The C and C Show

C and C Jigsaw Puzzle

Finally, We have a slideshow from Chris and Christina's wedding, and boy, is it JUMBO and JUICY!!. Do Not, I repeat, DO Not attempt to watch this one if you are on dial-up!! Check out the short and sweet!! version, instead.

Everybody probably knows how much I have grown to love Chris and Christina over the last couple of months. In fact, without too many apologies to their parents, I am just going to officially adopt them! What a treasure it has been for me to be a part of their wedding celebration.

Math is Not my Strong Suit

I had to drive the party wagon all last week. I did NOT want to drive it on the trip to Greenville this week. Then Carrie asked if she could go with me. A hasty calculation: Corey, Jakob, Agape, and me plus Carrie = 5. Yes! I can drive my comfy car!!! It wasn't until about bedime last night that it dawned on me: I forgot to add into the calculation the young man that we were picking up in Kernersville on the way home. EEEKS! Thankfully, the kids were good-natured about the sardine experiment (how many people can you cram into a VW bug is WAAAAAAAY before their time!) and we arrived safely at "Camp McPherson" ready for all the good times that lie ahead.
The results of bored kids and a snappy camera:


Thanks go out to the Bennetts for providing clues to a letterbox that led us to the discovery of a lovely park in Raleigh, Durant Nature Park.

Not to be forgotten, a (completely random) puzzle for today:
Little Sunshines Jigsaw Puzzle

My Favorite Brother

Grayson Highlands Jigsaw Puzzle
3 guesses where we went hiking with Amos yesterday . . . and the first two don't count! I know, I know!!!! So, yeah, it's Grayson Highlands (for the 3rd time in as many weeks!) but I had to put this shot up because that stile is now history. They have replaced it with a double gate that looks more like a cattle chute.
SO, Amy, here's your favorite bro'

and the view from Wilburn Ridge (No storm clouds . . . .yeah!!)

It gets good and hot here for about 2 weeks each summer, and today was one of those days. When it got to be 84 in the house, I loaded up the kids, headed for Pa-Pa's And sat in the warm river for 2 hours. I didn't take a camera, but here is a shot of Pa-Pa's place from last year:

Wedding Season Arrrives

Puzzled Rings Jigsaw Puzzle

Today, I attended a wedding without a camera in my hand. Can you imagine how frustrating?? From my seat in the choir loft, I had the BEST vantage point for shooting, but all I could do was whisper "Click!" to Yvonne who was seated next to me. I'm just like a fisherman and the proverbial "one that got away."

I will be attending a wedding photographer's seminar in Baltimore on Monday and have had to spend some time reviewing my porfolio to prepare for it. They said to pick 4 (ONLY 4!*#&!*!) of my favorites to send ahead for a slideshow. TORTURE!!! There are so many that I love. They are all like my little babies. How do you love one child more than another?!?! Which child do I choose to put on the alter of scrutiny by others in the industry who have no emotional attachment to those images? So, while it is scarry to be open to comments and criticism; at the same time, I am energized by the prospect of growing and learning from the experience. As a side benefit of this process, I am narrowing down the field and sharpening my focus to get the protfolio ready to submit to the website designer. YAH!
Here's a few that have made the cut so far:

My own dear Amy and Johnny . . .so in love!

The moment before April walked down the aisle and into Matt's arms.

Infrared image from Amy and Johnny's wedding. This is the "Mother of the Bride's view." Christa, the flower girl holding the veil is quite the beautiful young lady now. (And I do mean beautiful in every way.) Love you, sweetie! I'm going to miss you terribly this summer.

This is Muna comforting her father who is overcome by the realization that he has just travelled all the way to America from Israel to give 2 of his 5 daughters away in marriage.