Project 52 Week 25: An expensive weekend

This weekend we traveled to my in-laws’ to celebrate the 4th of July a little early. Holidays are ranked as follows in this family: #5: Birthdays. #4: Easter. #3: Thanksgiving. #2: Christmas. #1: 4th of July. In fact, we had our very own $600 fireworks display. My father-in-law says, “This is a man’s holiday. We get to drink beer, eat, and blow stuff up.” I hate to burst his bubble, but this female really likes the holiday too.

Since I was in the driver’s seat on the way to my in-laws’ Friday evening, I pulled over to snap a few photos of the sunset.
Another shot of a beautiful sunset in Southeast Kansas. The sun looked bigger than I’d ever seen before!
Nephew Caleb, very serious about shooting his bubble gun.
Niece Beth, acting a bit embarrassed about having her photo taken, but secretly loving it.
Fireworks from our family display Saturday night.

 

Project 52 Week 24: Eighty-eight and Going Strong

My grandma may have blown out her 16 birthday candles one-by-one (one candle for each 5.5 years of life), but at least she had the breath to blow them out. I love that she still loves getting attention on her birthday.

Grandma celebrates her 88th birthday by blowing out her candles. She’s my last grandparent, which makes her birthdays even more special to me.

Rock Chalk Baby

We got to welcome a new baby into the family this week! My cousin Holly, and her husband Adam, were blessed with beautiful baby Samantha on Monday, June 11. You can tell she’s going to be a huge MU fan, right? 😉

Mommy carefully strokes baby Samantha.
We actually remembered to get a photo of both parents with their newborn baby – something we usually forget.
Baby Jayhawk feet.
Baby Samantha looks so tiny in Daddy’s arms.
Just let me sleep, please!

Day 355: Sneak Peak

Yesterday I had the privilege of shooting portraits for a family who was reunited after seven years. I loved getting to know the three generations of George’s and the rest of the family!

Family portraits in front of the fireplace.
Grandpa George and Grandma Carol.
Little George showing off one of his many sweet, goofy faces.
Laura and Andrew - such a nice couple!
The whole gang at the park.
Playful George climbing a tree.

Day 323: Fall Family Portraits

I had a great time shooting family portraits Saturday morning. The family joked around, laughed constantly, and willingly tried some of my goofy portrait ideas. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did!

Family portraits at Antioch Park
Family portraits at Antioch Park
Family portraits at Antioch Park

 

Family portraits at Antioch Park
Family Portraits at Antioch Park

 

Day 79: Around the river and through the woods…

… to Grandmother’s house we go! Yesterday we spent a couple hours with Grandma, bringing her one of her favorite foods (Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s), watching basketball, and looking through photo albums. She’s lonely without Grandpa around, but she’s a devout KU basketball fan. I hope they stay in the tournament awhile longer since watching them play brings her so much  joy!


Canon 60d
1/50 sec., f/4.5, ISO 400
18-200 mm lens (18 mm), natural light

Days 57-58: Babies, toddlers, and gifts – oh my!

This weekend was full of celebration! We went to our nephew’s 2nd birthday party in Southeast Kansas on Saturday, and on Sunday I attended my good friend Lauren’s baby shower.

Caleb was very serious about the gift-opening process, and Beth was dying to help.

1/125 sec., F8.0, ISO 200
18-55 mm lens (28 mm), external flash fired

No baby shower is complete without the mom-to-be sniffing diapers!

1/15 sec., F4.0, ISO 400
18-55 mm lens (31 mm), no flash fired

Day 48: A beautiful life

I wanted to share this photo today, of my Grandpa and Grandma in the 1940’s shortly after they were married. Grandpa was a WWII veteran who courageously drove a tank and lived to tell about it. They were a beautiful couple, don’t you think? The time I spent with my grandpa and grandma growing up helped shape me in to who I am today, and I will always cherish those memories.

 

Here is the photo I took today on top of the downtown Kansas City library. It was sure gorgeous outside for February 17!

Nikon Coolpix S52, F3.3, ISO 100
63 mm focal length, no flash fired