FAMILY DAY

After church, Sunday, we went to lunch to celebrate Natalie's new job with Delta Airlines, knowing that as of Tuesday morning, things would be much different around here. I wanted new pictures of all of us for over the fireplace in the gallery. Ron spotted exactly what I was looking for...the side of a building that sells tractors! Here are a sampling of the fun we had.
Amber first...

Then Natalie...
Hmmm...isn't he a handsome brute? I certainly think so. :)Early Tuesday morning, we are out of the house by 5 headed to the airport to put our first born on a plane to Atlanta to begin her training as a flight attendant. It seems like no time at all since we were sitting around our desks learning the Gettysburg Address! My how time flies and things change. We sat near the security gate for a short time before she had to make her way through. Then it was time...to let her do what we had raised her to do...fly. Little did we know that she would take us LITERALLY! I sit here with a tear in my eye, but joy overflowing in my heart because I know that she is making her dream a reality. With God's blessing on her, she will be a blessing to many in this line of work.

PARTY AT MARLO'S

Friday evening Marlo planned dinner and fun for Natalie and friends before she "flew off" to learn her new trade. Mexican is always a favorite for us and Marlo's was exceptional! If there are a group of closer friends, I don't know where they might be. The hearts of these girls are knit ever so closely.

Rock Band was part of the fun for the evening and it looked to me as though there was something not going quite right...

But then again...
Hmmm, so maybe this is the way it goes?
OK, so maybe the drums are more Natalie's cup of tea and Nicky on the guitar?

My very own rock stars! You just have to love them!

Thanks Marlo and Rob for a great evening of food and fun. You have a special place in our hearts.

THE NEW LOOK!!!
We are very excited about the new look! It took a little longer to get things changed over than I anticipated, but it is done!
In celebration of the new look, for those that call before March 31 to schedule a portrait session, we will offer a 3 for 2 portrait credit. Easter is almost upon us and is a great time to do your annual family portraits!

Last night, Natalie's friend, Marlo hosted a going away party for her, complete with "Rock Band"! That story and images to come when it is a little less late!

NATALIE
Yesterday, Natalie went with us to the King's Kids shoot to be the all around "caddy/reflector holder". Some may not know that a week from today, she will be leaving for Atlanta. About this time last month, she went to Delta headquarters for her personal interview and was accepted into flight attendant training! This is a dream she has had, probably since our first trip to Disney World when she was four. I guess when a dream sticks with you for this long, there must be something to it. She is more than excited and we are for her as well.
Before we got started, there was a bit of time to clown around, so here is your laugh for the day! This is her practicing her welcome smile when your board her flight to your dream destination. (Remember...our photography motto is, "your destination is ours!")

She would call these next two, one of our "otter moments". For those that have done the personality study that Gary Smalley does. You will know exactly what we are talking about. For those that have not, he likens certain personality types to animals and their characteristics.

I have 3 otters with very strong lion tendencies. As for me? Beaver/lion...

Check out the link and see where you might fit in! You will never be the same. Everyone you meet will fall into a type-you never know, it might even help you relate more effectively to those around you!

Let me know where you think you fit in... :)

RESIDENTIAL GALLERY FACE LIFT
The last few weeks, we have been working on updating and renovating our gallery! We were so excited to get started and Sasha from Sherwin Williams was terrific to help pinpoint the exact colors. It always makes a mess...but the results will be more than worth it.

Hmmm, who do you suppose took THAT?!

SOME semblance of order on the horizon.
And we even have a place to sit again. :)

Things are not completely finished, but certainly getting closer. Thank you to those who checked on us because of our "blog silence". Ron and I both battled respiratory issues (and vocal-for me) from the primer fumes when the weather made it difficult to open the windows. But we are both better. You will have to pay us a visit when all is finished and see your beautiful faces bigger than life on the BIG SCREEN!

In keeping with positive change, there is more in the works, so check back often and I will do my best not to be silent for extended periods any more. :)

Periodically, we will be offering promotions, so those of you that would like to receive those by email, send me a note telling me if you want each of them or only certain categories (and what those categories might be) and I will add you to the list.

We now have a Lifetime Portrait Club. Email me to find out more. :)

King's Kids
Part of yesterday afternoon was spent with the King family of King's Kids Children's Clothier doing some promotional work for them as well as some fun family pictures. They have some terrific young people and some outstanding clothing! If you haven't found that perfect Easter outfit for your young people, check them out at 740 S. Salem Road Ste. 109, here in Conway (501-450-9900). You will find them in the shopping center just behind The Bear's Den at the corner of Dave Ward and Salem. Watching them interact with one another was a blessing to us. It is very evident that the love runs deep.


Elizabeth is a natural when it comes to modelling! She had an opportunity at Market recently to test out the runway for herself! I would not be surprised to see her in some of the top magazines in the future (all kidding aside!).
Rachel has a quiet, sweet spirit, but when you catch her unaware...she really performs!

We had been waiting for this sunshine all too long and oh how good it felt on the face, but NOT on little Rachel's eyes. :)

Joshua had some moves of his own that may lead him to GQ in years to come.

I'm not sure who was getting the better of whom, but it was fun to watch. :)

One of King's Kids casual ware for the young man in your life.

And then for the more formal occasion...

I love these colors!...and these girls...

Caleb may have the look of a tough guy, but a heart of mush lurks beneath that exterior. Watch out ladies!

Rachel showing off that she can do the model moves as well.

This was one of my favorites! The embroidery and fluff are gorgeous!

Thank you, Jerry, Donna and family for inviting us to be a part of your lives. You have left fingerprints that we like! We will have the rest of your images ready soon.

FRIENDS...
A very valuable thing in a person's life. Yesterday, a little after 7 am Amber came to me saying that Nicky would be here in just a few minutes to decorate Natalie's car. Natalie had no clue what was in the making. We closed all of the front shades so that Natalie would not notice anything going on out front, but I had to peek through the shades to take a look myself! Nicky worked diligently for quite some time with car chalk, a balloon bouquet, card and sweet treats! Here is what awaited Nat when she headed out to work on Valentine's Day morning!
"What's that? Who did this?"
"Oh, my goodness!"

It's that face that says, I'm tough, Mom, but we all know that she is a mush-mello!!!

See what I mean, she can only pretend for a few seconds and this comes back...

Calling Nicky with thanks.

2008 was off to a rough start for Nat and Nicky knew that yesterday might be extra hard, so she planned ahead to start Nat's day by showing her that there are friends that love her unconditionally! It worked! Nicky, all of us should be a friend like you! You are a terrific example to follow. We love you!

CHANGE...
Some is good and some is even better! We had decided that certain things had to change and we wanted to learn from someone who knew how to make the changes we wanted to make. Mitche was our answer. He was to be in Tennessee this week with his Boot Camp so we called and made our reservations.

Mitche has a wealth of valuable information and is able to present it in a very functional manner. We came away with a mulititude of ideas that could be implemented immediately and many more that we will work into our business in the months to come. Check out Mitche's website to get the remainder of his tour schedule.

THE WINNER!!!
Last Sunday at the bridal fair, we had hundreds of brides and grooms stop by to check us out.
Of those that signed up to win a FREE bridal session to accompany whatever wedding package they would purchase, the beautiful bride to be who's name was chosen is CHRISTY REEVES of North Little Rock! Christy, you have until Saturday, February 9th to contact us and claim your prize. Please give us a call at 501-472-4470.

This week brought meetings with brides and work on Lindsay and Stephen's wedding pictures. Wow, did their friends do a number on their get-away car! I hadn't really analyzed it until we were going through the images. It still makes me laugh when I think about it. I also had the privilege of speaking to Lindsay's sweet daddy on the phone. What wonderful families Lindsay and Stephen have. You both are truly blessed.

We look forward to hearing from our winner this week!