Weekend at Molly's

Our daughter, Molly, is going through a major setback with her Crohn's right now. They have taken her completely off food and she's getting her nutrition through a Central Line and TPN. After having so much difficulty getting everything set up, she has to be hooked up to this big backpack for 10 hrs each night. This is a gift one of her friends gave her - she has all these qualities and so much more.

Easter Photos

I used to post updates to my old blog all the time. But now, I'm spending so much time getting this business going. I had a photo session last Friday and even with being gone on Easter weekend, I got the proofs uploaded on Monday night. I finished the order and all my Quickbook entries last night so now I have a little more time.

We had such fun in Chicago over the weekend. I don't think I've every had peel-and-eat shrimp for Easter dinner b4 but that was just part of the beautiful buffet at Dick's. The most fun, though, was listening to the Beatle's band. That's another first for Easter. Paige was totally into the music but too shy to dance along with them very much. This was our celebration for my son's birthday.

Earlier in the day we went to the huge 4th Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue. We had to stand outside in a block-long line to get in. After we snaked around the corner we realized that there was another line the same length coming in from the other side! We thought we were going to be routed to the balcony but instead they sent us to the second row. Paige was just in awe of the brass choir and the beautiful white tulips adorning the sanctuary. She even folded her hands and closed her eyes during a prayer. She was really good.

Here are just a couple of my favorite photos from the weekend. She loved her new dress and shoes.

Baby Bedroom

I was cleaning up my baby bedroom last night and now it's cleaner than it's been for a long, long time. What a good feeling. I also folded diapers last night and what memories that brought back for me. My sister and I folded cloth diapers for all of our children so they would fit better. There's something very relaxing about that process and thinking about the little baby bottoms that will fit into them. Guess this really dates me, doesn't it?

This time, I'll use the cloth diapers when I photograph babies in lieu of a naked tushy or a disposable.

Baby in a Cup

I finally got to use my teacup planter from Walmart to photograph a baby. This is Dillon and he was totally happy while sitting in this cup. I was worried that he might be uncomfortable but, I think he could have stayed there even longer.

19 Pound Guard Dog

Here's our little white dog playing with the kids last weekend. He takes his guard-dog role more seriously every day. He sits by the front door or by the garage or by the back sliding glass doors keeping an eye for possible intruders. 19 pounds and 19 inches - not really too scary.


Seems the battery in his "correction" collar had drained and sure enough, since he's constantly testing it, he disappeared from the yard. Thank goodness, the neighbors from two doors down called to report that he was on their front steps. That's the second time they have rescued him for us.

I finally sent off the order for this client last night - this process will get shorter in the future (I hope). This is one of my favorites.

Finally Time to Play with New Camera

My school (and place of employment) was cancelled at noon today due to our high winds and blowing snow. I'm so glad. I've finally had time to experiment a little with my new 5D and this awesome 85mm lens. We have more grandchildren coming this weekend so we're praying for safe travels. There were several accidents on Pearl City Rd this morning and lots of cars in the ditch between here and Rockford. I've got to tear myself away from this beautiful notebook computer and 'purty' Vista and finish getting my dinner and house ready for them. I tried the lasagna recipe from The Pioneer Woman website and it looks yummy.





March is definitely coming in like a lion here in NW Illinois.

Nic and Jason

I got several good shots of Nic and Jason even though Jason was quite bored posing for me in the solarium at the Beach Club where we stayed. What a beautiful area. One night we went right across the little lake and hung out on the Boardwalk. Nic says he might be a "street performer", too. We watched a very funny magic show. This photo of Nic is at MGM on Monday, our first day. The boys both have beautiful, brown eyes that always catch the light. It drizzled a little but we were just fine.

I declined the Tower of Terror after doing it three years ago. So, they made all the plunges random and it isn't predictable any more. Who cares? Grandpa did every ride (several times) with the rest of the family. I did do the Rockin' Roller Coaster, though. Whoah!@ 0-65 mph in 2.8 second. What a wild trip.

More February Birthdays

These shots on Cocoa Beach show how playful and relaxed Molly was during our Disney week. She had a birthday on Wednesday, 29 and holding, and since we were gone last week and President's Day was on Monday, she got most of her cards and gifts late. I just want to sing her travel agent praises. She planned, reserved, herded us around for the whole week and everything went like clockwork.



We also celebrated Jason's 11th birthday while we in Disney. Molly arranged to have the diver at the Coral Reef Restaurant (Epcot) hold up a sign underwater so everybody knew it was his birthday. He was very playful during his time in the water and then they brought him this awesome desert. Actually, Jason was born on Leap Day in 1996. All of our grandkids have kind of unusual birthday.

Velvet Saves Mt Hood Climbers

We love to read stories about super-hero dogs in the news. They credit Velvet, a labrador mix, with saving the lives of the Mt Hood climbers by providing them extra heat. We call our little white dog, Bogie, my little heater. He warms up my hands so nice when he curls up on my lap in our favorite chair. This morning he's all curled up after his daily leg rub when he evidently saw a cat. You can tell that it's a cat by his distinctive (and annoying) high bark. We hate to let him out when he's so hyped up like that but if we don't, he keeps scratching on the door and tearing around from window to window. Yikes!

Yesterday on our lunch-time walk we met a new little puppy in the neighborhood. She's Lily, an 11-week-old miniature Yorkshire Terrier. Bogie was so happy to see her he was literally turning flips in the air. We're so happy not to be back in the potty training stage.

Speaking of potty training, Paige is! She's coming to our house this weekend and now gets to wear her princess and Dora panties every day to pre-school. One day it just clicked with her. She'll be three on tax day.

Here's a couple more photos from Disney. I took all my night-time photos without flash with 1600 iso so they aren't all super-sharp but I love the look. I even tried shooting inside the 3D movies - doesn't work real well.

Back from Disney

Just back from Disney and I'm anxious to share some of my favorites. What a lovely day it was yesterday at Cocoa Beach. We had a little road trip away from the kiddo crowds for a bit to relax at this beachside restaurant for a while. It was awesome to have Molly to ourselves for a little while, too. Now, we're home, and back to a foot of snow with temps in the low 20s. Our furnace had shut off so it was only 49 degrees when we walked into our house. We sure were pleased to see that some kind neighbor blew the new snow off of our driveway, sidewalks and porch! Gotta' start the laundry now if I can tear myself away from these photos.

Love looking at these photo memories. We miss you already Watkins family!

 

Erin's Birthday

Last weekend, Erin turned two-years-old. She's our youngest granddaughter and such a little beauty. I'm so satisfied when I actually get a great capture of her deep, blue eyes and their kitchen has awesome light.

I am so ready to leave this frigid midwest weather. It's cold and stark, white here. Soon, we'll be heading for Disney World with Nic and Jason and parents and Bogie will be having a ball at the kennel.

Ruckus Last Night

I was up late watching the inDesign video from Kevin Swan and finally went to locate Bogie at about 11:30. It was odd that he wasn't already sound asleep on our bed but found him studying the backyard from the West Wing instead. He immediately started barking ferociously like - it was like his "there's a cat" bark but only louder. At first I couldn't see anything at all out there but then a large doe come into view with four smaller ones right behind. I'm sure they could hear this 19 lb maniac and so they only stayed for a few minutes. They were so beautiful in the full moonlight.

Here's his watch post in our bedroom


I'm heading over to take some photos of a school event in a little while. I've taken alot of Cosmetology students recently and the photos cycle through on my school's homepage.

Is Anybody Out There?

I've been working on the photography website and have had problems logging into blogger so that's the story - here's a photo we love of Bogie and Erin from a couple of weeks ago. She loves Bogie and he loves her.

Brand New Website for NmB Photography

I have a domain name! I decided to make the switch to an honest-to-goodness website for my photography and just see where it goes (if anywhere).

Tell me what you think.

All Five Kiddos

Finally got a pretty good shot of all my grandchildren. Don't the boys have nice catchlights? I'm still learning how to set the lights correctly. Plus, somehow while I was messing with the aperture I set the shutter speed to high to sync so I came out with some unusual results.

Start Them Young

She's a child after my own heart, for sure. This is the only thing she wanted for Christmas. She walked around telling people how to pose and smile and such.

Grandkids Photoshoot

I'm so glad that I finally got a few good shots of all five grandkids this Christmas. The suckers were bribes and it worked pretty well. However, Paige was VERY, very sad (and surprised) when her Mom snatched it away right after the shoot was over. I used both of my flashes off camera.

Just Horsin' Around

We were finishing Christmas prep this morning. This was the last gift to wrap but first we had to get Bogie all riled up - first the Santa Claus and then this horse. It's so easy to mess with him. We are greatly entertained by this "little white dog" of ours.

We went out for a nice lunch at the Rafters and then each took a nap. We're anxious for everybody to arrive but really appreciated having this quiet day, too.

You're Beautiful, Grandpa

Paige and Papa had such fun last time we were there - I just had to post a couple more photos. While we shopped, they played with the jewelry and dolls and watched Cinderella a couple more times. I love the variety of dolls she lined up here and how contented Papa looks. He said he also sang Little Drummer Boy to her while she marched around the apartment - priceless.

Christmas Program for Kelby

Got to spend some time with Erin and Kelby last weekend so I could see his church Christmas program. I listened to audio books all the way over and back: I finished A Bend in the Road, by Nicholas Sparks, and also finished Call of the Wild, by Jack London. Now, I'm listening to Charles Frasier's new one, Thirteen Moons. I don't care for the narrator's voice, though, so that's kinda' disappointing to me. Might have to read it instead.

I got some shopping time in with Dawn (always lots of fun). She found some black pants that I desperately needed (to wear to church the next morning) that were only $20.00 - "not even like spending any money, she said."