Ready

She was ready for me. I asked her if she practiced before we met and she shyly shook her head up and down. Boy, did she ever practice. So cute!!!!

He was not quite as ready.....but he warmed up very quickly!!!

A New Face

He was soooo full of energy and gave me a good run for my money!!!! It was sure worth it when we got him to slow down though!!!! Look at that adorable little face and those pretty blue eyes!

Annuals

I spend one weekend a year in Thermopolis taking photos. Always in the fall. Always the same time. In the year that passes I get new kiddos and then I get to go back and see how much they've grown over the course of that year. These were no exceptions! They grew. The eldest went from a little boy to a full fledged 2nd grader. He was so grown up to me!!! They all were!!!!
The littlest got stung by a bee while we were there. (hope that is feeling better little one!) I was unaware until mid-day that the whole town was bee infested. Thousands. Everywhere...and everyone was getting stung!!!!!Yikes!!!!

Thanks for letting me see how much you've grown!

All Grown Up

The first time I met him, he was 8 years old. Second grade I believe. I was still young and had no idea how to relate to a second grader, but in the few minutes I spent with him, I instantly liked him. Why... well, after a little chit chat about what's happening in second grade he walked away. 5 seconds later he came back and hugged me. A very shy hug. But a hug none-the-less. I'm such a sucker for a guy that gives away free hugs .

He's graduating from high school now. Hard to believe. He's the baby of the family and now he's leaving the nest.

"Our Father, who art in heaven.
Hollywood be thy name."
~PJ

Much much more to share soon.....

Brotherly Love

Do you all remember this little man. Well...he's much bigger!!! With blond curly hair. And his brother... well his brother is the one of the sweetest boys I've ever met. To see an older sibling take such care and be so calm with a baby is so very refreshing. His love radiates.

Sit Right Down I'll Tell You A Tale

Captain Bob dropped us off on a deserted island for three hours. Otter Island. It was used during WWII for target practice and therefor full of shells and well....different kinds of shells. It's a quiet little Island. On one side you can wander and weave around. The other... well, you don't really want to visit the other side unless you're looking for gators! I hunted for photos while Brady hunted for fish. He caught an ocean trout. Go figure.

The one and only photo of myself during vacation. I have a hard time handing over the camera to anyone, especially the better half. Bless his heart... let's just say photography isn't his calling.

We had to stop at this little gem on the way to dinner at a road side BBQ diner. (Which by the way was voted #1 best BBQ in the are, rightly so. And the hush puppies....my fried food aversion was not working that night!) It was the craziest shop I've ever seen. And the inside matched. We loved it.

And of course.. the trees. Oh the trees. I couldn't get enough!

They Have Their Arms Open and Waiting....

Waking up to the fog in the south is much different than waking up to fog on the high country prairie. The main difference.... it's still warm and it doesn't really affect happenings of the day. This was my view of the morning on Edisto Island. Shortly after, I found myself eating breakfast at the Seacow Cafe with Pat and Dave from "up yonder" (In little towns there is often times not enough room at the local cafe for everyone to have their own table... so you share.) Dave and Pat visit the island several times a year. Pat described the oaks that cover the highways all the way down highway 74 as having their arms open and waiting for her to embrace, a statement that gave me new perspective of the way I saw them...


The first stop on the little tour of the area was at the American Tea Plantation. The only one in the whole U.S. Yes, there are other producers of tea, but they import their leaves.
A man named Bill owns this plantation. His best friend, Mr. Bigelow, and himself, came up with the idea of cultivating and growing the perfect tea plants.
Since Early Grey tea is one of my favorite smells in the entire universe, I was elated when I found they make it right there. Along with so many other flavors.

Banana spiders are all over the place. Hanging from trees. This was just a little one.

The second stop, thanks to the man at the plantation, was the Angel Oak Tree. It's the oldest Oak tree in SC. Over 500 years old. It sits behind St. John's Church. (A rightful spot.) It was one of the most spectacular things I've ever seen and my photos don't really do justice to it.

Fresh seafood was a must. I had it all. I love seafood, especially fresh from the ocean, there isn't anything like it!

Little old shacks weren't uncommon. Neither were sprawling mansions.

It rained all the way on the walk to the lighthouse (which I might add was nearly 100 miles..so it seemed) When your legs are not accustomed to walking in the sand, they tire quickly. Even though it rained, it was a welcome rain. I never once got cold.

On the way there was an abandoned shack full of graffiti. Me genius photographer mind thought this would be a perfect place to take some portraits...until I stepped in a huge bed of CACTUS!!!!! My husband, wearing tennis shoes hauled me out on his back and helped me carefully pick the 100 needles out of my feet. And honestly...the only thing I was thinking of, was that I couldn't wait to get home and call Parker to tell him that his mama stepped in cactus! He was so proud.

We drove back to Edisto in a flash flood. Made home safe. It's all part of the adventure. And this is how the evening ended!