memories in the making.

 I believe every family should have a "special place."

An anchor of memories and a haven of rest.

My family has always escaped to to the beaches of South Haven, Michigan.

I grew up here.

My kids grew up here.

I pray my unborn grandchildren visit here often.

It is our favorite place.

So when my niece Kelly asked if Uncle John and I were up for trip to the lake

to complete her engagement pictures...

we didn't need to give it a second thought.

I'm pretty sure Kelly and Jordan will be building their own memories in this little beach town.

There will undoubtedly be years and years of pictures to come...

but here is the first peek of their memories in the making.

 I love how she looks at him!

Kelly and Jordan,  thanks for letting us share in this special time of your lives!

pretty mama.

I had my camera out for Amanda's baby shower today,

so I caught a few pictures of her and her adorable belly.

Seven more weeks.

Watch for the newborn shots...there will be plenty of PINK!

First grandbaby on both sides...think she'll be spoiled???

project 52/22.

{reflection}

Like Looking in a Mirror.

Enough said. 

gift idea.

Meet nine month old Sam.

He's really cute.

Obviously.

And, even though he's crawling all over, he stayed in the basket I brought.

So, we got along quite well.

It was fun to take some family shots with Grandpa and Grandma Hardy too.

This session was actually a shower gift from a family friend.

I thought that was a great idea.

If you know someone having a baby and don't know what to get them for a gift...
consider giving me a call.

We'll set something up.

 

For now...enjoy this sneak peek of Sam and his wonderful family...

 

almost time to go home...

recap.

If you follow my blog, you know that I get a theme from the folks at mcp project 52 each week

and take a picture that captures the theme. 

There are over 3500 participants in this group

and some amazing, outstanding photography.

On Saturday mornings, they feature the top ten images for the week and reveal the next week's theme.

Well...

drumroll please....

three of my entries have been featured in the top ten!

Totally humbled.

To see more featured photography, check out the links to mcp actions.

 week 21 {the need for speed}

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2011/05/28/mcp-project-52-week-21-recap-theme-for-week-22/

 week 20 {spring fever}

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2011/05/21/mcp-project-52-week-20-recap-and-week-21-theme/

week 16 {furry friends}

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2011/04/23/mcp-project-52-week-16-week-17-introduction/

shane shane shane.

Aretha sang "Chain chain chain...chain of fools...."

But we were singing "Shane Shane Shane...Shane is cute..."

I think it's a better lyric...and this little guy seemed to like it!

We had a great time at McGraw Park taking his pictures  

(and capturing a few of Mommy and Daddy too).

He was a little shy at first...

 ...but it didn't take long for Shane to feel quite comfortable with his photo shoot!

Shane Shane Shane...

river of life and other kinds of wah-wah.

 There was "wah-wah" under the bridge.

Elijah got his first taste of "wah-wah" from a drinking fountain (so cute!).

And we sang an old song we used to do in children's church called "River of Life."

Thank goodness it wasn't raining...

We were actually supposed to take these pictures of Elijah and his parents last weekend

when all it did was rain.

Thankfully, the weather was lovely...as is this family!

Thanks Adam, Trina, and Elijah for allowing us to catch these sweet images.

We had a wonderful time!

River of Life

I've got a river of life flowing out of me

Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see

Opens prison doors, sets the captives free

I've got a river of life flowing out of me.

Spring up, oh well (gush gush gush gush) within my soul

Spring up, oh well (gush gush gush gush) and make me whole

Spring up, oh well (gush gush gush gush) and give to me

That life abundantly.