Lifes little moments

Another Birthday for Me!

My how 40 years fly's by! I can still remeber waiting to turn 16 so I could go to my first dance, but my 16th birthday brought Pink Eye and kept me home from the dance.  I remeber like it was yesterday the day after I turned 16 and rushed to the DMV to get my drivers license!  2 days later I was hit by someone who ran a red light and it totalled my car. 

When I was 18 I packed up my mom's car and she drove me all the way to Arroyo Grande, CA where I found some fabulous roomates got a job and enjoyed the ocean every night!  I miss California so much, I still wished that I lived there!!! 

At 21 I got married and had way to many girls!!!!! I love all of them, but I don't think it is to selfish to ask the Almighty where my share of the boys went.  Now my oldest is almost 20 and has blessed me with a Grandson whom I cherish every day. 

My friends at my office made sure that my birthday was going to be one that I remembered forever.  My GF Tiffany got me some tasty muffins from Paradise Bakery and a fabulous mug for my water addiction.  Tracy, Ana and Tiff got me gift certificate to the Spa where we all enjoyed a couple hours of fingernail (thanks to Bonnie) and toe painting!  I also got Balloons and a decorated office, some plants and a wonderul lunch with another wonderful GF!  My GF Karen even surprised me with Wicked Tickets, a play that I have been dying to see for the last 5 years!  I just want all of my GF's to know how much I love them and appreciate them every day!  Thank you for making my birthday so special!!!!!!!

 

On my way home from the evening's festivities I spotted the most crimson sunset ever.  So we pulled over and I ran across the street to this beautiful desert field and snapped this shot.  If you don't know anything else about me, know that I am a Sunset Junkie!!!!!

Western Photo Shoot

I was shooting an Equestrian property the other day and they had this fabulous covered barn with some great looking "working" horses!  They loved the camera and just started "Vouge-ing" for me.  They had some pretty cool yard art too, so I had to take a few "extra" photos.

 

 

Summer Fun

Thank you to my good friend Karen for capturing these memories of my kiddos at the Waterpark!!!

 

 

 

Learning How to Use my Tripod

My little shutterbug Samantha and I went out this past weekend in search of some abandoned trains, buapparently we don't have any cool ones that we could climb into with out having to break into a train yard.  So we went in search of some green grass and large trees which is very difficult to find here in the summer.  So I helped Samantha set up the camera on my tripod and let her shoot away, she even managed to sneak in a few pictures of me.  The I let her use my photoshop and taught her some basic post processing skills. This his her work...I think she is off to a great start.

I am sad to say My camera and I have parted ways....

well only for 8 weeks I hope...my camera is sitting on my shelf in my office staring at me!  It is wondering what it did so wrong that caused our parting!  Little does he know that on May 24th I in the most graceful way of course, fell straight down on the sidewalk only to find out that the force of my fall, broke two bones in my arm.  I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow (friday the 5th). My Dr. has assured me that my camera will be back in my loving arms by the end of July.  I am holding him to it!!!

Facts that I didn't know prior to May 31st, 2009..

Definition: A radial head fracture is the most common broken elbow bone seen in adults. This type of injury is most commonly caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand. Radial head fractures cause pain and swelling around the elbow.

Why is the radial head important?
The radial head is shaped like a round disc and is important in motion of the elbow. The radial head moves both in flexion and extension (bending) of the elbow joint, as well as rotation of the forearm. Therefore, injury to the radial head can affect all movements of the elbow.

 

Ouch!

I am still booking appointments for Fall Images so please give me a call.

Just a few more of that sweet baby girl...

So I found some more photos of sweet little addie that I just had to post...I love babies! 

4 year old cuteness

OH MY GOSH...this little girl was amazing!  She made me look good...I would love to take credit for these photos but I honestly am thinking about hiring her for my assistant photographer.  This little 4 year old knows how to work the camera!!!

addie...4lbs 12 oz of pure joy

This little sweetheart was born to a bride and groom that I got to photograph last August.  She is so beautiful and never let out a peep during her whole image session.  Much love and appreciation go out to these sweet parents for letting me use my imagination with their precious daughter.  

Can't decide which birth announcement I like better...I need help?  leave me a comment pleaseeeee with your thoughts.

More than a pretty face...

Well it seems that my daughter has more than just a pretty face...she has the brains to go with it.  This almost makes looking at her highly messy room worth it!  This is a child that stays up till 2:00 Am with me, I am working on photos and she is writing reports.  Apparently in a home with 7 children it is best to work when all is quiet! 

Your dad and I are so proud of you and all of your hard work, we love you baby girl.  You have really come along way since we tried to put you in the Special Ed program in 3rd grade and who can forget the fact that you were even held back in 2nd grade.  Miracles CAN happen with hard work and "Hooked on Phonics!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were 4 students selected from the whole school to receive a Stewardship Award...this Award was for those Students who always set good examples for all students on campus.  So good for you Raygen!!!! Maybe now we can work on your "at home good example setting!"

These are a few of my favorite things...

Thank you to my aspiring 11 year old photographer for taking this photo of Gracen and Jayden with their mommy!  Thanks to Samantha I actually have documentation that I live!!! I don't think there is a single photo of me floating around from last year...how sad is that.  Well so the Gods don't strike me down right here and now as I sit typing my poor sob story about how there are no photos of me anywhere, I must admit that I have a very bad habit of deleting them from the camera.  So there, no lighting is going to strike me down dead tonight.  Well, there really is only a few minutes left of today so I am hoping to see the light of tomorrow.  

I hate crows feet and grey hair and sagging cheeks (yes I said cheeks you thought I was going to say the "b" word huh?  They have wonderful bra's for that, so for now it is just sagging cheeks that I hate) and I hate my crooked smile and my long chin!  For these petty excuses I delete photos of myself, I am in hopes that someday I will meet the photographer of my dreams who will take a picture of me that I love!  Crows Feet, Grey Hair, Sagging Cheeks and even my Crooked Smile wouldn't stand a chance with that photographer! Somewhere he or she exists until then there is Photoshop...my best friend.  

Get over it, that is what Samantha tells me, she tells me all the time that I am beautiful.  My Grandson just learned the word "shut-up" he would probably say that to me if he heard my complaining...but for now that nasty "s" word is just reserved for when the dogs bark.  I am working on this greeting for Gaige whenever he sees me though, it goes something like this..."Hola beautiful Nana!!! What do you think? You have to train these little guys early!  

We love the Indian Village in Cave Creek...best Homemade Indian Fry Bread Ever!

This is our favorite restaurant in Cave Creek, it rates up there with El Encanto but if given a choice of the two eateries my girls and I would pick Indian Village hands down.  I have been taking my older 3 girls since they were little.  Every Sunday "I am ashamed to admit" after church we would take the girls here for some Indian Fry Bread lovin!  My mother-in-law and I would get a Navajo Taco of course, but everyone else smothered theirs with honey and powdered sugar.  A couple of weeks ago I stopped in here with my 2 older daughters and my 3 youngest.  When we got out of our car to go order our food my 3 youngest girls said..."what is Indian Fry Bread?" My 2 older girls and I just gasped in disbelief as this is "OUR" favorite food of all time.   Raygen told me that I had failed them and I hung my head down in shame.  Such a sad tail...this just means I need to take them their more often so they can truly appreciate the feeling of Indian Fry Bread on there taste buds.

I LOVE this photo! It reminds me of when I was a little girl and had my very own Pocohantis Doll.

I am so artistic!  This shot was actually Samantha's idea.  

Oh so many things to do with Scorpians, but put them in a sucker?  Not so sure about that one...maybe in some other country it is a delicacy but the site of this just makes me wiggle in disgust.  But I must say it made for a great photo op.

Dream Catchers,this just brings me right back to 1986 when I had one hanging on my wall.  I can't say I never had any bad dreams per say that I can remember, but it was colorful!

Here is the menu to my scrumptious delicacies...honey, powdered sugar, or a Navajo Taco.  It all just tastes that much better atop Indian Fry Bread and chased down with a sweat glass of fresh brewed sun tea....yum!

This is how I like to eat my Indian Fry Bread..."Navajo Taco" style.  Refried Beans, lettuce, tomato and onion....uuummmm even at 11:24 in the evening I wish I was biting into one right now!!!!!

These are the beautiful polished rocks that are just scattered on a wooden table for all to enjoy!  When I was a little girl my Grandpa and I would polish rocks together in the room off of his back porch.  It was a very special time that I will always remember.  I miss you Grandpa!!!

Mothers Day

I hope everyone had a nice Mothers Day!  Just wanted to showcase a few of my Mother's Day treasures...from Samantha and Gracen

 

An Evening at Elencanto in Cave Creek

Thank you Sally and Doug for making us feel so welcome! Your friends and family were most gracious and helped us to feel right at home.  

The ambiance of the waterfall and swans in the pond really set the most fabulous backdrop for your images.  During the vows I couldn't help but notice the chemistry between you and Doug I loved the way you both looked into each other's eyes,  and as  a tear rolled down your cheek  Doug gently lifted his hand to wipe it from your cheek, I couldn't help but get all emotional.  I love weddings!!!

My sister...

i love this photo that i took of my baby sister...she is so beautiful!

Why does the camera always have to expose for Black? Should have lightened up her skirt just a bit...but I still love it.

My sister and my BF K

Some more photo fun...I was trying to teach my sister how to use my camera. She did a pretty good job!

 I love this photo of my sister, it was taken in the doorway of my sisters condo...the sun was just hitting her perfectly! Yummy golden Sun!!!

My Cousin

Here is a quick preview of my Cousin's photo shoot...Power Ranch was awesome thank you for letting me capture these moments of you...even if your dad had to drag you out the door.

Mr. and Mrs. T

We so enjoyed spending the weekend with you and your handsome Groom!  You know how much we love your family and I was honored that YOU and Cory wanted me to be your Photographer.  I hope you enjoy your sneak peak at a few of the photos from after the ceremony!

If you like what you see, could you be so kind as to leave some kind comments for my young "Bride and Groom?"