Choo-Choo

My niece is on her way to becoming a Southern Belle, it will suit her "princess" personality well.  Her daddy  (my baby brother Nathan) has accepted a fantastic job in Huntsville, AL.  I am very happy for his as this is the job he has always dreamed of.  However that means I will not get to see him or my sis-in-law or niece as often as I would like.  I took a ride out to Gilbert to spend the afternoon with Christina and Allison before they moved.  Clay and Allison also got a chance for some more cousin bonding.  We went to a park close by their home for Clay to play on a train, one of his most favorite things.  It was very hot that day, so we didn't stay at the park long.  These are a few of the shots I did capture.

Arizona Afternoon Adenture

I was hunting online for ideas for locations for an upcoming family photo shoot.  I found a photo of an old abandoned building in Phoenix.  It looked like a very interesting and fun location, might not be the right spot for this family, but I wanted to go check it out for future jobs.  I  called my friend Kim and asked if she wanted to ride out there with me.  She was very excited to go, so I picked her up and we and the two boys headed out for an afternoon adventure.  Wish we had more time to spend out there, but we both agreed we would go back when  it cools off a bit and had more time.  Here are a few of the pics I took.

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Arizona Science Center

 

 

My sister-in-law and I decided it would be fun to take the kids to the Arizona Science Center before school went back into session.  I remembered seeing coupons before in the Savvy Shopper for buy one get one free.  Unfortunately I didn't have any at the time.  So I sent my friend Becca a message asking if she knew of any ways to get great deals.  Becca is always on top of super savings!!  check out her blog here http://theholthouse.blogspot.com/ She suggested a Culture Pass, however I was unable to obtain one before our trip.  Turns out the evening before our trip to the museum, the Arizona Science Center posted on Facebook a $5 special if you whisper the word "HOT" to the cashier for August 5th only.  Perfect!  My Brother met up with us as well.  The boys were super excited to see their uncle, aunt, and cousin.  We had a great time.  If you have never been, it is a must see, you could spend all day there and still not see everything.  The last time I went to ASC was about 3 years ago, there are many new and exciting exhibits. 

Happy Anniversary

This year my parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.  

Congratulations Mom and Dad, love you guys. 

My three brothers and I decided for a gift to get the family together for family pictures.  Last time we were all in a decent picture together was in 2003 and that was also three grandchildren and one daughter-in-law ago we were a little over due for an update.  The location was a pretty and obvious choice for my family.  Stillman McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park has always been a favorite place of my family.  I was sitting with Mom and we were trying to figure out how many times we have been to that park since we moved to Arizona in 1983, we figured 100's if not more.  We attended their Sunday Summer Concerts regularly, many birthday parties and Rail Fairs.  My little brother even went to preschool there.  

I was elected to be the photographer, which I was very excited to do this.  I was also a bit nervous on how to get everyone to look at the camera and smile at the same time with me not being behind the camera watching people.  I had to set my timer and jump in for the group shots myself.  If you have met my family, than you will understand the challenges of us goof-balls.  

I also took some shots of my parents together.

As well as family pictures of my brother, sister-in-law, and niece. 

  My oldest brother and his wife drove down from Williams for the occasion and really wanted me to shoot some pictures of my 9 month old nephew as well.  

It was a very hot and humid day, but overall the pictures turned out great and 

most importantly we had a fun time as a family.