Montana...unplanned day 2

After waking up in Forsyth Montana Mike must have felt like he slept in a Holiday Inn Express because he came up with the brilliant idea to hand the bags out the window...

Then he got a call for work...I should mention that this is far from a vacation for him.

 Then we were off to see beautiful Montana...

These are all right out of the camera btw...

Montana really is beautiful

These are all right out of my window. Mike does not make frequent stops.

 I did convince him to take a small break at Pompeii's Pillar because I knew Matthew would love it.

This is the only evidence left of Lewis and Clark's adventure.

 This is a replica of it inside the center. 

 It was really well designed. See the blue print of the river at Matt's feet?

 And then there was the view outside of it.

 Matthew loved seeing the rock chuck..We decided that he was a chubby chuck like our Chuck at home.

 Matt was a very happy kid

 Then we saw the signature on the rock. It has an amazing history. It was first spotted about 50 years after being carved and even then they knew it was something worth saving...There is a lot of history on this rock.

There it  the real signature

 Mike had a bit of computer work to do so he let Matthew and I go into Montana's largest candy store

Then we were off to look around Big Timber.

We said hello to an old friend(quickly) 

and then checked out Bozeman

Bozeman is beautiful but I was not in a shooting mood.

Unplanned, unpacked and on the road...

We are headed for Montana...

The trip came out of nowhere

Some of you reading this will probably be shocked 

Before you hit Montana you have to drive all the way through North Dakota

Did you know you can find happiness in North Dakota? These fields were everywhere and after being in the car together for so long it was nice to see. 

 And the BadLlands...

They were not so bad

Then we saw it...

I had to chuckle when I saw this photo as it is on the ND side and it looks like it! Where are the mountains? That John Denver is full of crap man!

Watched the sun set in Montana for the first time in over two years

Found a diner in a building that was over a hundred years old and full of history

They had old photos up all over from what it looked like back then. They even had a picture of the photographer that took them...

Happy to be here, happy to lay here, happy to be by your side Michael.

Meet Jake

Sorry, if you are just tuning in don't miss my earlier post about my senior shoot yesterday.

I had to share this story with you though. 

Early in the morning as we were shooting Heather took me to meet her horses. She introduced me to Jake and then told me his story.

He had a hard life. He was a race horse that was retired as a police horse. After years of service he was then owned by a young man who spoiled him and loved him. That young man was deployed to Afghanistan...he never returned.

His mom wanted the horse to finish out his life the way he should, so he ended up with this family.

Yes, I cried...and fell in love with Jake.

Had to share a few of my senior pictures

 I don't know if you remember but a few posts back posted a few pics for a senior shoot I did at the fair. 

Yesterday was my actual shoot with the girls. To be honest with you I probably have about 5000 or more pictures to edit right now:-0 

I always process a few right away for my subjects. I just know how I would feel if I were waiting.

Here are a few of the ones I pulled for them. I have to say though... these might not even be my favorites. There are so many cute ones. I am pretty sure the girls are going to have LOTS to choose from

 Seriously!! I am so in love with this picture. She looks adorable...and the fence!!

 This is her sister. There are two reasons why I want to share this with you. One is that I love when someone asks me if I will take a picture for them when I am shooting. I always joke that if you put it in front of me I will click away. It was so fun taking pictures of Jaide and her sister. Mike and I have also discovered that Tattoos add a hidden art to photos and that alone made me happy to take this picture for her. 

I can't even tell you how much fun my day was. Heather had so many ideas and locations for me. I met some of the nicest people ever. I learned about the huge tie that Minnesota has to the civil war. 

Jaide had a garden in her back yard that took 8 years to build and a barn that was over a hundred years old. 

Oh, and then there was the field of garden spiders that were HUGE. We counted at least 10 of them. One even crawled in her shoe and she squished it. I have pictures!

I had to share this one from the carnival "mini" shoot. I love it so much.

Another one I just love! 

I think I have found my calling. I seriously shot from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and looking at these I know I could do it all again. 

Something happened when I was not looking...

Over the weekend Mike and I cleaned out the garage... In the pile of things we donated there was a pair of roller blades. Mike insisted that he did not know where they came from. I insisted that they were Matthew's. Nope...Mike and Matthew both told me that his pair was hanging up in the bag on the wall. "Mom, I took them to school remember?? Everything is in that bag right there"

Shortly there after Matt had taken them down and started skating laps around Mike and I. That is when he pointed out a few cool features that he loved about his skates.

That is when it hit me...

These were not HIS skates..they were MY skates

Problem is, they fit him perfectly...

I was sad for a few minutes.

Then I found myself a few new pair of flip flops that had been sitting in the entry way.

FYI: I still remember when I finally could wear my moms shoes. She had really tiny feet. She had a pair of brown strappy high heels that I loved. 

They  fit me for about a week

I am sure Matt's feet will be bigger than mine in about a week too.

I love you Mattie

not only because you are my child

but because you are amazing

Thank you God for picking him out for us. 

Another picture of baby Gabe

On my way out the door I saw this yard stick. 

I knew I had to find a way to use it.

You see my neighbors are quite tall.

Even the babies are long:-)

I guess because of my luck with making them, I have never been one to need my baby fix...

That is until mom left me alone with baby Gabe for a few minutes on the front lawn.

I kind of wanted to run. Then it passed and I remembered that I needed my sleep.

Seriously, he is one cute baby. 

I would like you to meet our new neighbor!

He is only 10 pounds 2 ounces...but considering he was just born that is pretty impressive.

FYI: My heart smiles when I see how this idea turned out. 

Bet you love it too Jenny.

One more to share

Dear Angie and Derek, 

All roads lead to Rome:-)

You are going to love it there.

Taking a moment the breathe...

I told you my next shoot was a doozy right??? Well it was my first big wedding. I want to say by myself but Mike was there with me. 

It was...in one word...emotional

I cried... Mike cried...everyone in the wedding cried...all the parents cried...most of the guests cried

I was BLESSED to be there, blessed to know these people.

It was also a long stressful day. I was so worried about messing up. I know I rocked some stuff. I know I failed at others. What I rocked was important, what I failed was...hopefully not important{add me crossing my fingers here}

Honestly, I can tell you this...

Weddings are a long hard day of amazing work

photo booths rock! Just wait until you see some of the pictures!!

I honestly did not think I could love my husband any more than I already did...I was totally wrong. He was so amazing. Actually, I would like to tell him so if you don't mind:

Dear Michael,

    Thank you so much for your unreal support for me over the past few months. I know getting ready for this wedding was a huge ordeal. You have been nothing less than amazing when it came to supporting me in every way. You encouraged me to buy the needed gear, helped me figure out how to use some of the gear, took time off from work only to come home and work. You stood hand and hand with me and I have to say some of your shots are out of this world amazing and I wish I would have taken them. The thing that I must say to you more than anything is that being there at that particular wedding with you made me see and feel why I love you. You are the kind of dad that Steve is and only a dad that gets that could take photos like you did. I will never forget decompressing with you at BWW after our long day.Thank you for loving me and supporting me. ~Moniker

Now for some pictures!!

 My ring shots. I totally love this picture. I wish I could hang it on my wall. 

This blue ring has been in her family for over 150 years and been worn on the hand of many brides...all being married long and happily! 

 Then I saw this shot and I about fell over...It is my favorite of the day. I wish that I took it...It was from my husbands camera. Then...I fell in love with him even more. 

 Then I saw this shot and I almost cried again... 

This was taken at the reception while the bride was giving her toast about how much she loved her mom and dad... Mike got this too

Words could never be enough for what you did for me Mike...but knowing a bride will forever be able to see her dad's amazing face as he gave her away and choked down tears might be. 

Love you Honey{As much as a Demmer loves a Demmer, or anyone else they meet}

The marathon begins...

I think I am only fooling myself when I say I am not a photographer...
I have done about 10 photo shoots this summer for friends
This one was taken last night
It was an idea Jenny and I have had for a few weeks now. We finally had time.
I am not done yet as I have 4 more shoots coming up in the next week and a half.
The next one is a doozy!
Mike is even home to help(all is right in the world).
Can't wait to share with you.

Charlie turns 11

 Before I get to the birthday party...

A message to Mike

from your short haired cutie!

and a message from Portis, who naturally is not feeling good today. 

 Today Charlie turned 11. Yes, many of you will laugh that we had a little party for him. Matthew and I made puppy cakes and dog bones for him. 

 he was very grateful!

He even blew out his candles by himself! (Well not really)

 Then it was time for his present...

an entire bag of balls!!

All Jokes aside. Charlie's birthday is always a time when I reflect back on Mike and I and our life together. Charlie has been such a huge part of it. We had him almost two years before Matthew came into it. He has seen all our homes together. He has been with us through good times and the occasional bad ones too. We have a lot of history with him and to see him get old is a sad and wonderful thing. I am thankful for dogs that love and adore kids. I am thankful for dogs that love to just be with us. Charlie is a really good dog and it is bittersweet to see him turn 11. 

Maybe later Matthew and I can take him swimming.