THe Hood's 09

On Veteran's Day I had the pleasure of shooting my sisters family at Spring Mountain Ranch. The weather was a little crankier then the previous shoot but we still had fun.

Hello from the Hood's
A beautiful more serious shot

Having fun jumping on the bridge (I love how Sydney's hands are out directing mommy and daddy to jump) Look at the sass in Sydney's step

Our little collector found this huge leaf along with many sticks. THe whole family had fun tossing and blowing the BIG leaf

Chrissy and Tom

Love that tounge

How precious is this picture with her diaper sticking out. By the way she did not find any turtles, but she shure tried.

Mommy and Syd

Daddy and SydMy parting shot and one of my favorites

Becky G's Family

Yesterday I had the pleasure of shooting Becky G's family again, we first met 2 years ago. She called me and asked if we could make this weekend work her brother Jason came home and surprised the family. We headed out to Spring Mountain Ranch (I have not been out to the Ranch area since elementry school field trips.) We had a blast being silly and having fun enjoy a few of my favorites.

I love the interactions in this picture. Look at mom and dad and Becky and her daughter Emma.

Becky's parents just like before I am struck with how in love with each other they are!

Mom and Daughter

Emma with Uncle Jason

Father and Son so serious

Mother and Daughter (Emma posted the girls for this shot, she has a future)

Becky

I will end with a silly but fun shot. You have to love her silly personality in this shot.

Sorry no pictures of the ceremony I was in the wedding and my camera did not fit in my bouquet! Tracy's family arranged for many personalized surprises to the wedding activities. When the bride and groom exited the church friends and family showered them not with the bubbles Tracy planned but instead a mix of bubbles and mini foam personalized rugby balls.

Another surprise was how the wedding party would get from the ceremony to the reception. This is how!

Each couple rode in Jeeps (Tracy's dream car) Each jeep was decorated and came with drink service. We drove through Loweville announcing the happy event.

Pictures

The beautiful couple! At the Tug Hill Vineyard

Okay not the best picture of the new couple but check out the amazing background. While taking pictures in between shivering (I will take this moment to digress and apologize to everyone especially my sister who froze at our wedding!) We noticed the vineyard dogs ummmm messing around, inspiring the couple .... you pick your sassy comment there are so many!

Tomorrow that last post of my trip the reception

Getting Ready

I don't think I have ever had so much fun getting ready for something before. We started at the hair salon owned by Tracy's aunt (I think.) It was the cutest shop! They had mimosas ready for us upon arrival.

I love this picture of Sharon (Noah's mom) getting her make up done. I told you the shop was cute!

Tracy in Make-up

Jenni doing her make up

Fishy Face
Tracy's moms feet- She know only two toes would show in her shoes so that is all she painted!

Tracy I love this look!The real hair style

Messing around in the church basement

Getting Dressed

Tracy and I

The mini crisis of the wedding:

Tracy's Mom forgot to bring some critical parts of her outfit and had to drive home (in the next town) You can see the concern on both her and her dad's face as they consider how late she will be and whether or not she will get a ticket.

Tracy's sister waiting with Mom's dress in hand

A beautiful change of roles Tracy helping her mom get dressed

Old and New

This is a two part post.

A little know fact about me is that I am very interested in the Amish lifestyle. Tracy and I had talked in the past about how she grew up in a small town in fact it was so small her neighbor was Amish. Well despite knowing this I have to say I was shocked when I turned onto her street to be greeted by this sign.

They were not joking!

Later in the day I saw a group of 15+ Amish children walking home from school. I have to admit this was really exciting to me. I refrained from taking more pictures out of respect (the Amish do not like having their photo taken) it was hard though since there were so many opportunities.

I had to laugh on Sunday when I saw this parking spot at Wendy's notice the bucket on top of the sign.

When I arrived on Friday and knew I had a little extra time I stopped at a road side stand for an apple and chocolate pie (a home made soft Oreo cookie!) Here are some pumpkins at the stand. While at the stand I chatted fora few minutes with the young Amish woman running the stand and was struck with how normal she was, and how normal the Amish community is the the NY community.

Nestled into the hills in the Lowville area are 120 windmills. I loved the juxtaposition of old and new. Each one, called a wind turbine, is 320 feet tall, about the same height as Big Ben in London or the same length as the football field at Giants Stadium.
While some may think these are eyesores I found them to be beautiful! Even more beautiful is the fact that wind is not hurting the environment, it provides income to the town. In fact they were building a new huge school and it seemed this small farming community was healthy as opposed to many struggling small towns. Heck I would let one of these beauties to be put on my land. Standing under this beast I was surprised at how quiet it was.
A beautiful site to me of energy freedom!

Rehersal and Dinner

Oh yeah I went to NY for a wedding I did not forget. The rehearsal was held at the church and then there was an amazing feast of food at Tracy parents house for dinner. Her family was so friendly and full of hospitality

Excitement was in the air at Tracy's childhood home. Here are her parents marking the house for the party.
At the rehearsal dinner they had a table with the married hall of fame

The girls at the church (many of these pictures are thanks to Noah's mom)

See I told you I was an angel check out that heavenly glow

Mom and dad practicing their good bye

The boys

decorating the church

Groomsmen relaxing by the fire

Tracy's grandma saw me with the camera and asked me not to take her picture I promised her I would take a great picture or no picture! This one met her approval

Having fun

Tracy and I

Tracy what is with that face???

Noah giving his dad his gift

At the end of the evening her former room ate Vee asked to see the dress.