Life on the water and BBQ Ribs

This last weekend we went up north for an extended weekend for some time on the water and days and days of BBQ Ribs.  It was Pig in the Pines and that's my favorite event up north and again this year it didn't disappoint me.

Our first day we spent on the water from early morning until the sun was setting.  It was a beautiful summer day and we stopped on the sandbars to cool off.  This spot we found clams but we also found a rock that looked like a clam so I was asking John, who was on the boat taking pictures, if he could tell which one was the rock.  By the look on my face I don't think I liked touching them very much.  

I'm not sure what happened here but John is trying to take a nap so I covered him up with a towel and then for some reason I am doing the VICTORY sign. 

Lots and lots of eagles flew above us all day, they are huge birds.

Here we are stopping again and the sun is going down fast.

The next day was more sunshine, more cocktails and RIBS!!  We seen Mickey Dolan from the Monkies perform.  I don't remember the Monkies but I do recognized a couple of the songs, it was a good concert.  The fun part was watching the girls that grew up with the Monkies.  They wore their tie dyed shirts with pink glasses.  When Mickey sang the girls got all dreamy eyed, swayed back and forth and sang every word.  They clutched their hands together and held them over their hearts while closing their eyes.  

Senior Sneak Peeks

Monica was so much fun to take photos of.  She is my niece and she is sooooooo Emmerich.  All I could see on the other side of my lens was my sister DiAnn.  She is a beautiful girl inside and out.

She even wore the hat her mother brought along, it probably helped that DiAnn was taking her school shopping after. 

I love this one

Sometimes you have to let the Seniors just be themselves, this is the Mona we know and love.

Newborn Sneak Peeks

This sweet little baby girl is rocking the black/brown and white.  She was such a snuggling little girl after we finally got her to sleep.  She wanted to stay away for all the excitement.  Loving her pouty lips and her round little chin. 

Her daddy couldn't be there so he made a special trip home to drop off his wedding ring.  

Love the wrinkles in her forehead....

Adam's Little Buddy

A few weeks ago we went to Josh's baseball tournament.  Josh is our godchild and we like to attend as many of his games as we can and his tournaments are usually easier for us than weekdays.  Josh is becoming a very good ball player, his pitching has improved so much and his games are very exciting to watch.  Shawna has a hard time watching the game when behind her camera so I took her camera and burned up a few hundred photos for her.  When you are behind your camera during a 1st place showdown game you are focused on what moment you can capture and not really paying attention to the content of what's happening.  

On this day Adam was celebrating his 21st birthday and he chose to come watch Josh's games.  Josh holds a very special place in Adam's heart.  Jake, Jett, Elly, Garrett, Mallory and Max are certainly special to him but Josh holds that #1 spot.  His bond with Josh helps him to remember a special bond he had with his cousin Jason.  Jason died when Adam was 5 and the connection that those two boys had in those short 5 years was incredible.  Josh was the next child born in the Hemmer family after Adam.  The older Josh gets the more he wants to be just like Adam.  Jason taught Adam a lot of things and most important was the love those two shared.  

When someone from your family is gone it's hard to believe that you can think of them everyday but it's true.  My mom and Jason have been gone for many years and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of both of them for some reason or another.    While taking these photos I was just capturing moments in time..... since it wasn't my camera I didn't get to see them until Shawna sent me these.  While looking at them tears welled in my eyes to know that Jason's love is being carried through within Adam's heart and will grow between him and Josh.  

Josh had a troubled inning of pitching and who was there to give the pep-talk?

Even when words weren't shared between them.....

The bond remains strong.... even in front of all the other boys.  

Miss G Sneak Peek

Miss G came back for her 1 year photos.  She really grew and is such a climber.  Mom was worried about her sitting still for a few photos.... I now know why.  She is a mover, a climber, a shaker...... but simply adorable.  

And simply perfect in black and white photos.  They were made for her.

She's not walking yet but climbing on her chair she's got that down pat.  

Little Cowboy Sneak Peek

This little boy was the cutest thing ever.  He loves to wear his cowboy boots and jeans.  It was a super hot day and he didn't mind one bit.

Loving the light and the love between them.

He didn't want momma kissin' him in front of the camera so we used his hat to shield it..... mom had the same thought that I did and pulled back just in time to capture the moment.

Besides wearing his boots and jeans he usually has his hat on and no shirt.  It took a bit of talking but he did it just for me.  Mom wanted to remember these days..... we all know they grow up way too fast.

Thank you Little Cowboy for letting me talk you into preserving those special memories for your mom.  Some day you will treasure these photos as much as she does.

Miss M at 9 months + Sneak Peek

Miss M was back for some 9 month photos and she was great even in the heat.  

Miss M was starting to get a bit fussy so daddy played a little airplane with her not knowing that I was still snapping photos. 

Miss M in a little sepia, she's so darn cute.