Wow, what a surprise!

After my evening appointments, I'll be posting Andrea Volk and Jason Wendling's wedding from September 29, 2007. I'll be adding it to the blog and it should also appear on the website soon too.

But here's a little bit of humor until then.

Rick attended the Volk/Wendling wedding with me in Effingham. He stayed to finish packing up equipment and then he was heading home to get the kids. I was going to shoot the reception by myself.

I text messaged him on the way to Stone's Throw Golf Course and said to take a picture of the sign on the side of the road.

Now what I meant was the Volk/Wendling wedding sign that showed you where to turn off from the highway. I thought that it would be a nice addition to their proof album.

I should have been more specific......

What I got, was apparently all of the signs that Rick saw on the way home. What a surprise when I went to edit and that's what I found. He thinks he's funny.

-a

:)

Mark & Ashley September 22, 2007

Mark & Ashley had a wonderful wedding in late September.

I've been friend's with Mark's sister Stephanie since our freshman year which, although it's hard to believe, has been almost 14 years now.

Mark was always so nice when I was over at the Schulte's house. Of course we never would have told him that. We just kept to ourselves and did our own things, but I always told Stephanie that Mark would be a really good husband some day, he always helped out with Patrick, their little brother, who's not so little anymore, and he always seem like he'd do anything for anybody.

Ashley was the lucky girl. While I haven't spent as much time with Ashley, I've gotten to know her through Jaiden's birthday parties and other events that bring the Schultes together.

She and Mark make a perfect fit. I thank the Schultes and Marshs for choosing Photo Graphics and also for making me feel like family at the reception. I had a seat reserved by Mark's parents. I just love the Schulte family.

-a

:)

81 Days.........

If I wasn't so busy with editing, I'd probably already be packing.....

81 more days.

-a

:)

Keeping an open mind.....

I love when I get a senior like Kelly!

I photographed Kelly's sister Amanda two years ago and Kelly has also done some babysitting for us in the past, so I knew her before she came in a couple weeks ago for her session.

I LOVE her pictures. My favorite part about Kelly is she had an open mind. I asked her what type of outside pictures she was looking for and she said that it didn't matter. She was completely open to anything that we could think of.

Our average senior outdoor session takes us around Netwon and usually out to Sam Parr. With Kelly, we drove until we saw things we like.

I encourage all of our upcoming seniors to keep an open mind and we'll do something a little different. I am thrilled Kelly did!

Her entire session can be viewed on our main page under the recent shoots.

-a

:)

Michael & Jodi September 15, 2007

Wow am I behind in posting on the blog!

Michael and Jodi had a gorgeous wedding. A bride and groom couldn't ask for any better weather, than what they had that weekend.

Jodi thought of everything and the decorations were gorgeous. I forgot how much I enjoy photographing fall weddings. The colors made everything look so beautiful!

Michael and Jodi's entire proof album can be viewed under the recent wedding folder on our main page.

Thanks again for choosing Photo Graphics Michael and Jodi! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

-a

:)

Car Seat Safety

My friend Sarah posted a video on her blog earlier this week about car seat safety.

here's the link to the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

Please be warned that the video is about a young child (3 years) who has passed away. The video explains how it could have been prevented, and how important 5-point harnesses are even with older children.

I still think everyone should watch it, just be prepared when it starts.

Deep in the pit of my stomach, I never felt safe with the car seat that RJ had. I had a hard time believing that they just go from the strap in type harness seat to this plain old booster that you strap in with a seatbelt. I never felt as if it held him well enough. I thought he had too much range of motion.

After watching this video, my heart hurt for the family. Then I realized that the little boy was Heidi's age, and I felt sick.

We are now the proud new owners of 2 new carseats for our kids.

I encourage everyone to consider getting 5-point harness booster seats for their toddlers who outgrow their harness car seat.

Rick watched the video too and even he said, "buy it". I told him how much they were and he still said "buy it". No amount of money would ever bring them back if something terrible happened.

2 car seats to consider.

Regent by Britax http://www.elitecarseats.com/Britax-Regent.pro

Radian 80 by Sunshine Kids http://www.littlebabyshoes.com/radianfoldingcarseat80.html

Everything is Booked!

Everything is booked!

The Disney Countdown Counter will be installed as soon as the Christmas counter expires.

We are busy behind the scenes working on dinner reservations.

For now, the plane tickets have been purchased and the resort reservations have been made.

We booked the Port Orleans resort and I even splurged and got the alcohol package for Rick. I figured after spending 6 days at Walt Disney World with me and the kids, he'll need the bottles of wine that we'll get every night.

-a

It's Official!

We're going to Disney World!

Planning is underway. We depart in 3 months.

ooooo, the anticipation is already too much!

(I lifted this picture off of my friend Sara's blog) I love Sara. She and her sister Michelle are the inspiration for the trip to Disney. THANKS SARA AND MICHELLE! :)

-a