On a mission....

I told you I was determined to get my "southern pictures". Our family photos were amazing and fun (you know, I shared them already in a previous post) ;) However, those who know me, know that when I get an idea....I don't easily let it go!
So a couple weekends ago my mission was cotton fields. My husband and children humored me and we went for a ride. At first we set out to find a field close to post...get my pics, and head home. We passed a few, but they were surrounded by "No Trespassing" signs....so we kept going. We decided to go do a little exploring around L.A. (Lower Alabama). There are LOTS of red dirt roads around here! Not to mention a TON of front porch sittin'!! After about an hour of driving we found a great field with no signs to be seen...so we pulled over and went for it!

This is my FAVORITE! 

We all had fun exploring the cotton field...a new experience for us, and we all had to feel it and check it out ;) I would say no cotton was harmed in the taking of these pictures but...well...there are a few less cotton balls in that field. SHHHH! Don't tell the farmer! It's been about 3 weeks and there are still big balls of cotton rolling around my vehicle...Yes, I have cleaned my car ;) But i leave the cotton...the kids love to play with it every time they get in. 

The big girls got to take turns getting pictures of Mom & Dad ;) We had fun! 

The kids were enjoying it, and thankfully it wasn't too thick, so we could easily make our way through it without trampling it. Not gonna lie... was a little nervous at first, wondering what kind of creepy crawlies would be out there. There were none seen, just fluffy cotton for miles! 

~ Sweet ~

~ Adorable ~

 Just playing, picking & having fun!

Like Mother, Like Son ...Ha,ha,ha :)

And....Like I said...there are cotton balls all over my car.......

Playing in the cotton was fun, but we were very hungry after. We found a cute little down town area... in some random town in Bama, and we ate lunch at a small southern country, family run place with lots of fried chicken on the menu! It was very good too! 

On our way back home, we found a nice little place to walk...

A lot of old towns around here, with a lot of history. This is what we saw off the walking path in this particular town...

The brick building was definitely some sort of jail... very interesting, we took a little walk through it since it was all open. A bit on the "eerie" side for sure!

There were some big area's like the one above. On the other side there were a few small cells, also some rooms that looked like solitary confinement , or something like that with huge doors and little slots for food to go through. Hmmm... kinda neat! 

A quick trip to a cotton field turned into a great family day out, full of adventure and good southern food :)

So outside the box for me!

I have been searching HIGH and LOW for a photographer to take our family pictures. We have gotten into a routine of having them done every fall. 1)It's my absolute favorite season. And 2) it's "kinda" right between all the kids birthdays, so we get all their yearly shots in at the same time. PLUS, I get to make my Christmas cards ;)

Well....let me tell you. The search for a photographer was NO fun. I know so many back at home in N.H. Some great talent, and I have been in love with all of our pictures. I am never disappointed. So when fall was approaching here in Bama, the hunt was on! It was sad :( I found so many listed on a business page here...so my hopes were high. However as I read through each of their websites and blogs, I came across many very high prices. Now I realize this is a business & and it take a lot of time editing and going on on location. But $500 for a 1 hr. session and 10 pictures of my family!?!?! You have lost your freakin' marbles! Not all of them were $500...however they did range from about $300-$500 with basically the same details...1 hr, 10-20 pictures..if your lucky you can change an outfit...and if you want to pay $50-$100 more you MIGHT get a CD with all the shots.

I had given up pretty much. I'll tackle my kids and take their pictures myself..and forgo the family shot.

Then I was randomly reading through some posts on a facebook page for moms/wives at Ft. Rucker. Long story short, another girl and I figured out we were both from N.H. and not only that but she was from a town only about 35-45 minutes from our home town, a town we frequent often. What a small world! After chatting back and forth a bit, I discovered she was a photographer! She has a beautiful website filled with some great photos......she's talented & Affordable!!!!
You should check out her site... http://www.mybelovedphotography.net/

We scheduled a shoot and I went in search of a hayfield. I found a beautiful one filled with rolling haybails. It was perfect...and then they moved their hay :/ So we were on the look out for a new spot...we found another one. It was great, we were excited! Then the weather said this weekend (which is the weekend we had our shoot planned ), would be a complete washout...Tropical storm Karen is headed our way. UUHHGGGG Damn you Karen!

We decided to change our shoot to Friday night. Then half way through Thursday, Ryan informed me it wouldn't work because his schedule changed and his class is later than he thought. Of course it is! The stars were just stacked against me...we were just not ment to have our photos done in a hayfield...or at all, at the rate we were going!

Thursday afternoon, Megan sent me a text, she was trying hard to make something happen. If the timing worked out, and we were willing to use a new location a lil closer to her, we could possibly do Thursday night. We got dressed and ready.... this is SO OUTSIDE MY BOX! I'm a planner... I need to see the outfits on before..make sure it looks right... I had a location...we were set...but it all went out the window. We threw our clothes on...we quickly brushed some hair...and I let go of my hayfield dreams. We jumped in the car and met her on the other side of post. There was not a hay bail in site... but the location was beautiful and the light was perfect! Hair might not have been exactly how I had envisioned...and the first time I really saw the outfits put together was right before we ran out the door....but....I LOVE our pictures!

Faith

Family

Fun

These are just a few of the shots she got. I love the life in them, the colors, and the fun! They came out amazing. I have told her so many times how much I appreciate her being able to work this out and capture these moments for us! Check out her Facebook page for some more amazing photos..... not just ours, they are all great! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beloved-Photography/360238256359

P.S...just for the record...it's beautifully sunny outside today and "Karen" isn't supposed to show her face until Sunday. How convenient HA!

Thank you Megan!! :)