While at the McDonalds drive thru

New addition to the family!

My nephew Eric and his wife Andrea recently had their second son, Maddox. Last weekend while at my Mom and Dad's I got a chance to take some photos of the baby. I'm posting a few of my favorites.

Football Pics

US Sailor

Countdown has begun.....

The countdown has begun for us to move home to Louisiana. Chris has taken a job and will leave this weekend so he can start work on March 3rd. The company he is going to work for has also hired me, but I will not be leaving until the end of March. We have to give a 30 day notice on the house and there's a lot of packing to be done!!!

We're both excited but a little sad to move back home. It was a really great experience for us, and a chance for us to be a couple and I think it brought us much closer. Chris and I have always had a good relationship, but being out here on our own with only each other to fall back on has really deepened our love. (i know...sappy)

We have had a lot of fun here, made friends and had a gorgeous home to live in. Chris has learned a new trade, I've learned new photography skills and we've seen some beautiful scenery. Now it's time to go home.....

The last year was rough being away from family, especially when things got really bad and we couldn't go be with our loved ones. When we did get to go home, we felt rushed because we wanted to be able to see everyone and sometimes couldn't. HAHA now that we're going to be moving home, I don't think we'll be as popular any more!

While we are sad to be leaving....there are a lot of reasons for us to be happy to be going home....Family being #1 on that list! We've missed out on a lot of things and being gone has made us appreciate our families more.

We also both have new jobs to be going home to. I'm sad that I can't go back to AFPG, but they have no opening for me, so I will start a new adventure. I also have some great things lined up for my photography business!!! I'm really excited about that! I have many more contacts and chances to grow the business in Louisiana.

We have talked about having a huge family get together this summer similar to how we did our wedding. I'll let everyone know when that happens!

Look for us soon coming to a town near you!!! haha

Day 2 in Chicago

The graduation was great! We couldn't find Ryan in the group through the whole ceremony, and when we found him afterwards, he was looked shocked to see us! Since flights had been cancelled on Wednesday, he figured we would be able to come. We got to spend a little time with him and we went to buy some Navy stuff, lol. I got a Navy Mom license plate holder, mug, cap and sailor bear that plays Anchors Aweigh.

Ryan looks sooo handsome in his uniform!! I found him in a few of the pictures when we got back to the hotel, but even with my zoom lens, he was too far away to see! lol
We had to come back to the hotel and wait for him to process to his new school. He will call us when he's finished and hopefully he will have leave for the whole weekend!! We'd like to go into Chicago tomorrow and see some things!

I've been trying to upload photos for the past 1/2 hour and blogger is giving me a fit!!! So I'm just going to post this one for now. Will post more later!


Offically in the United States Navy!!!!!

Chicago!!

I have arrived in Chicago!! After a bumpy plane ride next to a VERY RUDE (w)ITCH!!!
I wanted to choke her. I couldn't lean back because I am a nice person and the guy behind me was already stuffed into his tiny seat. The guy in front of me had NO problem leaning back to the point he was in my face!! I couldn't look at a magazine without holding it in the aisle and then I couldn't see it because the tiny light wouldn't reach it. The (w)ITCH beside me made herself VERY comfortable. She leaned her seat back, stretched her legs out and slumped sideways in her seat. Three times, she put her foot on my laptop under the seat in front of me. I promptly kicked her foot back to her side. She stayed that way the WHOLE trip. She sat up as we landed and were on the tarmac. Then she opened up the window and promptly put her ugly face up in the window so I couldn't see anything. I had to look out the window across the aisle. Let me tell you....that plane was TINY. MY butt BARELY fit into that seat!!!!!! They need to make planes and seatbeltf for FAT people. LOL

When the plane took off and for a while in the air, I was so dizzy! I thought I was going to pass out!!! When we landed, it was better!! lol I went to get my luggage since Momma & Brianna won't be here until close to 3pm. Well, Momma had told me to wait for them at the terminal that they would arrive at. NOT!!!! After picking up my bag, I couldn't get back in!!!! lol I had to take the transit train to the International Terminal to sit at a Food court. That's where I'm at now.

So, it's 10am, Mom & Bri arrive around 3......You do the math.......I'll be here!!!

Well I can't see much from the terminal, but on the transit ride here, SNOW!!!!!!!!!! LOTS OF SNOW!!!! Not coming down, but several inches were on the cars in the parking areas. Hopefully after Mom & Bri get here, I can get some photos made!!!

Tomorrow is the big day! I'm SO glad that our planes were not cancelled like they were yesterday! I would have hated for Ryan to get to go through this awesome event and none of his family to witness it. God is on our side!! He stopped the snow for us to get here....Lets just hope he doesn't plan on keeping us here after Sunday!!! lol

Unitl later.....chillin in the food court......

Moving home....

Well, in case you haven't heard it already, Chris and I are moving home. Not planning it for a couple of months, unless we get jobs before then, lol.

We've loved it here in Texas, and this is a really hard decision. Especially for me, since I was the one that wanted to move here the most. It's got it's disadvantages, don't get me wrong...being away from family and friends is rough. Especially last year as sick as Glen got and we couldn't come home. I've missed all of Brianna's ballgames and this past year Bri has really grown and I've missed out. She's graduating on May 13th!!

Chris' family has really missed him and I know they'll be glad that he'll be back home where he belongs.

It will be really strange moving back into our little trailer after being in our huge, gorgeous house!! That's going to be the biggest adjustment...that and food delivery! LOL!!

It's sad too. We've both made some friends here and we'll miss them. I'll miss Rudy's cream corn (i'll have to find a recipe)and having a camera store that's not 2 hrs away!! But we've missed Johnny's pizza, Boiled Shrimp, Canes and Icees!! Yes, Icees are VERY hard to find in Texas.

We'll both be looking for jobs, so if anyone knows of anything, please let us know!! The company I used to work for doesn't have any openings right now, but that may change before we move..ya never know....

One thing I am excited about is my photography business. It's been really hard to get things going here because I only work with a bunch of men who don't bother to tell their wives anything, lol. Other than the people we work with, the friends I've made are other photographers! lol No work coming in there!! HAHA
At least back home, I have alot of contacts to help restart me! I've already talked to MaryAnn in Homer about putting up some brochures and stuff in her shop to get me started in that area. I'd love to focus on the Seniors in the Homer/Haynesville area!! And of course I know people in Farmerville and around Monroe that can spread the word! My work has really improved since I left and I can't wait to get started again!!

As soon as we get home, I plan to have some Limited Edition sessions scheduled. Fairies, Gone Fishing, Diva Dolls, Grandma's attic, and lots more! When the fall gets here, I'll start the Christmas Angels and Winterwonderland Sessions up. I'll have to find a place to hold them, since I won't have a studio after we move. Hopefully I can get enough business going that I can rent a little place downtown. I know I can't do it full time, but having a studio in town would allow me to hold sessions in the evening after work and on weekends without having to move my equipment.

That's it for now...I'll keep everyone posted on the move!

Monroe Trip!!

Well, we may be coming to Monroe the weekend of the 26th!! I'll let you know!

Boot Camp Graduation

Well, we got notice from Ryan that his Graduation is set for Feb. 8, 2008. Me, Mom and Brianna are planning on going. Brianna will video tape it and of course I'll have my camera, lol. We'll be sure and post it afterwards!

Happy New Year!!!!!

Chris and I had a nice quiet dinner at home and watched a movie until it was time to watch the fireworks. Standing in front of our house, we could see for miles into town and see fireworks lighting up the sky in many areas. We could hear the cheers of all the neighbors from blocks away. The beginning of a new year is exciting! So many new beginnings are at your feet.

Chris and I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. We hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe 2008.

Ryan

As many of you know, Ryan left for Basic on the 10th. Christmas without him was hard. I have a few photos from his last visit here to show you.

The Holidays

Well, we went home for the Holidays. It was nice to see the family. Our visit was cut short and I won't go into why, because it's not important. Sorry we didn't get to visit with everyone that we planned on seeing. Chris and I have no plans to return to Monroe anytime soon, so anyone that want's to visit us here, you are more than welcome.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Please have a safe and Happy New Year!

Long time no see!!

Well, I finally got in front of the camera! Can you believe it??? What I wanted for Christmas was family pictures with my kids. Ryan is leaving for the Navy on the 10th of December so we had to get this done during the Thanksgiving holiday. I'll post some more later, but this was my favorite one. I have to hurry up and finish doing the Christmas cards for Chris' aunt and uncle so I can't play with my pictures just yet. Later!!!

Graham's visit!

Oh yeah and Mike and Meredith too! lol Had a great visit with these three this weekend! I know it's a long drive, especially with 1 year old in the backseat, but we are really glad that they got to come down for a visit!!

We had a great time with them! We went to a Mexican place for dinner after they got here, then on Saturday we took them to the Round Rock outlet mall. Saturday evening, we decided to grill steaks and we took some Christmas pictures of Graham until he had had just about enough of all of us!!

Sunday morning we fixed a big breakfast and Graham showed that he loved his Aunt Angi's scrambled eggs!! I think he at all that his momma had on her plate!!

Mike, Meredith & Graham....Thank you for coming to see us!! We love you and had sooo much fun! We will see ya'll at Thanksgiving!!! I'll have your gallery up in a couple of days!

Santa is at Aunt Angi's house!!!!!

Graham came to visit his Aunt Angi and Uncle Chris and got a suprise visit from SANTA!!!!! It's not Christmas yet, but I guess he's not too young to learn that Aunt Angi never follow the rules so you never know what you'll get!!!

Poor Graham! Why is he so sad???? Santa's giving him a cookie.....what happened????

AH HA!! This is why!!! Mean old Santa!!!!!! Santa stole Graham's cookie!!!!

Brianna's Photos

Brianna has been here for the past few weeks and boy has it been a visit!! lol I have some photos of some places that we went to, but I'll post them tomorrow...I'm getting tired...it's late and we drove to Tyler to meet Mom and Glen so they could take Bri back to West Monroe.

Brianna and I did get to take some photos of her for her Senior Pictures.

My little hole in the Wall!

I've been in this office for a year now and I am out of room!!! haha Hopefully our office will be able to move to a bigger office soon. If any more paper gets in my area, I'm afraid I'll suffocate!
Haha...and ya'll wonder why I'm in such a bad mood during the day???

Labor Day Weekend

Ok folks! We will be coming home for a long weekend at Labor Day. I'm giving everyone a heads up now because I've already got a couple of sessions lined up. If you want to do a session while I'm in town, you need to email me asap!! I'll be in Monroe as well as Homer if anyone wants to schedule one!

Seaworld

Here are some photos from when Chris's family came down and we went to Seaworld. Yes, I'm FINALLY getting them posted!!!
We got to see Shamu, ride some rides, get soaked in the rain and just have a great time! Had the lazy people in the house gotten the tails up so we could leave at 8 like we planned, we would have had more time to see the rest of the park. As always with this family.....nothing goes as planned!! haha

After the downpour of rain, I saw this beautiful rainbow!

Kailey trying to touch the dolphins. I was so scared that she was going to fall in. Chris was more worried about my camera falling in......Men!


This fish tank was really nice!!

Loved this fish!! Gorgeous!

This is the Atlantis ride that Janice, Heath, Kailey and Kendra went on

Here's Janice, Heath, Kailey and Kendra after their soaking!!

And the much talked about, highly anticipated, never live down till the day I die photo.......

And just in case you couldn't get enough.......here's a close up!

Go ahead. Laugh. The only thing that would have made it funnier would be if I had swallowed a bug! Of course miss 5 yr old Kailey saying "Aunt Angi's a scardey cat" didn't help my dignity! So I'm afraid of heights! Sue me!!!