Awesome Alyssa!

Senior Slideshow

Captivating Casi!

This is Casi, I recently posted a B&W image of her, But i wanted you to see how beautiful her eyes are! Shes a very sweet girl and we got lots of great images.

Thanks Casi for choosing Pics by Dix, I hope you had fun!
DD

Have a scary one!

Comment Graphics at pYzam.com

MYSPACE

Visit me at MYSPACE sometime!
http://www.myspace.com/photographyByDixie

More to come later!

Cutie Candace!

Im on my way to visit my daughter and Grandson! But first I wanted to post this image of Cutie Candace!

We had a great time!

We explored all over town.

Just like I used to photograph in my college days in Lubbock.

Even though I have a super studio with the best in lighting and equipment, I still like to go on "SAFARIS" as we call them.

THank you Candace, I hope you had fun!

DD

Baby girl

This is an adorable baby girl!

She is so cute and will be a heartbreaker when she grows up a little more.

Shes got a very special mama and grandmother.

Thanks guys for letting me create something unique for you!

Awesome Alexis!

Alexis wanted to "Trash the Dress" and we did it today.

Ill be posting more images of her later.

What a blast we had today!

Thank you Alexis!

DD

For Parents of young children...

With the disappearance of little Madeleine McCann, its made me wish that we could have GPS devices installed into our children someplace. (I love science!) People do it to their pets , why cant we do it with our children?

Well a couple of years ago I came across a company that offers something very similar. Instead of putting a chip under the skin (the way Vets do with your pet) They have made these watches that you can purchase for your child. These watches have built in GPS locaters and lock onto the wrist. It comes with a key fob so only you can remove them.

They are made of a very durable plastic and are waterproof! It also has a built in pager!

You can always know where your child is by going on the Internet and you can locate them within a few feet. Thank you Satellite technology!

Also there are panic buttons on the watch that your child can press to send a signal to the police.

Just think of the lives this could save? I told my sister about them about 3 years ago.

The price is $189.00 but I think that's a small price to pay! There is also a monthly monitoring fee.

If you have small children, then I think this is a GODSEND!

Check out their website at http://childlocator.com/

Cool weather, Cool Portraits

Gotta have this hat!

Love this hat!

Faith Connexion Black Studded Trucker Hat. The brim of the hat reads "Create your own destiny. Fighting against your dark side. Raise your spirituality. Every day is a new day. A new life. Keep the Faith."

http://www.boutiquetoyou.com/category_s/553.htm&Click=2688

Cierra

Cierra is a gorgeous young lady! We had such a great time. This is one of my favorite images. I gave it some pizzaz!

Thanks Cierra! Ill post more of her later.

Flippin' Sweet!

Wow What a day today! Here is something to make you all smile. Two of my favorite things ! Napoleon Dynamite and Usher! By the way, did I tell you all a photographer friend photographed Ushers wedding???! They had changed the date to make it a surprise to avoid the Paparazzi. Its been a few weeks back, dont know if I mentioned it or not!

By the way, while Im photographing a wedding, if the reception is going a little slow and not many poeple are dancing, this is one of the songs, I ask the DJ to play, because it always gets all the girls on the dancefloor (and then the guys naturally follow.)

Love this!
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2747299

Annual Families in the Fall Leaves

We still have a few openings for our families in the Fall leaves. We've been keeping a waiting list since the summer. Just give us a call 761-5111 to get on the List.

This is our 12th year to offer this service. The sitting fee is only $25. and we offer 15% off wall portarits.

A wall portait is a 16x20 and larger.

Many of our clients purchase 20x24s or 24x30s. We have a 40x60 in our studio of a family and they are lovely! They look beautiful hanging over your mantel or a nice sofa. Homes with higher ceilings command the need for a larger portrait.

Our portraits are meticulously retouched and are available on Canvas and Artboard. What a lovely addition to warm your home this holiday season!

Give us a call for more details. You are welcome to bring your pets with you, and we will gladly make recommendations on clothing selections. We always do a clothing consultation with each family prior, either on the phone or in the studio. Its very important that your portrait be timeless and not be dated by faddish clothing or colors.

One of our associates will be happy to help you, Just give us a call between 9:30 am-6pm. Only a few openings available for a weekend coming soon!

I just cant forget this man.

I just wanted to post this link one more time. This man really moves me.

I really hope you all watch it. (if you are on Broadband or Cable or DSL)
This man is so awesome.
He has cancer, but he is happy, has grattitude for all he has. SO INSPIRING!
This was on OPRAH today. I hope you share it with others. I love him!

http://www2.oprah.com/videochannel/videochannel_player.jhtml?video=1178&category=31

Sassy Sara

Hey Guys!This is Sara! She drove all the way down from Duncan! We got some great shots of her. She has the prettiest green eyes and sweet voice.

I had a great time with her and her mom.

I'm so honored that she drove so far!Thank you Sara! I know you will LUV the rest of your portraits!

:D

A nice letter

Im a positive person, and I think its so important to tell people when they are doing a good job. I told a waiter the other night he was one of the best waiters Ive ever had and he looked stunned! He really was good, and I wanted him to know it.

Sometimes people dont tell people what they think or feel in a business unless they are unhappy. I love it when I get emails like this one.

"I am a friend of Cindy and Natalie and I live in Flower Mound, TX. I just saw the Photos you did on Natalie and loved them!! I think you did a great job in identifying Natalie and the inner Natalie!! There is a word that describes Natalie and that is Tenacity!! You captured the Princess, the Competitive and the Free Spirit in the three photos I saw on your webb. Great work!!

Now, I would like for you to do some photos on my grandchildren, and possibly a family portrait as well!! In any case your work is wonderful and it shows that you love what you do!!!
Thanks, Charlie"

So nice.... Also, I just wanted you guys to know that I do take critisim really really well too!

The Video everyone needs to see.

This is a video that every adult should see. (imho)
This man named Randy Pausch is a Professor and has pancreatic cancer.
He was on Oprah today and he is a brave and amazing man.
He gives his last lecture and it is so worth watching.

Id love to hear your thoughts after you watch it.
Im so inspired.
Randys Last Lecture

http://www2.oprah.com/health/oz/oz_20071022_350_106.jhtml?promocode=HP13

I just ordered 3 copies of the DVD to give to my family& friends. They are only $7. each. Go here. The lecture is called "REALLY ACHIEVING YOUR CHILDHOOD DREAMS"

http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture

Fall has fell.

I love this shot of Caity. She looks ready for Fall.

Happy Autumn everyone!

Natalie

This is Natalie from Duncan OK. She plays softball and is a very interesting young lady. She is a very independent person and a free spirit.
I choose these 3 photos as the most unique.
Thank you Natalie for choosing us for your Senior year portraits. I think we captured who you are down inside.
It was a pleasure!

Kayla

Thank you Kayla and mom Kim!

You guys are awesome!

:D

Terrific Tiffany!

Tiffany! Shes wild, crazy, outgoing, funny and lively!

Love her!

I think her nickname should be the Energizer bunny.

She loves being a Boomtown Babe!

Thanks Tiff for choosing Pics by Dix!

TGIF!

WOW WHAT A WEEK! Its been a busy week, Im sorry I havent been able to post everyone. I will get them up this weekend. I am training a new employee and also shooting like crazy. We had two nice young ladies come from Duncan Oklahoma. Sara and Natalie, Thank you ladies!

Also wanted to send out a big Thank you to Charla, for the referall for the window man. I'm excited about getting all our windows in our home cleaned next week. Im so picky about that. Having dirty windows is like having dirty glasses. Thank you!

When I was young, jewlery was my treat. Nowdays, having a housekeeper and window cleaners and gardener are my TREATS! haha.

I am taking some much needed time off this weekend and visiting with family. Im gonna hug that grandson non-stop!

TTYL!

Taylor Swift

The Girl below named Caitlyn reminds me a lot of country singer Taylor Swift!
Shes so adorable. To see Taylor Swifts new Video called "Our Song" go to her website here
http://taylorswift.com/index.html Its a really pretty video (the photography in the video is fantastic)

Cutie Caitlyn!

Hey Gang, This is Caitlyn! She is a Senior and so photogenic! She wants to be a photographer and has a great eye! I think she also makes a great model.

Shes got that look that reminds me of the models of the 70s (which is popular again) Steely blue eyes and great bone structure.

She and I have a lot in common in the way we think and I think she would be a great photographer!

It was so great to get to know her. Look for more images of her in the future, she is modeling for me for a National Competition.

Family News!

I am so excited! My mother who has been suffering in a lot of pain for a few years has learned that she may get relief! What she actually needs is 2 hip replacements! She thought what she had was inoperable. Due to a Bad diagonsis from a not so great Doctor.

She is angry she suffered so many years with an incorrect diagnosis.

The new Dr. is a great surgeon in Dallas.

Yea! I'm so glad. God is good! Ive been praying for relief for her! I mean praying hard. Praise the Lord!

I just wanted to say that for those of you suffering or worried or afraid, God does listen. This is a miracle for our family.

Thanks for listening. I'm very behind on all my work, due to photographing so much and cant get out of the camera room and training K.K. Ill get the blog updated with all the pictures soon!

Thanks for your patience. In the meantime, I'm dancing happy about my mama!!!

D.D. :D

Champion in her own right

I just wanted to do an update on a Senior we photographed a couple of years ago.


The awesome MISS Sesley Graves.


This young lady is really making a name for herself in Volleyball at MSU! Shes amazing!


Shes a psychology major and what an athelete. Im so proud of her.


To find out more about Selsey, heres a link to MSUs site. http://msumustangs.athleticsite.com/profile.asp?playerID=4

And the story about her being named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week Monday after recording 10 blocks in a 3-1 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State last weekend. http://msumustangs.athleticsite.com/article.asp?articleID=802

Boy is she amazing to watch on the court! This girl is a winner in every way.

Best of Luck to you Sesley!

Stephanie

Wow, Stephanie is really amazing. Super smart and so pretty. I fell in love with her hair!

She has the most adorable dog, A Golden Retriever named Dodger! He was the sweetest dog! So nice and never barked even once.

We had a great time and got lots of gorgeous images.

Thank you Stephanie, I know you will love them.

Now, to make an appointment with her hair stylist...

wheres that number?....

Shelby!

My Posse!

Just wanted to let you guys know, the reason I haven't posted any football game photos lately, or very many of my shoots from the past two weeks, is I am training a new employee. K.K. our graphic artist.

I don't know how I went from having one employee in January, to having 4 plus a new maid so quick. But it happened. With my mothers health, I may need to take some time off soon, so I need my crew!

Thank you to Jacqueline, Gina, Beckie and K.K. for helping me run this ship! Also we did the right thing by hiring Felicia (our new housekeeper). Shes doing an outstanding job and surpassed my expectations! She goes over my home with a fine tooth comb. Love her!

Now I can take some time and visit my grandson and mother a lot more often, and spend time with my hubby and son.

As the saying goes "Good help is so hard to find", But Im lucky I have!"
Love you guys!

PS my son calls these ladies my "Posse"! ha ha


[I looked up what Websters dictionary defines Posse as

1. A group of people summoned by a sheriff to aid in law enforcement.
2. A search party.
3. A gang involved in crimes such as running guns and illegal narcotics trafficking.
4. Slang A group of friends or associates.

[Short for Medieval Latin posse comitts : Medieval Latin posse, power, body of men (from Latin, to be able; see potent) + comitts, genitive of comittus, county.]

--Dixe

Wedding Customs

According to our Software I've photographed 507 weddings in the past 23 years, but mainly in the past 11 years!

I am a big Trivia buff and I liked to tell my brides about the customs that I know about. Like why the bride wears a veil and has her dad walk her down the isle?

From what I researched years ago, its because of the days of Prearranged weddings. (Like still happen in the middle east) Families of wealth wanted their children to marry money. So when they had a child, a girl or boy, they would look around at their friends with wealth and try to find a child the same age of the opposite sex to marry. This kept the money in the family (and the peasants out of the bloodline.)

The reason women wore veils was because they wanted to conceal the identity of the bride. They did not want the groom to see the bride because if he saw her before the wedding and she was not all that attractive, then he would not BE AT THE WEDDING!!! It wasn't BAD LUCK. It was BAD LOOKS!
The reason her dad walked her down the isle was because she could not SEE To walk. The veils were solid, like the Burma's women wear in the middle east today.
They were completely concealed by the veil and she couldn't even see to walk down the aisle. Plus her dad knew who the groom was and he was leading her to him. The veil was not lifted until the vows were taken and both had made their covenants to each other. Then the groom lifted the veil to see his betrothed was. Hopefully she was pretty, and vice versa!

So glad that we Americans have the freedom to choose who we marry. This practice is still happening in different parts of the world. Including Dowries, where a brides family has to pay a grooms family to marry their daughter. Very common in India.

Here are some other customs we do today and where they came from.

The Groom’s Cake- A deeply-rooted Southern custom, not something you see much up North.

According to superstition, any single woman at a wedding should go home with a slice of groom’s cake and sleep with it under her pillow. That night, she’ll dream of her future husband. Whether or not this holds true, it seems that the groom’s cake is making a comeback, and not just in the South.

Tying the Knot- This comes from the days of the Roman empire when the Bride wore a girdle that was tied in knots. The Groom untied the knots before they, well… you know.

Diamond Engagement Ring- Italians started this tradition, they believed the diamond was created from the flames of love.

Garter- Brides originally tossed a garter, rather than a bouquet, at a wedding reception. In the 14Th century, this custom changed after Brides became tired of fighting off the drunken men who tried to remove the garter themselves!

The Ring Finger- Prior to the 5th century, the ring finger was actually the index finger. Later, it was believed that the third finger contained the vena amoris, “vein of love” that led directly to the heart.

Tossing the Bouquet- Guests used to try to rip pieces of the bride’s dress and flowers in order to keep some of her good luck. To escape, the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Today the bouquet is tossed to single women with the idea that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.

The Best Man- ”Marriage By Capture” this goes back to when men would kidnap or capture the woman they wanted to make their bride. This obviously was not a one man job, and of course the future groom would only choose the “best man” he knew to come long for such an important task.

The Groom’s Boutonniere- This goes back to medieval times when a knight wore his lady’s “colors,” proudly displayed for all to see.

We've lost a wonderful guy

Very sad news...

My husbands buddy from college and fellow Air Force officer was killed in a plane crash this week.

Today my husband is attending his funeral down in Central Texas.

Raymond was a great guy. He was one of my husbands groomsmen in our wedding and Bruce was in his. I photographed his beautiful wedding to Annette in San Antonio 1o years ago this summer.

Raymond was the kind of guy who really lived life. When I think of Raymond, I think of His huge beautiful smile and very big heart

He was very accomplished in a lot of things. Scuba Diving down at his Aunts place in the Caribbean, licensed Pilot, Lt. Colonel in the USAF, hiking, biking, mountain climbing, you name it, he did it!

He held a BA and a Masters degree and was highly intelligent.

But mostly he led a full life and was a very good role model to those who knew and loved him.

He was a very loving and doting father and husband.

He leaves behind a wife and 2 young children, Abigail and Benjamin.

Raymond will be sorely missed.

Our only consolance is that we know he is with our maker.

I think since our families also read this blog I will post his outstanding accomplishments while with the United States Air Force.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lieutenant Colonel Raymond E. Roessler was the deputy director for the F-117 (Nighthawk) Systems Squadron, Long Range Strike Systems Wing, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Colonel Roessler received his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Detachment 847, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX, in May 1987.

He is a career aircraft maintenance officer who deployed to Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM with his F-16C squadron, then later served a logistics career broadening tour in supply under the Logistics Officer Professional Development Program.

As a supply officer, he deployed to Turkey and Iraq to provide forward logistics support for U. S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk combat operations during Combined Task Force Operation PROVIDE COMFORT.

As an F-15C squadron maintenance officer, his squadron deployed in support of Operations ALLIED FORCE, SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, and NORTHERN DENIAL.

During his squadron command, Colonel Roessler’s maintenance team integrated into combat support operations for tanker and airlift missions for Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and

ENDURING FREEDOM, and executed the facilities, equipment, and training requirements for the weapon system bed down and conversion to the C-17 Globemaster III.

EDUCATION:
1987 Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX.
1988 Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Chanute AFB, IL.
1992 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.
1994 Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL.
1995 Supply Officer Course, Medina Annex, Lackland Air Force Base, TX.
2000 Advanced Logistics Officer Course, Lackland Air Force Base, TX.
2002 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.
2002 Master of Science in Military Operational Art, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL.
2005 Air War College (by correspondence).

ASSIGNMENTS:
February 1988 - July 1988, student, Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Chanute AFB, Illinois
August 1988 - May 1989, Officer-In-Charge (OIC), Accessory Maintenance Branch, later OIC, Propulsion Branch, 388th Component Repair Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
May 1989 - August 1990, Assistant OIC, 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU), Hill AFB, Utah
September 1990 - March 1991, Assistant OIC, 421st AMU, 388th Fighter Wing (Provisional), Central Air Base, Al Minhad, United Arab Emirates
March 1991 - April 1993, Assistant OIC, 421st AMU, later Assistant Squadron Maintenance Officer, 34th Fighter Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
June 1993 - June 1994, Chief, Weapons Safety, 36th Fighter Wing, Bitburg Air Base, Germany
July 1994 - June 1996, Flight Commander, Materiel Management, later Materiel Storage & Distribution, 86th Supply Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
June 1996 - April 1999, Aircraft Maintenance Action Officer, Logistics Officer Assignments Branch, Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas
April 1999 - June 2001, Squadron Maintenance Officer, 54th Fighter Squadron, later re-designated the 12th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

August 2001 - June 2002, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
July 2002 - June 2004, Commander, 305th Maintenance Squadron, McGuire AFB, New Jersey

July 2004 - present, Deputy Director, F-117 Systems Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with bronze star device
Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze star devices
Armed Forces Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze star device
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait)

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
1986, 1987 Outstanding Young Men of America
1990 General Lew Allen, Jr. Trophy, Company Grade Officer, Twelfth Air Force
1993 Who’s Who Registry of Rising Young Americans in American Society and Business
1999 Founding President, Logistics Officer Assoc., Northern Lights Chapter, Elmendorf AFB, AK
2003 Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Munitions Maintenance Field Grade Manager, HQ AMC

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant: May 15, 1987
First Lieutenant: September 30, 1989
Captain: September 30, 1991
Major: April 1, 1999
Lieutenant Colonel: January 1, 2004

My BFF Francie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANCIE!!!!

Today is my good friend Francies Birthday.

Francie and I have been friends since we were 14 years old and met in 8th grade.

(So I hate to say it, but its been 30 years!!!)

She is a beautiful tall gorgeous girl, who has the best sense of humour. Francie has amazed me over the years. She can DO ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING she makes her mind up to do.

She is now a Top Notch Realtor in Amarillo Texas. Nobody can make me laugh like Francie does!

I just love her to pieces. She is 6 foot 2 and eyes of Brown. Beautiful smile and Heart of Gold. We made lots of great memories over the years and I cant imagine my life without her!

I was there the night she met her hunky husband Tom and we double dated (his brother and I and she and Tom). They have a gorgeous daughter Madison and a son named Tucker. They are all tall and Super good looking people! (Tucker is 6'6")

Thank you Francie for being my friend all these years. You can't imagine what that means to me. Lots of good times for sure!

Love ya Bunches! Happy Birthday!

Thomas B

Heres Thomas! Great guy, He plays soccor (State Champs last year!) and is very outgoing.

I think I shot 200 images of him! Here are just a couple that I liked. Hes got a winning smile for sure.

Thanks Thomas!