Mary's family

This is my third year taking family photos for Mary, a coworker. We always pick Thanksgiving weekend when her family is all together. She has a beautiful evergreen in her backyard that they line up in front of. First I photographed Annie with her daughter, Avery. One year old Avery finally has enough hair to put into a ponytail. Sammy is one also & is just so laid back. Lucas balked at getting his picture taken. No smiles from him. I really didn't mind. In years to come these photos will help tell his story . . .













And I got his photo of Mary with her mother.



Thanks, Mary!

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving on the road. Austin & Daniel joined us along with Austin's girlfriend, Yizhi. We visited Don's family in Norfolk on Thursday then saw my family on Friday. Lots of good food & visiting with family. I didn't take a lot of pictures but shot these while Don drove on Thursday. We followed this green pickup a short distance on the way to Norfolk.



And I tried to capture the sunset in my rear view mirror on our return home.

the horses

I love horses. So whenever we are at the ranch I can't resist taking a few photos of them. Last weekend they spent some time in the orchard along the driveway. Easy targets . . .













Next week I plan to take time off from this blog. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who checks in!

birthdays . . .

Today is Briana's birthday! She is Connie's oldest & plans to finish college this coming May. This is a photo I took of her from last year out on the farm; it is a favorite of mine.



Today is also the birthday of Don's sister, Kathy. We've been lucky to see her a couple of times this year (she lives in Texas) & this photo was taken in May.



Happy Birthday to both of them!

Don H.

Don H. has been joins us at the ranch twice a year to hunt turkey & deer. He worked with Don before retiring. We always enjoy hanging out with him. And he brings a great lasagna whenever he comes (although this year Mary Jane, his wife, made it). It took me a few years to realize he uses venison. Here in Lincoln he is a neighbor also. Don & I look forward to walking the dogs when we can swing by Don & Mary Jane's unannounced & find them home. They treat us to a glass of wine or a beer along with conversation in their backyard. He's a good friend. His son, Patrick, joins us for deer season too & is with Don H. in the first photo.

frost

Patrick & Marc were the first to bring their deer in Saturday morning. It was the beginning of a beautiful sunny day (unlike the snow & rain that Lincoln was getting) & I was outside with my little camera as the sun was shining through the trees. I took photos of them with their deer then turned my attention elsewhere.

deer season

The deer were plentiful. You could not drive/walk anywhere around the ranch without seeing them. So it was no surprise that the hunters were successful. And this year the deer permit allows the hunter to also take a doe. These guys were all after something with horns though. The photo shows Marc (husband to my niece, Amber), Patrick (son of Don H.), Don & his brother, Terry.



Congratulations, guys!

the one that got away

Don & I made it to the ranch this weekend for the opening of rifle deer season. Before I share the successes of the weekend, the best story was the one that got away. Don H. shot a buck Saturday morning that went down for him. When he approached the deer it got back up & ran off. Don H. tracked it for awhile but gave up. He also did not find a blood trail. He returned to the house & we all then set out to try to find the wounded buck . . .





































Ultimately, we did not find the deer. But I enjoyed the hunt with my camera.