Monday, September 29, 2008

Portenga Family

First let me start off by saying, you guys rock! It didn't take long to see just how much humor and fun your family has. When I first got my new camera, Lisa, my co-worker, was the first one to know just how excited I was about it. She was gracious enough to let me take their family pictures for my portfolio. You guys were so much fun to work with and made my nerves melt away. Rory and Amanda, Fiona is both beautiful and precious. Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!
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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Glitz and glammer

A little star in the making
Brian and I have the most adorable (and fashionable) niece ever, Ayla. Her pictures will probably frequent my blog often. What can I say, I luv her! We live about 10 minutes away which means we get to see her on a regular basis. This is totally fine by us! The other day her mother, Tracy, brought Ayla over to show us her new dress up clothes. Of course, I was right there with my camera capturing the upside-down sunglasses, crown and all. I believe we have a future little fashion diva!
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How can you not love this cuteness?

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

It's the UP eh?

la de da da.....These are a few of my favorite things
So my post yesterday had me going through a bunch of my pictures from past trips to the Upper Peninsula. I'm not going to lie, I love it up there. Seriously, I get butterflies everytime we cross the bridge and head off into uncharted territory. These are probably partly from the actual crossing of the bridge, I hate heights, but it's my story and I can tell it how I want. That is why you will probably never see a picture of us on the actual bridge. I am to busy being white knuckled, sweating uncontrollably and closing my eyes until it is over. Brian is convinced we will live up there someday; and I agree. If he had it his way we would have already packed our bags and headed north for good, but life doesn't quite work that way. All in good time.

So what about the UP is so irresistible? Maybe it is the amazing views, flowing waterfalls, gorgeous trails for hiking, pristine waters of Lake Superior, never-ending two tracks, or just how laid back life is up there. Or maybe it is the long, cold, snow up to my eyes winters. Oh, right, back to the positives. What better way than to show it to you! The next three images were taken one evening while cruising in our little fishing boat on Kingston Lake. If you look close, I think you can see heaven.
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One day Brian and I set off for a 12.2 mile hike that took you from woods to small lakes to the great Lake Superior and down its beaches. Was it a workout, yes! Let me tell you, hiking the UP is not like hiking on some paved path by your house. I was sweaty, sandy and tired. But was it worth it, ABSOLUTELY!
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A little bit of nature

Kingston Lake in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula
This summer while vacationing by Grand Marais with Brian's family we discovered a hidden gem. Kingston Lake Campground. It is situated on Kingston Lake, with only 15 camping sites, all rustic. Now, rustic I normally don't do; but I tend to make allowances when we are in the Upper Pensinsula. The serenity and beauty make up for no running water, blow dryer and electric. If nothing else, waking up to this view every morning was just wonderful!Photobucket

While we were there, we noticed a pair of sandhill cranes flying over our campsite every evening. Brian and I decided to head out in our boat and find where they landed. Sure enough, off of a little island, they were out by the water wandering around in the grass. I was so excited to be able to capture these magnificant birds with my camera and to be able to get so close. They didn't even seem to mind we were there.
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