My Life: Through a Lens

About Time :)

2009-05-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

My new blog is finally launched! Hope you will follow me there. Make sure to update your readers and such.

Take Me There

Back in the Saddle Again :)

2009-05-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. So my new blog didn't exactly get the attention it deserved this weekend; but for good reason. I am now the proud new owner of Carter, a seven year old quarter horse cross. Pictures and full post soon to come!

Just Thought I Would Throw One Up

2009-05-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

This weekend (in-between enjoying the sunshine) I am going to be submersing myself in bloggy world hoping to come out with a new blog :). Keep your fingers crossed!

This picture just makes me giggle. I snapped it earlier this week. Gotta love dogs! :)

Good Things Are A Comin'

2009-04-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

...and I promise, when each one happens, I will share them with you. In the past month I have attended some amazing workshops that left me feeling inspired and motivated. I am filled with new ideas and excited (and nervous) be begin this new chapter of my life. I look forward to:

the launch of my business...

rockin' logo ((hugs)) to Kristen:)...

new and improved blog...

Macro photography fascinates me; however, it is also something my camera doesn't have a setting for. Thanks to Ryan and Holly, I learned to achieve macro images using what they call a "poor mans macro". This little tool produces macro settings without the cost of a macro lens. Love it!

I'm Still Here...I promise

2009-04-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have been absent lately in my little blogging world. In fact, I kinda miss typing along my ramblings on my computer. I miss attaching photos of what I see. I had been meaning to send out a little shout to let you all know that I still do exist, I promise. So when Cathy, a fellow blogger questioned if I was okay, I thought it might be about time to get to that post. On a side note, make sure to check out her blog here. Cathy, thank you for checkin' up on me. First, I am doing just fine. Second, I want to apologize for neglecting my blog. My hope is to be up and running again soon. Truth is, other than the workshop I attending last weekend, I haven't even picked up my camera in the past two weeks. Eek, I am ashamed to even admidt that.

Brian has been working feverishly on our "new" lawn which means I have also been enlisted to help. We have been tearing up, dragging, seeding, watering, blah blah blah, for the past two weeks. Passersby’s probably assume we are planting a field of corn. And until green grass pops through, I will leave my fingers tightly crossed.

Friends of our have recently purchased a home a few doors down from ours. We have been helping them in the renovation process from tearing out the old and bringing in the new.

My hunt for a new computer is almost complete so our weekend runs to Grand Rapids will be coming to a close. I am truly bad at making important decisions.

I have been also trying to work on a little spring cleaning. Whoo-hoo spring! Now if only the warmer weather would finally stick. We have quite a few little birds that look so miserable huddling together in the trees. It makes me want to give them a heating lamp.

The dogs have a bad bout of spring fever so Brian and I have been trying to make sure they recieve daily walks.

And now that the weather is starting to break this whole me working days and Brian working nights has really thrown a monkey wrench into our schedule. Thankfully, it looks as if this will be changing soon. He may possibly be moving back to the day shift.

So, I am still here. Still alive. My blog however, has been receiving the abuse of our hectic schedule. Good things are coming...I promise!

Changing Point In My Life

2009-03-27T05:20:00.000-07:00

So I have been debating all week whether or not to let you into something very personal in my life. After much consideration, I decided, because this makes up so much of who I am today, to share. I think I have typed and retyped this story about ten times. It is hard, the scars still seem fresh but at the same time, it seems like a lifetime ago. And I don't tell this story for sympathy or as a "poor me". I tell it because it is me. I tell it because it is real. I tell it for as a warning of the dangers of those who drive under the influence. Every time I see this picture my hands get clammy, my armpits begin to tingle. It takes me back to that day, six years ago tomorrow, March 28, 2003.

I was a junior in high school. My life, I thought, was pretty alright. I had wonderful friends, a fun job and a pretty cool boyfriend (now a pretty cool husband). It was Friday afternoon; school was out for the week. I dropped my friend Paige off at her house; I can still remember our silly conversation. As I pulled out of her driveway, I clicked my lap belt into place. For me, the next week of my life remains an empty slate. I still cannot imagine what that week was like for my family and friends. Phone calls, prayer chains, hugs and tears; their lives were tossed in a whirlwind. After a week had passed I remember lying in bed, unable to speak, to painful to move. Flowers surrounded me, monitors beeped. “Think” “What do you remember” I told myself. Nothing… For me, all I have are stories. Stories from my family and friends; the story told in the police report.

I was headed home, on a two lane road, less than a mile from our driveway. My car was headed south, his was headed north. A stop sign sat about a quarter mile up the road from him. One car separated him from the stop sign. He decided to pass, pulling out directly into my path. I had no time to react; my foot still remained on the gas pedal when they pulled me out. He hit me full force, head on. Each of our cars went spinning into opposite ditches. He was fine; high on cocaine and an overdose of anti-depressants, I was not. An approaching truck stopped and noticed that I wasn’t breathing. He administered CPR until the first responders arrived. He is my angel; he saved my life. Two hours later, I was pulled from my car. My seat was bloodstained and syringes lay in the backseat from morphine, helping to keep me calm. I was rushed to Gerber Memorial Hospital where listed stable and then transferred by ambulance to Butterworth. News was beginning to spread. My mother, who was at the beauty salon, heard they had Warner shut down between 72nd and 80th because of an accident; she said she just knew it was me.

I was rushed into emergency surgery to repair my internal injuries begin work on my external injuries. Doctors repaired what was critical and decided to finish surgery when I became more stable. I was put in a medically induced coma. Two days later, another surgery followed, this time repairing my remaining injuries. I suffered:
-left and right broken femurs
-left and right broken tibias
-right shattered knee
-right shattered ankle
-lacerations to my spleen, which they removed
-lacerations to my liver, which were repaired
-a collapsed lung
-lacerations to both my hand and face

Metal rods were inserted into both my left and right femur and left tibia. Screws and plates held my right knee and ankle together. Staples and stitches covered and held together every injury on my body. A breathing tube was inserted. I also had a tube inserted into my side.

After one week in the ICU, they removed my breathing tube. For me, this is when my memory started back up. I was then transferred onto the orthopedics floor; where I spent an additional week. When the doctors had done all they could for me there, I was transferred to MaryFree Bed to learn how to adjust to my “new” life. While preparing to leave Butterworth, I remember having the staples and stitches removed from my hand and face. I asked to see a mirror; I had not looked at myself up until this point. I cried. In the mirror I saw an ugly girl who was swollen, red and scarred. My one week spent at MaryFree Bed proved challenging. Therapy sessions exhausted me. My muscles were weak, my brain was slow and I was still in large amounts of pain. I was placed in a wheelchair, where I would spend the next six weeks. And while, adjusting to life in a wheelchair at MaryFree Bed was difficult, it proved even harder when I went home. The hospitals had become my comfort zone. They were fully equipped to deal with me; my pain, my injuries. I was surrounded by people who were in similar situations to me.

The next few years of my life were filled with doctor appointments; follow up surgeries, shots, etc. I went from wheelchair, to walker, to crutches, to walking boot. My senior year of high school was started while I was still on crutches. I faced mountains of challenges and hurdles but was determined to succeed. My doctors were worried about my injuries long-term affects. I have proved to be their “miracle”. My family and friends offered words of encouragement, they became my support system. Brian stood by my side every day, while most guys would probably walk away. I could never say thank you enough to my “angel”, the first responder team, the many doctors and nurses who cared for me and my family and friends.

Through everything I have become strong and determined. And although this experience forced me to grow up pretty quick, it has shaped who I am today. I see a different light on life. My hugs are a little bit longer, my breathes are a little bit deeper. I am in no means, perfect. I still have bad days. And it is still easy to sometimes take life for granted. But I use those days to build on all that I have to be thankful for. So, tomorrow, I will celebrate a day that has a special meaning to my friends and family, a day I will never forget.

Spring Has Sprung???

2009-03-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am one who doesn't mind the winter season but when we get a few teasers of warmer weather, enough is enough. Bring on the sandals and warm summer nights, I am ready. With the upcoming warmer weather ahead of us, it has given me time to look at where my life has been over the past couple of years and where it will be heading. In those short two and a half years, Brian and I have purchased a home, planned a wedding, gotten married, remodeled our home, worked full-time and well...just lived. Summers flew by without even blinking an eye. Photography has always been a passion of mine and recently, I have begun to dabble in taking that to the next level. I have attended workshops, read countless books and photography articles, researched and practiced my skill. The lovely Kristen, of k. holly photography, even crafted an amazing logo for me. So what about that next step? I am thinking sometime in 2010. Remember when I said the past two and a half years have been crazy? Brian and I are going to take the time to relax and just enjoy being newly married. We have a few short trips planned to relax and add in some extra fun. This summer we want to hike and explore the natural beauty Michigan has to offer. We want to have weekend grill outs and sit by the fire late at night. We want to just enjoy each others company. My blog may look a bit different; little everyday happenings in our lives. A picture of what I may see out of our front door, a recent hike or a day with the dogs. But I promise, I won't disappoint :)

With all this talk to spring, I thought this picture of Kahne with his favorite warm weather pastime, playing catch, was very fitting. Hands down, this is my favorite picture of him. The exposure, eh isn't the best, but it was when I was first learning. His expression says it all and makes me both smile and giggle. This is just how Kahne is.

Photography Workshop Recap

2009-03-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I attended a workshop hosted by the fabulous girls who make up Mirror Mirror Studio, Amy and Jen. Let me tell you one thing, these girls rock! We covered everything from preparing for the shot to the final edited image. Anything hands on is totally my thing, so this workshop proved to be very benefical. We even took advantage of the nice weather and headed outside. A special thanks for Shawn and Amy for being models for the day.

I cannot thank you girls enough for this wonderful opportunity! :)

At the end of the day we picked our four favorite images of the day to have critiqued. Here were my picks.

Winter Wonderland

2009-03-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Upper Peninsula ~Marquette, MI ~ February 19-22, 2009
There is something about traveling north that just makes you want to lose yourself in nature. Could it be the quiet stillness, the stunning views or of how life just seems more relaxed? When Brian and I cross the big bridge it is a feeling that cannot be explained by words. Winter in the UP, while equally beautiful, can sometimes prove to be a bit challenging. Some call it unending. Storms seem to blow in without warning, leaving inches and sometimes feet of snow. Brian and I were able to experience some of this first during our stay.

As much as I love the UP, I dread crossing the Mackinac Bridge. It scares me, makes my palms sweaty and my armpits tingle. The heights, the wind and the grates. Normally, I close my eyes, hum to myself and wait to hear the voice of the toll booth operator collecting our fare. This time however, I thought I would try something new. So out popped my camera and I started clicking away.

Soon after crossing the bridge and starting onto US-2 we quickly found out just how fast changing the weather could be.

Friday, Brian and I awoke to a gorgeous sunrise and agreed to take advantage of the beautiful day. Kaytee, our friend and host, had put together a list of possible ideas while in Marquette. We decided to check out Black River Falls on our snowshoes. Only a five minute outside of town, these falls prove amazing. A well worn trail through the woods leads to an opening in the trees where the falls and the river flows. We decided to keep heading up river to see what else we could find; and boy was it ever worth it. Waterfalls after waterfalls make up this section of the river. The refreshing sound of falling water proved "some good therapy" for the day.

We even saw some animals along the way.

Next stop, Sugarloaf. The hike up Sugarloaf itself is fairly short and easy, well worth experincing while in Marquette. Sugarloaf provides incredible spectacular views of Marquette and Lake Superior. Many patches of flat rock are provide an excellent sitting spot to just enjoy the view. We could have spent all day up there.

Cheese ;)

Friday night, was the start of the UP 200. This 240 mile sled dog race begins and ends in Marquette. We headed downtown to participate in the action. Family and friends alike, young and old gathered around Washington Street waiting for the races to start. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, cheers and stories of past races. Seeing the mushers prepare their dogs and sleds, made me wonder what was going through their minds. The dogs yipped with aniticipation. This was a celebration I was truly proud to have been part of.

Sunday morning we left Marquette to sun. We turned onto M28 and ran into blizzard conditions soon thereafter. We slowed down to about 5 mph and crept along using the snowbanks as a guide. Thankfully, we arrived in Munising safely. We learned, soon after we made it through, they shut M28 down. It remained closed for much of that day.

The Art of Being Graceful

2009-03-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

or not so much...
One thing Brian and I both share is a love for the outdoors. We also have become frequent travelers of the Upper Peninsula. Many people head south, especially during the winter months, or west. But ah, yes, Brian and I always find ourselves heading north. This February, we headed to Marquette to stay with some friends for the dogsled races. While there we took advantage of the gorgeous weather on Friday and headed up Sugarloaf. Sugarloaf is this incredible mountain offering spectacular views of Marquette and Lake Superior.

We followed the well worn trail to the top; however, Brian decided to "blaze trail" on the way back down. Kaytee and I followed, a little reluctant to the terrian beneath our snowshoes, but were up for an adventure. One area in particular proved challenging. Our choices: jump or slide. Kaytee and I chose slide; Brian chose jump. Lets just say jumping didn't work out as planned for Brian. He neglected to take into consideration his snowshoes, which toe picked into the snow. Any laughing you may hear was out of complete love.

Two things the video fails to show:
1) The jump off the rock was about 9-10 foot drop. For this reason, Kaytee and I chose the alternative method of sliding down to the left of the rock.
2) My camera, yes MY CAMERA, was tucked in Brian's coat hanging around his neck. I realized this about 5 seconds into the laughter which turned into panic. Thankfully, no damage. And yes, lessons have been learned.

Enjoy! And if you find yourself laughing, it's okay, Brian will never know.

p.s. Blog post later this week with pictures and full trip report, I promise.

Watkins Family

2009-02-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I met the Watkins family downtown for their session. Celene's husband leaves for overseas next month and this made for a special session :) We started the day at the Museum and then headed outside. You guys were a complete joy! Enjoy! :)

Fiona

2009-02-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

The last time I had saw Fiona she was just a baby and she is sure growing into a little doll. Those eyes absolutely melt your heart. Fiona didn't want to give up many smiles for me but adorable none the less. Rory and Amanda, thank you for letting me into your home!

Close to Our Hearts

2009-02-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ruby lived nine years of her life chained and cooped up in a kennel. Her coat was greasy, stained yellow and had a funny smell. Since she has come into our lives, we have been working on this with regular baths. Sunday was another one of those days. We started the day off with a morning walk, followed by a bath. All tuckered out, she snuggled in the blankets for much of the day.

My Birthday

2009-02-09T06:02:00.000-08:00

Let them (or me) eat cake
swiss cake rolls that is... Yummy!

So how old am I today? 23! Still a baby according to my fellow co-workers. :) Brian has the dinner menu covered for the evening, so I am really excited to see what is in the works. And since he has to leave for work around 7 pm, the rest of my night will be spent with the dogs, probably curled up watching a movie. A good way to end a birthday!

Friday evening my mother drove up and treated us to dinner at my favorite local resturant; authentic Mexican food with never ending chips and salsa. H-E-A-V-E-N! Then we headed back to our house for a serious game of scrabble and sequence which finished the night out at about 1:30 am . Since I am not a huge fan of birthday cake my mother surprised me with swiss cake rolls instead; I couldn't think of a better "cake" than this.

On Saturday night, Brian's parents treated me to dinner which again was very good. I even treated myself to strawberry daiquiri which tasted so much like summer :). I was really in the game mood so Brian's parents came over for some uker; sad to say, Brian and I were not champions.

So what do I do besides eat this weekend??? Enjoyed this AMAZING weather we have been having. The dogs were pretty excited to go for a walk Friday, Saturday and Sunday; something we have not been able to do in a long time. We even turned our heat off and opened our windows up on Saturday afternoon. I really wish spring was here to stay.

Just Had to Share

2009-02-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

In Newaygo there is this fabulous little place I just love to visit called the Elizabeth Halsey Boutique. Vintage clothes, rockin' jewlery, amazing little finds; she has it all. If you are up this way, make sure to check her out! You can't miss her shop; it is a big yellow victorian style house.

Dawn, the boutique owner, also does custom paintings; dogs being her specialty. The paintings are all done with oils using recycled canvases and frames.

And me...well yes...I am a sucker for our dogs. What better of a way to have them captured; together, all in one frame. Totally love it!

Playing in the Powder

2009-02-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Crystal Mountain take II
This past Saturday Brian and I headed back up to Crystal Mountain for another day of skiing. We stopped for breakfast at this little mom and pop resturant. Yums! :) Apparently, word was spreading because there were only a few empty tables to choose from. I must admit, I was on pancake overload when we left and Brian found me napping the rest of the way to the Mountain (I am a horrible passenger).

While the conditions were overcast with occasional snow showers, the day was still totally worth it; Crystal Mountain had received fresh powder the night before. Cabin fever must be setting in for some people, because the Mountain was pretty busy. One thing that mesmerizes both Brian and I are all of the little kiddos on skis and just how good they are. Totally jealous! Mom and dad must seriously strap on the skis as soon as walking age approaches.

While there were no broken bones had that day, Brian and I each took our turn at a tumble. And since I am the one telling the story...it can go anyway I want...hmmm. Just kidding ;) no lies here. Mine was first; and while I wish it was impressive and daring, it's not. You may actually let out a small giggle, I did. One sentence sums it up; I was to big for my britches. See last time we skied I took the safe road; and with my bad knee, it should probably be the only road I ever take. However, this Saturday I convinced myself (thanks to the winter X games) that I needed go a little bigger. So I started taking paths that were carved through the trees. Not so bad. Then I tried a couple moguls. Still not so bad. Then, I decided to combine the two; eh, not so good. The path jetted out from the trees, dropped down a few feet and then curved hard to the right. What I failed to notice was the little mound of snow waiting for me at the bottom of the drop. That little mound threw off my balance and made curving to the right...well lets face it...I didn't exactly end up curving to the right. Down I went. My skis never popped off so there I was face down in the snow and legs tangled together. Yeah, kinda embarrassing. Brian's tumble, in his words "outscored mine". We were headed down one of the back hills and he was getting the whole "swish swish" things down with his skis; he was going at a pretty good clip. A fellow skier, who was following to close in my mind, clipped the back half of his skis sending him spiraling down into the snow. Total wipeout. He lost his skis, his poles, his hat and his goggles. And of course, up he pops, like nothing ever happened.

Tumbling aside, the day proved to be another amazing day on the slopes. Just like before, the sun popped out a bit before dusk; creating beautiful views atop the chairlift. It was a great day to spend in northern Michigan.

Big Ole' Teddy Bear

2009-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Kahne ~ Kahner ~ Kahner Boat ~ Kahne Boy ~ Moose
He holds so many nicknames from both Brian and I. Kahne was the dog that first started our little family; which means he sometimes gets a little extra attention. He is 4 1/2 now and is still the most loveable, loyal dog; always willing to please. Not to mention, he is a wonderful toe warmer. Those eyes have a way with me. :)

Staying Warm in the Winter Chill

2009-01-15T05:22:00.000-08:00

Ruby and Emmy
After a hard day of sleeping, sleeping and well more sleeping, I found them curled up together taking another rest. This cold weather really has put the lazy bug in them. I think our newest addition has really found her place in the house, next to Emmy. :)

Living in the Moment

2009-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Crystal Mountain ~ Thompsonville, Michigan
This past Saturday Brian and I headed north, up to Thompsonville, for a refreshing day of skiing. It is about a two hour drive for us that takes you on old M-37 through Baldwin. The drive itself has some beautiful views with calm, quiet roads and besides you are headed north (what better direction); totally worth it!

My resort of choice has always been Crystal Mountain. Back in school, three of my good friends and I would find ourselves up at Crystal Mountain every winter. However, six years ago, I found myself at the recieving end of a bad car accident. Since then my body has still (yes STILL) been healing. Skiing was something that had been taken away from me and I was longing to again regain control; to try and get some of what I had missed, back. It had been my hobby, my sport.

And did it feel great! Brian had never been skiing before and it was fun to be able to share and teach something with him that I loved so much. The weather was gorgeous; the sun peaked out about three hours before dusk, which made for the most beautiful sunset! The views atop the chair lift were breathtaking. The moon illuminated the trails and woods and the stars shown bright. Brian and I had the day all to ourselves. No cellphones, emails, work or distractions. The mountain felt like ours. We laughed, we joked, we shared stories; things that were long past due with how crazy our lives have been. It felt great to be out together in the winter air, enjoying the season and the beauty of nature.

I only brought along my pocket point and shoot which froze within a few hours of being out in the cold air. :( I was very disappointed to have not had my Nikon to capture our day; but I had to be practical. I did snag this shot before heading out on the mountain.

Kickoff to 2009

2009-01-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

welcoming the new year
well maybe sleeping it off...I am sure many of you had a busy holiday season and this past weekend you probably felt a lot like Ruby looks in the picture. Families, friends, presents, and Christmas/New Year's Eve get together's. I hope everyone's holidays were full of joy and cheer. That you were surrounded by those who matter most in your life. I hope travels were safe and health was well. That rest was found this past weekend. Most of all, I wish 2009 to start off with much excitment for what the new year will bring! Happy 2009 everyone!

Bailey and Fran

2008-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, while there was a break in the wintery weather, I headed over to my fellow co-worker, Mary's house for a doggy session. She has a heart as big as gold for animals, especially her own. Her two precious gal's, Bailey and Fran, are getting a bit older and we thought a session would be the most perfect idea. The gal's were glammed out in their Christmas scarf's but not wanting to brave the cold weather outside. They had plenty of kisses and licks to go around! Enjoy :)

Fran even showed off her pearly white smile, just for me! :) (apparently she carries this chew toy around quite often)

Klesney Family

2008-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting the Klesney family. We had originally scheduled this session earlier; however, the dreaded flu season kept it from happening. I was so happy when Maria contacted me about this weekend. Just in time for the holiday's! :) You guys were wonderful and such a nice family to work with. Thank you for letting me into your home. Enjoy! :)

Tis the Season

2008-12-09T05:51:00.000-08:00

may your hearts be happy....
and your lives filled with cheer...

{wishing you love this holiday season}
the Folkema's

Saving a Life

2008-12-04T05:27:00.000-08:00

Meet Ruby ~ foxhound ~ 10 years old
Well Ruby to us. I stumbled across her at our local animal control office. She had been picked up as a stray and had no name. Unclaimed and sitting at the shelter for three weeks she was scheduled to be put down yesterday. We didn't need another dog; our three are fine, but I couldn't help but see her. On Tuesday I drove over to take a look at her. It didn't seem fair to put an innocent dog down because their shelter was full and nobody had an interest in adoping an older dog. I immediately fell in love with her face. She was very timid and never left her bed. They didn't know where she came from or her story. She was thin and desperately needed a bath and good meal. I left the shelter in tears, it broke my heart. I knew nobody else would adopt her; she was on her last life.

Later that night I talked with Brian about it. Brian, bless his heart, looked at me and smiled. He agreed with were not looking for another dog, but felt the guilt of knowing she would be put to sleep the next day. On Wednesday afternoon we drove over to pick her up. Ruby, would be her name; we both agreed. I prepared him that she didn't look the best; her back bone and hip bones stuck out and she was very dirty. He fell instantly in love! :) (whew, I thought to myself)

We brought her home, bathed her, fed and watered her and let her settle in on her new dog bed. She is still very shy and rarely has gotten up off of her bed. The other dogs have taken a liking to her, especially Dillon. I know it will be slow going for the next few weeks, but I am sure she will come around. She has already made huge steps; small steps for other dogs, but huge steps for her. Last night while petting her she reached out and touched my hand with her tongue. This morning she lay wagging her tail ever so slightly at me while I was getting ready.

I stumbled across this quote and it touched my heart; it makes adopting Ruby all worth it.
"...Saving just one pet won't change the world...but, surely, the world will change for that one pet..."

The Holidays

2008-12-01T05:17:00.000-08:00

Getting it done early this year
Christmas shopping done - check
outdoor Christmas lights up - check
indoor Christmas decorations out - check
Christmas tree cut - check
Christmas tree trimmed - check
presents wrapped - check

Have I forgotten anything? For the first time, I have managed to have everything set for the holidays. The only thing left on my list is bake Christmas cookies; and those shouldn't be too much further along. I am still scratching my head trying to figure out how I managed to get everything done this past Thanksgiving weekend. But I can tell you one thing, it feels wonderful. Maybe this year I can finally relax and enjoy the weeks counting down until Christmas.

My mother and I headed out, bright and early, to hit the stores for the ever famous, black friday. I had a pretty good idea of what I was looking for, so it made the stores less stressful. We shopped, grabbed some lunch, shopped some more, chatted, hit up Starbucks for some re-fueling, and shopped some more. When I pulled into our driveway that evening, gifts had been found and purchased for everyone on my list. On Sunday, Brian and I headed out to find the "perfect" Christmas tree. After some deliberation, we found the perfect, small but ever so adorable Christmas tree. The rest of the afternoon was spent trimming the tree, putting up decorations and hanging lights outside. Now as much as I would like to, I cannot take credit for the hanging of lights. Brian, bless his heart, stood outside on the roof in the blowing snow giving our house, Christmas curb appeal. Note: I did feel guilty and made sure to have some nice hot cocoa for him when he came inside. Later that evening when Brian had left for work, I sat down, Christmas movie in hand, and did some wrapping. After arranging all of the gifts under the tree, I took a deep breath, sighed, and said "whew, I'm done." And does it feel good...

our tree topper...

Girl Party

2008-11-27T17:11:00.000-08:00

It's a sleepover
On Wednesday evening my niece Ayla came over for a fun filled night of playdough, books, coloring and jumping on the bed. She finished out the night with a bath and crashed on the "big girl" bed. What a wonderful way to spend the evening! Aaron and Tracy: hope you enjoyed your evening!

Whew, what a night!

A Look Into Our Lives

2008-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Our little family
dog (noun) a domestic carnivorous animal with a long muzzle, a fur coat, and a long fur-covered tail, whose characteristic call is a bark. Latin name: Canis familiaris

Our dogs are such a big part of our lives. They are great company, feet warmers, toes lickers, motivation for excercise, comedy shows and wonderful companions. And with Brian currently working third shift, they give me piece of mind at night. Not that long ago if you would have told me that we would be parents to three dogs, I would have laughed and said "yeah, okay". Who is laughing now? But I wouldn't change anything. Our dogs have become members of our family; I couldn't imagine our lives without them. Don't get me wrong, there have been times when I ask myself, "why oh why...three dogs...this is crazy" but when they make you smile or make you laugh it reminds me why.

So you may be asking, how does one acquire such a large furry family. Let me enlighten you. Meet Kahne, our golden retriever. My stepmother and I had picked Kahne out when he was just eight weeks old. She loved golden retrievers and had always wanted one. Sadly, a few short months later she unexpectedly passed away. When I moved out, Kahne came with me. You could say he holds a special part of my heart and reminds me of her every time I look at him. According to Brian, Kahne is my dog; he thinks I am Kahne's favorite. :) They say golden's are loyal and smart and with this I must agree. He loves running out in the woods, swimming in Lake Michigan and just being your best friend. He will always be my first "baby".

Brian and I felt guilty when Kahne was home by himself and wanted to get him a friend. And so came Emmy. Emmy is your typical lab mix who sometimes doesn't seem to have all of her ducks in a row. We met Emmy at a local animal shelter and instantly fell in love; she was only five months and still had that puppy cuteness. She had been brought into the shelter after being hit by a car. They saved her back leg but her paw is flat as a pancake and a bit deformed. Adoping Emmy meant an unknown future with her "bumb wheel" but we couldn't imagine our lives without her. To our suprise, she seems to function just fine and has had minimal problems. She has found a special place in our hearts.

Then there is Dillon. Dillon came to us a little over a year ago. Some of you may remember Dillon, he was featured on WZZM as the dog that was away from home for a little over two years. The Kent County animal shelter picked him up and because he had a micro chip was returned back to his owners. Within a few weeks after his story aired the owners did not want him anymore. The owners had asked our neighbor to take him and give him away at a local auction where people will bring "free" animals. Of course, my heart went out to him and we decided to give him a forever home. Dillon, also referred to as the "Dillman" "Little Man" and "Dillon five-o", is one of most unique beagles I have known. He hates the outdoors but instead loves the anything that is soft, warm and comfortable. The couch seems to be his object of choice and since we do not let our dogs on the couch I am constantly shooing him off. (the below picture was an exception) We have a fenced in backyard which is wonderful for the dogs; however even when we let them all loose, Dillon doesn't take off. He is perfectly content roaming the yard and sticking close. He must love his new home as much as we love him. :)

Big Buck Down

2008-11-17T11:36:00.000-08:00

Opening day 2008
One of the many things that Brian and I have in common is that we both enjoy hunting. He is much more dedicated than me, but I was really looking forward to this year because opening day fell on a Saturday. Our freezer is looking pretty bare and since we rarely eat beef, venison this year is a necessity. We headed out to the woods a little after 6 in the morning all bundled up for a long day in the woods. Brian and I sit together and I was "it" for the day. Lucky for me, a nice 5 point came in range. Brian and I were both so excited we about fell out of the treestand we were shaking so hard. Brian even got the whole thing on video. He may not be the biggest buck ever, but I am pretty proud of him!

I couldn't have done it without him; love you Brian!

A Day at the Park

2008-11-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

I met Jody and her family on what I believe was the last nice Saturday of the year. The colors were perfect and the weather was nice and comfortable; the kids totally loved the leaves. Enjoy!

Schueller Family

2008-11-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I met the Schueller family downtown for their session. It had been overcast most of the day but as soon as we started the sun began to peek out, which made for a gorgeous fall day! What a wonderful family! You guys were completely down to earth and Brian and I were so glad to have met you. Enjoy! :)

Cameron

2008-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend my cousin Angie and her husband Chris were in town celebrating their son Cameron's first birthday party. Before the party, I snuck over to take some pictures of the birthday boy. The last time I had saw Cameron he was just a couple of months old; has he grown! He didn't want to give up too many smiles for me, but was adorable none the less. He never made a fuss and was very interested in all of the fall leaves. Cameron has the most beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair. Chris and Angie, I believe the girls will be chasing him around the playground when he gets older! Thank you for letting me be part of his special day. :)

Through the Eyes of a Child

2008-11-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2008 ~ Ayla Style
Friday evening Brian and I headed to Grand Rapids to celebrate Halloween with family and friends. My niece, Ayla, was the star of the night. She is almost two and a half and is beginning to understand what "trick or treat" is all about. Dressed as a ladybug she headed out, bag in hand. Of course, I was right behind her to capture the excitement. :)

Internet is down

2008-11-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

We have been having problems with our internet running slow and losing connection so sometime in the next fews days we are hoping to have it fixed. I promise to have pictures up by soon of all of the wonderful events from this weekend. Stay tuned... :)

A Day at the Museum

2008-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Cathy had first contacted me about doing a session with her sisters as a suprise for their parents. I was even more excited when Cathy's sister Andrea brought along her children. We started our afternoon at the public museum and then headed outside. It may have been a bit windy out but it never phased them. You guys were a complete joy to photograph and such a wonderful family!

Away from it all

2008-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Cabin Trip to the Upper Peninsula
Brian and I headed up the Upper Pensinsula for our one year anniversary, from October 17 through the 22. It was heaven; just like has been every other time, but this time we were completely relaxed. Orginally, I had packed our itinerary full of hiking, sightseeing, etc. but once we crossed the bridge none of that seemed to matter. My new outlook was that we were going to spend the next four days going by the seat of our pants. If we slept in till noon, great! If we felt like going for a cruise, then we would make it up as we go. It was going to be guilt free relaxation! And that is just what we did; and it felt MARVELOUS! Shhhh...don't tell anyone, but on one of the days I even ended up taking a three hour mid-afternoon nap.

Anyways, getting back on track... :) We stayed at the Nieboer's cabin which is close to Munsing in a town, well maybe village, okay it really just has a tiny gas station/store which doesn't even sell gas anymore, called Melstrand. The Nieboer's are wonderful friends of Brian's parents and have a son Brian's age. As long as you leave the cabin as you found it, fill the gas tanks up and restack the wood pile you are free to stay there. Thank you Nieboers!

The cabin itself is very rustic and located literally in the middle of nowhere; it is only accessible via snowmobile in the winter. Thankfully cold water is available through a hose that we use to fill up larger buckets which then must be heated on the wood stove. At least I could still wash my hair...oh and dishes. Propane runs the fridge, stove and gas lights. Generator outside in the shed powers the front porch light. Bunkbeds are your sleeping quarters and a woodstove provides your heat. Sadly though, the only source of a bathroom is the outhouse located about 15 yards away from the cabin. Normally, fine, I can do rustic for a few days, but having to visit the outhouse in the pitch black of night, I am not fan of. And let me tell you, it gets dark. Like can't see your hand in front of your face dark. And yes, the porch light does help out a little, but you can't keep that on all night and it doesn't shine out very far. Moose and bears have been seen by the cabin and cougars have been in the area so knowing that those animals could be hiding in the dark shadows outside of the cabin doors makes me very nervous. Daytime, fine. Nightime, not so fine. So when Brian and I had to go outside at night, and trust me that wasn't very often, we would peak outside the door for about 10 minutes scanning the woods with our flashlights, run outside, do whatever we needed to do, and run back inside. Trust me, we were probably a sight to see, but it worked.

So here it is....Nieboer's cabin, all rustic and cute. And notice the ever-so-close woods next to the cabin; now you get why I didn't want to go outside in the dark. :)

...and the details

He wasn't into the whole smiling thing...

But I was...

On Saturday we hiked back to Miners Falls; it is a fairly flat 1.2 mile out and back path which makes it easy for anyone to do. I highly suggest this to anyone who visits this area. The waterfall itself is massive and cascades beautifully off the edge.

Of course Brian and I couldn't resist getting closer for a better look. I still can't believe I let a total stranger hold my camera to get a picture of us while we climbed down; thank goodness he didn't run off with it.

I almost blend right in...

Miners River flows from the waterfall a few miles away to Miners Lake.

Brian and I decided to keep up with the whole "Miners" thing and headed over to Miners Castle. This may be one of the most photographed and well known sites of the Upper Peninsula, but it still takes my breath away.

Could the water be any more amazing and clear? I couldn't help but take a picture. See the stone underneath the surface?

The sun and clouds were unbelievable that day...

Munising Falls draws me in because of its simplicity. This falls is so quiet you could almost stumble in if the railing didn't stop you.

Oh my goodness...a smile. I must be doing something right!

Our stranger friend told us to check out where the old coast guard station used to be. It is right on Munising Bay as you head out into the Great Lake Superior. Hidden gem is all I have to say!

That evening Brian and I headed out on the gator over to the lookout. The lookout is just that; you look out over Beaver Basin and in the far distance you see Lake Superior. Brian thinks it would be great fun to blaze trail and hike from the lookout to Lake Superior. And even though I like to be all rugged and adventurous, I think that may be past my limits. That is uncharted territory and who knows what creatures are wandering around down there. One neat fact about Nieboers cabin is that the land surrounding their cabin is now part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. So what does this mean? Peace and quiet for the cabin, no possibility of future developments and neat two tracks that lead to places like this!

The forecast for Sunday was calling for scattered showers throughout the day so we decided to stick close to the cabin. First things first...morning coffee! But we had to do coffee UP style, so after using a percolator on the stove we poured our coffee and headed out on the gator for a morning cruise. Brian and I have different opinions about cruising; when I say cruising, I mean slow and relaxing. Brian means punch it and go rip snorting through the trails. We shared words :) and came to an agreement somewhere in between.

See, I told you we are in the middle of nowhere...

While the skys were clear we headed out in the truck to see what we could find.

so the UP fashion...

an old fire tower...

Brian had his heart set on fishing so Monday morning we packed up the gator and headed out. Another family friend, Charlie, has a piece on property on a small private lake. I believe the proper name is Fawn Lake, but I have only heard it referenced as "Charlie's Lake"; so that is what we will go with. The thing I love about Charlies Lake is that it is like a picture out of a movie. The lake is perfect; the trees are perfect; everything about it is perfect. Charlie is very lucky to have such a beautiful place to build a cabin. And we are lucky to have such a nice lake to fish on. :)

I love him...

On our last night in the Upper Peninsula and since it was our actual anniversary we decided to head into town for a nice dinner. The wind had really picked up and as we drove into Munising I noticed Lake Superior was starting to change. What had been calm before was tossing and turning. We made a turn to Miners Beach to catch some of the action. I started snapping away on the main part of the beach but Brian persuaded me to cross the little channel of water and get up on the cliffs. I don't think he wanted me venturing out on the cliff as far as I did, but I couldn't resist. In a matter of minutes the waves really started to swirl and I decided it probably wasn't the best idea either. I snapped a few more shots, heck I was already out there and then headed back. Even crossing the channel back proved challenging as the waves were now going over top of the log. Once safely to the other side, we both agreed next time to think things through before going out on a limb, literally to get the best shot.

It's a show

2008-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Forest Hills Presbyterian Church
This past Saturday I tried my hand at my very first art and craft show. I loved it! After working nonstop for three nights on my frames and birdhouses (why oh why do I wait till the last minute) I was ready to go. Frames were glued and sprayed, birdhouses mounted, car packed and my tummy was feeling a little nervous. Set-up was Friday evening and the show began first thing Saturday morning. Brian, he is truly such a good sport, tagged along for moral support and to do the heavy lifting. By the end of the day I had sold two birdhouses, nine frames and five magnets! I was so happy; so was Brian because it meant less to pack up. People had some really nice things to say about my work which helped ease my nerves. And I want to especially thank everyone at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church who helped with the show; you were so nice and organized and I cannot wait for next year.

Stay tuned...

2008-10-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

I have an art show this Saturday and have been working like a crazy person trying to prepare for it; therefore, sadly, pictures from Brian and I's trip have taken a backseat. I am hoping to have a full report along with pictures in the next couple of days. :) In short, it was wonderful! And of course, I couldn't help but upload a few pictures. Here is a sneak peek.....

We couldn't help but get a closer look...Do you see Brian?

The views and colors were amazing...

Lake Superior was fierce and powerful...

And...we found some really cool treasures.

October 20, 2007

2008-10-17T05:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary to us!
Monday will be Brian and I's one year anniversary and we are headed out today to celebrate and have a little R&R. As much as we would have loved to hop back on a plane and fly to Mexico for our honeymoon all over again, we opted for a short getaway to where: you guessed it, the Upper Peninsula. Hey don't knock it; it may not be the most romantic getaway for our one year anniversary, but it is so us.

One year; my goodness, I still feel like I am floating on cloud nine. Our day was everything I had imagined and more. The weather was a perfect October day; sunny and a little crispness in the air. The leaves were at peak; bright bold colors. Our friends and family came together to share in our sweet and personal ceremony. And then PARTY! I loved everything about that night. It still gives me butterflies when I think about it.

And Brian, you are the most amazing man, my highschool sweetheart. Everyday with you keeps getting better and better. I laugh with you, cry with you, share my hopes and dreams with you and yes even eat swiss cake rolls with you. :) You are so supportive and believe in me. So, happy one year to us! Luv you Brain! :)

...and to our guests....you guys rock! :)

Kaden and Kalvin

2008-10-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I had the pleasure of photographing two adorable twin boys; Kayden and Kalvin! They are only nine months old but already have quite the personalities. Their expressions and giggles kept me laughing all morning long. And if that wasn't enough, they even got dressed up in their Halloween costumes. Talk about cuddly cuteness! Here are some of my favorites; prepare yourself, many pictures ahead. (Too many favorites not to include.) Enjoy!

A step back into time

2008-10-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Heritage Hill home tour
On Saturday I was able to enjoy the gorgeous weather with my mother on the annual Heritage Home tour. There were a total of 12 homes open to the public; a few of which were a school, church and womans city club. The homes ranged from craftmans style, english style and victorian cottages. Ah, it was so much fun and I am so thankful to each owner for allowing the public to tour their homes. Each home is uniquely decorated and kept in its origional design. A few have had minor updates and structural renovations. Going into these homes is like stepping back in time; you are able to visually take a piece of Grand Rapids history with you. I highly suggest this tour to anyone!

Love this home! The current owners are finishing restoring this home in hopes of turning it into a future B&B. How amazing would that be; I would totally stay here!

This home was another one of my favorites!

My Night at the GRAM

2008-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Richard Avedon preview party with Nigel Barker
Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Richard Avedon preview party at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. His portrait work is both inspirational and amazing. While there, I had the opportunity to meet Nigel Barker, another fashion photographer, who uses Richard Avedon's work as inspiration. Nigel Barker explained who Avedon was behind the camera. I was so excited to attend this event and felt very lucky to be there! I have a feeling I will be heading back to the GRAM to see Avedon's Larger than Life exhibit again; his work is definitely worth seeing more than once.

New best friend

2008-10-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

From a dogs perspective
While I was recovering my from knee surgery, my mother came up to stay a few days and help out around the house. Taking care of the dogs was the biggest help of all. Lets just say three dogs, two of which are as big as mooses (according to my mother) + a girl on crutches who has bumb wheel (according to Brian) = trouble. For those few days my mother was my saving grace. Not to mention I had an added bonus of spending quality, eventful free time with her. And thanks to me she is now an regular viewer of Will and Grace reruns.

Also benefiting from my mothers presence were our dogs. They became an little attachment to her hip. And anyone who knows my mother, knows she LOVES popcorn. Our two "mooses" quickly found this out and learned that staying close to her meant little handouts of popcorn bits.

Message from the "mooses": "Come back, we miss you!" grumble...grumble goes their tummies.... "And your popcorn bits!"

And where was Dillion during all of this? Nestled cozily on the dog bed, comfy as could be, blissfully unaware what has happening around the corner.

Portenga Family

2008-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

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!

Glitz and glammer

2008-09-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

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!

How can you not love this cuteness?

It's the UP eh?

2008-09-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

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.

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!

A little bit of nature

2008-09-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

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!

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.