Ssshhhhh....it's a surprise

I guess I am hopeful that dear-ole-dad won't take a sneak peak at my website seeing how this is a little Father's Day treat....but considering he didn't even know about the shoot...I'm not too worried.  Spent a little time with mom, B and W the other day and mom said they were worried about it being 'as painful as their Christmas Card pictures'.......but to their surprise, the first thing I told them was to "go play" - W's response was, "uhh, okay."  I think it wasn't too painful after all.  And I must say, what a sweet brother and sister you guys are....you actually seem to like each other!

House of Blues

Great weekend away with a group of girl friends.....and one lonely Y chromosome.  Lots of laughter, dancing and late nights.  Just what all of us needed with households full of children and laundry.  We were in Myrtle Beach to go to a Darius Rucker concert on Saturday night at the House of Blues.

If you are into country music and haven't yet gotten his CD "Learn to Live"... you need to get on over to Target and get it.....it's great.  If you're not into country music, this album will change your mind.  And if you get the opportunity to go out and see a concert - it is SO WORTH IT.

Summertime and Good Ole Fashioned Imagination

Every so often, I get fed up with the fact that my children have the Wii, PSP, TV, iPod, or this, that and the other electronic to mush away their day.  It always surprises me how quickly they get creative when all of these things are removed from their reach.  Sunday, we did the ole "turn that off and get outside" and before we knew it, they were dragging all sorts of materials down the street to construct something.....something big.  They were so excited and pleased with themselves.  Not one child came in for dinner because they were "busy" - fine by me....I was excited for them.  

When it was all said and done, they had set a "launch" date for the afternoon of Monday, Memorial Day.  They had built a good, old fashioned raft with wood from a pallet and flotation devices from all the neighbors' recycling bins....they tied on clorox bottles, water bottles, laundry detergent bottles....anything that would float was attached to the bottom of this wood.  They spray painted, attached tile, used old skate board trucks and decorated this bad boy for the river.  This old school project beats the Wii any day of the week.

Celebration!!

Last weekend my family was invited to help celebrate a very big day for a good friend of ours. Once upon a time, sweet L was born and not expected to live 2 weeks or really even 2 days. She's a special little girl born without much of what you and I have, yet she gives you so much more than what you expect from her. She's really been a gift to this family and to so many others.

One of my favorite things that she's done all her life is she holds her left hand up with palm facing outward and looks at the back of her hand as if she's admiring a big ole diamond on on her finger. Come to think of it, I think her mama bought her a sparkly ring so she could have something to fancy on that sweet finger of hers.

Well, last Sunday we celebrated the 10th birthday of little Miss Priss! If only those doctors knew 10 years ago what a little tiger she was going to be and show them that she was a fighter! Thanks for such a great time we had in the rain with her younger brother and sister and lots of friends and family! Happy Birthday precious girl.

Sugah!

Moving a little slowly this morning.... I had a great time with friends last night starting with dinner and laughs and ending up at a Sugarland concert.....high energy and not a note off key.  It was pretty dramatic when several lanterns dropped down into the stage area.  Great interaction with the crowd and you can just tell they are having a good time on stage.  Shooting bubbles galore and there was even a disco ball for the 80's flare up when Jennifer Nettles pulls a little Madonna out of her pocket....Holiday!   If you ever get the chance....get out and see them.  

Mother's Day Visit

I had a photo shoot with this cute family this past weekend.  The children were home for Mother's Day and the grandparents were in town.  They immediately made me feel comfortable and I could tell that they enjoyed their family time together.  We had lots of laughs about the dog, SOCKS and a pretty little Japanese Maple tree.  Thanks for motivating me to get to work in my yard......my legs and back are very sore now!

Cotton Dock Bliss

Sara and Jessie had a BEAUTIFUL outdoor wedding and reception at the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation this past weekend.  It was laid back and happy - just as a celebration should be.  The groomsmen were in flip flops and the bridesmaids in flats (they are LOVING you, Sara!)  The weather was perfect and just warm enough to set the mood for a little Firefly Sweet Tea for the guests.  Congratulations you two....thanks for a good time!  Pictures will be up soon.

Children's Miracle Network

One of my favorite things to do to help "give back" is to take pictures at the MUSC Children's Hospital.  My husband and I had the benefit of the hospital with two of our children when they were little bitty babies so I really enjoy giving a little something to the parents in there.

A picture I took about a year ago was submitted into the Children's Miracle Network international photo contest by the Children's Hospital.  Back in March, I was thrilled to receive an email saying it had placed 3rd!!  Yesterday, I got an email showing me what the Children's Miracle Network is going to do with the photo......it will be the WalMart and Sam's poster for their May campaign!!

Perfect Day!

Congratulations Mike and Michelle!!  Their wedding was outdoors set right by the water in beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina.  The weather could not have been better.  Michelle ordered simple and she got it and it was perfect.  The biggest frill of the day was her arrival on a fire truck.....but he's a fire chief...so pretty cool don't you think?  Other than that, the day was unpretentious and completely about their commitment to each other.  Cheers to a long, happy life together.

BIG TV DAY in our household....LMN"*"

Today, at 4:00 sharp.....my whole family tuned in to watch a big talk show on NBC.  Darius Rucker was a guest on this "O" so famous show.  This appearance has been a longtime dream of his and a much deserved opportunity.  What I didn't know is THAT IT WAS AN UNREALIZED DREAM OF MINE THAT CAME TRUE TODAY AS WELL....my photography was shot behind him as he performed.  The whole show was incredible and exciting and I am thrilled for him.  He could not be more humble and deserving of all of his success.  

I, on the other hand, could not find a mountain high enough TO GO UP AND SCREAM to the whole world a big WAHOO! that I just had a handful of pictures shown on the LMN*... show (due to an agreement I had to sign I can't mention "as seen on HER show"....you know, Miss LMN*....

Thank you, Darius and Beth, for such a great opportunity.  (It really was so very cool to see my name flash up in the credits......)

Red, Red and more Red

A sweet family from North Carolina was down in Charleston for the Easter weekend.  I got to hang out with them on Good Friday on a playground downtown.  The weather was perfect for the children to have a good time before having to sit still in a noon church service.  

The seven year olds are twins and their baby sister is a little red-headed fire ball.  She is on the go all the time leading her mother to tell me that she is a bigger handful than the twins were put together!  They are all super sweet and cute and the red hair is the BEST!  

I hope your Easter weekend in Charleston was great!