Win????? Pleeeeaaaaasssseeee??????

I love learning from other photographers. As a matter of fact, I could spend the better part of a day perusing tips, ideas, and just generally snooping on other photographers websites, blogs, and even old-fashioned books. I recently bought a book full of nothing but photographs of Latin America. Yes, I was somewhat disappointed to find only 2 pictures of Guatemala, but oh so thrilled to find hundreds of pics of a beautiful land that I love, blown to 11x14, all bound in a hard cover book, ready for me to ponder over and over and over. Anyway, that aside, I entered a little contest to win a book written solely for the purpose of sharing photographic techniques, tips, post-processing, etc.... I'm so excited!!! Take a peek here to see this dynamic little gem for yourself.....

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2010/08/19/contest-win-the-nitty-gritty-photography-e-book/

Aaron Ray and Michelle

A few weeks ago, I had a double-whammy treat:

A gorgeous wedding to shoot with the very folks who bought our house in the mountains AND a trip to the aforementioned mountains!!!!

Aaron Ray and Michelle are two of the most organized folks I have EVER met!!

Their wedding was perfectly thought out and incredibly clever in all aspects.

After a sweet sleepover night with all of her TEN (yes, you read that right!!) bridesmaids, Michelle had plenty of help getting ready to walk down the aisle....

She had plenty of help getting to and fro in a gorgeous, but very heavy, wedding dress.
And, can you say UNBELIEVABLE scenery????


Mother-Daughter moments on your wedding day are some you NEVER forget.

Nor do you forget those that have helped to make you who you are....

who have helped to make you the object of someone else's affections.

And when that someone plans a surprise with only you in mind, it's sure to knock your socks off.... Guess what? This is one of those surprises!!!!

SURPRISE, Michelle!!!!!

Your fella really pulled out the big guns to get these shots for you ~

enjoy.....

I had absolutely NO idea this place existed, even though it's less than 6 or 7 miles from the house we built. It's called the "natural dam", and I was in utter amazement when we pulled up to a clearing in the woods and my eyes beheld such beauty.

Aaron Ray had worked it out so that ALL the guys could meet at this really cool spot, shed their shoes, roll up their fancy britches, and get a little wet.

Just so ya know Aaron, she's gonna love that you went the extra mile for her.

Keep it up....

Yes, there are LOTS more photos.....

Yes, they are just as sweet and unforgettable as the few above....

but, No.... there are no more to view tonight.

You'll just have to come back to see me again to see some more!!!

Congratulations, Michelle and Aaron Ray.

Enjoy what God has given you -

it's apparent He had each of you in mind for the other when He started.

Kelly and Pete

What a treat beach weddings are! I mean, who gets PAID to go to the beach and frolic with the best party on the sand? Well, that was the case recently for me when I traveled to Ocean Isle to capture some great memories for Kelly and Pete. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, although the beach police gave me alittle heads up before the ceremony, "Be careful.... heat index is supposed to be 115 today.....". Yeah, he was right. How can someone still be so beautiful in weather like that??? Well, that was Kelly. She never once broke from the gorgeous bride and Pete was thrilled to be at her side the whole time!!! Hope you guys enjoy a sneak peek into their sweet day.... more to come.

Best of wishes to them both as they start their lives together!! Congratulations!

BLOG PARTY!

My daughter, Katie, is having a blog party over at her blog (www.basketballer4him.blogspot.com) for her 100th post. She is giving away a necklace and everything! So go on over there to check it out! :) Here are the questions I answered for the blog party:

1) What is your blogger name? Michelle


2) What is your age? Are you serious???? I'm not answering that kind of question!


3) Do you have any more blogs other than this one? If so, what are their links? Naaaa. I can't even keep up with this one half the time!


4) What is you favorite band/singer? Hmmmm. OK, don't laugh. Nat King Cole. Mel Torme. Harry Connick, Jr.


5) Do you play any instruments? If so, what are they? Yeah, I play a few here and there.


6) What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate Chip Mint.


7) What is your favorite brand of DOUGHNUTS? Krispy Kreme


8)What is your favorite flower? Zinnias and Orchids


9) Do you have any siblings and how many? Do they have blogs and what are the links? 1 Brother, 2 sisters.

10) How many pairs of shoes do you have? Do flipflops count???


11)What is one of your favorite hobbies? photography


12) Do you like to fold socks? ewwww. That's why I had children.


13) What is one of your favorite Bible verses? "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Almighty shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and fortress, my God, in Him will I trust." Ps. 91:1-2


14) What is the first thing that come to mind when you read the words 'COLD FEET'?
snuggling up next to the man that doesn't care a bit if I rub my horrendously cold feet on his warm legs in the middle of the winter.... : )

15) What is your favorite Disney movie? Jungle Book


16) Do you like horror movies? does Scooby Doo count?


17) What is your favorite cleaning product? what's cleaning?


18) What are some of your favorite books? Bible, obviously. Just about anything Karen Kingsbury or Frank Peretti.

19) Do you like traditional book or eReaders? Well, if I had time to see, I'd let you know.


20)Do you play any sports? If so, what? Yeah - it's called "Mom"


21) Have you ever heard of Karen Kingsbury? (If not you should really read one of her books! You will be hooked! :P) see #18


22) Swords or arrows? Swords

23) Fiction or Non-fiction? Depends.

24) What is your favorite college team? basketball-VA Tech.


25) What is your favorite subject in school? Grammar and History

I AM A BEAUTIFUL BOOGER, uh, I MEAN "BLOGGER"!

My loving teenage daughter, who is oh-so-bloggerish, has awarded me this most wonderful award. And, so in good faith and participation (and mainly because she will hound me until I do it), I am playing. Here goes:

THE RULES:
1) Thank the person who has so prestigiously awarded you.
"Oh, my dear eldest daughter, upon whom God has graciously blessed you with corkscrews emitting from your scalp, I do hereby express great gratitude....." http://www.basketballer4him.blogspot.com/
OK.... that's done.

2) Copy the award and paste it to your blog. Already done.

3) Tell the general public and whoever reads your blog 7 interesting things about yourself:
* When I was about 5 years old, I commenced to stick black electrician's tape up my nose, get it stuck, and be paraded around the doctor's office before being thrown into stark terror by a pair of 5-feet long pliers being crammed up my nasal cavity (OK.... so I threw in a little exaggeration just for good measure, but you get the point ~ it was devastating).
* I was once known as a rather talkative youngster (hard to believe, I know [tee-hee], but so was the case, especially in 7th grade science).
* I married my french horn tutor (bwahahahahaha!!!).
* I absolutely adore English grammar (much to my children's/student's chagrin!!!).
* I think I could live in another country in a heartbeat.
* I miss my mother (especially today- it's Mother's Day!!). : )
* The one and only time I had a pedicure (hey- I'm a homeschool mom who has neither the time nor the money to spend on extravagant feet), the odd little man who scrubbed all the dead skin off my was amazed that I had what seemed to be alligator skin on my heels (uh, yeah, I DID just share that on the web! And, no I'm NOT ashamed - I'm a barefoot freak!!!).

4) Tag (award) 3 wonderful bloggers.
Ok... here goes:
Charlotte at http://www.cmcphersonphotography.blogspot.com/
Michelle at http://www.doublewidedreamer.blogspot.com/
Tara at http://www.eastandwestkids.blogspot.com/

5) Contact your nominations and let them know they've won.... done. : )



Ok.... so more pics later to come. Stay tuned!

BRENT AND LYDIA'S SWEET EXPECTATION.....

Brent and Lydia are one of my favorite couples.....
Lydia for her sweet personality and the way she handles my little one at Cubbies on Sunday night, and Brent for his country accent and easy way of kidding around.
Boy! Are they in for a treat once little Cooper gets here!

Isn't she lovely?

The cute pup is "Thimble".

Blessings to you both.... OOPS ~ I meant three.

BACK TO NORMAL LIFE AT THE GALYEAN HOME....

The above photo is fake, faux, staged......

Alas, after our Christmas vacation (of which I have still yet to post some wonderful photos), we immediately began our school schedule for the Spring semester.

So, I took a few photos to commemorate the occassion.

As you can see from the above photo, the two girls tried to host a revolt by wearing their robes over their clothes, which I insisted they put on in the stead of those flannel pjs they came to know so well over the break.

Then, after gathering around the table for our first round of lessons, I said, "Alright, guys. Look excited about LEARNING!!!". Above is what I got.

Then.... seconds after that photo, I got the true side of life:

A little grumpy at rising early to study the Ancient Mayan culture?????

Bored, but resigned to the astounding attributes of learning..... yeah, right.

And this... no this is not fake, faux, or staged. Ah.... my lover of learning.

At this point, I think we were into some form of mathematics.... pre-algebra, maybe?

Ummmmmmm ~ diagramming prepositional phrases with adverbial clauses at this point.

Right before lunch, I think.......

So, the days have passed since our first day back at the grindstone, and everyone seems to have adjusted.

Now, our attention is turned to Ancient Greece and the making of a makeshift Trojan Horse.

That's right. A Trojan Horse out of an already used moving box, a toy Wal-mart grocery cart, and -you guessed it- duct tape!

Oh, there's more where this came from.....

Science Experiments, Puppets of Greek mythology made from toilet paper rolls, etc.....

But, that'll have to come another day. Be on the lookout, though.

It could be pretty interesting.