Mark and I went to Michigan for a few days and visited Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island.

We walked down this pier and we were COVERED with bugs.  It was so gross!  I took this with my baby camera.

The view from our hotel.

One of the entry ways for Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island

There are no cars on the island.  Only horses and lots of bicycles.

Fudge shops literally lined the streets everywhere!

Almost everywhere we walked was uphill.

I think this is the post office.

I think they are serious!  This is the sign for the Grand Hotel.

The Grand Hotel

We found a remote spot walking the back streets that had the most amazing view!

I concur!

This guy seemed confused as to why people were watching him make fudge lol.

Mark took this on the ferry ride back to Mackinaw City.  The ride was SO windy, choppy and COLD.  I was afraid to move so he took a photo of the bridge for me.

It was Shelby’s idea to do the photo session with me.  She needed some new photos and missed out on the career day images we did.  Shelby is 13and is my shy, sweet girl.  When she was little she wouldn’t go to anyone, but me…people would talk to her and she would just bury her head in my legs.  Finally in 1st grade she started to come out of that a little.  She is still shy sometimes, but can talk to people and will let her friends see her totally silly side!

She couldn’t stop laughing!  I love this one because it shows she really is still just 13.

She has amazing eyes!

You can see her shy side here.

Their team was #1 this year!

I LOVE her dimples!  I remember being so excited when I discovered them when she was a baby.

You can see it, but she is wearing the black pettiskirt here.  She looked so adorable.  Shelby has always had her own style and dresses so cute!  She also has the BEST hair!  It’s so curly and thick and she does the cutest things with it.  I’m so jealous.

Recently my girls asked me for a photo shoot.  OK,  yes, at first I really didn’t want to take them out…I have so much to do after all and am already swamped with editing, but I did it anyway and boy was I glad!  We had so much fun and I got so many great images of my sweet girls.  I’m going to TRY to narrow it down a little to show you. 

Madison is so full of life and energy.  She is 10 and super funny and quick-witted.  She is  very sensitive and loving - she sides with the underdog and likes to help people.  Madison is a huge animal lover too!  If Madison wasn’t around, my house would always be so messy - she keeps things clean and organized around here!

I love the contrast of her pretty outfit and the dirty background!

Typical of my sassy girl!

She tried the violin this year, but didn’t really love it.  I think we are going to try the piano next (yay!) and maybe dance.

I love this little area…I haven’t decided if I’ll use it again for a few reasons.

We didn’t have fabulous lighting here, but I loved the spot and wanted to use it.

I love the lighting here and will be going back soon!

I just love this shot of Madison - she is so beautiful and sweet!  LOVE the freckles!

I love her smile!

It has taken me lots of time, but I finally set up my store at Amazon.com.  You can go to the link above under “links” and “What’s in my Camera Bag.”  Some changes need to be made, but it’s getting there!  If you ever need to purchase anything from Amazon.com, you can just go to my store and click on the links.  If you’re looking for something specific, just let me know!

This widget just takes you to Amazon.com:

So many people have asked me about Shawn over the past few years.  I photographed Jeff and Shawn’s wedding about 4 1/2 years ago.  She was fighting cancer when they met and married, but Jeff married her knowing it would be a fight.  That is how strong their love and connection was.  Over the months her health had declined, but she sure was a fighter!  In October I was honored to take her to the hospital for a radiation treatment - she was having such a good, healthy day.  Spending the day with her is a memory I will always treasure.  Her health wasn’t very good during that time, but that day she seemed happy and energetic.  I was wishing so hard that our visit was under different circumstances.  I really didn’t know Shawn that well, but you only had to meet her once to know how amazing she was.  Life had dealt her so many trials, but her love for Jesus was stronger than most and I admired her so much for that.  She taught so many people so many lessons about life and about Jesus.  If you met her just once, she made a strong difference in your life.  That is no exaggeration.

Saturday morning I received this message from my friend - Shawn’s closest girlfriend:

Jesus took Shawn home tonight about 11:30 p.m.  Thank you so much for praying for her.  She is rejoicing in heaven with a perfect body and dancing like never before.  She loved/loves to dance and I am so glad she is able to do that again.

She talked about her own grief in the email and ended it with this sentence that has stuck with me: We do not grieve as those with no hope.

I’m so excited to finally have my new blog up.  It took some time, but I love it!  My new blog is just one of many things I’ve been working on.  I have so many new things to show you…albums, coffee table books, preview boxes that are pretty amazing, a new senior model program, baby love - baby’s 1st year program, a super cool mural…just to start.  :-)  Stay tuned…