EXPLORING

"We must go out into the bypaths 

and untrodden depths of the wilderness
and travel and explore 

and tell the world 

the glories of our journey."
~ John Hope Franklin ~

One of my favorite things to do - besides taking pictures - is to go hunting and exploring for locations to take those pictures AT.  (not to mention spending time with these two grand kids:

Alex & Emma. But then, that goes without saying.)

I found a really cool place a couple of weeks ago so last night when I took the grand kids out for our weekly Grandma Date, we went exploring there. I had to GET A FEEL for the place for when I get the opportunity to photograph a group there. When we got back in the car Alex told me how "cool" the place was and how much he loved climbing on the giant cement culverts.  I think I'll take them back again before long just cause he said that.  
Since then .. I've got a photo shoot lined up in just two weeks where I get to use this cool location.  Needless to say:  I'm JAZZED!!

P.S.  contrary to what you might believe ... I DO NOT "pose" these kids ... they're so awesome!! They just DO THEIR OWN THING so I just have a blast!!!  They're NATURALS, what can I say?

HELEN

"There is a fountain of youth: 

It is your mind, your talents, 

the creativity you bring to your life

 and the lives of people you love. 

When you learn to tap this source, 

you will truly have defeated age." 

~ Sophia Loren ~

Helen is one of THE sweetest ladies I know!!
You'd never know that she's over 80 years old!! 
She's full of life and brightens the day with that killer smile of hers! 
She is a true inspiration ... I'm thankful that she's crossed my path in life.  {i wanna be JUST LIKE HER when i grow up}


Thanks for wanting pictures Helen ... I hope you like them.

ADELYN & CHLOE

On the edge of dark last night, I was exploring (with my camera, of course) and happened to see THE CUTEST set of identical twin girls!! Twins always intrigue me ... i'm sure it's because I HAVE twins but ... there's just something about how they just jive.
 I asked their Aunt who had them out walking, if i could take their photo and she happily obliged!!  They were looking for the horses out in the field, just like I was so I was able to get their picture while they were standing on the fence!  I was almost out of good evening light but I snapped a couple shots anyway.   

This is Adelyn and Chloe.  (SUCH cute names!)
And, such little dolls in their 'almost matching' outfits!

LAURA & RYAN

"It is true that a son looks up to his mother 
with both wonder and awe 
before they start their journey of life.

Throughout their life they develop a healthy and 

strong relationship with each other. . ."

~ Author Unknown ~

If my memory serves me right, I think I've known Laura since BEFORE Ryan was born.  Man, that time went by fast!!  Last night we had a fun time taking photo's behind another friends house in Zion National Park.
Couldn't be a cooler backdrop around these parts!!  *thanks Janel*
Laura's the epitomy of single-motherhood.  Ryan's a lucky kid and Laura's lucky to have a cool kid like Ryan!
I love this kids smile!
Thanks for the fun guys and I hope we do it again sometime soon.

""A boy's best friend is his mother."
~ Joseph Stephano ~

   

JAKE

Jake is my fourth child and the tallest of his siblings. I always feel like i'm SAFE when i've got Jake around.  (too bad I can't take him on all of my little photo explorations!) 

Talk about a BODY GUARD.

  He's always been fun to hang out with and almost always willing to let his mother snap a few shots.
These are the latest ... THANKS Jakester ... you rock!!

SEVEN is Special

Oh ... how would it be to be seven again and to have that same excitement about having a birthday!??

I missed Emma's Birthday party this year cause I was out of town.  So, when I got back,  I told her I'd come and get her and we'd spend an evening doing just what SHE wanted to do. First of all, I took her to pick out some new shoes for the summer and then she chose to go have Chinese food for dinner. After that, she wanted to go for a walk to see the swans on the golf course. I'd told her about them before so, I was really surprised when she actually remembered and asked to go see them.  She was a little nervous about getting too close to them so we didn't get any pictures of her next to a swan. Darn it.
She's just started taking gymnastics so, she was real excited to show me that she can do the chinese splits now! {Ooouch}.  I bet that's the first time the green on the 17th hole has had acrobatics done on it !! 

Later, we just chilled out together and had ICECREAM ... of course, it's her very FAV thing!

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY* Emma!! You're my very FAV granddaughter!!   (lol)