It is so addicting.......

Photography can be so addicting. I am always wanting to take my camera everywhere just to get pictures and practice. It is the best feeling when you can get a great shot that is clear with good detail. Thank the Lord that I have a very patient family surrounding me!

First off, my nephew Darek. He was so patient with his Aunt Linda, as I kept snapping pics of him relaxing in the pool.

Next was to be a trip to Dairy Queen, but I asked if I could take some pictures down by the river. I am lucky, they didn't complain a bit. But I got the hint when they asked if they had to smile in all the shots. Actually I like natural emotion caught in pictures. This was the last pic taken, as you can see Darek and Colton were ready to eat some ice cream!

Well, maybe Brooke was ready for that ice cream too!

I love my in-laws and time spent together.

Must be a guy thing......

Yesterday after returning home from visiting my mom and dad, my son asked if I wanted to see

the pictures he took that day with my camera. I assumed they would be of family, as my husband's brothers and their families came to relax by the pool and spend the day together. Nope..........not that at all!!

Well, I'm not to hip on pics of bugs, but as he explained this was no ordinary wasp. I guess it was carrying/dragging back a cicada bug, which was twice its size, and my husband noticed it. Eventually they killed it. You see, this is a Ground Wasp and after a little research, I found that these female wasps dig burrows in the ground and inside these burrows, they will raise up to 16 larvae. She feeds them by paralyzing cicadas with her sting, and carrying them back to the burrow. This particular one was one and one half inches long and had a wing span of 3 inches. My husband put it between his index and middle finger and pushed his fingers down on the table to spread them further apart to show the span!

Personally, I'd of run inside screaming once I saw a bug that big! I am thinking.......it must be a guy thing to investigate and "play" with bugs. Yuck!!

14 month cuteness......

Two days ago one of my former students came over to my house to get some help on her nursing school application and a reference sheet. She brought along her little guy and I fell in love with him and his beautiful blue eyes!! So, while I was helping her, my son snapped some pics of the little guy. He said it was hard because he was always moving............trying to capture our kitten Colby!! But, again, I think Colton did a great job..........much better than I would have!

After my son saw the pics he snapped, he said...."I still want to be a doctor, but do you think I could do photography on the side....could I be good enough?" Well, one look at these and I told him...you are on your way sweetie......you can do anything you set your mind to!!

One proud little man..........

This is Danielle, a former student of mine, now that she has graduated. I remember when I first started teaching as an alternative teacher, how determined she was to be the first in her family to get a college degree and become a nurse! I was just as determined to help her follow her dream. She did well in school, even with the birth of her son during this time. She was elected class senate president from her classmates; and asked to speak at graduation and did a great job motivating her classmates with her words!

But, the most awesome part was this little guy, little D, very intently watching his momma. He hung on every word she spoke.

Best of all was the amazement captured on his face when her classmates erupted in applause for his mom. She's on the right track, setting a great example for this little guy to model!

To me, being just a small part of this, is what makes being a teacher so rewarding!! I was there at the hospital the day she had him, encouraging her that she could still keep her dream alive. I am so glad she never gave up!

Hey.....down in front.........

For the longest time Colby would sit on the floor and look up at the TV, but that just wasn't the best seat in the house...........this way he doesn't miss a thing!!

My hubby likes this one.......he thinks it looks like Sharon Osborn is looking right at Colby!










Colby's two favorite things to do..........watch TV and nap with Jade. She has taken on the role of surrogate mom, as he is always snuggling up against her.

It's a family affair.........

I love these little surprises. My son has always had a passion for photography, but lately my hubby has been taking an interest. Many times when I go to review my memory card of my latest shots.............I find these unexpected but great shots. I always leave my camera out and ready to capture our world, and my hubby grabbed it one day and this is what I found. I asked how he did so good, and he explained that Colton had helped him. So, I am unsure of who gets credit for what, but come take a peek at their "masterpieces".

Birthday boy....

My son turned 16 a few days ago. It is so bittersweet. I am glad that he is able to drive, but the worry experienced once he's gone is hard. He texts me once he gets to every destination, so I get little periods of relief. The hardest part is that he's always gone now.

On the day of his birthday he took off at 10:00 am and did not return for good until 12:00 am. He had breakfast with his grandpa, visited his friend Bradie since she was grounded :(, beach with Leah, home to swim and wash off the sand, dinner at Redamak's, beach to watch the sunset, dessert at Hacienda (Mudslide), then home to swim (at 12:00 midnight!) and have cake finally. Good thing we celebrated it before with family, since his father and I never stood a chance that day!

I snapped pictures as he took off the first time on his solo flight!

Pictures at 1:00 in the morning with the friends he celebrated with.

I think that grin says it all!!!

Happy Birthday Colton James.......be safe, be careful and remember.....Mom loves you.....oh, so very much!

Celebrating the 4th and birthdays........

We love having family over and had a great time together. We had a cookout by the pool and then on to fireworks by the lake. The most fun was watching the kids swim, family teams playing "bags" (corn toss boards game), and watching movies together when it rained. No matter what we do......it is fun just being together!




Darek

Nicole and Colton

Colton, Nicole and Rachel

Poor Darek...he didn't stand a chance with Nicole, Rachel and Brooke.

Oh that face...... :)

Bentley wanted in on the action too!

The birthday boy........16 years!!

The other birthday boy. He and Colton's are 3 days apart. Matter of fact, we (my hubby, son and I) and all share a birthday within 2 weeks of each other.

My sis in law Kim. She is doing great, thank the Lord. She was in an awful car accident. No question someone had their wings wrapped around her, considering all the windows shattered upon imact!

Colton's friend Amanda came too!

Liz and Rachel

My dear dad