Happy Birthday Sylvie!

That's right...all my babies have July birthdays! And we didn't even plan it that way. Today my little girl turns 7, and she already looks about a foot taller. Happy birthday sis...we love you!

Happy Birthday Payne!

My little big man turns 2 today!

I couldn't resist...

Just a few more...

Another wonderful trip

Well we are finally back home after an amazing (but tiring) three weeks at the beach. It was sad to have to leave, but it's always good to be back home. On the drive back I was thinking about what I would miss the most about the beach. It came to me that there is no one big thing that I will miss, but rather lots of little things, and most of them don't even include the beach. Here are just a few, in no particular order:

• The bike rides with Michelle looking at houses


• My early morning orange juice on the deck


• The way Jackson didn't mind that I can't throw him as far across the pool as Dusty can


• The standing high Vs with Sylvie


• The way Payne would say "bye beach, see ya tomorrow."

I'll be posting more photos from our last sessions a little later on, so stay tuned!

Goodbye Anna

Once again, and all too quickly we are reminded of how friends can come and go out of our lives. This past year, our friends Paige and Dusty have hosted an exchange student from Italy. Over the course of that year, we have become very close and our kids have absolutely fallen in love with Anna. As she and Paige visited us at the beach this past weekend we were faced with the fact that it would probably be the last time we would see her, as this was her final week with her host family. As we said our goodbyes, I was heartbroken, and I've never seen my kids cry that much. I had to remind my children to not be sad because she was leaving, but to be happy in remembering all the good times we spent with her. That was difficult to do because I had a hard time believing it myself. I will especially miss the way she says "Mister Payne." Arriva derce Anna, we love you and miss you greatly.

Double Digits!

Well believe it or not, Jackson hits the big 1-0 today! I guess he'll be calling the shots on what we do today...maybe we'll all survive. Happy birthday buddy, we love you!

More fun!

So far the weather has cooperated with us, so I thought while I had the chance I would post a few more images from our most recent sessions.

Happy Birthday Theo!

It's funny how kids always seem to bond. Yesterday Payne made friends with the cutest little boy named Theo (pronounced Tay-o) whose family is from Belgium. His uncle is a cancer survivor and his aunt is a French teacher in a Louisiana elementary school. They were kind enough to invite us over to a little birthday party they were having for him. Sadly it was their last day to be staying in our little community so in all liklihood we will never see them again. Just another reminder how quickly friends can come and go. So happy birthday Theo, and farewell to you and your family.

I have proof!

Ok, this is for all of you who think that I'm not working. I have photographic proof! See, here I am, diligently shooting this family portrait....even on my day off! Ok then, that settles it. Let the evidence speak for itself...Bentley IS working...HARD!

Shell Island!

Yesterday was the first day that we didn't have any sessions booked. So we took the opporunity for our annual trip to Shell Island which is a short ferry ride east of St. Andrews State Park. Being the master snorkeler and shell finder that I am, this is always one of the highlights of my vacation. The day started out nicely with the required trip to Thomas' doughnuts for breakfast. Then we managed to catch the first bus to the ferry, but Michelle was a nervous wreck as usual because she's always afraid that if we aren't on the first bus...well that just ruins the whole trip. Now normally the sea surrenders her best shells to the master shell finder (me) but this year, for some reason, the shells weren't all that great. I managed to find some decent ones, but nothing that really stood out. I pulled in a few sand dollars though, which is always cool. Oh well, there's always next year. I had a great time and the kids did too, which is all that really matters. Why didn't anyone ever tell me that I look pretty goofy in snorkeling gear?

Yes...I'm working

Ok, so we had a couple of rainy days so we got a little behind on our sessions. The past few days have been great though, and we've been able to get caught up. So just in case you thought we weren't really working, here are some shots from the past week.

Happy Birthday USA!

I love Independence day. It's absolutely one of my favorite holidays. This one was especially nice because I got to spend it with family and friends. I have to mention that last night we all went out to the amazing Boondocks restaurant just north of Panama City Beach. If you ever get the chance to go...you should. Get there early though. It's worth the two hour wait. Anyway, early this morning we joined around a thousand of our closest friends for the annual 4th of July bike parade at Rosemary Beach. After that we were so hot that we immediately hit the pool for some family fun. (Sorry for the shirtless photos of myself). As if that weren't enough for one day, we (Michelle) cooked some fabulous burgers and hot dogs on the grill (a nice all-American meal) and we were joined for lunch by our friends Willie and Carl. But first there was the visit from the ice-cream truck...too cool! Sadly, after lunch it was time to say goodbye to our friends Dusty, Paige, and Anna, who had to leave early and will be sorely missed. As darkness approached, we headed back to Rosemary Beach for the highly anticipated fireworks display, one of the finest shows on the coastline I must say. Wow...what a busy day we've had. And I couldn't help but think as I was enjoying myself all day long that there are many who didn't get the day off because they were busy working to maintain the freedom that I so much enjoyed. I'm talking about those who serve our country in the military. As we celebrate our country's birth, now more than ever we should take time to remember those who serve, and have served our country so bravely. Because of them, we are free.