July 4th...in September

Holy cow.  I am just getting around to posting on the blog because somehow my life slipped into turbo speed and mass chaos in one fell swoop.  The first set of pictures I'm posting are from our little town's July 4th fireworks show...and let me tell you, it was a show that rivaled many big cities...well, at least some of the smaller of the bigger cities!  I had never taken pictures of fireworks before (I know, shocker there!), and I thought it would be a good chance to practice with longer shutter speeds.  So between mosquito swats (did I mention we live in the middle of mosquito-ville?), I was actually able to catch some decent shots!

This one isn't the city's fireworks...it's my son and his sparkler art (but it was too cute not to post).

{Winter Hiatus...Sort of}

This is generally our slow time of year; the time when we regroup after the holidays and plan for bigger and better things in the year to come...but that doesn't mean our cameras are put away.  I decided to put together a little conglomeration of the past few months, just so you can see what goes on in our lives!

Ginger's and Blake on Senior Night (she did make it through without a tear!)

Winter Storm #1...this snow stayed on the ground for nearly two weeks (which is quite a feat in the South).

Kitchen Remodel, Day 1...

Winter Storm #2...the Ice Apocalypse

another picture of Ice Apocalypse 2014.

Kitchen Remodel, Day 2

Our kitchen remodeling project overtook the hallway as well, since these rooms all share a common ceiling and walls.

Pantry done, walnut kitchen cabinets installed!  Cabinets by Grant's Cabinets and Millwork in Conway (these guys do a FANTASTIC job!!!!)

My not-so-baby girl...(sniff) Junior Year, Valentine Auction

Both of them...Luke (8th grade) is almost as tall as Karena is now!

We were playing around, goofing off after we got home and I took this picture...I am seriously in love with this shot...Karena, not so much!

{Cord & Chelsea}

I have known Cord and his family nearly half my life, and it was truly an honor to be invited to capture Cord and Chelsea's special event.  After going to their venue before the wedding date, Ginger and I thought of some really cute pictures using the old buildings in the downtown area...and then it rained. Not like an isolated shower or two...like a constant, heavy downpour ALL. DAY. LONG...and it was COLD (like maybe 40 degrees).  Needless to say, we had to regroup and make do with what we were given.  Poor Chelsea nearly froze in some of these pictures, but she was a trooper through it all!  

Thank you both for the adventure!!

{Bret Michaels, Fort Smith}

Those of you who aren't familiar with "Hair Bands" of the 1980's and 1990's, you will not appreciate this post; however, those of you who grew up like I did, drooling over Poison, Bon Jovi, White Lion, and many others, please hold onto your hats (or whatever other article of clothing you choose here) as I present, a night with Bret Michaels from the band, Poison.  One of my best friends invited me to go with her to Neumeier's Rib Room (a really cool restaurant/bar) in Fort Smith, Arkansas to see the Bret Michaels Band.  I was taken back to my teen-age years, when I only wished that I could be 10 feet away from Bret Michaels, complete with screaming and being  giddy because he looked right at me...and don't tell me that he didn't, because I know that look was only for me...

{Kim's Baby Shower}

Here are a few pictures from my sister's baby shower yesterday-probably just in time, too since the doctor just moved her due date up to May 9th! Many, many, many thanks to my Mom, Mary, and Renee for their hard work getting the little details worked out!! A special thanks to PattiCakes Bakery in Conway for the super cute and yummy cake! 

Kim's sister-in-law made this adorable turtle for the table...

Cake by PattiCakes in Conway

Not sure where the boxes came from, but they were so cute!!!

One of Kim's gifts was this sweet picture frame from Jonathan!

{Nashville, Opryland Resort}

We took a trip during Easter to Nashville with the Lads to Leaders/Leaderette Youth program (such a rewarding program for young people to participate in!), and stayed at the Opryland Resort...which, as it turns out, is a photographer's dream.  Between competitions, I took the opportunity to practice shooting waterfalls (since there were so many to choose from), and just enjoying the scenery.  Here is a just a sample of all the beauty that we saw.