SUMMER LOVE

It has been a busy summer, from start to finish.  Its been fun, joyous, educational, and always adventurous.
Visited and drove through 13 states, shot photo sessions in 3 of those states, swam in both US oceans, and took lots of pictures along the way.  Most of my personal photos, and recent sessions are in the locked gallery, but I decided to share some of my wonderful summer with  you.

June, 2012
The road to Michigan and back.

Last day of school arrived, and my daughter and I packed our bags and drove to Michigan.  We planned out the week to spend with my best friend, my dad.  We had alot of plans, that got cancelled because of the overwhelming heat wave they were having.  So instead, we went to his baseball game and cheered him on! We took several dips in his pool, played with sparklers, ate good food, and had 15 or so photo sessions.  My daughter usually doesn't go with me on that many sessions, but she was a fantastic assistant! She made me really proud! The weekend came, and my husband arrived to celebrate my daughters 7th birthday!  The cake made my Southgate bakery, was DELICIOUS, and beautiful!!  Best cake I have ever bought!  We brought my younger sister home with us.

July 2012
California here we come!

we set out on our cross country drive.  3 days there, 3 days back.  why drive? well my husband wont fly.  But honestly why not take the adventure if you have the chance.  there are so many great places across our home land to experience.  There is a country song called "fly over states" by Jason Aldean that explains it perfectly.  "they'd understand why God made those fly over states"

Farm land, the great wide open prairie, mountains of every shade in the rainbow, route 66, and beyond.

In California, we visited the place we got married. 

We sat and told our daughter of our great love story.  We reminisced on our wedding day and all the feelings and emotions that we experienced.  At one point, my husband asked me to stay at the top of the stairs.  He walked down to the spot he stood on our wedding day, then had me walk down the stairs towards him.  Reenacting the steps we took almost 9 years ago.

We spent time with family and friends, and took more pictures.  The greatest thing we did on this trip, is just spend time with the 2 most amazing people that have ever lived.  I call them Grandma and Grandpa.

They have been there for us in more ways than I can count.  Always willing to lend her expertise and experience to us, Grandma has given advice that is more than priceless. They have supported and loved my husband through everything in his life.  And accepted me into their family from day one.  I could sit at her proverbial feet all day and night and just listen to her talk.  Her stories about her own life experiences, has given me knowledge to deal with my own.  Its been the highlight of our entire summer, just spending time with them.

After the trip home, we spent time exploring local Virginia and DC spots.  We took my younger sister to DC for her first ever visit.  She stood at the feet of Abraham Lincoln.

We also visited the Smithsonian museum of natural history, and I took her to my favorite park here in town. We went and saw a movie together, just her and I.  We laughed so hard, people thought we were drunk, and we were completely sober! I just had the pleasure of spending real time with her, and being my silly self.

August 2012

Local Virginia Adventures.

By now we had taken my sister home, only to pick up my nieces.  I love my nieces like they are my own children.  I couldn't love them more, if I had birthed them myself.  They lived with me for a period of time, and I was a second mother to them, through what I imagine was a difficult time in their young lives.  My husband is a father figure to them, and they even call him UNCLE DADDY.  The relationship I have with them, is much stronger, than your average aunt relationship.  Having them here with me, is like having my world complete, if even for a short time.  

On our adventure with the girls, we went up to the Shenandoah National Mountains, and they girls saw a mountain with their name sake.  They insisted on a photo shoot or two, which I happily obliged.  We went for a dip in the river, and took them to the Kids museum in Norfolk.  Uncle daddy took the girls on a coast guard ship, and my oldest niece had fun playing with the horn and sirens, while the younger two used the captains binoculars to see out into the open seas.  We spent time on the beach, and playing in the waves.  Watched fireworks over the ocean, had ice cream and watch a fire juggler perform.  I love making memories, and I love sharing memories with those I love. Its been a busy summer, and its not quite over yet. I haven't spent much time at home, or working, but I have spent alot of time exploring and having adventures.  Life is good, and I am so blessed to have had the experiences I have had this summer.  I will surely remember it forever!