My {Model}

I took my oldest daughter on a "photo walk" way back in JUNE! (Yes I'm just getting around to blogging these!) She was SUPER excited to be a model for a group of photographers for a few hours! What she discovered, is that she doesn't like to be told to "smile" by 20 people all at once!

But when she gets in her grove...there is just NO stopping her! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE to photograph this cutie! (Ya, I think I've mentioned it a few times!)

These were not only taken for the photowalk, but also to commemorate her sweet 16! We still have a few locations to go try out, but as it always goes, personal sessions seem to take a backseat somedays!

The {cursed} house

I went with some friends, to a location that was rumored to be "haunted". When we arrived, it looked scary enough, so we opted to shoot outside in the lovely overgrown yard, with weeds as tall as I am! Eventually we built up our bravery and ventured inside. It was a bit dissapointing. Not one hint of "haunted-ness"!! But the wallpaper was AWESOME, the exposed brick, to die for! But then there was the lovely SMELL, and the instant headache we all seemed to get at the same time. We grabbed a few shots inside, and then headed back out. We had been joking just moments before about staying in the walked on areas of the yard, and low and behold, who knew that there really would be a "cursed" plank of wood with a rusty ol' nail sticking out, which quite unfortunately was stepped on. And now all of us KNOW to not wear flip flops (even leather ones) on ANY photo shoot! Needless to say, we ended our adventure in the ER and one tetnus shot later. I'm not so sure the house was "haunted" but it certainly is "cursed"!

Here are a few of my shots.





And this has got to be THE BIGGEST dandelion I have EVER seen! It was at least 3 inches in diameter! And So dang beautiful!

Summer Mischief

Just one for now.
Love this shot.
She looks like she is really contemplating TROUBLE!
Just glad she wasn't aiming it at ME!

She's OFFICIAL!!!

Having already gone through this lovely passage of parenthood, I was completely prepared for the second teenager to begin driving. We learned from our mistakes with the oldest, and determined to not make them again. We signed her up to take a drivers training class (through the school) with classroom work (ya, tried the on-line classes....bogus. Well I shouldn't say total bogus, the info was good, just the particular teenager was the problem...not wanting to DO the bookwork!)

We even made sure she had LOTS of driving time. (Yes, it was SCARY sometimes!) Yes, I still love her....but had you asked me right after, my answer might have been different! (well maybe I would still LOVE her, but I was having a hard time "liking" her at that moment!)

She passed her class, and we scheduled the road test with the DMV after all her drives were complete.

When we arrived, We pulled up to the test area. I got out, walked over to the door to knock. The tester guy opened the door, and then I hear the window go down behind me, and I hear her say (in a panicked voice), "mom, I can't get the key out!!!". And I calmy reply, "Honey, you need to put the car in "park"!" "Ohhhhh", was her reply. And the kind gentleman that was going to have the enourmous priveledge of administering her road test, just said, "Oh, boy....gonna be a fun one!" Then he just giggled (as did I) and we finished up the paperwork and then they were off. (crossing my fingers...NO really....that she doesn't have another "blonde moment"!



When they returned, he told me that she indeed kept the "blond moments" to a minimum and recognized her mistakes before he even pointed them out. So she did GREAT!



And even though she was only marked down 7 points (you can miss up to 30 points....however I don't think I want THAT driver anywhere near me!!) I would still stay off the sidewalks for a bit, and if you see a cute blonde in the car that looks like she's having a "moment"....give her LOTS of room!

New Toy = New Joy

The hubby gave me the go-ahead to order a new camera, and I didn't hesitate for one second, and had it within the week! I anxiously awaited for my FAVORITE brown truck and driver. I even met him on the porch. Brought a smile to his face!



Once I opened the box, and took a little look at this beauty, I knew I'd have a bit of reading to do before I would know what all the buttons did!


But I didn't wait long. Carissa and I went on a little adventure in the field by our house. We discovered grasshoppers. (I refused to get close enough to get a shot, cause those are right up there on my "favorites" list with spiders and snakes!) We also discovered that the weeds are "scratchy" and we should have worn pants! She even showed me her pile of rocks that she's been "working" on for a couple of weeks now!

My {Graduate}

This was something that I knew was coming. I knew somehow I would have to admit that my “baby” was old enough to graduate from high school. Getting him to that point took a lot of prodding and several LONG talks about turning in work. And doing things in pure D-man fashion….he pushed it right up to the deadline. Putting off taking a test he needed to pass in order to “test out” of a class, right up to 3 days before the end of school. Didn’t help that he also got suspended for the last 2 days of school, (for leaving school without checking out and taking another student with him) so getting those last assignments turned in and finals taken was a BIT more challenging! But thankfully the administration was willing to work with him, and really helped to get his classes finished up. Talk about bending over backwards!

When he was finally able to pick up his cap and gown, I knew that it was finally going to happen, and I was going to have to deal with all the emotions going through me! There is something SO surreal at looking at your child in a cap and gown, and still wondering what their life will hold for them. Especially, since it’s now out of my control. And that is not a feeling that I handle very well at all!



It’s so hard to imagine that 18 years have gone by. So much of it is a complete blur. Not even sure how it happened. But here we are now, and he has so many possibilities in front of him. The doors are wide open and I still hope that he is able to find his way. I’m so proud of his accomplishments and the young man that he has become! I couldn’t have asked for a better son!


This was the principal at the school, Mr. Jones. He was one of D's favorites at the school. When he approached the stage to shake his hand and receive his diploma, Mr. Jones attempted to "hide" the diploma in his jacket! They both just busted out in this huge grin! So many of the teachers were biting their fingernails, (as was I), so naturally, they had to give him a BIT of a hard time!