ALICIA BRIDALS

In March, we met Alicia at the Old Mill in North Little Rock for her bridal session. The day turned out to be beautiful and for a weekday morning, the mill was very busy. I think there were many of us with spring fever that day. I don't always get bridal posted because we wait until after the wedding to make them public...so that there is less chance some adventurous grooms spoiling their surprise of the wedding day being the first glimpse!

Soon after this image was taken, Alicia moved to the steps at the water's edge. The breeze had been pleasant but the water was rising and beginning to move over some of the walkways, so we took the last few shots from across the water. Just as I turned away I heard Alicia say "oh no!". A gust of wind had caught her veil and blew it into the lake! I turned back just in time to see it land in the middle. There were a couple of young guys fishing and they came over trying to dredge with their poles, but to no avail. The veil was gone. Thankfully the tiara was not attached to the veil and it remained on Alicia's head so she felt fortunate that she did not lose both!

ALICIA & JAKOB WEDDING

The long awaited day had arrived for Alicia & Jakob. The entire bridal party started early with a bit of pampering. The girls at the Nail Spa...

...and the guys at the Country Gentleman Barber Service for an old fashion shave.

Then on to the church to finish getting ready.
I love the fact that along with the traditional white dress Alicia added the striking red & black!
Jakob is also our grapic designer. He designed our new logo and we love it!
Candle issues...
Not to worry...

In keeping with the theme...


Thank you Alicia & Jakob for including us is this wonderfully special day. Everything and everyone was beautiful! We pray God's richest blessings on your new life together.

RACHEL, Senior

This morning we met Rachel for senior pictures and discovered a very special young lady with a sweet spirit, catching green eyes and a captivating smile. She plans to attend UCA in the fall and a major in Elementary Education. Rachel, you will be terrific with little people!

Her boyfriend Chase came along and it didn't take us long to put him to work helping with lighting! This is just a sneak peak into the fun we had.


Thank you Rachel and Chase for such a fun session! Both of you have a wonderful attitude that makes you a blessing to those around you. We look forward to seeing you again soon. I will let you know as soon as the rest are ready for viewing!

MAYCEY, newborn

16 days ago, Maycey made her entrance into this world promising to be the sunshine in many lives! Today, we not only had the honor of taking her Newborn images, but also cuddling and kissing on her just a little. Watch out guys, she's a heart breaker all ready! She has her Uncle Rob wrapped right around her little finger...

Before we know it, these little feet will be taking her out into the world...

...and these little hands will be sharing love in places yet unknown...

She was totally cooperative until she got a bit sleepy...

So, we decided a little snooze wasn't such a bad thing...
...because then we could see her eyes again and she was ready to go some more.

Such a sweet little lady. Thanks Rachel for letting us share this time with you!

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Our last day before the trip home for me and Natalie's first rotation to Orlando, we visited the Empire State Building and of course Macy's!

Central Park...which was much different than I anticipated.

The Central Park Carriage Rides.

And The Plaza Hotel. If memory serves me correctly, Home Alone was set here.

Ellis Island is much farther from shore than I realized. The ferry ride out to the Statue of Liberty was long enough that we did not allow enough time to pay a visit. But maybe next time.

We will most certainly be back! We have a special reason to return...

GROUND ZERO

I don't know what I actually expected to see when we got to Ground Zero. I watched the planes hit the towers that morning and remember thinking, oh my, how could there have been such a mistake? Never considering what the real cause was, in my comfort of freedom and safety here in the USA. Then as the news unfolded with more attacks on us, a bit of fear crept in, sadness for those who experienced the attacks and for those that lost their lives, the families left behind and then anger set in. This just isn't supposed to happen here. Visiting the site where our World Trade Centers once stood was a good thing for me (for us). I never what to become complacent or take our freedom for granted. There are too many who have given everything to preserve it. As Natalie and I walked the perimeter and saw the surrounding buildings that were still under repair, we realized afresh that we must be wise as serpents or evil will creep in again. We must keep a vision of what we want the future to be for our young people.

On one of the fences that surrounds the perimeter of the site, this plaque gives the description of the attack on the Pentagon. It tore at my heart once again.

Right beside it were 3 more plaques with names of the heroes.

The Sphere used to grace the lawn of our World Trade Centers, but now bears the scars that represent the many scars of those families that lost loved ones and the scars of those of us who hurt for them. But by the same token, it still stands strong and goes on, just as the families of America move ahead.

Do you remember the story of the little church across the street from the WTC that had all of its windows blown out, but one piece of stained glass that remained intact was a piece with a picture of Jesus looking down at the lamb He was holding?

Let us never take for granted our safety, our freedom or the sacrifices made to get it and keep it!

NEW YORK-TIMES SQUARE

Last Saturday, Ron and Amber took Natalie and I to the airport in Little Rock with our maximum load allowable by the airline. That load contained some basic necessities Natalie would need to begin a new chapter of life in a city that we had never before visited. Excitement as well as a bit of anxiety were all mixed together. We arrived early evening at La Guardia Airport, all baggage intact and made our way to the line of people waiting for a taxi. Our first experience with a NY taxi driver was interesting to say the very least. Natalie's apartment is only a few blocks from the airport, but with all the baggage, a taxi was a must. We gave him the address, he doesn't know where it is and makes no effort to find out before leaving. Natalie was able to contact someone who could tell him the cross streets and we made it in one piece. When it was time to pay, by my standards, when we have to locate our own destination on our first visit to the city, that doesn't add up to much tip. Then when he proceeds to tell me how stupid I am...that is more money in my pocket, not his. Needless to say, he was not any happier with us when he left than we were with him! We did meet many friendly and helpful people in NY and it has become one of our favorite places to visit. After unpacking and setting up, we were off to see some of the sights. Here are some of our favorites! Times Square at dusk is quite a sight to behold.
The street vendors kept us tempted the entire time with their wonderfully delicious smelling meets and soft pretzels.

It never crossed my mind that Times Square would have McDonald's, but it was there "Texas style"!

I love the lights and energy we felt there. My dad would have loved this picture of Grand Central Station.