When all else fails.....

Caputre them in pictures when they have no idea you have the camera out....these were both taken between family gatherings on Easter Day - in between lunch and supper we had about an two hours to enjoy the beautiful day.

Soaking up the sun while reading a book.

Carson's flip flop feet - loving the warm weather, but not necessarily the dirty toes that come along with the flip flops - but I will take it.

Happy Easter

It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon - after the 10:00 am rain - that started at the same time as the annual Crothersville Easter Egg Hunt.  As quickly as the 6-8 year old age group started, they were done - yet again, not many pictures of Carson.  However, I did get a few shots of some friends babies in the 0-2 year old age group - since they don't move quite as fast.  None the less, the kids didn't let a little drizzle dampen their spirts for hunting the eggs and gathering their prizes.

(Carson's basket of eggs and goodies)

Thanks to Cassie and Krystal for letting me capture your precious little ones.  Happy Easter.

Maybe there is still hope

After countless hours (no, I am not willing to admit how many) I finally figured out how to download some free actions into PS8 to use.  I also figured out how the texture thing works too - just need to figure out how to get more of those "freebies" too.  This is called a seventies action - quite appropriate to go along with the huge sunglasses.  Now, if I can just remember how to do it again next time....

Spring Break Photo Gallery

Cades Cove was closed - what???? Yes, for the first time in 30 years they decided to pave the entire loop and close the park.  Carson was very disappointed and we were too - we drove all the way out there to find it closed - had we read the newspaper we picked up at the visitors center on our way into the Smoky Mountains we wouldn't have found ourselves in that predicament - but we never claimed to be too smart!  Our Smoky Mountain drive was fun, though.

Carson checking out the stream in the Smoky Mountains - the water was very, very cold.

Trying to not slip and fall in.

We stopped at the top look out and both kids had their electronic gadets with them - so different than when I was a kid.

Obviously my settings didn't get changed when I tried to capture the snow in the mountains - but I actaully thought it turned out very different and unique so it is a keeper.

Carson isn't the bravest kid in the world (unlike his sister who will try anything) - so when he asked if he could ride the bull in Cherokee, NC, we knew the answer had to be yes.  He started off slow but we finally convinced him to go faster - until he fell off :)

Sometimes the best pictures are the ones when the subject has no idea you are snapping away.

The story behind this one....someone was goofing off while we explored the streams in the Smoky Mountains and took a big chunk off of her big toe when jumping off a log...the first aid kit in the car was finally put to good use.  She was more worried about the polish on her toes.

Icesicles coming off the mountains.

One of our first stops on Saturday  morning was to the Coach store - someone had money to burn and it wasn't me - a certain 13 year old now owns 3 real Coach purses and her mother doesn't have a single one.

Carson playing outside of our cabin.

Some of the best pictures come from simple things in nature...I guess this is moss...growing in the woods outside of our cabin.  It is really unique and it doesn't complain when I take a picture of it.

Bristol Photo Gallery

Carson is obsessed with Matt Kenseth so we took plenty of pictures of him going around the track.

Lee Greenwood on the big screen...probably a staple at every Bristol spring race but no one gets tired of hearing him perform God Bless The USA...we have had tickets for around 10 years and every year we go I think he performs.

Racing about ready to begin

We had to take some pictures of Tony Stewart for Mackenzie, too.

More Racing...oh, I forgot to mention - it was chilly on race day - not exactly shorts weather this year - some people didn't plan ahead so well and had to be cold.  It never rained much - just enough periodic drizzle to be an inconveience.

Several empty seats at the track this year - first time I ever remember it not being packed.

And then, there is me....I get bored at the race - seriously, yes!  I can only turn my neck back and forth so many times watching the cars go around and around...so what caught my attention this year?  All of the photographers and their equipment.  Check out this picture below?  I wonder how many thousands of dollars worth of equipment he has here?  I could get some good sports shots with that camera.  You can't see it but he has another camera laying down beside him - this entertained me for quite some time.

Spring Break

It was so nice to have a few days of R&R...well, not necessarily very relaxing as we stayed very busy but it was at least a change of pace and scenery - I love getting away - doesn't really matter where to - just something different from time to time and spending time with my husband and kids.  Never mind the road trip "he's touching me", "she's looking at me", type comments on a 5 hour drive - but the memories we are making that we will have for a lifetime - and it sure is going by quick!

Vintage Photography

Vintage Photography?  Nope....didn't start out that way.  Started out as a color image with a shadow and a dear friend of mine agreed to work with it in Photoshop...and wallah....what do we have?  According to Stacey, an adorable vintage photograph.  I didn't see it that way until she made that comment and I absolutely love it.