End of Summer, Time for School!

WOW is it really that time already? Time for school books, yellow buses, girl scouts and teacher?!?! It can't be that time already, but alas it is.  Amazing how quickly the summer has gone by for us.  I am completely blown out of the water - while we didn't do anything overtly exciting, we leave our excitement to the small things.  For us though, the summer brought a wonderous adventure to the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg, MD.  A memory harkened from childhood and shared with our little ones.  Some of my fondest memories from my own childhood stem from going to the fair, first with my parents as a child, seeing the animals, riding the rides and getting some home made ice cream from the dairy barn - to the early teen years volunteering at the church food booth serving food to hungry fair goers in an effort to raise some money for the church - to the teen years spent cruising the carnival for boys! ;-)  This time around though it was taking the kids to the fair, showing them the sites, sounds, and rides my husband and I enjoyed growing up! You do know the camera went with! See the below and enjoy!

From a short vacation to Back to School...We've Had a Busy Summer!

1st Day of 2nd Grade!!!

1st Day of 4th Grade!!

It's Been Quite Sometime Hasn't It? Figure It was Time to Stop By!

With the summer at it's 1/2 way point, I am somewhat saddened but happy at the same time.  We all revel in the chance to have fun over the course of the summer, enjoying family outings, going to the beach, an occasional vacation, and then the rush to get ready for School.


While our short vacation has not arrived yet, we have tried to make an effort to get to the beach more often, and just enjoy time together as a family.  With my husband's long work hours, being scheduled around my 9-5 work schedule, that time is precious and far in between.  So we have formed a routine for Friday evenings, dinner at a local pizza place and then dessert at our new favorite place, Sweet Frog, and then maybe, if time is permitting a walk on the beach.


Another item becoming quite popular in our house, with the kids at least, is a small pool we purchased for them this summer.  FINALLY! After many summers debating whether or not to get one, haggling over how much we want to spend, we finally went with a 6' 15" deep wading pool, and I have to say it's the most popular toy in the house right now!


The other day, I actually was home to be with the kids while they played and of course, I had my camera! So enjoy the moments caught while they were swimming!

An improvised diving board, LOL!!

Annual Portrait Time for the Kiddos!!!!

It's that time of year again, despite what my children may think, it's time for their annual portraits!

We had a time of it, as per usual Austin did not want to cooperate, so it took a lot of coaxing to even get him to come outside and take the dern photos, never mind adding his sister to the mix for their joint picture.

Today Mother Nature was with us and the weather has been perfect! So very pleased about that...sun has been shining and the humidity very low.  So yeah all around!

I especially wanted some nice photos of the kids because today is afterall, Father's day, and what better gift for their Dad than a wonderful picture of themselves...

But to no further adieu, please Enjoy!

Our Daughter Ashley, 7.5 yrs old

Our Son Austin, 9.5 Yrs Old

In the Tree, His Idea, Turned Out Beautifully!

And the Two Together!

The Big Day! Amanda & Mike's Wedding, May 19, 2012

So I did it! My very first wedding...the weather report was for rain, clouds, cold, etc. etc. etc. however, Mother nature came through for the Bride & Groom and they had AWESOME weather.  At lunch time the clouds moved out, the sun came through and we had an absolutely gorgeous evening.  It was not too hot, nor too cold, no humidity and everything worked out just as the bride and groom planned.  I could not have been more pleased!

That being said, being the photographer for a wedding a 110 times different than being a guest going behind the photographer capturing those moments that they might have missed...this time I was responsible for getting everything.  I felt I got everything I could, missed the bigger moments due to some technical difficulties with my camera...poor planning meant the battery died 1/2 way through the evening...but all the same I took somewhere around 450 pictures and came out with just over 150 usable ones to give my bride and groom to have.

I cannot wait to get their input back and hear what they think.  All I can say is that Amanda was absolutely GORGEOUS in her Blue Dress and Silver Flip Flops, LOL!! With Mike in his black tux and bright blue vest.  I must say this wedding was by far the most colorful and laid back I've ever attended.  Definitely a switch from a month prior where my sister's wedding was a little more formal and old world Hollywood.  While pretty in its own right, Amanda and Mike's wedding screamed everything North Carolina.  I loved it!

I must also say this one last thing before I share some of my pictures - the bride and groom treated me with the most respect, gave me my leave to do what I needed and allowed me to do what I needed to do.  Treated me as a guest and not just a vendor.  I felt 100% comfortable with my surroundings and my bride and groom.  Thank-You so very much guys! I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful couple for my first wedding!

Now onto the fun!

The site the WLI Club in Wrightsville Beach, NC

My Bride & Groom, Amanda & Mike Hollowaty

My Bride in her Lovely Blue Gown

The Programs Were Also Fans!

Love this One, It Just Sort of Happened!

See what I mean? Color Everywhere!

Instead of a Unity Candle - Dual Colored Sand!

Mike and his Best Man, Bacho

The Groom's Sister, Sarah, doing a Reading

Amanda, the Bride and her Maid of Honor, Amanda

The Maid of Honor and her Multi-Colored Bouquet

Been Entirely too Long Since I've Come to Visit!

But there's been a VERY good reason! Our computer went caput on us over the holidays, shortly after my last post to be exact, and we've had to wait until we were able to get a new one! I am very pleased to report that we have a new computer now, well new to us, used to one of my hubby's co-workers! But hey, it works and hasn't given us any issues! The best part, is that while the 'old' computer still works, a little, hubby can use it while I play on the new laptop! YEAH!!!!

Well, like my old post said, this year will bring with it new challenges and opportunities - our challenges have been personal financial issues that we're working through overcoming - the opportunities however are starting!
I am very proud to announce that in May 2012 I will be photographing my VERY First Wedding! OMG Can you see how nervous I am.  While my friend, Kim, has all the confidence in me she thinks I need, I just hope the bride and groom are patient with me, I'll certainly try my best to do right by them, but we shall see!  I am very excited at the same time, if this works out well, which I am going to stay positive it will, then who knows where this could lead.  While I'd love to launch lg Photography officially, I am not quite sure I am ready to take on all aspects of running my own business.  We shall see.

The second opportunity is possibly a chance to try my hand at teaching again at the college level...whew. 

Anyhew, whilst all of this is going on, I have gotten behind my camera more and more as time is going on and I am very pleased with the results!  Enjoy the below!