a God thing....

So I've been hired to do some pics of a sod field growing. Exciting huh? Actually DA Hoerr wants some pics taken every week or so from the same spot to show how the sod grows and all the stages associated w/growing & harvesting sod. So anyway, one of the things we decided to do was get some close-ups of individual grass plants and their different stages of growth. I know it sounds like it would be pretty "ho-hum" but let me tell you there is all kinds of stuff we don't see until you look at it thru a macro lens.

So that's what I did the other day for some practice out in my yard. The lens I was using isn't the greatest but had a macro setting. This is what came out of that practice...



this one is a dew drop out of focus...cool huh?



Only God would take time every morning to decorate each individual blade of grass, and we walk right by it or sometimes step right on it. It made me think about how much He does for me that I don't see, that I don't even look for because my focus is on getting from one place to another.

It was so cool to see so much beauty in the tiniest thing and it really made me want to do more of this kind of work. Of course I'd need a better lens....I think they run about $1000...hmmmm I'll have to think about it.

The Reinhard Girls & Sarah's senior session

I can't believe that my niece "Sarah" is a senior already. She was so funny when she came over. She's not a "girly" girl and told me upfront that she doesn't want a bunch of "pretty" pics. She wanted to have some FUN!!! So we did. I've gotta say that I've never had such an active senior girl session....




I also took her younger sister's yearly pics. Each one of these girls have their own distinct peronalities.





Poor Faith was sick w/some kind of stomach bug but hung in there and smiled like nothing was bothering her.

This session sure made me miss their brother Gabriel. I know he would have come up with something to make the shoot even more exciting. Last year he had caught a toad and was so excited to get his pic taken w/it. He just had a HUGE grin on his face for those pics....he was such a fun kid.

the dunes

We had a great time up at the dunes. In my family we could be considered pack animals...when a few of us decide that we're going to get together and do something fun, it usually ends up to be about 35 or so others join in. I never got a final count but let's just say that we may have exceeded the 6 people per campsite limit. We did reserve 4 sites though so at least it was only by a few per campsite...or maybe a few more than a few:)


Most of us got there Friday night and set up in the dark. The forcast wasn't looking to great for Saturday but after driving 4 hours it's not like you're gonna turn around and head home.

Saturday morning it was cloudy but warm so we headed to the beach hoping the vball net was still up. I didn't think about it being after Labor Day and that certain things in the park may be closed for the season.
Thankfully the net was up and we got to play several games before a storm blew in.




Saturday afternoon some went the hotel (a couple of the family members don't camp) and swam and sat in the hot tub or played card games in the lobby. Some of us took a much needed nap and then played some card games in the campers....yeah, I was one that may have needed a nap. Funny how when you're little naps are the worst thing in the world and when your older they are the best!




Saturday night the rain pretty much stopped so we made bacon over the fire.

Sunday morning dawned SUNNY! The forcast said 60% chance of rain but it was a beautiful day so we went to the beach and my brother in law shared some scripture that had been encouraging him since loosing his son in an accident in Haiti a year ago. We worshipped God through song, speaking, & prayer.

The rest of the day was spent playing vball, football, & hanging out on the beach. We all packed up around 2:00 and headed home.




I was thankful for one last weekend of sun & sand.

more sessions

Whew! All caught up...for now. I've got everything backed up and all orders current and getting ready to head up to Indiana Dunes for the weekend. Hopefully the forcast is wrong and the isolated thunderstorms will be isolated away from us!



Here are a few highlights from the last week or so.












This year has been a little different. Instead of the normal spring/summer wedding season most of my weddings are in the fall so I've been doing engagement pics right along w/the normal senior & family sessions.

missed it again!

So our mare was due to have a baby in about 4 1/2 weeks but she has delivered her last 2 foals 3 1/2 weeks early.

This time I was determined to be there for the birth so last night I set up my camper out by her paddock. Got the airbed blown up and sleeping bags in there. I figured I would start sleeping out this weekend so I could actually get to witness the birth (jen is probably ready to hurl right now:).

I checked on her last night before it got dark and figured that by this weekend she could actually go even though it would be 4 full weeks early.

This morning I got the kids on the bus, walked w/my mom and sister and went to clean out the paddock and this is what I found.....




I just missed it...maybe by 1/2 hour!

It's a little girl, completely healthy and so strong already. She doesn't stumble around at all but is really funny where she decides to lay down.
She decided that this looked like a good spot!


almost got there....



ahhhhh....

Gives a whole new meaning to put your feet up and rest awhile:)

One really funny thing is this filly has super long whiskers...not very "girly" if you ask me!

fall into full swing

Labor day is over and that means that fall is officially here.

Last week I spent some time w/Sarah for her senior session.



Then had 2 Mia's come out for some pics

Here's the first...




Here's the second...



Friday I had the Skip Meister Family come out for a family session. We were a little worried about the wind but all in all I thought the session went really well. Even got a picture of Skip trying out the rope swing...I'm sure they'll want to frame that one and hang it in the living room:) Haven't had a time to edit those yet....that's on my to-do list for tomorrow.

The rest of the weekend was busy w/lots of friends and family coming and going. Monday morning I woke up and had 21 kids to make breakfast for!

Today I'm just going to try to regroup and get organized for the rest of the week.

Orders are flying in so it's really important for me to stay on top of everything.

And shockingly enough...we are completely out of food at our house so grocery shopping is a must today.