Grand Haven, MI - My Hometown

I recently spent 12 days in Michigan, where Paul and I are from and wanted to share some pictures of the waters I grew up on and why I can't live away from water... hence one reason we ended up in the Tampa Bay area. I had a great trip and saw lots of my wonderful friends and family, and the beautiful Grand Haven Pier @ sunset...Lake Michigan showing some muscle... There was a kite surfing contest in town (all the color dots in the sky). It was a lot of fun to watch - wish I knew how, although I think I'd need to work on my upper body strength first ;)


For all the Floridians that don't know the truth about Lake Michigan - it is a freshwater ocean :) It appears to go on without end and surfing happens.I had to deal with a stubborn and not so small kidney infection the day before I left for Michigan, so I spent the first 5 days there in bed. However, my dad did manage to get me out on his boat. I grew up sailing and absolutely love it! We have taken many sailing trips up the west coast of Michigan to Mackinac Island.

Starfruit

My friend, Joel, was in Florida training at E.C.H.O. Farms for a few weeks and Paul & I had the opportunity to visit him Saturday. He is preparing to spend a year in Africa helping the locals take advantage of their natural food and farming resources. He took us on a tour of the Farm and shared his vast knowledge he has picked up on all the plants and the many purposes that each has. He also shared some absolutely mouthwatering good fruit with us. In the picture we are chomping on some fresh starfruit that we handpicked off the tree. Joel is on the right and my hubbie is the one snickering in the background.

Joel is one of my good friends that I met while I spent a semester in College living downtown Chicago. Joel and two other guys lived in one apartment, while I lived with two other girls in another. The six of us were pretty much inseperable the entire time we were in Chicago. Great memories and we've managed to stay in touch over the years. Lifelong friends are such a blessing!! Best wishes to you, Joel, as you embark on this journey!

Birds Eye View

Picture on the way to Michigan - beautiful sunset in the sky.

So I'm flying back from Michigan in my window seat and the plane turns over the west coast of Florida and heads to the Tampa Airport. I look down and see some familiar landmarks and decided it might be fun to try and find my house, thinking what are the chances I will actually see it, right? I FOUND IT! Being the dork that I am I HAD to have a picture of my house from the sky... I mean who gets these? So I pull out my new compact camera and snap a few pictures. The guy next to me says "So are you here on vacation?"
"No, I live here"
"Oh, you just looked like a tourist"
laugh, "I found my house!"
"Ohh.."

Here's the picture...

If you're familiar with Tarpon Springs, you can see Fred Howard Beach in this photo.

Rachel & Craig's Wedding - 07.29.06

Rachel and Craig had the most amazingly beautiful day!! They were married on Honeymoon Island - I highly recommend this gorgeous spot. And the dress! Love the dress. I am normally a huge black and white fan, however, the colors that Rachel chose made the photos pop so I left quite a bit color. Love the colors. Craig and Rachel are wonderful people and I very much enjoyed being a part of their day. Rachel is such a sweetheart and they are so in love!

Rachel & Craig - Thank you so much for including me in your day. It was truly an honor to be able to capture your wedding moments for you. Congratulations!

To view their story click here for the slideshow.

Congratulations Cara & Ben!!

Our cousin, Cara, was married a few weeks ago to her match in every way, Ben. I had the rare pleasure of being a wedding guest at their wedding. I really enjoyed being my husband's date to their beautiful day. However, the photographer in me couldn't resist snapping a few. Congratulations you two!! We love you. It is my pleasure to introduce to you Mr. & Mrs. Lamborn -