Weddings make me cry apparently

Our dear Eli got married this weekend to an awesome woman (Vanessa). I got all teary eyed. That's never really been an issue before, I guess the 30's are making me soft. :) In any case, great ceremony and so much happy stuff.

Me and Honeye

Vanessa and Eli, so happy. :)

New shoot

I've been working my ass off with crazy weight training... literally and figuratively. In any case, I had a shoot recently to benefit breast cancer research and we had studio time to play with afterward. So I played.... The thing I am most happy about is that these are "raw" images, meaning low res, no photoshop. Yep, that is my abs without digital help. :) Not bad after 3 kids.... :)

Painting

I've been painting. I keep forgetting to take better pictures before I mail them off... In any case; family and friends have worked out a first call dibs, first served with the paintings that aren't being sold. :) These are some friends and family ones from the last couple months.

The Ball 2013

We had (as usual) an awesome time. The ball was as always, an experience.

My Toad, as the Cheshire cat.

Dragons

The entire dancing cast

Mommy and Toad. Toad as the Cheshire cat, Mommy as "Wick" from the devil's carnival.

Grant from the Myth busters... yep.

Mommy and other costumed people

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My costume without the make up....

 

Been gone awhile

I've been awful the last few months about updating. It's been crazy but really, when isn't it? So, our sweet boy turned 16. He is now legal to drive. Daddy fixed up Rosie (my old car) for his munchkin, so our kiddo has a car.

Toad and daddy went on a daddy/son bonding motorcycle trip across 5 states for a few weeks to celebrate Toad's birthday and fathers day. They met up with my FIL and my nephew for part of the trip.

Toad and my adorable nephew Sky-dog

Papa, Uncle Gary, Toad and Sky-dog

The boys at the Idaho border

Papa and his two grandsons

Daddy and his Toad

Toad, being silly

The bikes

Photographer Toad, taking pictures from the back of daddy's bike for almost 3 thousand miles. They are eager for their Alaska trip next year. :)

Painting...

Took my surrogate niece to a painting class while my darling Jess was in surgery yesterday.

 

This is us. Painting.

Alecia with her "cave of doom'. :)

 

 

This was my version in class. I didn't like the paintbrushes (too bulky), I think next time I will bring my own. :)

 

 

And this was what I did the next day at home. I think I like the lack of leaves better.

 

 

And this was my attempt at something more complicated. I am annoyed once again by foliage. Moral appears to be that I don't like leaves. Hmmm... Oh well. It is a process and I'm still learning. Painting isn't one of those things that comes naturally to me but I really want to get decent at it for my own enjoyment.

For the locals, we went to Paint and Vineyard.

https://www.paintnvineyard.com/

It was a laid back, fun environment and they allow wine or beer if you need a little creative help. :)

 

 

 

Faux fused glass

 

I got bored in my art room. I've always wanted a glass kiln but am way too cheap to buy one without knowing if I'd even like doing it. I made "fused glass" charms with shrinky dinks, UTEE and my ranger melting pot. My fingers are covered in alcohol ink, but I am pretty happy with the first run of these.

I'm sure the next batch will look better now that I have an idea of what I am going for. :)

Birthday bash for my (sort of ) brother in law

My sister's boyfriend had a birthday and they had a party at his house to celebrate. Yeah, I'm all with my water instead of jell-o shot. I had to drive.