My oldest and best friend, Teresa (yes, her name is Teresa too. But, I am Teresa #1 and she is Teresa #2) has two wonderful kids. She has done an awesome job raising them. Well, last weekend, they both graduated from high school. I had to be there. So, I decided to document this very special day for them. This is their graduation story. Here are few of my favorites from their day.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be away from my computer and phone for a few days. If you received an email that your prints were ready for pick up. I will contact you once I am back.

I want to tell you about my grandmother, Granny. I lived with my Granny until I was 24 and joined the Air Force. My Granny raised me, my sister, brother and 4 other cousins after their mom died. After I left home and was an “adult” I knew could still call her to ask her questions, even silly questions, like is $1.50 a pound a good price for half-runner beans or what flowers can I plant in my front yard that do not require lots of sunlight (this was my most recent question, two Saturdays ago) or to tell her I found white squash here (she would mail me some every summer from NC). She never laughs, she just answers them and I can hear the smile in her voice as she answers. She still calls me sweetie when I call her and still jokes when I say “I love you granny,” that she has been loving me for xx years now. I just wanted her to get better. She was a great second mother to me and I will miss her dearly. I know the next time I think a “I know, Granny would know,” thought it will hit me. But for today I wanted to tell you about my Grandmother, my Granny.

This from a few years ago.

Meet Lori’s kids. Lori wanted some updated photos of her kids so we met on Shawnee States campus and had some fun. She also wanted a special collage of her daughter doing a round and several somersaults. This girl is good. Enjoy.

Our Summer vacation, yeah I know (remember I am catching up).  We took a trip to Gatlinburg for our summer vacation.  We all loved it.  We took a drive to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  We decided to do the Cades Cove Loop Road Tour.  During the whole drive Connor kept saying he just wanted to see a bear and that it would make it this his most perfect day.  At the end of the drive just before we left the loop we saw a black bear.  An actual live, walking and looking for food, black bear.  It actually came right up to the cars and walked between the cars that were stopped in the middle of the road to take pictures. 

Wonder Works

Our Family -  See if you can pick me out of the group.

Proof that I was actually there.

Mini Me

Gatlinburg at night

Ripley’s Believe it or not Aquarium of the Smokies at night

Before the driving trail we stopped for a picnic lunch.  A couple people riding horses came through and actually stopped so that the kids could see the horses up close.

Mini Me take 2

Some sites along Cade Cove Loop

A young elk

OK, so I am obviously playing catch up with my posting.  These are things we did and pictures I took that I just never found time to share.  So, I am sharing now.  In October we decided to have a “mini vacation” weekend in Columbus, Ohio.  We had never been to the Columbus Zoo, so we went.  Here are some of my favorites from that day.  It was absolutely perfect.  It wasn’t too hot, it wasn’t packed, the animals were out and people were friendly.  The only issue we had was it was off season so most of the vendors and shops were closed.

This is Trinity, our newest family member.

And I just loved the way the bridge looked when we headed home.

This is my niece Hannah.  While they were here for Christmas,  I seized the moment and snatched her away to the McConnell House to get a few current pictures of her.   Maya also joined in on a few. 

My little brother got married on June 11, 2008 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  We couldn’t be there, so when he and his new wife, my new sister-in-law Melissa, came for a quick visit, I seized the opportunity to do a post wedding session with them and a family portrait of their new family.  They are so cute together.  To view their slide show click here. Here are some of my favorites.  You will notice a couple of familiar faces in at least one or two shots.  My kids had to jump into a few pictures with their new cousins.  Melissa has two kids, a boy and girl.  Maya was thrilled when she learned that there was another girl so she is no longer the only girl but really bummed when she found out we also added another boy.  So, she is still out numbered.  Oh well, she will adjust.

I couldn’t resist taking a picture of Connor.  Actually he asked.  Since my kids rarely ask me to take their pictures or sit still for me to take their pictures, when I have a chance, I go for it.  He looks so much older but he is still my baby.

Congratulations you two!  And Melissa, welcome to the family.

Friday was the district track meet.  My little boy was on the schools track meet and he absolutely loved it.  He did the long jump, the 50 meter dash and the 100 meter dash.  Here are a few pictures from his events.

Who knew he could get so high.

Crossing the finish line.  You have to love a smile like this after a run.

Thumbs up and high fives.