Heather's Senior Portraits---Part 1

I've been spending a lot of time reminiscing lately. Having a daughter who's embarking upon her senior year of high school, and having your own 20th high school reunion will do that to you!

While planning our recent trip to MO for my reunion I had an idea to take some of Heather's senior portraits there. I ran the idea by Heather, not knowing if she'd like to or not since it is not the town of her high school, yet she did attend school there in elementary school. She LOVED the idea! Call me sentimental (it wouldn't be the first time!), but I thought it would be special to have some of her portraits taken there. I didn't intend to take them all there, just some of them.

We only took the formal portraits there as we ran out of time to do any casual ones (and because a certain teenager lacked the ambition to get out of bed early enough to do them when time did allow!)

Here are just a few of the portraits that I like. To see more just click on any of them and be taken directly to a gallery full of them.

And of course it wouldn't be Heather if we didn't throw in a couple of fun ones:

goofy face:

...and twirling! Just for fun!

Joseph

While in Missouri a couple of weeks ago, I was asked to take senior portraits of my friends' Jesse and Christy's son Joseph. I was happy to do so. Here are just a few of my favorites.

As always, click on any picture to see larger or to see the entire gallery of photos.

PhotoStory Friday-Haunted

The curvy, twisting, winding, hilly roads of my past now haunt me. Not because of the memories that lie along the way...not because of the cemeteries we visited...but because the hills, curves, twists and turns of the Ozark Hills in Missouri and Arkansas now make me CAR SICK!!! I NEVER suffered from car sickness in all the years of long road trips along those curves and Ozark Mountains as a child or teenager or since....until the last two trips to Missouri. Now when we are on our way to Missouri, before we even get as far as Batesville, Arkansas enroute my husband takes over driving and says "you may as well go to sleep or you're going to be sick!" So that's what I do and I wake up just before we arrive at my mama's house. How miserable! I have always enjoyed the scenic drive through the Ozark hills and can't even enjoy it the way I once did.


This time when we visited, I found a way to travel my favorite roads and enjoy them once more! We hauled my husband's motorcyle to Missouri with us so we could enjoy riding it while on vacation. We took it all over the country roads along the rivers and guess what!? No headache, no queasiness, nothing! I so enjoyed that cruise from the back of the bike!

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Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Althea Springs

While in Missouri for my class reunion, I went on a canoe trip with my classmates. During that float trip, we stopped to explore Althea Springs and dam. Later during our vacation, we spent a day traipsing about the countryside with my family. While out and about we returned to Althea Springs to show Heather and explore once again, with my good camera in hand!

There is an entrance to the area behind the waterfall across the river. It's just a very cold wade to get there! The water is about 50 degrees! Marty, Heather and I ventured in while the rest of my family watched from the dry shore.

For some reason I just really like these photos of my hunny playing in the rushing water! Is this the coldest shower you've ever taken Babe?

Really, that's my hand coming from behind the water. By this time my legs had been in the water so long they were NUMB!!!! BRRRRR!

Marty parted the waters so Heather and I could come out from behind the falls without getting completely wet.

Heather and I decided it was time to get out of the water and warm up!

My niece Cece. I'm told she is a mini-me but with red hair!

Marty and me in front of the dam. What a cool place!

Wordless Wednesday

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One, Two, Th....Oh Wait I'm Not Ready!

During our trip to Missouri, we headed to nearby Arkansas to Norfork Lake for a day of swimming with friends. The day turned out rainy and cold so not many ventured out. Those that did had a fun time playing in the water and catching up.


My friend Steve drove about 3 hours just to come see me and meet my family. It was great to catch up with you again Steve!!!

Steve snapped this picture of Heather, me, and Marty on one of the cliffs at the lake.

More friends joined us too despite the rainy, cold day! (Jesse, Christy, and their kids Jessica and Joseph)

Marty and Heather peeked over the edge to see if they wanted to jump off into the water far below.

And away he goes!

Marty just before he hit the water.

It took Heather a little longer to work up her nerve but she went for it. Not me! (Notice how far below her Marty is)

Marty climbing back up the cliff

Always so graceful!

At least she's smiling!

The climb back up almost kept Heather from plunging in.

Christy and Jessica contemplating whether they'd jump.

Jessica decided not to, so Heather jumped with Christy.

SPLASH!

Despite the cold and rain, it was a fun day at the lake catching up with friends!