We took the kids up the mountains last night to scope out a place so i can get sunset pics tonight. i found a great place a snapped a few. I am going to take my tripod up tonight and hopefully get some awsome shots about 15 minutes after sunset. its really hard shooting my own kids, its like my tolerance goes right out the window..heres what i got last night, this is the ultimate dream for me..

i think i got up way too early today because its only 8pm and i am readt for bed. But after hiking several miles all over the biltmore estate that could be it too. wow can you imagine living in this house? its so so so huge. i didnt go inside of it today, i have been here many, many times. a thunderstorm was brewing so i wanted to spend my time roaming the unbelievable grounds. here are a few pics i got and well one my son christopher took of me..lol..he loves shooting me cause i hate it, but i really like the picture.

 We arrived in Asheville, YEA!!! What an incredible drive, i took like 355 pictures on the way here. 90% were through the window at 80 mph, but the views, the mountains and the clouds were so spectacular that they all turned out fabulous! All of these are in the car except for the horses, and indians. I am a bit over 1/4 Cherokee so i do love to see them in full dress when we go to the reservation. We are going to the Biltmore Mansion today so i will pop a few on tonite or tomorrow, they have a great winery so i will more than likely end up there…lol

We arrived in Tennessee late Wednesday night and are settled in for a couple of days. I went to see an old friend from school, Kristi. My heart was broken after being there for a few minutes, I was honered and awed by her beautiful 3 yearold daughter Bekah. She is severely affected with Complex 1 mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, a rare degenerative metabolic, neuromuscular dystrophy. I had NO idea what this was until Krisit explained, shock and awe cant even begin to explain what went through my head in 2.5 seconds of imagining what she, as a mommy could possibly be feeling. Hospice is there so i need not say anymore. I am SO very sorry Kristi and my prayers will never cease for you.

  What a georgous day we had on Saturday! Brooke and Peter were married at a small resort  a bit North of Manistee. It was very quaint and truely was perfect for them. Brooke was beautiful, Peter looked awesome and Larry, well check out his cute tux. Everything was perfect them.

I am leaving for 2 weeks so the wedding pictures will be a little behind, I have about 40 to post here today and ofcourse I will be posting while I am gone. Its my 20 year class reunion..GEESH…now i feel old. We are all heading down to Tennessee for the weekend and from there we are going to North Carolina. So I will see ya’ll when I get back….

Every now and then a couple comes into my life that can leave a lasting impression on me. I must say that Brooke and Peter are a couple that left a mark! its not just the love they share for each other that was impressive, but the deep love they share for Larry! I spent and afternoon with them and was well just wowed at the devotion for their sweet little dog Larry! I hope you enjoy….

 Grand Haven is so much fun in the summer. We take the kids there a lot on the weekends, walking on the boardwalk, flying kites, eating, laughing, dancing and just having fun! its only like 15 minutes away so I love to go, there is a ton of people, its a touristy town so it makes for extra fun! Anyway I brought my camera and just took like 300 pics here are a few. i hope you enjoy!

this is when we first arrived

we ran into a couple of christopher’s friends

what a great spot for pics

this is the front of the famous Macanaw Kite Co.

WOW free for kids…we didnt eat here, we ate at Snug Harbor, but we will have to ck it out next time.

RELAX

OKAY, I have no clue who this kid is but he came up to Jim and was like “hey nice mustach” so i  was like hey come back here, let me get your picture so he started possing! how funny! I think he was having fun and got into it..lmao

and the boys turned into monkeys..geesh at 17 you would think they would calm down…naaaa

this is the whole crew. ahhh arent they cute

we ran into some friends on their bikes, how fun!

i have been all over the country and truely, nowhere has a sunset that even compares to west michigan. i have a whole collection of sunsets i love them. i try to get at least 100 differnt ones a year!

I just had to post these. After doing McKenna’s pictures on Sunday, my baby wanted her pics taken so i took her outside and shot a few. I am soooo in love with her, she is one of the lights in my life, I have 3 other ones..lol.. She will start school next year and I dont know what to do, actually its only like 3 months from now, this fall. I hope you enjoy cause I love them!

 Mckenna is growing and growing. I cant believe she is already ONE! Time flies and its so awesome that we have been able to document her last year. i am in the process of putting together a fabulous book that i will add here later. It is going to be awesome. We did her 1 year pics on Sunday and here they are. I hope you enjoy!