cooper vs estacado

Cooper is in the playoffs! They beat Estacado Tuesday night! Woo Hoo! It was Senior night and Cooper has a TON of Seniors! Emotional night for some parents but EXCITING all around.










Here's two of my "almost favorite" high school girls, Miss Kalyn is the front runner in that category, of course. Miss Hannah and Miss Brittany are the only 2 FRESHMAN on the team and these girl's PLAY! When they were running out and announcing the teams, I was desperately trying to get the Seniors running out and of course "ooofed" the shots, but by the time these girls ran out, nailed the shot. LOL



The choir sang the National Anthem acapella and it was AWESOME! Heather and Rebekah were part of that group, so of course I had to get a few photos.


And since blogger is goofing up, they of course didn't post where I intended. UGH...frustrating. Here are Bekah and Heather.


Cooper cheerleaders were on hand to cheer for their team!





Miss Hannah, I know you read this blog sometimes, and I'm so proud of us! We finally have a shot where your mouth is closed and looking NORMAL!!! YIPEE!


Okay, the following sequence is of Amanda Kitten during the 2nd set. She rolled her ankle which you will see below. I happened to snap during that split second. Down she went, but after a quick taping, she was good to go and played the 3rd set for the WIN!



A little later in the game, limping but playing.
















Way to go girls! I'll have the rest of the images up later on today on www.hookapirate.com.

HOOK A PIRATE

cheerleading @ mcd's

Last Wednesday, the new McDonald's on Milwaukee and 82nd hosted Cooper Night.  Several of the teachers were on hand to cook, take orders and smile alot.  And the cheerleaders sold "tats" and candy bars.  

It was fun although we didn't get to stay long.  Summer had to be at tumbling, so after her shift we took off, fries in hand. 

I have more photos from the game last night!  Way to go Lady Pirates!  They are headed to the playoffs in Volleyball!

ISWP Photo Contest Fall 2008

Results are in, however, I'm not included.  Completely forgot about the deadline and it's hard to win in a contest if you don't enter.

duh

CLICK HERE

hayes and his brothers

What a total cutie!  And so much fun!  I had the chance Sunday to spend time with Hayes and his brothers Blane and Kash, who were awesome, by the way.  Even though they don't do dirty diaper duty, these boys are great big bros!

Enjoy!

from Dave Ramsey

An American Creed

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange

love this one

Just finished editing this little jewel.  LOVE IT!

heather + ryan

Forgive me if I posted the same image twice, but WHO CARES WHEN YOU LIKE THESE TWO DO!  Right?  LOL

Friday was a perfect afternoon.  The wind wasn't blowing, yet it was still cool enough to not melt in the sun.  You didn't have to wear a jacket, but if you did, no sweat.  And the light?  The light was just so lovely, I wanted it to last forever.  A great fall evening with a great fall couple.

Meet Heather and Ryan.  They are getting married next summer and are just total FUN and laughs and most of all, oh, so easy on my eyes.  HELLO!  So excuse the post overload, but I'm enjoying the posting.  :)

FUN-ee

Have you seen this?

DANCE OFF

lauren + justin

Okay.  Poor Lauren and Justin were having to deal with tiny images and my blogger guilt was getting to me, so the next time I had decent internet, which was TODAY at my video store, because @ home with hughes.net, it's HORRIBLE.  

So, even though they are in random order, here's Lauren and Justin!  They are long distance daters.  Who can relate to that?  I know I can!  Devin and I spent many summer's apart as he came home every summer to work on the farm and I was at school trying to get out as fast as I could.  Well, with these two, it's weekends here and there, but between work and school, it can leave you exhausted and spent and just so ready to be in the same city!!!!

That's why it was so cool that they found the time to let me photograph the two.  And I tried to take them to wonderful, comfortable locations where the two could just enjoy some time together before Lauren flew back to school in SA.  

Thanks you guys!  I swear my tummy hurt the next day from laughing so hard.  You two are totally down to earth and totally into each other!  I LOVE that!  Just check out the way Justin is staring at Lauren every chance he gets!  YUM!

ummm....yeah

My website is "under construction" as it moves to a new home.    Thought you would enjoy this picture while we wait.  :)

lauren + jack

Mr. Barry's granddaughter got married in Slaton Saturday night and I was THRILLED to be photographing the wedding.  It was so much fun seeing many old friends from Slaton!  Mr. Barry is a gentleman who has been coming into my video store for over 15 years.  He makes the BEST mushroom steak you can ever hope to eat and I should know, because he's been feeding me and 1/2 the town of Slaton for years.  Total YUM in my book.

Lauren, his granddaughter, go married out at Ransom Canyon and it was such a great day!  Lots of family and long time friends just made for a wonderful celebration, complete down to the Latino shuffle.  LOL

Lauren's ring was STUNNING.  The shot below was on the mirror at the salon.  Fun stuff!

And her dress was pretty impressive as well.  

Detail shot of the shoes.

Great light on two pretty maids.  

She had so much fun this day!  Lots of smiles and laughter!  

and Champagne!  We can't forget the toasts!

The house the girl's got ready in had amazing light in the master suite, so I made use of it as much as possible. 

They exchanged vows at sunset and it was just simple and pretty.  I like 'em that way.  

And when folks cry?  I'm sold!  Such a great moment!

Yes, it was way too windy for a unity candle, but they still had a great time trying.

THE KISS!

The new couple.  

The light was gorgeous that night!

A fun moment immediately after the ceremony.

Love the soft glow of the sunset on the couple.  

More "glowey" goodness.  :)

They didn't get too messy.  

This was a total "awww" moment.  Daddy/daughter dance.

When they opened up the dance floor, I don't think Jacob left it.  Total footwork on this guy!

And in close 2nd was Minnie, the bride's mom.  The girl can move it.  :)

My fav from the day!  This shot feels very romantic to me.  Just a great un-posed moment.  :)

and then a great posed one.  :)  I'll admit it.  As much documentary as I chose to be at a wedding, sometimes you can't pass up the moonlight.  

Okay, I know rice is a tradition, but seriously?  I'm sure it felt like snadblasting their faces.  LOL  

Congratulations you two!  I'm so glad I could be a part of this Great day!  Hope you have a wonderful time in Vegas!

As usual, more images on their Online Gallery.

Pirate Fireworks

I'm still struggling with my football shots.  Trying hard, but just not getting what I want.  I'm wondering if Santa could bring me THIS for Christmas?  Me thinks not, but geez, wouldn't that make shooting football pretty cool?

Homecoming is over and Kayla Vines has been chosen the QUEEN and I so wanted to go to the Varsity Game and get some cool shots of the BIG dudes beating each other up, but we've been pulling the shifts at our video store, AND the Sausage Fest is this weekend, so there just wasn't enough time in the day.  :(

A big shout out to Miss Taylor Hurst and Miss Janea Jones!  So proud of you two!!!

Enjoy the pics and I'll have them up on the Pirate Gallery soon.  In the meantime, go tag yourself on Facebook or Myspace.  LOL  

Homecoming 2008

perHomecoming is tonight, but the CMS students had their pep rally yesterday and I got to go!  Oh, golly!  We have a band that ROCKS!  They are the junior high Honor's Band and they are so good.  I really enjoyed the percussion section and those DRUMS beating away!  Fantastic job, Cooper CMS BAND!

I'll share more images later.  We had fireworks last night!!! Oh, and when you scroll down, remember, it was "dress like a nerd day" which should explain some folks.  :)

baby william

After hanging with Britteny and Ryan, I had some time to kill before my flight left for home.  I'm so glad I did!  

Emily, the photographer I 2nd shot for this weekend, was hosting her son's William's 1st Birthday!   And I'm amazed at how wonderful she is!  She shot 2 ceremonies in 2 days, a rehearsal, sick as a dog, AND made an adorable b-day cake, all the while keeping her cool being beautiful.  And people think I juggle alot.  LOL

I was so glad I got to be a part of William's first birthday.  I saw many familiar faces, and ate amazing food and even got to visit with a previous bride and groom from 06 who now have 2 kids!  Oh, my!  Was it 06?  

Anyhoo, on to the BDAY boy's party!

of course we had to do a quick mini session before he frosted himself.  :)

The joke of course, is that this is William's first time to ever eat any sugar EVER.  Mom has kept him pure.  But golly, did he ever love it!  At first, he wasn't quite sure, but then, digging in city.  LOL

Of course, he needed help opening all his presents and I giggled when I saw this shot on the screen after I took it.  
William's first birthday was filled with lots of love and laughter.  

Safe and fun one year old toy.

fun, yet scary one year old toy.  (keep scrolling down)

checking out that toy, with Gramps in the back ground ready to save him.  

Jonathan, Emily and William, I wish you many happy days just like this one, with only one difference.  Mom healthy.  :)

Love you guys!!!!

britteny + ryan (the engagement)

This cute, adorable couple is getting married next year in May and since I was "in the neighborhood", I thought I would stop by and meet them in person AND have a "walk about" Big Dallas.  Ryan is the perfect gentleman to have IF you are touring Dallas, the man knows it all and drives you around with flair.  And golly!  Please, please if you are ever with him, have him take you to Sonic.  He does the ordering (and explaining and paying) with a "meet the Fockers" attitude that has you in stitches!  I swear my gut hurt from all the laughter.

Thanks you two for a wonderful afternoon and I can't wait for the wedding!

wedding with Emily

I had the pleasure of 2nd shooting for Emily Alexander this past weekend in Dallas. I needed to make a trip there anyhoo for Brittany and Ryan, which you will see those images soon, but when Emily emailed me asking if I would help with a wedding, I jumped at the chance, cuz ME LUVS SOME 2nd SHOOTIN!

This place was absolutely AMAZING!  It was a relative of the bride's and it was so darn lovely I almost grabbed a cup of tea and a parasol!  So many great places to photograph!  I'm strapped for time, so I won't gab long.  I just wanted to share my favorites for the day and to give a shout out to Miss Emily for letting me "tag along".  LOL

kalyn's new shoes

Grandma is such a spoiler.  And so cool.  She let Kalyn design her own Chuck Taylor's for her birthday and they arrived last week.  Way cool.

To design your own, click here. 

the downer family

We tried last year.  But could never find a date that worked for all of us.  Kids are busy.  Lives and schedules change.  But I'm so glad when Mr. Downer called again and his oldest son Shy was going to be in town, and YES!  I had time to photograph them.

They were so much fun!  And funky!  All the images posted in the sneak peek were made in the Slaton area.  AND were taken when the sun was high in the sky.  As much as I love prime time photographing, (late afternoon) I have to admit, this was pretty cool.  

Thanks you all!  And thanks to Boss too.  You'll see him at the end of the shoot.  :)