Travis Dew Photography

This little family never disappoints……a little bit of silly, a lot of fun, and a pair of super cool, laid back parents.  This is my 5th year doing this Father’s Day tradition…and I look forward to them every time.  “C” was a newborn when we started….now, he is full on in charge of himself.  I always know the shoot is just about over when his tongue starts taking a rest on the outside. “D” is still into girly things – this year, she left her lipstick at home!  Bummer.  And “E” is busy planning and organizing everyone’s day.  They have a new pup in the family that I was super happy to have along.  Love, love seeing you guys…..and my apologies that my sneak peek is delayed…but this lil’ computer took a field trip…~sigh~…a really expensive one…. to Apple Camp….

 

She started the afternoon surrounded by her girlfriends…..11 of them dressed in the perfect shade of pink – drinking pink lemonade and happy.  Mama was cool….bride was cool…dad was cool – like a pack of cucumbers.  The dress was perfect and from Fabulous Frocks in Charleston (I will update with ALL vendors and vendor information later….my work computer has taken a little field trip off to Cupertino…or somewhere Apple-ish)

The ceremony was beautiful…..the trolley ride over to her reception was full of laughter and happiness…..NO STRESS!  House was FABULOSO – flowers were spectacular…bride and bridesmaids’ flowers done by Lotus (lotusbuds@msn.com)….delicious food catered by Hamby’s and everyone had a drink in hand….lights in the trees and a dance floor was OVER THE POOL.  David Singleton (Sublime Events), Carolyn Griffeth and Amy Waring had outdone themselves.  It was on, people.  Now I, for one, love me a sweet little wedding that turns into a barefoot, sweaty mess on the dance floor (Incredible band…Deas Guyz (deasguyz@aol.com)…..and this wedding did NOT disappoint.  I had a BALL and wasn’t even on the inside of things!

Hope you all have been able to take a deep breath and enjoy life post-wedding.  This is your sneak peek….I’ll let you know when the rest go up!

 

So….lucky me.  This is what I get to do for a living.  Last night I had the most wonderful time shooting this sweet bride’s wedding.  These shots are from her bridal portrait……and a sneak peek of the wedding is soon to come.

 

Quick reminder to love on your babies……keep the ‘crayon on the wall’ in perspective…..and be grateful.   I am fortunate to spend time at MUSC Children’s Hospital and am reminded of just how blessed we are…..hug your people.

 

This sweet Mama contacted me last week because she had some pretty special things going on.  She had her nieces in from out of town…..her daughter had just lost her two FRONT teeth..and her parents were celebrating their wedding anniversary!  Sounds like a fun summertime combo and thanks for including me!  I enjoyed getting to sit on the dock, chase lizards, swing and do some girl-giggling.

 

My family is fortunate to be a part of a church that we LOVE.  It is a part of us and we all feel at home in the church, choir rooms, kitchen or office.  One of our favorite priests once said, “If we aren’t repairing windows and cleaning the carpet around here – then we aren’t using the facilities enough!”  So true, Ken – and you’ll be proud to hear that Randolph put his hand through the window of the Youth Room last year…..sort of a nod to you (~wink~).

One of my favorite weeks of the year is Vacation Bible School – and Tea Room OF COURSE – but this is one week of good, old fashioned, wholesome fun.  Children are singing, playing sharks-and-minnows, making bracelets and having a blast.  The older children are helpers….the middle age children get taken off ‘campus’ to have a little more freedom to learn their Bible lessons and get some special treatment.

Nothing like starting the summer off with a refreshing dose of goodness.  Thanks Brian, Angela and Lee – it’s fantastic.

These guys live around the corner from us and we usually get to see Daddy and Dog…..sometimes Mr. “T” too…..but now there’s a new addition and I was introduced to him yesterday afternoon.  Sweet little fellow will have to just ‘hang on tight’ until he can defend himself from some sweet, but over-zealous, love.  Thanks for having me over for a perfect afternoon of high tide, good temps and some bird feedin’!

Well….a little pinched nose never hurt n’body!

Daddy decided he saw a branch that needed trimming…..and took care of it….right away.  I find that…remarkable.  That NEVER happens around my house.

A little nightly routine of Daddy giving “T” some worms to place in the Blue Jay feeder…..cool!

I wish there was a speech bubble above this baby’s head….I’d love to know what he was thinking.

I’ll let you know when the rest go up….

My Stalker – Miss Bossy Boots – has been ON MY CASE…….I do realize that my site has gotten a little stale…..but Sista, please – you’ve got children – end of the school year is a R-A-T race.  I’ve been busy with the following work and non-work related matters…..

After going New York City with some friends….I’ve had a little THIS and THAT on my plate with much of it being “Mama” related…

I was fortunate enough to shoot the school pictures for Charleston Baptist Preschool……this is my 3rd year there and it’s gets better every time.   Too STINKIN’ cute…

I have also spent some time up at my favorite place in the whole world – MUSC Children’s Hospital – which is always bitter sweet.  I love it up there but am never called up for happy occasions.  Just remember to hug your babies and love on them often…lots of gloomy days up there for many, many families.

Thanks to my youngest….who is an outdoorsman, to say the least….we have had the pleasure of entertaining a frog, a lizard, a KITTY, several turtles, a skink and some spiders.  “Schoooool’s out – for – Summer!”  Most were let back out into the wild…..except – thanks to Facebook being a complete failure and my children’s tears – we now are trying to figure out a name for this baby kitten – who we just discovered that she’s a he…..a Chelsea/Chaz of sorts.

The Charleston Men’s Choir was performing on Memorial Day at St. Philips’ Church……I didn’t see the performance but got to hear some incredible rehearsals….

After exams, end of the year bowling parties, awards ceremonies, field days and presentations…..I now have a Freshman in High School, a Middle Schooler and a 4th grader.  My three babies had a great year – coming out with accolades such as (and I can brag about them….it’s their efforts that earned these…..believe me – I don’t do homework OR projects)

Most valuable member of the Quiz Bowl Team – Fastest Girl runner – Winner of school Spelling Bee for grade – Principal’s Honor Roll for Year – Fastest Boy runner – Citizenship Award…..we are one proud Mama and Daddy set.

This is what this little guy is usually doing…

…and this is his sister taking advantage of his bait.

Had a playdate tonight with a cute family not too far from here…..will get you a sneaky peaky up later on.  Nighty night, Miss Bossy Boots.

 

 

 

 

Yes…..this is one of my favorite families to shoot.  Cool, calm and collected…..(I can hear Dad snickering thinking ‘that’s not what it felt like on the way out the door to see you!’)  Seriously, great kids: “S”, “O”, “H” and “S” who seem to really enjoy each other…and super laid back Mama and Daddy.  This was my third play date with them over the years and we’ve started a little photo-op tradition….sweet “H” did not disappoint with resurrecting one of my favorite shots of all time…..The WEDGIE!  (And…before I hear any moaning about ‘that’s cruel’ or ‘how can you do that?’….let me just say that – clearly you do not have any boys in your household.  A maneuver like this could almost define the decor of my household….well, that AND nerf darts.)  This time, Daddy was so successful……part of “H”‘s under garments went underground for a little bit.  Sorry….Mom…the laundress.  (I’m so stinkin’ immature that I’m giggling ~ just as much when I write this as I did when I was there!)  Enjoy this little slideshow of our Saturday morning at Hampton Park!

 

 

So I met little Miss “L” back in October of 2010…..and now…she had somebody to introduce me to – Mr. “S”!  “L” showed me her grandmother’s garden filled with blueberries, squash and tomatoes.  She picked a few and put them in her basket….and after we were done with our playdate…..and I mean waaay after she had picked her prized fruit….she promptly took her basket into the sink and washed each and every blueberry.  She proudly came away from her work and offered me one.  I was impressed with her assignment to herself – nearly an hour beforehand – that she focused on and accomplished the minute she had the opportunity!

“L”, I really enjoyed swinging, gardening, climbing trees and playing with your little brother.  I hope he gets used to the idea of seeing me again sometime soon!  Thanks for having me over to play.