Big Family

I had the opportunity to photograph a lovely large family today! I myself am from a big family (I'm the youngest of seven) so I love large family gatherings and since I have been in Japan for the past two years I have really missed out on such things. Laurie Hood is the founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge and she hired me to come to their holiday family gathering to photograph them all together and all the individual families as well. It was glorious. Made me miss the large family gatherings back home. Laurie and her husband Taylor are wonderful people. Very kind and genuine. It was an absolute pleasure to photograph their extended family. Since there were so many pictures taken I am just going to post my favorite images, so here goes nothin' :)

The boy above was hilarious. This was the conversation... So what do you want for Christmas? Ummm, he says with a huge smile, This is gonna sound a little weird, but I really want a massage chair. I burst out laughing and said I thought that was the best idea ever and I wanted one too :) I love that he prefaced it with "This is gonna sound weird..." He made me smile. Below is the craziness you get when you attempt to photograph a pile of cousins (also reminded me of my family. Love it!).



This little girl had the best smile.



Gotta love it when kids just do their own thing and it is super cute.



This darling little thing was teaching me all about seashells.



This was my favorite family (I know I probably shouldn't say that, but seriously, look at how giggly they all are!).



2nd place here. I think it's the younger children. They just make pictures extra cute.



And last but not least the grandparents with the chitlens :) My favorite images are always the ones when everyone is looking a different direction. It's just more realistic to how things really happen right?



Just so you all know, I am leaving town for two weeks off to visit family for the holidays. It'll be our own version of Four Christmas' only a lot less drama (hopefully) and it'll be three Christmas' instead :) So, on that note, if you email me just don't expect a reply right away cause I will not be checking regularly. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Chancho!

We got a new puppy! This is Chancho. We love the name Chancho mainly because of Nacho Libre, but it is also very fitting for this lil' pup because he is a serious pig. I love Nacho Libre. I just have t get that out there. And I love Chancho. I just got back from taking him to the vet and he is all healthy! Aside from a couple worms... but that is an easy fix! Yay for healthy puppy :)



I love his ears. Nice and floppy just like Shugo's.



Who could turn that away? Really. Shugo wasn't super sure about him at first, but they are now great buddies! We love to just watch them play. It's nice to have a pal for Shugo and I think he is happier with Chancho around.







Now below we have some baby pictures of Shugo. I think they look similar (minus the obvious color difference). Floppy ears. Boxy face. Sweetness. We are very curious to know how big Chancho will get. Are his paws as big as Shugo's were as a pup? Will we have two ginormous dogs? Only time will tell :)

Alaqua Open House

Saturday I was out at the Alaqua Open House. It was a very nice event and I hope they raked in a lot of good donations. Alaqua has so many animals and it cost them so much to operate each day ($1,000/day) any support is always greatly appreciated. There was lots going on and I had my own booth set up (a photo booth) where we did mini 10 minute sessions and also held a raffle for a photo shoot. It was great to be out there and meeting people while also helping Alaqua. We had some awesome people get pictures done and had a blast doing it :)

Below was my first up. She volunteers her time with the cats regularly. She comes out with her dad and they clean the cat house and give all the kitties some love :) I loved talking with her dad and he loves his daughter so much it was very sweet to hear him talk about her.



The little boy below was next. He was SO cute! Love his blue eyes. He was full of silliness and lots of fun to work with. Definitely a little daredevil. I asked him what his favorite thing to do was and he said, "Race dirt bikes and do back flips!" He will be a wild boy for sure!



Next up was a pup :) He was actually reunited with his brother right in front of my booth. So sweet!



More boys next. Typical brothers who refuse to get too close ;) They were lots of fun though and I somehow was able to make them laugh and get some good smiles!



Last round was a sweet young family. They caught me right as I was packing out. There was just enough light left to capture their sweetness :) Gotta love the chubby cheeks! That was my day at Alaqua! Definitely excited about the people I met and getting new clients! I will be settled here with my business in no time :) Thank you everyone who came to the Open House and visited my booth!

Trees

Cool mossy trees like this are all over Northwest Florida

Trick or Treat

The sun was so warm as I sat and read my book. Shugo slept happily behind me. I knew Brian would be home early cause he told me it would be a short day. Reading a book in the sunshine isn't so easy on the eyes. I realized that when I heard a knock on the window and couldn't see in. There was a glare and it was in the shade, yet I knew Brian was on the other side likely making some silly face trying to get my attention. I can't see. No reaction from me and Brian stops clearly disappointed.

As expected he comes out the side door to see me. I finish the sentence I am reading and look up and instantly my stomach lurches. What's wrong with his face?! Oh wait, maybe it's paint. They must have done some weird face painting. No. No that's not right...

Brian says a very slow and drained, something might not be right, Heeeyyy. This is Brian though. He always sounds like that! I nervously respond, "Hey, uh, what, What's wrong with your face?!" He gets closer, but it's still hard to see cause his face is in the shade. "There was a frag I don't know. I screwed up. They say I'm probably getting dropped." "Dropped?! What happened?! Are you ok? What the heck. Come inside." I start for the house, Brian trailing behind me (I am sure trying desperately to hold back his laughter).



As we start up the stairs and I am asking questions he says, "...is it that bad?..." Yes, psycho. Have you not looked in a mirror? Clearly you must have brain damage. "Uh, yeah. Are you OK? Is the rest of your body damaged? Where are you hurt?" We are in the house at this point and now I really can't see cause my eyes are still slowly adjusting from the sun. I stop in the hall cause this whole thing is weird and I can't see anyway. "Tell me what happened." Brian continues, "I dunno Holbrook and Fro had to walk home cause they crashed his truck...." Incoherent. This is not making sense. You said there was a frag. What is a frag? What is going on?! This is a trick! "Are you joking right now?!" Laughter. Now there is laughter! I swing at his face to cause some real damage but of course he blocks it.

All of this happened in a matter of probably 30 seconds. It seriously looked real from a distance and in the direct sun it was kinda bright and hard to tell and then once we got inside my eyes adjusted in time for me to swing at his fake wounds. I don't know what they are doing out there everyday. All I know is that he did say they were out in the field and already blowing things up. Personally, I am not sure that is the greatest plan so early in the training, but hey, what do I know? I would like to just point out that I did not freak out. I was very calm and rational (as always :) AND one time he came home looking like the below pic, so really, it could happen.

Welcome to EOD school. Brian better be watching his back cause he's got it coming for that one!

Squirrels

Little tree nuts in Bagdad, Florida. I had these same things on my tree in Japan. Their not really special, but I like getting macro shots of things. Anything. Speaking of nuts, I feel like a squirrel. Trying to get a nut. Which is similar to my dog, Shugo, trying to catch the lazer. The lazer to Shugo is the nut to the squirrel which is also life to me at the moment. I want to do everything! Too many things. Too many distractions. Shugo actually loves squirrels more than the lazer. It's scary.

Photography. Masters Degree. Internship (for the degree). Brian (he's really at the top of my list I promise). Meeting people. Holidays. Walking homeless puppies. Wanting to adopt all homeless puppies. Alaqua Open House. Crossfit Destin (yes, I have finally joined the cult).

I feel hyperactive at the moment! I am not overwhelmed (which is nice) I just feel like a crazy squirrel. Let's do everything all at once! Ready... GO!

Civil War Re-enactment - Bagdad Florida

Heritage Tour and Civil War Re-enactment. Bagdad, Florida. This was my first gathering with the Emerald Coast Photography group that I found on meetup.com. It was a pretty cool event. I love antiques and some of these houses are SO old! It was really cool to walk through them. This whole town was so cute. Just one more place I would LOVE to photograph a couple at. Lots of character. Makes me think exciting things are coming soon. I just know it ;)

The Oasis - A Place to Photograph

This is the Oasis. A beautiful crazy gem I stumbled upon one day as I was driving to Alaqua to walk puppies. I really want to photograph someone here cause it is fun and quirky and different! Old buildings, weird buildings, old and weird paint jobs... all are things that I love to photograph people with :) It has character and that is what I like. Life needs character! And Characters for that matter! What would life be like without those people we call characters? I mean really, we must all admit it would be boring. We need those awkward times to create good stories and excitement to the routines we all have.

So here's to the Oasis! A place of character that will battle the mundane in your life ;)

Cold

It is getting colder. Frosty colder you ask? Well, no. This picture was taken in New Zealand. But it is getting colder here in Florida! This state is weird though because it will be chilly for a day and then it rains and it gets muggy, and then the sun comes out, and then it is perfect, and then it gets overcast and muggy again. So much back and forth! It's nice and annoying all at once :)

I have a plan. A plan I have discussed here before, but am now possibly ready to partake in! Blogging everyday is impossible. For me anyway. I have been feeling a little frazzled lately with moving here and getting settled and I want to do this little project to have something. Something that is consistent in my not-so-consistent life. My plan is to post a picture every other day. I will not always have a wonderful story, because really people, I am a photographer, not a writer. So pictures it is! From the recent to the not-so-recent. Things. Animals. People. Life. This is what I will post about. Every OTHER day :) I think I can handle that, and I think it is an attainable goal :) Yay for goals! I love them.

The Scharenbergs

Many weeks ago while I was visiting family I photographed my big sis and her family.



I was lucky enough to actually be there when my most recent nephew, Sasha Oliver, was born. He was quite the tank barely beating out his big brother at 11.8 lbs (his big bro was 11.5). Lucky Christy huh!?! It'd been a long two years away from these rascals in Japan, and it was fun to get to photograph them :) Their a great wild bunch!

Bugs and Creatures

I kill spiders, and other small creatures. This poor lizzy was an accident; one that may not have even been me. Generally though, when I kill spiders I leave their dead carcasses lying there as a warning to all others who might think about entering my domain. The carcasses of spiders and flying insects often decorate our walls. I am not much of a decorator, but this I am good at. And it regularly bothers Brian. I do feel bad about this lizzy, but it is funny at the same time. I mean, really, what are the odds? I have yet to bury the body and it has already been over two weeks. The nice thing is these things are so tiny their decaying remains don't smell! That, and it's on the outside of the door. Who really has the time to clean up after such accidents anyway?

Last November and Today

Last November I had the opportunity to photograph Yabusame while I was in Japan. Basically the people and horses are all dressed up like Samurai and they race across the beach shooting arrows at targets. It was really awesome to watch. Probably one of my favorite experiences from Japan.

Today Brian is arriving and will be here to stay! We are finally here. Together. It has been a long process as always, but it is exciting! He is checking in today and will have his first full day of EOD school tomorrow :) It's a bit nerve racking cause I know it will be really hard and stressful for him. Military life is something else. It really is. Always changing. Always unpredictable. I love it and I hate it all at once. What does this year hold for us? Lots of time together (I think), stress, studying, new puppy maybe? and a whole lot of excitement I am sure!

That's how this life is. One year your on a beach in Japan photographing Yabusame and the next your in Florida wondering why they still have not picked up your garbage when you set it up two weeks ago...

Two Years Ago

Two years ago today we were on a plane to Japan. An exciting time in our life that just breezed by. Now here I sit today in Florida anxiously awaiting the arrival of our things (from Japan). It was a great experience to say the least. I desperately needed some change in my life at that point and Japan completely filled that need. Though I miss Japan I am excited to be here in Florida and am enjoying finding my way around a new place. Shugo loves how many squirrels are around and the dog park in town is the best we've ever been to! I know I have been terrible about updating, but I feel scrambled and out of sorts with no home. Our stuff arrives on Tuesday and hopefully I can get everything settled quickly! The pic above is actually from our trip to Australia. I just think it is funny and it makes me smile :)

A House!

I hold in my hands the signed lease agreement! We officially have a home and we officially move in next week and our stuff officially arrives next week :) It's official! Ha :) I am quickly getting settled and formulating a plan to meet with all other redheads and slowly take over this part of the world. You people can all think you are safe and that us redheads are "going extint" but I tell you now! I am formulating a plan! Ha ha ha.

Florida

Been a long time. Sure. One road trip and turn around to another road trip/change of life/this is my life :) I had a wonderful successful trip across the country with my sister Julie. Pictures? Yes, took many, but have yet to download being as I am prioritizing my time to getting a home. I arrived in Florida late Friday night and have since found some promising places and hope to fill out paperwork and get into one in the next day or so.

I am learning amazing things about life and people in the last couple of weeks. I love my family. I love my dad and really appreciate him despite all his crazy moments. I love Brian despite all our time apart and my difficulty readjusting to his presence (the poor man thankfully has a lot of patience). And I REALLY love my time to myself. And my time alone with Brian. I don't want children. I don't want to have to share my husband. I am selfish. First step is admitting it.

So I am still not sure what my life here will hold. So far it has been quite interesting. I will have to update past and present as time goes by cause there has been much too much on goings ons :) The picture is the road signs I miss from New Zealand. Nothing quite so interesting in the USA. Although there was a sign in Texas that I unfortunately did not capture... "Don't mess with Texas!" Then in small lettering it said something about not littering. Crazy Texans!

Horses

I am off for a week with horses. Today I am heading up to Reno to check out a horse show and from there I am leaving for Idaho to photograph a bunch of horses for my dad's friend. It'll be a fun trip with my dad, and if any of you know my dad you know it'll be an interesting trip too :) So off to the show I go! And off to explore a new state :) Always good news!

Anxious

I am anxious. Tomorrow I leave for almost a week for a photography job (photographing a horse ranch in Idaho). I will get back next Wednesday and be leaving for Florida Friday. I'll be in Florida by mid-October and I am sure I will breeze right into November being busy with getting settled into a new place. Somehow October has not even started yet and it's already over in my mind. I hate it when that happens.

I am excited for the move, anxious for the question of what will I do with my life now? This should be exciting. It is, but it's also causing some anxiety. Should I get a job? Should I just do photography? I don't want to work evenings or weekends. Will I be able to find something that I can make enough money? We will only be in Florida for one year, what is that enough time to do anyway? The only reason why I get anxious about this is because I want to pay off our student loans as fast as possible and just not think about it anymore. They're not going to go away fast at all if I don't get some kind of work.

So what do I need to do? CHILLAX and enjoy the ride. This is my life. It changes constantly and I want to enjoy it. So this picture reminds me to relax and enjoy the ride. Cause that is just what I was doing :) I can't get the stupid pic the right size so I am letting it go, unperfected, cause life is just that way sometimes (or a lot of the time).

No Children Please

There has been a children overload. My goal was merely to spend some much needed time with all the nieces and nephews that I haven't seen in two years and in the process give their parents a little break along with reinforcing my birth control. All of that worked, but I also reached an overload of children. They are so cute and yet they can drive you so crazy. Two sisters, each with four children, a cousin with two kids and a close friend with two more. That many kids in close proximity can create serious madness for one who so loves her single life (and by single I mean NO CHILDREN, not single/not married... me and Brian are single together :) and after this weekend I think we'd like to keep it that way for quite some time.



Tricky little rascals that draw you in with their cuteness and then destroy you slowly and painfully over several days.

South Island New Zealand

There are many many MANY pictures from my trip. I want to show millions but I also want to move on with the whole posting of thing that happened two months ago. So here's to cramming all the South Island into one post. We went on a day tour to Te Anau and the bus made stops for pictures along the way. Very beautiful scenery. Very terrible time of day.



Beautiful Mirror lakes. Kristan got a WAY better shot with her super cool fish eye. And she also got a super cool video with her super cool 5D MarkII. Just a tad jealous :)



We went on a cruise through Milford Sound. Awesomely awesome!



Dolphins were racing our boat...



Seals waving hello...



What's a trip to the south island in winter without taking a helicopter ride onto a glacier?





Our beautiful drive from Queenstown to Christchurch





This spot was SUPER windy. The water was SO aqua blue and beautiful!





A lovely view of Christchurch. We had a great time on both islands. We saw less of the south island, but we also spent more money and did more exciting things there. Things that will likely be posted of on some random day. Actually, there is only one thing missing since I have pics of the Milford Sound and heli ride. Very very beautiful. MUST go back! Brian definitely missed out and I will have to go back with him and backpack through some bush country :)