Family Vacation - Chincoteague

Last week was our family vacation to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands 

off the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  

It was five blissful days of hot sunny weather in the waves, 

candy shopping with Grandpa and a Mamma saying “yes” to the 

“may I have another piece of candy” question, 

and too much sand in the swimming suits.

Ever since he was a little boy, Nathan’s family has been visiting Chincoteague every fall when the tourists clear out a bit and the rates drop.  We get to go along most years.  I keep thinking how very blessed we are to have a family (13 of us there) who can be together for five crazy days and still enjoy each other at the end of it all!

 I decided not to take my “real” camera along.  Nathan gave me a little Canon Power Shot for my birthday and I decided to make this trip its trial run.  I find myself going places so often and not taking pictures because I don’t want to lug all 4 1/2 lbs. of the heavyweight Mark ll around.  So I’m trying out my first point and shoot! J  I’ve been happy so far!

 The zoom is great!  Just look at the fierceness in the eye

 of this Great Blue Heron.

 We crabbed in the waterways.

Supper!!!

The girls and their Grammy came back from a shell hunting walk on the beach with this little guy – a Hermit Crab.  My mother-in-law brought an awesome little seashore nature guide to identify what we found.

A  Periwinkle Snail on the marsh grasses.

Rockweed.

Nathan pulled this Horseshoe Crab out of the waves.  It was dead, but it still had its legs attached  -- crazy looking creature!

 Have you ever played chicken with a duck?

 Here are Kadence and the duck in the street. JKadi won.  

We did some biking on both islands. 

I love biking near the ocean – no hills – just my style!!

 Volleyball.

The waves were some of the nicest I’ve ever seen.  The last day they beat me – they were HUGE.  I gave up after getting pulverized too many times – chin in the sand under all that pounding water is not my idea of pleasant! 

Nathan hauling the STACK of boogie boards to the waves!

 We call a perfect long wave like this 

a Freebridge – “everybody rides”.  

 (Yes, I know it’s cheesy and only

 Charlottesville locals will get it.)

 I love watching the little Sanderlings, 

who never seem to get tired, 
running along the waves.

I watched this Great Egret catch a fish, 

but my little camera was too slow

 to catch the action.

 On Friday and Saturday there were about 

50 artists on the islands painting.  
We stopped and watched some of them 
– it looks so fun!

The girls and I dug some Mussels 

in Tom’s Cove.

 A flock of Skimmers and some kind of Terns.

 Here are the ponies at dusk.

Sunset through the pines on Assateague.

 Homeward bound over the 20 mile long 

Chesapeake Bay Bridge!

Mightier than the thunder 

of the great waters, 

mightier than the breakers of the sea--

 the LORD on high is mighty. 

Psalm 93:4

I Heart Faces -- Shadows

“Shadows” is the September theme at I Heart Faces.

  I had to stop and think a while on this one!   Shadows are generally something I try to avoid, but this theme has me thinking a little more creatively.   I’m thinking that I might be doing more with shadows in the future!

Here is my Cassie Jo dancing with her doll on the lane.

For more “Shadows” fun,

click the I Heart Faces button!

Kendall & Amanda's Wedding

 It was another beautiful August day – perfect for celebrating the marriage of Kendall and Amanda!  The Shenandoah Valley of Virginia was lush and green from an abundance of summer rains.  The early morning fog was thick and still lingering when Kenny first got to see his lovely bride walking toward him.  I wish that dreamy fog had lasted a bit longer, but it faded into a lovely bright sunny day.

I’ve been privileged to learn to know these two in the past year and am excited to see God working in their lives and bringing them together.  It was an honor to photograph their wedding along with Mandy. We stopped in the town of Bridgewater to get a few shots of the bride and groom and then headed to a pretty little park right along the bank of the North River. 

While the bride was getting ready for their big day,

so was the groom!

 Kendall and Amanda had a special time to meet

that morning before heading off to take photos.

These two are in love!

photo credit: Mandy

 The rich purple of the bridesmaid’s dresses echoed in the bride’s bouquet.

A perfect color for a late summer wedding!
(Flowers by Carolyn Landis)

photo credit: Mandy

photo credit: Mandy

photo credit: Mandy

photo credit: Mandy

 The guests signed the blocks of a Jenga game

instead of a traditional guest registry.

 The bridesmaids surrounding Amanda in prayer before the ceremony.

photo credit: Mandy

 There were beautiful arching wooden beams in the church sanctuary.

 The reception hall at the church was lovely!  The tables were decorated with

bunches of hydrangeas from Amanda’s home. 

The focal point of the reception was a huge four tiered stand of simply luscious looking cupcakes.  Amanda had baked them herself!  

It was a fabulous tower of Mocha, Red Velvet, Lemon, and Chocolate Peanut Butter.

 Not only was this Kenny’s wedding day, it was also his birthday.  

He was quite pleased to have more gifts on this birthday than any other he’s had!

(Kenny’s sense of humor is pretty amazing – he’s a fun guy to be around.) 

And so, since it was the groom’s birthday, his father led all the

guests in singing Happy Birthday!

Kenny and Amanda, I pray God continues to bless your relationship!