Playing in Chicago

A night at Tony & Tina's Wedding yielded some INTERESTING characters. What fun! My K was set up to dance with the bride and I thought about posting that photo from the weekend just to see what others might say - the bride had long dark hair like me. HEHEHE! I was snapping photos all along and the big-wig of the "event" toted me around to show others. We had quite a time.


We're pretty sure we found one of those characters at the ball game (see the girl above)!

Lucky Girl!

My little helper was happy about being out at Girl Scout camp all weekend. Now that her mother has certain assignments that involve being out in nature, she feels pretty lucky to get in on special things ... but when you can find a REAL horseshoe? That seals it! You're a lucky girl!

First Day of School ...

Back to school ... and as exciting as it is for the kids, I think it's sometimes just as exciting for the parents! Suddenly I'm no longer worried that the days are melting into nothingness. At least there are learning opportunities everyday ... positive ones! This year we have the ultra-cool high schooler and the veteran elementary girl. Both are starting the year with a fashion statement ... cool shoes and t-shirts for one and jungle mania for the other!

From One Camp To Another ...

Even my oldest has finally been able to get in on the camp action ... last week it was baseball camp up in Missouri! He was exhausted, but had a great time. He even won $50 from the coach that dared the campers to hit a home run off a 19 year old pitcher with some amazing curve balls. J did! He's pumped and ready for next year. I think I'll stay home, though! Evidently I become accident-prone in the presence of that much testosterone (see the "Not So Much Fun" blog entry)!

Thanks, Grandpa!

I got this picture in my email today. Isn't it awesome to have a grandpa who lives on a lake? Better yet ... to have a cousin who lives close enough to come be a fishing buddy on Grandpa's lake? M's little adventures have taken her up north this summer and she is having quite a time! School starts next week, and I wonder if I'll recognize my little explorer when she finally gets home and de-grandparentized! She said on the phone earlier, "I should probably go now. We have some fish to kill." I have to laugh - so matter of fact. But she isn't just fishing to fish. She's ready to EAT!

Life truly is precious ...

Without showing faces, I just want to share a glimpse of my first maternity session. I love these beautiful moments that honor a couple's love and the miracle of new life. There's so much I'd like to write but somehow there just aren't words.

*CLARIFICATION* I got an email from my cousin and it prompted me to clarify something. I was BEHIND the camera for these photos! TOO FUNNY!

*ADDENDUM TO THE CLARIFICATION* The email from my cousin overflowing with congratulations and questions was NOT because she thought I was the pregnant one featured in these photos. Here it was from another separate blog that announced my new venture as an executive with Girl Scouts ... two VERY different things! Good for yet another laugh.

My Gold Medal Guy

How cool is this? More later, but he was able to send this from his phone!
*sent via Cingular wireless*

Not So Much Fun ...

OK ... so these guys are anti-fun. I now know this by personal experience (unfortunately). While taking some photos as J moved into his cabin for Baseball Camp, I got attacked! Actually, these guys weren't there when I started taking photos. Leave it to me to have to get a photo of whatever bit me before I go for help!

So ... I drive home with a very swollen hand dunked in ice water, cry for the first hour, stop partway for pharmaceutical items at Wal-Mart, and after 3 days have a normal sized hand again. I'm worried because I have photos to do the next day (I made it through - WHEW!)

At the end of the week ... I am taking pictures of the final game and I wipe out trying to get down a hill! This time I drive home with a throbbing hand (the other one), scrapes on my hand, arm, and feet, stop partway for pharmaceutical items at Wal-Mart (again!), and after 3 days finally have scabs but very sore! Again, I was worried because I had my first maternity photo shoot the next day (again - I made it through).

What is this with Baseball Camp? I think someone else needs to bring J next year!

Frog Races ...

Sometimes the most entertaining things are the most simple. Who would have thought that frogs in a trough of water could be so much fun? My kids got their competition on with these little squishy guys at Silver Dollar City.

Liberty

I have been so blessed over the past couple of years to have visited places like these where history comes alive. I still don't consider myself a history buff or even an avid fan, but to see the icons of freedom for myself is so inspiring! I don't know why. I can't really explain it. But it's a moment of awe when I can see and touch and photograph things like this. Naturally, I have TONS of photos ... but I chose this one because of the grand scale when one realizes those little dots are people.

And I have to deeply thank my "back home" friend, Connie, for making this part of my New York adventure possible. She works for the Statue's non-profit organization and was able to get us on the boat just in the nick of time!

Ground Zero at Night

It's not often that I have the opportunity to be on top of a tour bus in the middle of the night in New York City. And quite rare to have that tour bus unmanned with a substitute guide being a native New Yorker yelling at the top of her lungs at the back of the bus! But I have to admit, it was quite the tour and those of us within listening distance would have recommended her for the job. It's a long story and I don't have time to tell it tonight ... but I saw a grouping of photos from that night that got separated from all the others.

This is a drive by view from the scene of our 911 tragedy. Years later, I am amazed to see the efforts are still continuing in this big empty space we call "Ground Zero." It makes me think of how much longer it takes to rebuild after a tragedy. It's not a matter of picking things up and going on from there. Sometimes you have to tear down the structures that can no longer support new growth. There is a massive cleanup effort that may go on for years and years. And most importantly, there is the essential groundwork for something bigger and better in the future. Round the clock, there is something to do.

Not just in buildings, but in life as well. It inspires me to patience and dedication. It gives me hope. There is light shining in the night that brings a promise of a new and better future. It renews my drive to never give up for the best is yet to come.

After 20 Years ...

I didn't go to my 20 year reunion ... neither did Connie. She was one of the people I wondered about, so I decided to see if I could find her. And I did ... in New York! She and her daughter, the fabulous Miss O, welcomed us for a visit. They have decorated their place with inspiring artwork they have created and it made me want to go home and break out the paint with my little M. What a treat to catch up a bit after 20 years! Yes, 20 years. I've been one who is terrible about keeping in touch with people. But it sure is fun rediscovering those lives that went on around me and are still moving forward.


Standing on Connie's balcony, this is what I see! Isn't this amazing? If only I had a panoramic lens that could capture the whole breadth of the Manhattan skyline!

Her first "real" camp!

This made me laugh for some reason ... I guess that's part of the camp experience!


Such a brave little camper ... a room full of 18 little girls and parents all making an exodus! She smiled and waved and was VERY excited about her first camp!


Only 3 days ... but boy was she worn out! She fell asleep on the way home, never really got to go to bed early, and after a late night of shooting off fireworks may have caught up a little. She slept almost until noon!

Something peaceful ...

Chicago was a quick trip for a photo assignment ... not much time to wander and take my own photos! But this one has remained in my mind as a favorite. While walking the streets toward the old water tower, a Catholic (I think) seminary was right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. Even though my belief reference differs, there was something special about this old building with all its saints and statues. For me, the moment was a reminder of the simple inner peace available to me regardless of the crazy circumstances around me.

And it brought a thankfulness (and still does) for the people in my life who inspire and share those peaceful moments with me. I find myself hoping I can be a source of such peace for them as well.

A fire in the hand ...

... is hopefully NOT worth two in the bush! The kids had their first 4th of July that wasn't a part of some big group or family gathering. We went to the fireworks store for the first time (what a trip!) and set them off until we closed our block down.

Lazy Days

Just got back from a day at Camp Tenkiller with my little photog assistant. As you can see, she had a VERY difficult job today. She loved it! We'd go back in a heartbeat ... and plan to!

In case you're "neckless" ...

I have to admit I found this wonderfully humorous. These are settings on a medical emergency neck brace ... tall, regular, short, or NECKLESS!

Pirate Debut

Inspired by my irresistible K, the fascination with all things piratey has rubbed off on my little M. This theatrical (camp skit) debut as "Captain Jack" had her humming for days!

The secret plan ...

The coach walked up to the parents and absolved himself of anything about to happen. The guys got together and conspired to trick the other team. The third baseman hid the ball in his glove and went back to base. They called the runner out. LOL ... silly boys.

Baseball with the boys ...

A day with the Tulsa Drillers ... how cool is that? My little one got to be part of the fielding workshop. She is such a good sport! We shared the experience with all kinds of baseball teams from the area, and WOW are there a lot of little boys around! I'd share some of the photos from the stands, but I don't know that nose picking and face making are all THAT entertaining!

Reading ROCKS!

The last few days of school are here. These reading awards are a constant on the neck of my little one lately! She met more "AR" (advanced reading) goals than anyone in her class. Can you tell I'm a proud mama?

And FINALLY ... Germany!

While I didn't spend much time out in the countryside, this is a typical quaint and picturesque view as I went speeding toward my first taste of Germany. To see more of the trip to and from Cologne and Frankfurt, click on the web album below.

Germany

Scared Turkey

I scared a wild turkey today ... and he scared me! Of course, not the best photo, but it sure was a moment! I was taking the scenic route back to Grand Rapids and noticed a sign for a nature reserve. I decided to turn off the highway and follow the signs. The pavement turned to gravel. The birds seemed louder. Before long I found the reserve and though it was closed, it had a brochure and well-marked trails. So I took a hike! My peaceful serene photo walk (complete with Dr. Seuss flowers - I'll share that sometime, too) was suddenly turned into a tiny adventure ... for both me and the turkey! Evidently I got too close for comfort and he decided to leave his hiding place. Little did he know, I would never have spied him where he was. The sudden escape sounded more like a mini tornado. After I realized what had happened, I tried to grab a photo of him fleeing the forest. Thankfully he flew AWAY from me - I think he could have taken me down! I didn't know they were so HUGE!