seattle's Best.






My Dad and Stepmom called while we were on the plane, and I know this could NEVER happen EVER unless we planned it ahead of time, but he was in town (he lives in KY) for the Washington USC game and we actually got to see them! How cool is that!







Ahh...my new favorite coffee cup, courtesy of Julie and Stephanie. How fun!














This is a MONKFISH. I know, very gross and ugly creature. He lives on the bottom of the ocean, or at least in the vicinity because the dude eats lobster full time. I took this photo AFTER I dined on his brother at Brooklyn's. Monnkfish tastes wonderful, as you can imagine based on his diet. But seriously. If I had seen this before, I'm not sure I would have ordered him. LOL


Stephanie has a slew of images in her camera too. After I get a disc, I'll try and post some more. IN the meantime, BACK TO WORK!

Thanks, Stephanie and Julie for doing this with me. I had so much fun!

Seattle

I turn old very soon. A BIG fat marked occassion where I just won't be able to NOT CRY I'm sure. So, to "celebrate", I'm going to Seattle. Yep. Random choice I know, but I've never been and neither had the girls that are going with me.

So, we leave soon, but as always I will take TONS of photos and post them for everyone to share in the trip.

CLICK HERE and be sure and bookmark the gallery! This is where I will post all my iphone photos from my trip.

As always, I will be checking email and voice mail and even doing some work on the macbook while I'm gone.

Happy Birthday to me! (it isn't officially until Oct. 21st, but I have a wedding that weekend, so, I'm celebrating early!)

Happy Birthday, HOPE!

This little munchkin turns 2 today! She's my sister's last child and is full of energy and wonder and speed.

We love you Hope Cheryl Lovold!

chris + rob

We had the most amazing sky tonight! Yes, it rained, but it simply washed off the dirt in this field and produced some amazing clouds tonight and a rosy sun so pretty, I wish I could capture it for my couples EVERY night! Just lovely!

This couple (Chris and rob) is getting married next year and tonight we shot their e-session and chased the rain all the way to Woodrow and Slide. It was a great night for photography and I'm so glad this worked out so well. I enjoyed my Saturday night!

Thanks you two and I'm so excited for you both! (and me for photographing you...)

lonestar team photos

Check out the Lonestar 94!

This is the team my daughter, Kalyn plays for. They look AWESOME! Last night we photographed their team photos and despite the full sun, I love the colors in this photo. Great Job, Ladies!

inspiration

It's a CYBER sista topic and I so want to keep up with things this go around that I'm not gonna miss this!

TOPIC: Who in your life has inspired you or do you consider to be your hero? Tell us a little about this person(s).

Myrtle Laverne Helton

My maternal Grandmother, or Granny Helton to me. She is the most fabulous person I know. And the reason I'm a Christian, I'm sure.

She raised 4 girls along with my Papaw and has a slew of stories she can share about the Depressions, raising 4 girls, and living with my Papaw. She rode a train as a young bride and had absolutely nothing growing up.

I love my Granny for her love of the Lord and her strength as a woman. She lives by herself in Madera, CA and is legally blind, yet emails everyone in her family every day. She laughs all the time and can always find the Lord in every situation.

"We have always been a nation dedicated to God and now they have put Him out of every thing and we are going to experience things that other world countries have had. We just have to draw closer to God and not be afraid."
September 2007, in an email


The pictures below are of Granny and my mom and me in Las Vegas, NV. We were staying together during my cousin's wedding and we had such a great time laughing and enjoying each other.

I love you Granny!

cooper homecoming

I love that Kalyn and Summer are now to the age where they can take photographs with my camera and I don't have to feel my blood pressure rise from the nerves! LOL This weekend is Cooper Homecoming weekend and we went to the Junior High Ball Games to watch Kash and Braxton play. It was tons of fun and even managed to make it to the Fireworks Pep Rally the High School Booster Club Sponsored. It was AWESOME!

Cute, cute, mascot! She did an AWESOME Job!

Payton Hurst, shaking her spirit filled head! The 7th Grade Cheerleaders are led by my friend Kelley Ehler, and they are so good. I was very impressed and all of them were super cute! But of course, I'm partial to this one.


Kalyn and her friends. I know Rebekah, standing next to her and Danielle in the red tank top, but the rest? No idea! I'll have to have her tell me later. Geez...horrible mother I don't even recognize her friends.

Braxton and Bryce getting pumped for their game.

Standing next to Braxton is the 7th Grade B QB, who's name I don't know. Another "geez" moment, and then Mr. Ehler, Bryce's Grandpa.

9th Grade Cheerleaders. I didn't get to watch them, so I have no report. Maybe next week?


Ahhhh! Megan McGehee. Isn't she absolutely adorable!
And Hollywood! (my nickname for Drew McGehee.) LOL

This boy is destined for STARDOM! Very imaginative and not afraid to show it! I could stand around and watch Drew for hours.


Mayci, watching her bro play some f-ball.










It was a great show! I know they did this because of the construction and all, but I hope they do this always. It was a great HEART Pumping show to get everyone fired up for tonight!

GO PIRATES!

dalton and kate (week two)

Wednesdays are quickly becoming our favorite day of the week! In fact, when Barbara (Kate and Dalton's Grammie) called to say she could get them today, as they were spending the night with her anyway, I was bummed. (Garett, their dad is gone on a trip and she's been keeping them.) I begged and pleaded and told her how disappointed the girls would be, and even threw in the inticing, "you need an afternoon off", and after some discussion, WE GOT TO KEEP THEM Again!

YEAH! We LOVE Wednesdays!

While waiting for the girls outside Cooper Jr. High, they played around in my car and I remembered how I needed to share with Elizabeth's Family how the little ones are doing. I quickly grabbed the camera I keep stashed in the back (always important for photographers on the go) and we had ourselves a mini photo session. TRANSLATION, Dalton photographed me and Kate, and then Kate photographed Dalton.




His permanent teeth made their appearance and it sure is going to change the way he looks! He's such a cutie pootie that I don't think it will matter, but golly it takes a while to grow into those things. For those readers that don't personally know, Mr. Dalton, just let me tell you how much this guy likes to "figure" things out. Oh, my! He was fiddling with everything within reach and had my sun roof mastered in 2 seconds. Do you know how long it took me to get it right? You have to feel the "drag" to know when to stop pushing our you end up opening up just the back flap part. Seriously he did it effortlessly within 2 minutes.

show off





Once Kalyn arrived, Kate was all smiles! These two are really bonding and it's such a good esteem builder for Kalyn Marie! Kate got her haircut last week while staying with the Grandbury cousins and looks so adorable! I had to share this shot from behind.


Kate loves to wash dishes. She did this last week too. I had forgotten how much they love to do this at this age. She ate her after school snack of cereal and banana and then asked me if she could wash her dishes. SURE! I'll never turn down kitchen help. And Daton? He helped me feed the dogs and we talked about guns, and how his daddy owns 13 and how his BB gun can kill dove.

yeah, I really added alot to that part of the conversation. HELLO! I so need to read up on things he is interested in so I can at least fake about my knowledge of all things that seem so "Eddie Bauer" or "LL Bean". LOL









After Dalton kicked some team's ass in Playstation College Football, (he is always the Red Raiders) they wanted to play "Freddie the Fish" which they are so good at! It's a great computer game for kids that we've had for a decade at least, but it still works. Check out the "cheesy leave us alone and let us play smiles" they had for me. Showing me the LOVE!




Okay, these are hilarious! Dalton has "teeth" until his others grow in.

Until next week!

courtney + justin (THE WEDDING)

Stephanie and I were in top form over the weekend! We were shooting NINJA stealth like, and shot some amazing photos for our wedding couple! We didn't piss off any church coordinators, nor did we give grief to the DJ. Overall we were good girls who got some good images. We had a blast!

We started the day at the Harvest Cafe in Midland, which I highly recommend even though I didn't taste their food. I just loved their decor! (You can see more images on Courtney and Justin's online gallery, even though the complete gallery won't be live for almost one month.)

Church: First Presbyterian Church, Midland
Minister: Dusty Thompson
Wedding Coordinator, Vicki Chase
Florist: Chris + Tom, Flowerland

DJ: Clyde
Baker: Doris Muehlbrad
Caterer: Brad Miller, Petroleum Club

I don't have much time to share the "story" here, because my oldest daughter just called and she is desperately needing Mom to bring her the forgotten books from today. So, running out the door, but wanted to share the sneak peek up from the weekend!

Fabulous wedding!

Stephanie's shots are listed with a copyright BELOW the image. FYI

copyright stephanie ehlers for kristin photo

copyright stephanie ehlers for kristin photo

copyright stephanie ehlers for kristin photo

copyright stephanie ehlers for kristin photo

copyright stephanie ehlers for kristin photo

copyright stephanie ehlers for kristin photo

copyright stephanie ehlers for kristin photo

lonestar season opener

This is Mercedez and Kalyn. They have been friends for almost 1/2 their lives and the 16th was Mercedez's 14th Birthday! YEAH! I was so glad we ran into them and got to give them hugs and visit and catch up on their lives. That's one of the best parts about soccer is the friendships you make and keep through the years.

Kalyn's team had their season opener yesterday against the "Baby Lonestars", which I keep saying we can't call them that anymore and need to refer to them as Lonestar 95. (Kalyn's team is Lonestar 94). It was a great game! And for a season opener, the girls did GREAT! Sure, there were mistakes made, but hey, life is full of them, and it's how you handle the mistakes and the learning that comes with them, that builds character and GREAT teams.

Way to go Lonestar!

View all the photos from Sunday by clicking HERE.