Random Shots

A few random shots that I like from the past couple of weeks. This is what you get during a preschool graduation. :) Dorian was mostly interested in his tassel.

Chasity and Ambrose during the child dedication service at our church on Mother's Day

Clara during the Princess Banquet at the church. Why I like it - she never knew I took the photo. Completely natural and unposed photo.

Madelyn

Some of my favorites from Madelyn's 3-year photos.

Love

Today Rachel and I headed to the Indianapolis Art Museum grounds to take a special photo for her birthday. I'll post that one later, but here's another one for today. We spent over an hour just walking around looking at the gardens and sculptures. Quite relaxing and fun!

Out on the trails

Here's how my wonderful Mother's Day shaped up. After the morning at church we put on our grubby clothes and headed to McD's for a gourmet lunch. :) Before anyone starts accusing Dusty of being a cheapskate, that was my choice. Something fast....and cheap! Then we headed to Turkey Run for some hiking. Again, my choice. There's something to be said for a day with no agenda, deadlines, or schedule!

I love the scenery. Everything was so green and beautiful. The weather was perfect for a day out hiking. There had also been just enough rain to make the trail interesting. (muddy, slippery, wet)

Aaron found plenty of things to climb, and even a few to make his mom go, "Alright, get down, be careful, I don't want to have to fish you out of a ravine...."

Then there was this one who spent half of the time being toted around by her dad. Some of it was justified. Like the time Dusty grabbed her in one arm and used to other to climb down 2 steep wooden ladders into a ravine. (Sorry Mom, we really did keep close tabs on her. She was safe at all time...really!) But most of the time she was just using him for a free ride.

By halfway through she had slipped in some water and was soaked up one side which in turned got Dusty all wet and muddy because he was carrying her along.

Of course we chose the most rugged trails. That's not just an interesting rock formation that Aaron is standing in front of...that's the trail and we were about to go up it! But we persevered and had a great time doing it - Dusty while toting a 4-year old and me with a Canon Rebel and 85mm lens strapped to my back. Slipping and sliding over rocks and streams. It's enough to make a certain Mr. PEC shake his head and say, "What were you thinking!" But hey, that's how I roll....living on the edge! :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Rachel & Madelyn

They're a year apart almost to the day. They love to play together. Sometimes they argue together. Given the chance I'm sure they could get into a heap of trouble together. But hey, that's what a cousin is for!

Cousin time

Rachel and I made a quick trip over to Illinois to pick up a TV armoire that Joel and Sarah were kindly giving to us. Rachel was excited to see "Baby Makenna" although she's not too much of a baby anymore.

Things started out quiet enough. Then it turned into this. Rachel pushing Makenna down the sidewalk then giving her a shove to send her careening down the street. Well maybe not quite that dramatic, but they enjoyed it.

Let me just say however, spending 5 hours in a small truck with a small child and a portable DVD player that had a dead battery is not a good combo.

Sneak Peek - Ben

This is my friend Ben. He loves dinosaurs, is sporting a kickin' mohawk, and I found out, is quite the ladies man. After looking at his photos on the camera's LCD he took my hand and kissed it. Ben...you charmer! :)