Hardy Coat...

So Bodie got this cute little carhartt coat as a hand me down from a good friend of ours. The boy who used to wear it, is a friend of Rowdy's, his name is Hardy. Therefore, this is his "Hardy Coat". He tells everyone he meets it is his Hardy coat...even strangers in Wal-mart! Love you Bo-man!

Two Hundred and twenty four...

This is Stella. She is from Tawain. She stayed with us for 5 weeks this summer and she became very good friends with the kids. Avery really liked her and I am sure enjoyed having another girl around to play with. We miss Stella.

Two hundred and twenty-three...

The weekend Kim and I got together was really short but we did manage to carve out some time to go to lunch and go practice what we learned at the workshop. We found a couple places on the way to lunch to hop out and take some photos. This one was a surprise to me because I was so pleased with the way it came out of the camera. I did the smallest amount of editing to this photo...well I had a great subject to work with to start. I guess I learned something at the workshop because I loved the color of this photo and the exposure as well.



Kim, I had a great time during your visit and I wish we could have spent longer doing what we love and enjoying each other's time together (kid free). What a treat it was to have a break from the norm and hangout with a girlfriend!

Two hundred and twenty-two...

So this was the group for the workshop we attended the gentleman on the right is Michael Andrew. He is a great instructor and photographer. His workshop was very informative in both photography techniques and the business side of things. I left with many bits of inspiration that had nothing to do with how to take a picture! I keep finding myself saying things like "Just like Michael said at the workshop..."

He took this of me and I edited it.




I took this of him. I was a great day!

Two hundred and Seventeen...

I am working on a project for the kids at church and it involves me taking some pictures of them. This is Rowdy and his friend Austin. They are buddies and play really well together. They were in the same kindergarten class. Don't they look handsome. I think I told them to look tough or serious? That might explain Rowdy's face.

One hundred and ninety-seven...

I had the opportunity to go take some pictures of these girls before their championship softball game. As I look at my photography skills and how much I have learned and still have to learn, I wish I could do this shoot over. It is interesting to me that the more I learn about photography the less I know. It is really frustrating at times. Since I took these photos about a month ago I have learned a few things about my camera that would have made these images even better. It is all a process I suppose.

One hundred and eighty-six...

Rowdy talking on the phone to a little friend of his who lives far away. His friend's Mom and I are very good friends and we jokingly talk about being in-laws someday...maybe there is a bit of seriousness to the joking. But pictures like this will sure be fun to have if the joke did turn into a reality...what a silly thought.

One Hundred and three...

I just wanted to take a minute and wish this person a very Happy Birthday! She a beautiful Mom, friend, person and I am so glad to have her in my life!

Have a great day Kim!

Ninety-two...

Kim and I got together this weekend after not seeing each other for two years. We met in Monmouth about 7 years ago. She moved to Idaho about the same time we moved to Dallas. Well, she and I share this little photography hobby. We used to call each other and talk about bedtime routines, potty training and mommy stuff, but now we talk about ISO, lenses and photoshop! We got to go to a photography workshop together and another photoshoot that was planned by another friend of ours. She is a busy Mom just like me and so the fact that the sun, moon and stars all came into alignment for us to make this little trip happen is an amazing thing.

Kim I am so glad that we made time to do this!

Eighty-five...

I would like to introduce you to two of Rowdy's friends.

Billy and Baby Bear!

His day usually starts and ends with them by his side.

The above photo might be my favorite photo of our little session today!

He said to me when I set this one up..."look mom bear feet, bare feet and bear feet" as he pointed to his feet and the bears' feet...is he going to make a great photographer someday or what?

He is almost 7 and he still has his friends and his Cozy (the blue blanket below). I don't have the heart to take it away. Are you supposed to take their security blankets away or do they just grow out of it? The Cozy has seen better days that is for sure. Would you take it away?

Billy and Baby Bear are Rowdy's main side-kicks but he actually has a posse of bears. His nursery had bears in it and therefore he has quite a collection from Aunties and Grandma's.

I love this boy and his bears!