Kellie's journal...

My Blog has a New Home!

2009-09-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

Please visit:

http://blog.kelliecarterphotography.com

See You There!

An Opportunity of a Lifetime!

2009-05-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

While attending the Alltech Symposium as an event photographer I was able to capture these awesome moments as the Alltech-Muhammad Ali Center Global Education and Charitable Fund was announced!

Yes, he is looking at ME!

Trampoline Fun

2009-05-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

My question is this ... Is he actually helping her IN or OUT???

Sibling Attempt at Humor for Mom's Camera! :P

Country Music 1/2 Marathon~Nashville, TN

2009-04-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

I survived and I was very happy to have completed the race!

It was very difficult mentally and physically, but I ran ever step of the way!!

Getting through mile #12 was the hardest part! Every inch of me wanted to stop and walk, but I kept trying to visualize the finish line and thinking of the Church I passed downtown with signs from Hebrews 12:1...."let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" Having over two hours with my thoughts this really meant a lot to me. Many times things are difficult and we forget what we are 'running' for in life but we have a purpose to keep going!!

Running a 1/2 marathon has been on my 'to do' list for over a year now and I am so happy that I was able to do it and do it well!

Start time temperature was 75 degrees! It was hot ... very hot and I never imagined the streets of Nashville were all UP HILL!!! Who knew???

Congratulations to my Mother in Law Deb too!! She completed the race today too!!! Go DeDe!!

Also, Please remember the runner who made it to Mile 13 and her legs collapsed and she couldn't go any further .... she only had .1 mile to go in her race and didn't get to finish. This just broke my heart with her disappointment. I haven't been able to get her off my mind! I do hope and pray she is doing well!

*On another sad note, I was completely unaware that a 25 year old Fort Campbell soldier died shortly after completing the 1/2 marathon. Here is the press release: http://www.wbir.com/news/health/story.aspx?storyid=85919&catid=3

I did see a young soldier along the route running dressed in full military attire ... I can't help but wonder if that was this young man.

Only a brief glimpse of the insane crowd of people! 32,500 people were registered for the 10th anniversary of the Country Music City Marathon and 1/2 Marathon and they were expecting 100,000 spectators!

Oh yeah ... one more thing! Around mile 3-4 I started hearing this funny noise coming up behind me and I thought to myself 'What in the world?' Well .... I got passed by a guy wearing a grass skirt, a coconut bra, huge straw hat and FLIP FLOPS!!!!!

Shannon said he never saw him at the finish line so it makes me wonder exactly how far he made it like that!! It was a good laugh! I also saw a man juggling, a woman with a hula hoop and a man kicking a soccer ball along the way!!! I did well to run much less add anything else to it! There were many times I wish I had a camera or video camera with me so someone would actually believe what all I experienced today!!

Cytomax .. the official sponsor ... I truly believe the devil himself invented it! yuck yuck!!

I hope I never ever see it again!!!

Official photo from the start line!

It took me 45 minutes to even see the starting gate!!!

http://www.cmmarathon.com/home.html

My Official Race Time Results!

(I wasn't first .... but I sure wasn't last either!!!)

22749 Finishers - 8244 M / 14505 F

19534

Kellie

Carter

Monticello

2:34:47

3:08:29

12550

6661

1210

42.8%

2009-04-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

2009-04-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

2009-04-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter ... Better Late than Never!

2009-04-22T19:38:00.000-07:00

Senior Session Sneak Peak

2009-04-04T13:53:00.000-07:00

Senior Photography Promotion!

2009-03-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

Day Two Home From School

2009-03-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

Emma has started feeling better which caused her second day home from school to make her a little stir crazy!! She begged for me to take her to the grocery .. to the park .. ANYWHERE!!

I told her I didn't think it would be a good idea for us to run around if she was too sick to go to school! Her response was, "YOU WERE THE ONE WHO WOULDN'T LET ME GO TO SCHOOL!"

At least she has an answer for everything!

So ... we went for a walk! She wanted to take her camera and we were off to look for signs of spring!

When you are feeling bad ... It's Always good to have a Friend Near by!

2009-03-15T15:35:00.000-07:00

Mid-March Snow Day!

2009-03-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

It was Wet and COLD so I didn't venture too far from the side walk last Friday when it snowed! ;0) It really was beautiful though!

When I started back in the house this is what I saw 'peeking' out the window!!

Flashes of Hope

2009-02-26T15:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a truly Awesome Day!!!

I had the opportunity to participate with the Flashes of Hope organzation in Louisville's Kosair Children's Hospital with Tim and Natalie Webb doing portraits for children and their families who are fighting cancer or other serious life threatening illnesses.

This type of work really tugs at my heart and I feel very passionate about anything I can do to 'give back' .... especially to children and their families when they need a smile the most!

These are just a few of the behind the scenes photos from the day! I am anxious to see the proofs Tim will provide for the families!

There is a link on the home page to make a donation to this organzation!

A $25.00 donation covers the processing and framing for one family!

Don't you just love when a Picture makes your heart sigh???

2009-02-26T15:39:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning off a memory card today and look what I found!!!

One evening I was playing around with a new background idea and lights when my entire family stuck their head in the door to see what I was up too .....

It didn't take too much to convince them to have a seat!

I really had no idea how they would turn out and just kept playing around!

I am sure there are many ways I could 'technically' improve these shots, but goodness .... how much happier could these make a wife and mother!??!! ;0)

Emma made a quick outfit change during the process!

Dalton's Birthday Collage

2009-02-22T19:35:00.000-08:00

The talented Shelly Keefe of Shelly Keefe Photography fixed Emma a collage similar to this one from our photo shoot she won in North Carolina.

When I saw it I knew I wanted one for Dalton too ....so this is what I created!

I can't wait to seem them both hung side by side!!

Making Cupcakes

2009-02-20T18:26:00.000-08:00

Keeping it Real .... this is my kitchen and my mess!!

Emma's School Project.... 100 Days of School!

2009-02-20T18:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, Emma's Mommy sewed on every single button!!

I was so proud when she came from school and they all were still attached!!!!

The Twilight Series .... Loooooved It!

2009-02-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

This Project Brought Back a Few Memories!

2009-02-20T17:58:00.000-08:00

Friday Night Around the House

2009-02-20T17:54:00.000-08:00

I knew these two were being too quiet .... when I went to investigate I found a strange site!

South East KY Bridal Show

2009-02-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

http://www.southeastkybridalshow.com/

A Day with Dalton!

2009-02-02T19:07:00.000-08:00

Dalton promised me that he would let me do some birthday pictures of him ... when the weather warmed up! I don't think he realized that it would get up to 55 degrees so soon!! But, he was ready and willing!

We spent over an hour out and about and he went along with all my crazy antics and never complained or rolled his eyes once! Impressive if you ask me!! ;0) We had the best time and lots of good laughs!

I have photos that I love of them when Emma was '1' and Dalton was '5' that I am not sure if I will ever replace on the wall, but I really wanted '5' and '10' so I am excited to finally have what I need to make that happen!

Here are just a few ... I can not decide what I like the best!! I am so pleased with how they turned out! Dalton is proud of them too! ;0)

Is This the Life or What??

2009-01-29T08:57:00.000-08:00

I snapped this with my iPhone yesterday during the snow! We had never seen her get this close to the fireplace, but she seemed to be warm and cozy!!

Is it Ice ... or Rain .. or Both?

2009-01-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

I never really figure it out because this is as far as I got out of the house today! ;0)

Emma and I are working a school Project!!!!

2009-01-25T14:30:00.001-08:00

Any Guesses what it could be???

Out With the Old ... In With the NEW....

2009-01-25T14:23:00.000-08:00

Why Yes.... This is my TOASTER... that started with me at WKU in the dorm room.... it sat on my bookshelf and cooked many many pop tarts .... traveled to EKU and to every house that Shannon and I have lived in since we have been Married!!!

Shannon couldn't believe I was actually going to show you how bad it got ..... but I felt a little loyal to it and never replaced it... until today!!!

But it's replacement has been introduced to the family ... My guess is that we probably won't have to hold down the lever to keep it on for at least a few years .... maybe longer than 16!! lol

Better Late Than Never .... Christmas!

2009-01-21T18:37:00.000-08:00

Perfect North

2009-01-19T17:49:00.000-08:00

Surely it is good for you if it gives good advice! ;0)

2009-01-17T19:52:00.000-08:00

Happy 10th Birthday Dalton!

2009-01-15T19:13:00.000-08:00

He didn't want a cake ... he didn't want ice cream .... all he wanted was Brownies!

Guess what he wanted ...... More Star Wars Legos!

Guess What Mommy bought him!?

It was finally time to work on the massive Lego project ... and guess who wasn't invited?!

The reason why Mom doesn't help with Legos ..... INSTRUCTIONS!

Emma found her own entertainment!

Ninny called to wish Dalton a Happy Birthday and I caught this grin!

A Walk down Memory Lane ....1-15-99

2009-01-15T18:23:00.000-08:00

a 5 year old's version of 'I fixed My own Lunch!'

2009-01-13T11:57:00.000-08:00

Guess Who Received the Citizenship Award Today?!

2009-01-13T11:43:00.001-08:00

Music City ...Registration Paid, Pain has begun! ;0)

2009-01-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am Back!!!

2009-01-10T12:27:00.000-08:00

Tim Webb and I had a conversation this week that really got me to thinking about why I love photography and why over the last few months of being so busy that my camera often didn't leave my camera bag when I wasn't out and about shooting sessions for other people.

So a 2009 resolution is to stop and not forgot why I love what I do! ;0)

First stop along the way..........Tim is documenting his photo diary with 1000 ways to shoot an Ale8 Bottle..... and I laughed when I stopped at a gas station yesterday and ran in to buy a diet coke and realized this was my 'drug' of choice and there is probably a story long the way. I was tempted and on an impulse and bought a liter version of my favorite drink... possibly even food! lol!! An entire liter! I laughed about it several times during the day when I went to pick it up and felt like I needed two hands!! I was talking on the phone at work and looked down at my desk and this is what I saw :

;0)

It was just so 'me' and I couldn't resist getting my phone out of my purse and documenting it!

Notice the bottle says 'Live Positively'..... Yep ... that's why I buy it! lol

For those that visit my blog from time to time .... you may find some funny things along the way, but here is to a great 2009!!

Just Hanging Out!

Yep ... this is what this child thinks of my camera too!!

Winter time around the house!

Oh my ......

I loved loved loved this!

Can you believe Dalton will be 10 years old this week!!!! WOW!!!!

And this one thinks she is 10 going on 16!!

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T20:26:00.000-08:00

Many have been asking or inquiring about my lack of blog posting lately .... I promise I haven't forgotten all about it ....I have just been a 'little' busy!

What a year 2008 has been!

Bigger and Better than I ever imagined!!

Here is a small sampling of some of my favorite images over the last few months!

There are lots of things in store for 2009 .... I can hardly wait!

Happy New Year with many Blessings!!!

Merry Christmas from our House to Yours!

2008-12-21T11:56:00.000-08:00

Guess Who Turned '1'?!!!

2008-12-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

Gourmet Birthday Dog Biscuits Delivered Right on Time! ;0)

Dear Blog ... I am so sorry I have Neglected you!

2008-12-12T19:13:00.000-08:00

Life has been busy ... that's for sure!

I promise to do better!

These are photos from our 2nd Annual Davis family trip to Gatlinburg!

Another Toothless Grin ... Tears and All

2008-11-17T08:38:00.000-08:00

After spending the weekend in Gatlinburg with my family we started home yesterday and Emma finally decided that after trying to eat an oreo with her ridiculous loose tooth that it was time for it to come out! I climbed in the back seat with her to 'try' to help her, but I am such a wimp when it comes to do with anything relating to a dentist!! Shannon finally had to take an exit off of 1-75 and thought he would give it a try....(he has the same phobia as me in this department) So after a few uneventful attempts I got the privilege of getting it out!

Emma immediately wanted a photo to send to P-Pa so Shannon took this one with his iphone ... tears, blood and all!

When we were getting ready for bed last night I remembered that when she lost her first tooth ....her school pictures were the next day! Wouldn't you know that Christmas pictures at school will be taken today! What is up with that??

It looks pretty cute though!!

Election Day is FINALLY here!

2008-11-03T10:06:00.000-08:00

State Cross Country Meet

2008-11-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

Davis, Caroline and Dalton

We are so proud of these 3!

Lexington, KY

November 1, 2008

Davis congratulating Caroline after her Race!

CJ and Dalton

The kids had some 'surprise' spectactors to watch them race!!

RG and Dalton

Poppy helping Dalton get his shoes laced up!

Yes....'I' was there too!! ;0)

Caroline worked diligently pinning her number to her jersey!

Davis was glad to have some help!

Halloween ... a day early! ;0)

2008-10-31T10:42:00.001-07:00

Dalton will be racing bright and early Saturday morning in the State Cross Country meet so we decided to trick or treat a day early!

Emma wanted to be Sharpay from HSM ... again!

Dalton wanted to be Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars .... again!

So in the full theme of the event of being 'simple'....... I went as 'Mom' ... with my point and shoot camera ... no one could believe it! gasp

Dalton's Last Regular Season Cross Country Meet

2008-10-31T08:27:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Fun!

2008-10-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

'Someone' wanted to eat the pumpkins!! Yuck!!

A Sunday Afternoon well spent ......

2008-10-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

From cnn: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/10/christian.fireproof.success.ap/index.html

I had heard and read a lot about this movie and when Mom and Dad offered to let the kids spend the afternoon with them after Church we knew exactly what we wanted to. This is very touching and emotional movie and so refreshing to see a movie about how marriages should be treated. I could tell you so much about it ... but you really should see it for yourself! Kellie

We think we will always remember those silly things they say ....

2008-10-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

http://inchmark.squarespace.com/inchmark/2008/9/9/magical-thinking.html

My Mom told me about a Grandmother of one of her preschooler's that did this and I thought it was so neat! I started my own 'jar' when Emma was smaller and it over time got pushed out of site and out of mind. When I ran across this article today it made me start thinking about it again and all the funny things ... especially Emma... says these days! I could write a book on her!

Just thought I would share!!

Cousins.... lots of Cousins!

2008-10-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to CJ and Soledad

2008-10-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

Shannon's cousin CJ got married yesterday!

We were unable to be with them, but we were definitely there in heart!!

I was getting Emma ready for bed Tuesday night and Shannon came bounding up the stairs grinning from ear to ear with his iphone glued to his face and said, 'GUESS WHO IS GETTING MARRIED ... TOMORROW!?'

Shannon doesn't have a little brother, but I could have easily been fooled that it wasn't CJ when Shannon and I first started dating. They have a bond much deeper than cousins!

The first time I met CJ was at Shannon's high school graduation .... this little boy came up to me and said, 'Are you Shannon's girlfriend?' I wasn't really sure what to say....I had only know Shannon about two weeks and I had No IDEA who this little kid was! ;0)

CJ also snuck away from everyone to go with Shannon to pick up my engagement ring and of course he was a groomsman on our special day!

We are just so happy for them! They literally just glow when they are together!

We wish them all the happiness in the world!!

Busy Busy ....

2008-09-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

What I have been up to lately ...

2008-09-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

http://timwebbphotography.com/whats_up/web_diary/Images2008/ReedWedding.htm

How cool is that?!!

I 'borrowed' my Niece for a while this afternoon .....

2008-09-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

and she didn't seem to mind too much! ;0) She actually just decided to spend the night with us!

Pregnancy Glow

2008-09-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

I had the priviledge this weekend of spending some time with Brad and Jessica who are expecting their first baby in October!

After attending Sandy Puc's Bellies and Babies class, I asked them if they would be interested in some maternity photos...I was so afraid they would think I was crazy and say, 'NO', but to my surprise they eagerly said, 'YES' and were so excited! They totally trusted me and went with my crazy thoughts and I can't help but think ;0) ... that what we captured was AWESOME! I so wish I had these kinds of photos when we were expecting our own children!

Brad and Jessica are going to be the best parents! They are both glowing already!!

I am so anxious to meet their new little bundle of joy!

Could Not Possibly be Any Prouder ....

2008-09-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

How Did I possibly have a child with legs this long??? ;0)

I love the emotion in this one..... it takes Dalton a few minutes to cool down to take in the race!

Proud Sibilings!

Trying to find shade before the race!

I do not know how Emma talked P-Pa into doing this! It was soooooo HOT!!

And they are OFF!

Go Dalton Go!

This almost looked like a smile of accomplishment to me!

It was an uphill finish so he was looking 'up' to the finish line!

Dalton's first race fell on Poppy's Birthday! Poppy was so proud! He said it was an awesome Birthday Present!

Here He Comes!

Super Fast Cousins!

i do Signature Events Open House

2008-09-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

i do Signature Events is now open for business!http://idosignatureevents.com

My friend Sarah Burton has just launched an awesome new business and I know she will have great success!! She is very talented and passionate with her work!!Check out the link above to her website!
Sarah invited me this past week to take some photos of her open house and I was completely honored with the opportunity! We had a great time and many family and friends came to show their support and best wishes! Thanks Sarah!

i do signature events from Kellie Carter on Vimeo.

Pure Sweetness!!

2008-09-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

This just makes me want to sigh .......! Isn't she just the sweetest!!

My friend Christina has been so kind to me by letting me 'borrow' her sweet daughter for photography practice!

Isn't she just adorable?!!! I just can barely remember my kids being this small!

She was my 'first' baby model and I look so forward to watching her grow through my camera lens! ;0)

Has it really been 7 years?

2008-09-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

I have come to my blog twice today to upload new pictures from the last few days, but it just didn't seem right.....

Has it really be 7 years? I remember exactly where I was standing at the office, what I was doing when I saw everything unfold LIVE on The Today Show.

Just so hard to believe that it actually happened.

I can still see the images from pictures and news stories just like it was earlier today and it happened even before Emma was born!

I thought this poem I ran across was very fitting:

Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

[Reportedly inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta, and attributed to her. However, an article in the New York Times has since reported (March 8, 2002) that the original version of this poem was written by Kent M. Keith.]

The whole shoot and and nothing but the shoot....by Shelly Keefe

2008-09-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

from Shelly's blog:

"Wait no more, the whole Fresh Face of 2008 shoot is now available for viewing. I’m gonna have such a hard time picking out images to use in my portfolio. ....

I now present to you, Emma- Fresh Face 2008 full shoot."

Shelly Keefe

http://www.shellykeefe.com/gallery/CarterAlbum/

Dalton's First Run!

2008-08-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

We sure did have to get up early and get moving this morning to go to Dalton's first run! He was up and ready .... it was the rest of us that moved a little slower!!

He participated in the Lake Cumberland One Mile Fun Run!

Getting warmed up with his running buddies!

Stretch!

And they are off!

Run Dalton Run!
(My apologies for the blur ... I apparently am a terrible 'action' photographer! I prefer my subjects to be sitting still!) ;0)

Today's Running Crew:
DeDe, Poppy, Davis, Dalton & Caroline!

DeDe, Poppy and Davis did the 5K!!
Davis smoked them all coming in at 23:50!!! He was the third runner overall to finish!!
Amazing!! Congratulations!

Dalton and Poppy reviewing the results! Dalton's time was 8:17!!

Caroline looking beautiful even this early in the morning and after her super fast run!!!!

Emma didn't run today, but she wanted to show me her missing tooth ... again!!

I probably took over 150 pictures this morning, but this was by far my favorite one of the day! I love Davis' smile ....so unaware that I was in the stretching huddle snapping away! ;0)

Another one from our Sneak Peak!

2008-08-28T06:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.shellykeefe.com/blog/?p=116

Just Because ....<3

2008-08-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

Miss Miley ...working the camera!

2008-08-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

"All" of Emma didn't come home from School Today!!!

2008-08-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

When Uncle Tony dropped Emma off at my office today this is what I discovered::::::

Oh My!
I was so not expecting this!! She was so proud of it! I am still trying to piece the story of how it happened together! Her class had a substitute today so I may never know for sure!

It is literally a 'lost' tooth because Emma didn't tell anyone she had lost it and couldn't find it herself! She was upset about the tooth fairy not being able to come, but we decided if she wrote the tooth fairy a letter she might be understanding! ;0)

Wouldn't you know that tomorrow is School Picture day!

a 'twitterfic' weekend!

2008-08-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

**************UPDATE***********
Shelly left a 'sneak' peak for us on her blog!
http://www.shellykeefe.com/blog/
AWESOME!

Remember that contest I entered Emma in and she won???

Well, we traveled down to Charlotte, NC to meet the photographer this weekend!

It was well worth the wait!

http://www.shellykeefe.com/

Shelly was awesome! Emma instantly clicked with her and they had a great session!

Emma's 'thick' southern accent highly amused this photographer originally from New York!

She loved it!

We met downtown Charlotte at Independence Park and it was absolutely beautiful!

Shelly hoped to have Emma's pictures online later in the week so I will keep all of you who voted updated on that!

I know you will want to check them out!!

I actually left home without my own camera this weekend! **gasp** but Shannon came to the rescue with his new iPhone! I had to twist his arm all weekend to use it! lol!

He kept a log of our adventures via Twitter and I thought it would be fun to share!

There are even some pictures from along the way!

http://twitter.com/shannoncarter

A Baby Gift!

2008-08-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

My Mom is invited to a baby shower for a friend's grandchild this weekend and she wanted to give the parents to be a 'unique' baby gift and she came to me! How cool is that?

We printed this awesome gift certificate which is redeemable for: a newborn photo session, 4x6 Finao photo album and 20 photos of the parents choice.

What new Mom wouldn't love that?! I am so excited about it for them!

Mr. Cool ....

2008-08-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

My Favorite Flower Pots this Summer!

2008-08-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

Homework in Kindergarten .. I do not remember this! ;0)

2008-08-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten Prayers

2008-08-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

When I picked up Emma today I asked her if she had a good day at school!

She said her stomach hurt only once and that she prayed "Please God Make it Stop" and she said he did! ;0)

Kingergarten ... Day 1

2008-08-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

You know that commercial ... Life comes at you Fast?
I cannot even remember for the life of me what it is advertising, but anyway .... that is how I felt this morning!

I took Dalton to school first and he wanted to be dropped off at the front door! gasp! Did he feel confident enough to do this on his own or would I have embarrassed him?? I choose to believe the first! I was so proud of him! He just jumped out and disappeared into school! 4th grade.... oh man!

Then for Miss Emma! It took FOREVER to even get to the Elementary School's parking lot! After we got out of the car she grabbed for my hand and I mean she held on tight!! When we got in the front door Mom always comes and brings her preschool staff to greet the Kindergartner's on the first day so they will see some familiar faces! This makes the parents and children feel so much more relaxed. Of course we saw Nana first and she walked to the classroom with us! Along the way we got to see Mrs. Tracy and Mrs. Sharon too! This made Emma's day!!

Thanks to Nana for taking these pictures ... I am not sure my hands would have been steady enough! I just had this huge lump in my throat... especially when Emma turned to me and just hung on for a few seconds. I knew she was fine, but I could just see that look in her eyes!

I don't know what's wrong with me! The last two days have been unreal!

This is Emma's friend Luke from Sandy's! She was so glad to see him this morning!

Nana called awhile ago to report that Emma had gotten through breakfast just fine and she and Luke were catching up!

Off To School .....

2008-08-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

Ready for 4th Grade!!

Kindergarten here I come!

The Purple Blanket ...

2008-08-06T06:06:00.001-07:00

I really should have taken a picture of it, but honestly I didn't want to see it again right now! ;0)

I don't even really remember when Sandy and I noticed Emma clinging to her 'blankie', but it was definitely early on. We had a few times we had to go back to Sandy's to pick it up and/or trips back home to get it so we came up with a solution.... a Sandy's Blankie! The beloved blankie at home was pink so we chose a purple one just like it for Sandy's.

I honestly had not thought much more about it at all until yesterday .............................

Sandy is my Aunt and my kids' GREAT AUNT! She has been their childcare provider since they were old enough to go! This has kept me at Sandy's doorstep almost daily for almost 9 years!! When Dalton went to school Emma was right there in line to take his 'spot' so yesterday was a first!

The kids have had a teenage girl to come to the house to play with them over the summer so we really hadn't seen Sandy very much, but with the beginning of school and Sandy going back to work she invited Emma to come on Monday and Tuesday. Emma was so excited!

When I picked her up yesterday we were just chatting and then I saw out of the corner of my eye what Sandy was holding ....... the purple blankie. That was all it took.... we both were a mess. I didn't expect it to hit me so hard! It isn't like we will never see her..... I knew it wouldn't be the same! By now Emma is looking at us like we are completely crazy and finally says, 'Well let's just leave it here and I can get it next time!" Complete innocence!

We finally got it back together and went on, but my heart did kind of hurt a little this morning when I watched Emma slip her purple 'blankie' in her bookbag as we were getting out of the car to march to Kindergarten .......................................

Two 'New' Things at our house ....

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First .... Dalton has a new set of eyes!

I took the kids for their eye exams before school starts and discovered Dalton's eyes had changed quite a bit from last year. I really hadn't noticed him having any trouble. It just broke my heart to realize he had inherited my eyesight.

We picked up the new frames on Tuesday. He put them on for a minute .... looked in the mirror.... took them off and put them in his new case. I thought to myself that this may be a long battle so I asked him to try them on one more time so they could check their fit before we left..... well that was honestly the last time he has taken them off other than bedtime.

I think he quickly realized that his world was totally different around him!

The first thing he said was, 'Mom, things don't look fuzzy like I thought they were supposed to!'

Then this one really got me .... he was doing something on the computer up on the loft and he asked me to come and let him show me something... I was starting supper so I walked around to the great room and looked up at him and he looked over and said, 'MOM! I can see you!'

Oh that hurt! I had no idea ......

I really think starting school with them will be easier than getting them mid year! He hasn't seen a lot of friends in his class during the summer and I am sure everyone has grown and changed! He worried about it before the glasses came, but has not mentioned it since.

He would NOT let me take his picture with them on when he first got them! I thought he looked so handsome..........so I finally 'tricked' him into taking a picture with Miley yesterday ... even though she wouldn't cooperate! ;0)

This is the other 'new' thing! Emma's Kindergarten haircut!! Thank goodness the 'mouse' didn't do it! She actually wanted it cut like this so it would be like Caroline's!

It just so fits her personality! She is so proud of it... although she wouldn't sit still long enough for me to take pictures of her to show it off! I caught these last night at VBS!

Look what I found while sorting through some files ...

2008-07-30T09:19:00.001-07:00

How did I miss this one?? Love it!

You Gotta Love My 'New' Red Couch!

2008-07-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

I never get tired of these eyes .....

2008-07-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

The coolest Gift .............EVER!

2008-07-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore Jessica Claire! She is Named one of the TOP 10 WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE WORLD: 2008 by American Photo Magazine. She just has the coolest style and I want to be her... when I grow up! lol!

She designed this cool bag called the "ShootSac' to make on location photos shoots a breeze while protecting your lenses! (They are also pretty stylish!)

I have wanted one for awhile now, but just couldn't justify it in my mind when I had a nice heavy and clunky camera back pack.

So the story begins when I got home from work yesterday ........

Our sitter this summer casually mentioned the UPS man being there and then something about the driveway sensor not working correctly. No big deal.... so I asked Dalton where the package was that UPS brought! He completely ignored me. I thought it was odd so I asked again..... because I was expecting a package from the print lab. He still ignored me. I asked again ... and he finally replied that it was a new Nintendo cover and Dad said to put it in his room and he would get it later.

Now why did I not leave it at that?!!!

No...I just didn't.

I asked again about the where abouts of the package so I could see if maybe it was mine instead.

He ignored me AGAIN!

I finally was like 'Dalton you need to tell me where that package is!'

Then to my horror he starts crying! I had no clue what was going on. He was a blubbering mess saying something about Dad was going to be so mad, and Megan ruined the surprise and that I was going to be mad .... and on and on.

I finally said ...'You better tell me know what is going on!'

This is when he blurted out, 'Dad ordered you something for your anniversary and he wanted me to keep it a secret...................and now YOU ruined it!'

Can you only imagine how my heart felt at this moment!

I tried to soothe it over by saying, 'Dalton it is our anniversary! Mom and Dad sometimes get each other something. You didn't ruin anything ....I still have no idea what it even is!'

(While secretly in my mind thinking I am going to get Shannon because we had agreed to not exchange gifts this year!)

But anyway .... I couldn't help but just bust out laughing at this point and Dalton just cried harder! He is so mad at me at this point and I am feeling worse by the minute!

I assured him it was not a big deal at all and I was so sorry!

When Shannon got home I said, 'The funniest thing happened with Dalton today...." So I proceeded to tell him the story and I could tell by the look on his face he was busted.

I said, 'What did you do!?"

He takes off to the bedroom and comes back with this super ultra cool present!

I was just stunned!!

He picked it out and ordered it without me knowing anything about it!

Another cool thing ... He got the limited edition JC Birthday cover! Only 100 of them sold and I got one of them! It came with a signed and numbered card!

I am still excitied about it this morning!!!!

I keep telling you my husband is the best!!!

Okay ... anybody got any really cool ideas to get him! ;0)

And another really funny thing ............my package came from the print lab as well! Two packages in one day! They could have planned more carefully and still totally threw me off!

They were sneaky, but not sneaky enough!

I promise I haven't forgotten about my Blog ....

2008-07-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

I have had a 'house guest' this week and we have been a little busy! ;0)

Would you consider this a 'bad' hair day?

2008-07-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't laugh .... I sure didn't let her take a picture of me! ;0)

Has the suspense killed anyone!? ;0)

2008-07-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

Since I have been getting numerous hits on my blog per day I guess maybe I have stirred a little bit of curiosity?
Maybe? Just a little?

This has been a long time in the making!
From a fleeting thought to just a day dream to a reality!
With the encouragement of family, friends and most of all my wonderful husband I want to share with you:

Kellie Carter Photography
http://www.kelliecarterphotography.com/

I am so excited!

I am currently working to build my portfolio.

Email me to find out more about about the great portfolio building pricing specials available.

I love to work on-location with natural light and I look forward to photographing newborns, maternity, children, families and seniors.

Hello?.........Did Anyone Miss Me?! ;0)

2008-07-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Just Checking!
We have been on vacation in case anyone missed my 'blogging' over the past few days ..... or also know as just picture posting for me! ;0)

We just returned from our family vacation at Destin! It was a great trip with the only exception being JELLY FISH and LOTS of them!!
Check out the Vimeo videos from our week on the right ....>>>>over there>>>>

I made this photo of us on the Beach and considering I was having to RUN back and forth to set up the shot ...I was pretty pleased with it!

Hang tight this week!! I have a BIG announcement to share with you!
***it is only picture related....i promise***

(I am biting my nails nervous with anticipation, but Shannon says it is time to show it off!)

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

Bubbles while waiting for it to get dark! Fun!

Nana and the Boys

Time for Sparklers! These things NEVER get old!!

Waiting on Dalton at Piano Lessons .....................

2008-07-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

<3

2008-07-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

My Husband is the Best ...............

2008-07-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

He will patiently endure my camera to let me practice fiddling with my camera!
(I have long given up on the kids letting me do this with them!)

Those of you who personally know Shannon, understand that he would much rather be 'out of the picture' so that is why these are even more special to me!

I thought they turned out awesome (even if I do say so myself!) ;0)

The biggest compliment of all .... was he let me post them here to show of my work!

Daylillies

2008-06-29T20:09:00.001-07:00

Daylillies, originally uploaded by kaydcarter.

'Sour' Apples

2008-06-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

2008-06-28T20:07:00.000-07:00

I really really really do not like Feet ..... but .....

2008-06-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

Our girls day out was too fun not to tell you about it!!
While Dalton was gone to 4-h camp, I took Emma for her very first Manicure and Pedicure (actually just getting them painted, but she thought it was real!)
She wanted me to get mine too ... and she picked the color!
I like pink ... but this was glow in the dark HOT PINK! ;0)
Maw Maw Zula would have been sooooooooooooo proud!!!

Another Great Day for a Ride!

2008-06-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

OH NO .. My Heart Skips a few beats looking through my camera lens at this site!!!

I much prefer seeing Dad on the Back!!!!

Ready to Ride!

4-H Camp

2008-06-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

Uncle Tony went to 4-h camp too so he got some pretty cool 'on scene' photos!
Hop over to the McCracken Family Blog to check them out!

http://mcfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/2008/06/4-h-camp.html

Off to 4-h Camp!

2008-06-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

Guess What is "new" at the Carter's house??

2008-06-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

Remind me to NEVER send a blank check when the guys go shopping ................

somehow, Emma ended up with one as well!!!

I never get tired of taking pics of my niece!

2008-06-23T06:16:00.001-07:00

Something About Me ......

2008-06-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

Maybe it isn't A LOT, but I could not help but believe and hope that I have made a small difference in the life of someone else along the way......

Miss Miley

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