A perfect day at the Lake!

Our son at the wheel, "Starboard" and Im sitting at "Port" and Amy is sitting in the "Bow" and my husband is trying to hang onto the tube!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Memorial Weekend!

Hello Yall! I hope that you had a good Memorial Day weekend. Don't forget to honor those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for us to live free in the USA.

Saturday was a busy day with Graduation's and I attended a wedding. You may remember that I am always bragging on my terrific housekeeper!? She only comes 2 days a month but I appreciate her so very much and its nice to have the help. She has some days available to take a new client, let me know if you do.! Send me an email to Pdixie@sw.rr.com She does a great job and is 100% trustworthy!

She has an assistant she brings with her sometimes to help her and her name is Patty. I was really honored when Patty asked me to photograph her wedding!
I don't usually publish weddings on my blog but I do those of people who I am close to or who are special in some way to me personally. So here's a few images from her wedding. Congrats Patty and Vicente!

AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL

I first saw this video on the Ellen show and it was so amazing I couldnt beleive it!I hope you enjoy it. There is definetly a bond between this girl and her horse. She rides with no saddle, no bridle and no reins. ENJOY!

Whered the time go?

Well yesterday was the last day of school for our son. So now today offically he is now a Senior!
Where did the time go? I had a dream last night that he was a baby and I was giving him a bath and he was so tiny and I dressed him and was holding him and his cute little face looking up at me. It was a sweet dream. I hadn't thought about him being that small in a long long time. I may have to break out the home videos soon. ( haha.)
He came bounding down the stairs this morning around 8:45 and told me he had plans to play Golf with 3 of his buddies today. He was already dressed and ready to go.
I guess hes always been a kid who knows what he wants. His dad is out of state this week and he is his fathers son for sure. (His dad LOVES GOLF!)
So I had to grab a couple of shots before he left.
Tonight we are going to his friends graduation and I'm sure I will cry buckets. I just don't want him to grow up. Hes been such a blessing to our family. and his friends are the best too! Well off to work now... If my eyes are red today its probably just my allergies....

I have the best Clients!

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Yesterday I got to photograph a great family. The Silverlings! Ive known them for a while and they are super nice folks! No one got crabby, and they were up for fun and my crazy creative ideas. I love how mom Sherie coordinated their clothing and its so bright and cheerful!
The weather was threatening to rain but instead we got beautiful soft overcast light.
Ill post more soon, but this is one of my favorites for now.
Thanks gang! It was my pleasure!

A peaceful spot to read...

Everyone who has stress in their lives needs a place in their home that is like a sanctuary. Since I was a little girl Ive always loved to be outdoors. I know that plants and nature take away my stress. Isn't it interesting that what we breathe out -Carbon Dioxide is what plants breathe? And What we breathe in, Oxygen, is what plants give off? So no wonder that we need plants and they need us!
Here's my cozy spot for reading, or napping. Add a Caribbean drum slow beat and a gentle breeze and I'm a happy Mom!
I challenge you if you don't have an outdoor space to create one. Its not that hard to do. Lay some tiles, hang up a swing, toss some pillows outside in a chair and life is good.
Now wheres my sweet tea?

Lobster Boil in our backyard coming soon!

The best part about summer is dinning Al Fresco! (eating outdoors)
We threw a going-away Party friday night for a friend of ours John, and my husband cooked his famous fajitas and we served up cold frozen marga-ma-ritas and had about a dozen fun people over!
It was a great evening, we sat out by the pool with just the twinkling of the lights and the TIKI Toches blazing, creating a tropical atmosphere for our guests. It was a great evening!
Now Ive got plans for a Lobster Boil this weekend! I assembled all the decorations and bought the Lobsters and were going to have our first ever Lobster Boil! I love the beach and have always wanted to go up to Cape Cod and have a crab boil or lobster boil, but havent yet, so I decided to test run one at home first.

The decorations I got at Gardenridge in Dallas, WORLD MARKET , Jc Pennys, Hobby Lobbyand Big Lots.
Pics to come soon. I can already taste that juciy lobster dipped in melted butter!
Enjoy your summer everyone!!!

CRUNCH TIME!

Every April & May is like this here. With Graduation we have what I call CRUNCH TIME. Its where people need their pictures taken last minute and they want them back really fast.
I love this classic episode of I Love Lucy, but this is how I feel lately!
Thanks for your patience everyone. (PS my day has started at 5:00 am or 5:30 every day since Friday!_) (Okay Sunday I slept in till 7:45!

My Favorite Quote!

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Im in the Mood for a GIVE-A-WAY! $500 value each!

Im taking 2 free sessions for "TRASH THE DRESS" this is where a Bride decides she wants to do a wild and crazy photo session in her wedding dress. It doesnt have to ruin the dress though, I have lots of ideas. I shot this session of Cait last summer and it was great fun.
email me at Pdixie@sw.rr.com and ill put you on the list!

He just keeps amazing us...

When our son came home from school and told us that he was chosen to be in the National Honor Society, we were really proud. The NHS isnt just about having a High GPA it involves other things such as Character, Citizenship, Service, and Leadership.

We are really proud that he works so hard. Currenlty his GPA is 4.2

Congrats Scott!

This is from their site below:
Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 85 percent, B, 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent standard of excellence, or a higher cumulative average set by the local school's Faculty Council, meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character (and citizenship for NJHS).

Service:
This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit.
Leadership:
Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.
Character:
The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle.

Citizenship:
The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.

Specific standards for these criteria may vary from one school to the next. Such variations are acceptable as long as they do not fall below the national standards set by the National Council of the NHS and NJHS.

And just this morning at Sheppard Air Force Base, Scott entered a Bench Press compeition. He competed against soldiers, adult men in their 20s, 30s and he won a GOLD MEDAL! He bench pressed 325 lbs and almost got 350 lbs taking first place.

As he says "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

Way to go!

Our 3rd child, Ginger

After a stressful day, one of the things I love to do is take my husband and my dog for a long drive in the country in my truck "Lucille". I asked my dad to name the truck because he is the one who taught me to drive a stick (3 on the tree Transmission) when I was a kid.
So today after an espcially hectic day (and some problems) I grabbed my sweetie, camere and our thrid child Ginger and went for a nice drive. The shifting of the gears, pushing in the clutch and taking my time from first gear to 2nd to third is almost therapy for me when Im worried or tired. Wow, what a sunset. Thanks Bruce and ginger!

After the grandkids leave...

Our Grandson came to visit all week last week! His mom had a Dr.s Appt here in town and it was great to have them here. The older one had to stay in Justin in school. Then we celebrated his 3rd birthday back home on Saturday. He had a spiderman theme for everything. He loves spiderman! You cannot believe how well this little guy can talk, and he talks constantly! haha. Its really quiet with him gone now... Very quiet! I miss that little booger! Its Crunch time here at the studio with graduation around the corner! Have a blessed week!

IRONMAN 2

Lastnight they had a free viewing of the new movie IRONMAN 2 at SAFB! Our son went, but i worked late , Darn it! I cant wait to see it!!! Heres the link and movie trailer. ROBERT DOWNEY AND GWENTH PALTROW are two of my favorite actors ever. Watch the trailer and Im sure youll be chomping at the bit to go too! Releases today!
http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/?gclid=CKyHmc64wKECFRcXswod1FFb_A

Proof for Wheat

How do you get three little boys to behave? One High Energy Dog and a mom and a dad to smile too? I have no idea, but I did! (well maybe the cat toys, squeaker ghecko and 24 years experience helped?)
I wanted to just eat up these little boys. Gage, Hunter and Levi! Arnt they precious!? But then I had a tow headed blue eyed boy and 2 grandsons that are too, so I love me some blonde baby boys!
It was a lot of fun! Glad I fueled up frist at Lubys with Trudy!
Thanks guys for a great shoot!

BABY FACES OF JASE!

I absolutely love to do these types of portraits! I started doing these in our area back in 2000 when I first went digital!
They are so much fun! Jase was a cutie pie, he performed right on cue and gave us the cutest faces. I have some tricks to evoke out different expressions, you don't want to have just 9 smiles. He was so much fun. Im making one of these for my grandson this weekend.
Thanks Jase and Krissy, it was a blast!

Kristy!

Sorry I havent been updating the ole blog in a while. Its been a very busy week. We've got one employee out of state visiting family so its just me and Lindsay holding down everything.
If you have any questions you can always email, i check it twice a day usually, sometimes 3 timnes a day. Morning (around 5:30 am, Lunchtime (now) and Night around 10:00. Thanks for your patience!

Saturday...and Sunday...

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." -Confucius

The weather has been just beautiful today. Mild temps, sunny skies. I love it. I wish it would stay this way all summer. When I was in Hawaii in January, the temp never got over 81 Fahrenheit. It was heaven! These are 2 shots i got today in our backyard. So relaxing...

"When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your objective. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wow Bride, Wow Home!

One of my favorite things to do is to photograph beautiful people in beautiful places. Its my passion for sure! I love architecture, and homes and gardens. So I was thrilled when i got to photograph a beautiful Bride at a private estate about an hour and a half West of Wichita Falls. I wish I could show more, but I don't want to give away the details of the dress, etc.
This young lady is so sweet, i photographed her sisters wedding a few years back and they are the nicest people. This brides dress is gorgeous!! The fabric is something Ive never seen before and the details are fabulous. I chose this image to protect the details, but I just had to blog one photo!
The home/ranch / estate was fabulous! The timbers, and rock and the layout of the home. It is perched high on a cliff side with a giant lake in front and waterfalls running down the front where they settle into a pristine lake out in front of the property. Everything was beautiful!
Thank you C. and S. for the opportunity and for letting me capture the beauty of both C. and the ranch. Ill post more pics after her wedding!

I Love this Vid and Song, "OK GO" singing "this too shall pass!"

But first, Go down to the Juke Box at the bottom of the page and Mute the Juke Box, so you can hear this song.

Kewl Kyle!

Meet Kyle! Kyle is a lot of fun. Hes funny, spontaneous and clever. He always has a big smile on his face. Kyle goes to Burkburnett with our son and we've gotten to know him over the last couple of years. Hes a great football player and powerlifter. He puts his all into everything he does! He knows how to relax and have fun though. He impressed me with the way that he thinks about things deeply, he is wise beyond his years.
I had a great time, the hours passed quickly and he is most entertaining.
I know that life has good things in store for Kyle. I encouraged him to never change, hes got a lot going for him!
Thanks Kyle! (oh btw, we almost got stung by Wasps and attacked by Hawks during his session!!! :-)