Here are a few more shots from the field after the beautiful sunset light was gone.  I attempted to fake it with a flash.

Life in Afghanistan must be getting dreary because I awoke to the above plea in my email today.  Just for you, Dave, we loaded up the gator and endured bug bites o’ plenty for a few fun shots as the sun was setting.   The hay in this field is supposed to be baled any day now so it was a good impetus for us to get out there.  As usual, the boys didn’t feel like posing with each other.  Solomon felt a bit more photogenic than his brother today.  Sid was just paranoid that Grandma was going to take off in the gator without him.

I have found that recently I’ve been spending all my time updating our personal blog about Alabama. Because of this I realized that my photography blog was looking a little lean.  I thought I’d post and oldie but a goodie to beef things up!   

This was a group effort heading out in time for sunrise to catch Dave’s plane the day he pulled it off skis.  It was just a few days before our trip to Alabama.  Hopefully we’ll see that whacked out looking plane again in July when Dave returns from Afghanistan.  Can’t wait!

As I was looking for a certain file I came across one of the last set of photos I took before we left Alaska for our year long adventure.  These were taken mid-February and, yes, it was a bit chilly outside!

I couldn’t help but post just a couple from this day.  We actually had fun traipsing about on the lake just at sundown.  It is a good reminder for me to get out there and enjoy the neverending heat wave that the southlands have to offer.  As I am swating bugs, applying sunscreen, perpetually searching for shade and always glistening with sweat, I need to look over these photos and be thankful for our temporary “change” in lifestyle!

I desperately wanted to try to recreate the photos of Solomon and Sam the dog that I had taken a month earlier.  I took a light to the barn to hopefully capture the action without blur this time.  Sam decided he was way too lethargic to play that game so nothing went as planned.  Instead, Sid became bored and decided to put on a show.   He created his own entertainment by tossing hay around.  As you can see, he was quite please with himself.  His expressions constantly amaze me!

I took this photo the night before Dave left for Afghanistan.  We were visiting the relatives in Idaho half-way on our journey to Alabama.   Doug’s living room turned out to be a great backdrop. 

I almost forgot about these photos because it was several weeks before I had computer access again.  They were never uploaded.  Happy Father’s day to Dave, Doug, Cliff and to my dad, Mark, who is not pictured!

I showed this photo to Solomon and said, “Look at this!”  He promptly said, “Who are they?”  (Who are they!)

“You tell me.”

“Is that Uncle Doug?”

“No, but the other one is”

“Awwwww, that’s my dad!

Big grin.

My husband Dave has been in Afghanistan recently and upon his return he will be attending a military university down south.  Because of this we’ve had the opportunity to spend a year visiting the grandparents in Alabama. The boys and I are currently enjoying the unbelievable heat and the great times spent with family.  After a year of sweltering temperatures, however, I am sure we will be glad to return to our friends and the wilds of Alaska.  Our planned return is for July 2009.  Until then, I will not be able to photograph any weddings, portraits, or events but I look forward to jumping back into things full swing next summer!  

During our stay, I have my plate full with incredible photography seminars and workshops throughout the southeast United States.  In addition, I’ve been fortunate enough to assist a Birmingham based photography studio with several weddings that will continue on through the summer.   Mark Lawley & Associates Wedding Photography have provided this incredible opportunity for me.  If you are in the southeast and are planning a wedding check out their website at www.marklawleyphotography.com. 

More posts will be coming soon as I slowly work my way through my transition from Windows to Mac.  Ay!

Sol & Sid rescued “baby kitty” from life in the drainage ditch a few days ago.  I keep pressing Sol for a name but all he will give me is “baby kitty”.  I’ve elaborated and now we call him “Hank, the baby kitty” in reverence to Hank Williams, Sr. of Montgomery fame.  He moves fast, has giant orange paws, and is as sweet as he can be!  Don’t tell Principi!  Hopefully we can either find him a home or break it to her gently over the course of the year.

Sol decided to go 4-wheeling in the gator.  He chose the garden as his test facility.  The gator was a little to wide to squeeze through the rows of corn.

Note the mud on the tires!