Inspiration

This week has been all about inspirations.

Been visiting photography blogs for different ideas for the weddings we shoot.
Been reading magazines to get inspired to craft again.
Been cleaning the house and doing bookwork.
Been watching some dvd's-
Iron Jawed Angels inspired me to listen to the issues and VOTE!
For One More Day inspired me to live each day to the fullest!
Freedom Writers inspired me to look for what is possible in peoples lives!
Miss Ever's Boys inspired me to stand up for what I believe in and not go with the crowd!
Been helping with senior portraits and trying to inspire Gary to try different angles and views.

This is Alexa-her address is in Happy Valley, OR (what a great name for a place to live.) She was looking for something different from what her friends have....

We were happy with the shoot and in their online file they have already picked over 50 that they liked so I guess we were successful!

Friends

Two of my dearest friends celebrate birthdays close to each other. Teri had hers on Thursday. Teri I have known since college. We have shared babies, recipes and our hearts. She had a grand party on Saturday. We made these cute photo albums and ate great food including this fun cake I made. The story of the cake is long but in the end it all comes down to how it tasted which was yummy. Here is a picture of Miss Teri holding up one of the gifts I gave her.Today is Tracy's day. I call her Rose because of the beauty I see when ever I am with her.

This song says exactly what I want you both (and all the rest of my friends) to remember!

I love you guys so much, you enrich my life in so many ways. Hope it is a great year for each of you.

k

Senior season begins...

The rush has started. I guess when the high school seniors get their packets and class assignments they realize yearbook pictures are due soon. Everyday it seems I am booking another session. This really is what Gary and I love to do the most! It unleashes our creativity and sense of adventure.

Stephanie came with some fun clothes and a willingness to try anything for a great shot, LOVE the boots!

Lexi had her session at her house. We did some awesome pictures on the trampoline but I wanted to share this photo with her cat. The cat really didn't want to be there and kept looking at Lexi like "pleease let me down."

Kim and Meghan are twins and we photographed them with their family a few months back.
For their senior session we headed to Lewisville park, luckily it was an overcast morning so the light wasn't too harsh on the water.

Another cute shot of Stephanie; This is Courtney. We did her sister's portraits a few years ago so it was fun to have the family come back to us. I was at the Phantom of the Opera with Amy, so Gary had to do this session by himself. Luckily, he said he prefers when I come to help with lighting. Whew, job security!
Her portraits were done at Leverich Park and a few spots downtown.
Before next weekend's wedding appointment we have 3 more seniors. And this is in addition to Gary's "real" job. The man has to work too hard. Like I said before, good thing he enjoys the kids!

Come to a concert

This is a good friend of ours and we love her music. She is having a concert this month at Crossroads Church in Vancouver, WA. Here is a note from Kate...The Concert is 8/27 7:00p.m. at Crossroads following a time of worship. I would love to see you and your family there if you can make it and please pass the word along to as many as you can. I really want to show our appreciation by filling up the place!

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA-BROADWAY TRAILER

Miss Amy took me to see this as a birthday present. (from May) It was amazing!!!

I had goose bumps and I loved the music. Missed some of the dialog-note to self...wear hearing aid next time! Of course, Amy said she missed some of it to. Oh and the costumes and stage and the chandelier that actually hung over some of the audience all were awe inspireing.

Then she took me to Red Lobster for dinner. Yummo!

Thanks again Amy, it was the best and I love your giving spirit.

Talking

Well anyone who knows me, knows I have a mouth that runs on and often interrupts...sorry.

My report cards clear back to the second grade have comments about talking too much and giving the answers before anyone else has a chance!

I did lots of talking this weekend and have a scratchy throat to prove it. It was the weekend of my class reunion. I thought when I filled out the questionaire that writing about my marriage and children as my "greatest accomplishments" was too predictable. However, lots of other people wrote that too!

So, back to the talking...first I talked a bit with this guy on Friday night. His name is Jim and we had lockers close to each other in high school. We have stayed friends and his wife I consider one of my closest friends-love ya Teri. Anyway, I didn't want to go all by myself and it was grad night so I begged Jim to go with me. (Took me right back to my school days and dances.)

We were both excited and wondering who would show up and all that. I had another guy that I was friends with (yep, just friends) and his wife and I became close when our children were babies. They live in Hermiston, OR and I hardly ever see them anymore. Well Joseph and Denise were there. I spent most of the evening catching up with all their family is doing and talking about mine too.

On Saturday, we had the reunion dinner and lots more people showed up. It was fun sharing stories and I took my album of school pictures/report cards. The stories I shared with friends were met with blank stares. They didn't remember the incidents at all. Kinda funny what we remember isn't it? One gal said that she remembered that I had told her my favorite color was orange. (good since our school colors were orange and black!) I even had a suit my mom had made for me with orange pants and a jacket with orange flowers that I wore with a yellow top. I had another friend talk about how our house was always so clean and that my mom decorated in the "minimalist style." Okay, I was the one who cleaned the house and we didn't have much because we couldn't afford it. Again, funny the impressions we pick up about people.

I got to sit with a gal whose mom used to care for my brother and I. She had 6 brothers and sisters, so there was a lot to catch up on. Her name is Kathleen and I used to be so jealous of her because her mom was able to be an at home mom. Oh and Kathleen got an Easy Bake Oven. She didn't really need it, we baked in the real one all the time...but just the same... This is her with her husband Ted.Then on Sunday, Amy came over for our craft day. We're working on these little books that we started with journal prompt stickers which I talked about in my last post. Well, once I have all the photos in I'll share. I goofed on one page and started filling it out before reading the whole thing. So it says something like I enjoy spending time with Amy doing crafts and that I am so glad I met her __________. Had to fill it in with "at the hospital in 1984"!! Here is a picture of her and Nick in my little cottage.oh and one more picture...me and my lovely husband(can I say lovely? maybe I should say manly or studly?!)I'm off to rest now or drink something cool...

Happenings

I am feeling very proud of myself for getting so much accomplished lately. Projects that I have wanted to do and also new ones. Amy and I started new little books this weekend. We started with 4x6 photo books I got on clearance at Target and also with fill in the blank stickers. We pulled matching papers to coordinate. Now to fill out the stickers and add matching photos. I'll share when we get finished.

We started that after we got home from shopping. I decided that although my closet is full of serviceable clothing, most of it is pretty bland. That is what shopping discount and second hand stores gives you. With the reunion coming up, it was a perfect excuse to update. We had fun. Didn't look much at sizes just went for what fit. Lots of silky type fabrics which is so not what I usually wear. I was amazed how much it changed how I feel about going out in public, etc. just to get some clothes that I think are stylish. To dress for cuteness instead of just what would cover me...

I am starting a new book today that I have heard a lot of good things about. It is called love and respect. All about how women want love and men want respect and the circle to achieve these things within relationships. Should be good.

Oh and because I love photos...here is the nest, they flew off just after I showed you it before.