Check Out These Cuties!

This week, we headed back to the shelter to grab a few more photos. Chauncey has since been adopted, but the others are still in need of homes.

Almond and Tatoo


Chauncey and Trip

One More Round with Nature

It seems that my husband and I must lead boring lives, as all we photograph are dogs and nature. Ha! Well, I suppose that's all we've really had the opportunity to photograph. Although, Kyle has mentioned he wants to go out and shoot old dilapidated buildings and other industrial ...creations. And we (eventually) plan to get some shots of Kyle's co-worker's little guy, who we babysit on occasion. That should be interesting! Until then, I couldn't help but take some photos of the dandelions that are taking over Southwest Michigan. I have very fond memories of these pretty weeds!

And one last shot of this season's most beautiful flower. We headed to Tulip Time with my mom this past weekend; she got to come up and visit from Florida. For anyone who hasn't heard of Tulip Time (quite likely if you aren't from Michigan), it occurs annually in a little Dutch town called Holland. Tulips absolutely cover the town and little Dutch dancers dance in the street. It is a gorgeous site to see.

More Fun with the Season

This time, it was Kyle who headed out to the front yard to get some practice, and I think he got some pretty good shots! His favorite? The first one below. He calls it "art." Well, as we learned at the local Art Hop this past Friday, apparently "art" is cutting magazine ads up into weird shapes and taping them to the wall. If that's art, this sure is!

Springtime Flowers

One of the best things about Michigan is the beautiful tulips that pop up all over the place in Spring. Even better: they require no green thumb to sprout from the ground. That's my kind of flower! Over the last couple weeks, these flowers have popped up all around our house, and our neighborhood. They are so beautiful! They serve as a reminder to me that I've made it through another winter and the gorgeous, hot, summer days are not too far away.

New Dogs

I am learning that there is a never-ending stream of dogs arriving at the shelter, and it's an extremely heart-breaking discovery. I do delight, however, in seeing the dogs I've photographed be adopted into loving homes. It is such an incredible feeling to walk into the shelter and find that a dog you've come to know and love is no longer occupying a kennel... they've become a family member somewhere.
Here are some of the new sweeties that have arrived.

Tamara and Jill


Kiku and Darcy


Fedora and Alexexia

Bradford

Cameo

Derby Girl

In Loving Memory

Last week, my sister's dog Jessie passed away. Jessie was a true blessing brought to her family. The very first week that my sister and her husband relocated to Mississippi, to pursue a degree in marriage and family therapy at a small Christian school, a dog appeared on their doorstep. She was weak, hungry, and in dire need of help.

My sister and her husband took her in, and she became an important member of the family. She had a great couple of years with my sister's family, filled with incredible food (my sister cooked her chicken and vegetables in the crock pot), and lots of love. On Saturday, she left this Earth, no longer suffering the long-term effects of her life before finding my sister.

We love you and miss you, Jessie J. You will never be forgotten.

More Gorgeous Dogs

Last week, we headed over to the SPCA to take photos of the new dogs that had arrived. What cuties! I fall in love with each and every one of these sweet animals. It never ceases to amaze me how, regardless of what terrible circumstance they've come from, they have amazing personalities and the ability to love.

Sawyer and Jayla


Pongo


Chowder and Meeko (the fourth brother in the set from my last post). I love his white blaze!

60th Anniversary Party

This past weekend, Kyle's grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. What an incredible achievement! We celebrated with the whole family on Sunday. It was so neat to see the family they've created over the years all together in one place.

Their 4 children got them this beautiful bowl, hand painted with their names and wedding date on it.


Aunt Jodi and Grandpa looking through an old family photo album. My sister in law, Kim, got them this gorgeous orchid plant as an anniversary gift.


Evan, one of our cousins from Tahoe, giving me a crazy face. :)


And our sister in law, Kim

SPCA Pups

This spring, I began volunteering for the SPCA. Passionate about rescuing dogs, I've always wanted to spend time giving love to dogs in need of homes, but I've never taken the plunge for fear of it depressing me too much. I finally decided I couldn't sit by and not help any longer, so I began spending time taking the dogs out for walks and giving them love.

Wanting to get more time practicing with the camera, I decided to devote some time to taking photos of the dogs for Petfinder. Here are some of the gorgeous dogs from the first shoot. Can you believe these poor guys don't have homes? My brain simply cannot comprehend how people can discard and abandon these sweet animals.

Foxy Lady and Milou

Mohawk

Cricket, and Cricket again

Clyde and Bouncer

Asher ...(can you tell the above 3 are brothers?) :)

Cooper

Yankee

Sundae

Ringo

A Christmas To Remember

December 2008 was the first time Kyle has has the chance to spend Christmas with my family. It was Caroline's first Christmas, so she was of course the center of attention. She got all the camera time since she's the most photogenic family member! We had a wonderful 4 days together in a warm (not white!) Christmas.

Caroline getting some Daddy time.

And some Grandma time.

And some Aunt Laura time.

Mommy stealing her away for some lovin'.

Saying goodbye to the sweet pea... heading back on a plane to Michigan.