While cleaning my basement store room to make more space for photo props yesterday, I came across an old scrapbook. It’s full of images I took with my first camera! I had so much fun looking through them I just had to share a few.

This is my brother Keith in 1967. I love that he posed for me! Oops – I guess I’m showing my age with these dates!

My friend Kimberly Rogers loved posing for my camera – if you’re out there Kim, I’ve been trying to find you! I love that my shadow is in this shot which means she was facing straight into the bright sun, & could I be any further away!

Now we jump to 1969. I obviously still needed a little work on my composition skills – I almost got my brother Keith and our new puppy Rowlf in the shot!

1971 – this was the year I took photography in 4-H and actually learned a little bit about what I was doing. Notice the way mom is holding her purse – not sure if she did that or I directed it?

We had just moved to the country so there was always work to do – here’s dad taking a break from all the leaves!

And my whole family heading to the pond for fishing and a swim. Not sure dad was enjoying me constantly stopping him for pictures.

Of course, our pony Bill was always along – he loved to nudge people and push them into the pond.

Well that’s my trip down memory lane for the day, now back to editing!

On this morning we are crossing the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires Argentina to Colonia Uruguay. This river is a combination of the Uruguay River and the Parana River. It separates the borders of Argentina and Uruguay and opens to the Atlantic Ocean. It took about one hour for our ferry (Buquebus) to cross to Colonia.

We were greeted when we arrived in Uruguay by the family that would be hosting us with for the week. They took us into the old part of Colonia so I could take pictures. This place was amazing – I could have stayed there and taken photographs all day. Colonia del Sacramento was the only Portuguese settlement along the Rio de la Plata and was founded in 1680. For years it operated as a contraband port, evading the strictures imposed on trade by the Spanish crown. Today it is a resort city, a port, and the trade center for a rich agricultural region (http://gosouthamerica.about.com/cs/southamerica/a/UruColSacto.htm). I wish this area was close enough for photo shoots!

From here we had to drive a little over an hour to the ranch where we would be staying for the week. We stopped in a little town along the way to pick up another truck which gave me the opportunity to hop out and snap a few pictures. The schools in Uruguay are very crowded so students only go half a day. We were there around noon so the morning students were leaving and the afternoon students were arriving. What was interesting was their transportation. Almost all were on bikes or scooters. We actually  saw one scooter with an entire family of 5, but were in the car and I couldn’t get a shot. This is a public school and the students wear white uniforms. They were so kind and loved looking at the pictures I took. This is a very safe town and they don’t even lock their homes or bikes.

We went hunting with the guys that afternoon so I could get some pictures. They were hunting Perdiz (Partridge) that day. The rabbits were huge!

Wow, I didn’t realize we did so much in one day – no wonder I was tired! Tomorrow the guys go hunting again while Isabel and I make a trip to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.

Hola!

We are back from our amazing trip to South America. It was a once in a lifetime trip from the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina to our stay at a ranch in the country of Uruguay (and no Internet service).  I have so many pictures I thought I’d share a few each day. Today’s post is day 1 of our trip.

After a 10 hour flight overnight from Atlanta, we arrived in Buenos Aires to a downpour, but that didn’t stop us from going out to see some of the city. We took a walk to Puerto Madero and got drenched! No worries, this was the only day it rained on our entire trip. Their seasons are opposite ours so they are just going from fall to winter. The rest of the week was beautiful weather with lows in the 40′s and high’s in the 60′s. Our friend Isabel was awesome as a tour guide. Originally from Peru, she speaks Spanish so fast it’ll make your head spin! Nice umbrellas guys.

Here are some views from our hotel for the night – Bisonte Palace Hotel. I thought it was so ingenious that you had to put your room key in a slot for the electricity (lights & air) to work in the room. What a great way to conserve energy!

We had a great steak dinner that night at LaChacra. Argentina is known for having wonderful beef and they often cook it in a type of barbecue called parilla.

Back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep. We take a ferry (Buquebus) across the Rio De La Plata in the morning to Colonia, Uruguay. I’ll post those pictures por la mañana (in the morning).

Gracias to everyone who has waited so patiently for your images to be posted while I was away. I did several shoots just before leaving and should have all of your  images edited and galleries posted by the end of this week.

Arrived home from Vegas late Wednesday night. You should have heard the uproar on the plane when the pilot announced it was 76 degrees in St. Louis (it was 49 degrees in Vegas)! Even with the chilly weather we had a wonderful week. Other than WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) convention, the highlight of the week for me was the Cirque Du Soleil Show “Ka”. Wow, Amazing, unbelieveable! I learned so much at the convention – it was awesome!

12,000 photographers with an 8 am class makes for a long line at Starbucks!

Bob's favorite hangout - 62 big screen TV's - all sports all the time!

Notice only little kids in the pool - Mom is bundled up across the pool and the lifeguard looks like he's freezing!

From college basketball last week to elementary basketball this week. I had a wonderful time watching my nephew Tyler and grandson Brennan, coached by my brother-in-law David (or as Brennan calls him “Uncle Coach”). They both played very hard and did such a great job! Here’s some of my favorite shots from the game.

Last minute instructions

Brennan takes it down the court

Looks like somebody has a loose tooth!

They brought in a lower basket for the boys, but it doesn't look like they needed it!

I love that Tylie is always smiling!

Is anyone listening to the ref giving instructions to line up for a free throw?

Yesterday we went to the parent’s breakfast and the Seton Hall basketball game at Prudential Arena. Had a great time and cheered the Pirates to a 79-71 win over DePaul!

Chinese Valentines

I love the Chinese markets – even though I don’t know what most of it is!

From Chinatown we walked down Mulberry street to Little Italy. Had the most awesome pizza, wine & canoli’s – definitely not a part of our Jenny Craig plan!

Loved this guy at the restaurant in Little Italy - so much fun! It reminded me of my dad when he sang "That's Amore".

I am so excited about my new blog! Thanks to Jerry & Larry at jrcustomization.com, I now have a blog through WordPress that works with my web site. There are so many cool things I can do – I can integrate it with facebook and even make updates from my iphone.  Now I have no excuse – I have to start blogging every day – this is so much fun!

Passing time at the airport

Notice there are no other planes in sight!

We gather to hear our fate.Our bus to Florida – the bus driver is reading Mapquest as we board

Well, my baby graduated from high school last Sunday. Cody looked so handsome in his white tux and bow tie. I actually held myself together pretty well and only got emotional one time. The odd thing is I got emotional when the Marines entered with the flag – not sure why that got me to crying!

He does look handsome in that tux!

Cody & his girlfriend Tay on the bus ride from the parking lot

Congratulations to all the CBC High School Graduates!!!