Madison Grace

Last month my dear cousin Maria added her third child to her quiver and she is just heavenly. Congratulations Chris, Maria, Cody and Asher, you are so blessed!

Morris Family

Met up with the gorgeous Morris Family for some portrait's. A good time was had by all...LOTS of laughs. We narrowly escaped arrest as the cops showed up to shew all the crazy people of the railroad tracks. Well worth the risk I'd say...

It was hard to keep Annabelle out of the shot. She loves the camera (and the camera loves her)

Kimmel Family Session

Last weekend I had the opportunity to photograph the Kimmel Family. They are a riot and super fun, especially the mischievious Calvin. The Kimmels are hosting an orphan from Latvia this christmas and these shots will be sent to her so she can get to know her host family a little.

Mischief Personified

Giving Back

What I'll be doing December 12. Who's in?

Words...

Landing somewhere in the top 10 of things you should NEVER say to a photographer...

"Wow, your camera takes really great pictures! What kind of camera is that?"

On the Farm

Acre's of Pumpkin's!

Picking the perfect pumpkin

In the Corn Crib

The Sheriff's Pistol and Boots

We almost made a run for it

Remember these things?

Last week was fall break and all the kids were out of school. On Tuesday we took a trip up to Bottomview Farms in Portland, TN to pick pumpkins and let em run around. We had a great time and for only $5 you get full access to the farm, a hayride out to the pumpkin patch, a pumpkin of your choosing, a ride on the train, ice cream and a tour of the old west town by local Sheriff Upshaw (bank, prison, barber shop, saloon and blacksmith). The Sheriff, or "Papa" as we affectionately referred to him as, was wonderful! He toted a real six shooter, gator skin boots, a cowboy hat and of course his badge. Papa enchanted the boys with stories about the local outlaw's that he shared with us in one of the thickest accents I've heard since we moved down south. All our crew was completely mesmerized.

After we got our pumpkins all picked out we headed back to the farm and played on the giant corrugated slide, fed the donkey's, goats and chickens, ran through the hay bale maze, romped in the corn crib, climbed on the tractors, stuck our kids heads in the stocks, locked em up in the jail, spun around on the merry go round and had some yummy ice cream.

A good time was had by all and Ann and I decided we're DEFINITELY making this a tradition and will return next year and hopefully this summer too because they have acres of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and peaches.

Love...Renewed

Our Sweet Curt Campbell praying with us before

Lots of tears. This hanky was with me during our first wedding and my first communion when I was only 9 years old.

Grinning at our babies

Aunt Patti

The sexiest man on earth!

Our Darling Princess

Our new rings

We transformed our living room. It was supposed to be outside but it rained all morning & two weeks prior.

It was a very special day for us, a new beginning. We had 35 of our closest and dearest friends and family join us from across the country and literally right next door. We felt so honored by each one of them as they came to support us.

The day started off a little shaky with the pouring rain washing away all my plans of a backyard event. But right after I left the salon where I was having my hair done the clouds parted and revealed the most sparkling blue sky for the first time in almost 2 weeks. Unfortunately, the ground was way too saturated to set up outdoors so we moved around some furniture and squeezed everybody into our living room. It was truly beautiful and bug free.

There were lots of tears as Ann read an excerpt from the Velveteen Rabbit and I barely made it through my vows without going into the ugly cry. Curt Campbell did a beautiful job officiating and Deb from My Secret Chef did a fantastic job on the vittles.....mmmmmm.

We wish you all could have been there to celebrate with us and those of you who made it to our wedding 12 and a half years ago were on our mind. (Although 350 people crammed into my home wouldn't have been very comfy for anybody)

As promised here's a few selections from the nearly 600 images that Lori Quarles shot for us. Thanks Lori, you captured all those special moments beautifully and thanks for being so willing on such short notice.

Shooting the boys...Shooting

Thugs?

Was a nice evening and after 2 weeks of editing pictures I was desperately needing to do some shooting. The boys were enjoying a friendly little game out front so I grabbed my camera and headed out. Yes, I was laying in the middle of the cul-de-sac to capture these and I did take a couple bonks on the head and got some sideways glances from the passers by but I think it was totally worth it.

Preview...

It was a special day in the Burtnett home yesterday, here's a few images...more to come.

Wal Mart

Super Wal Mart is an institution here in the south. They are on every street corner practically and there is almost nothing they don't have in stock at rock bottom prices. Best of all they are open all night. Add all these factor's together and you have a recipe for an epic freak show. A friend recommended I check out this sight and it is pretty funny. Check it out....

http://peopleofwalmart.com/

This is for the classy sophisticated NASC…..hahahahahaha! Oh gosh, I almost made it the whole way without laughing.

Bailee's First Ballet Class

Watching big sister

I hope I didn't freak her Mama out but I just couldn't resist...SO cute!

Bailee just started taking ballet, tap and tumbling. Steve and I stayed to watch her first class, it may have very well been the cutest thing I have ever seen. I've never seen Bailee smile so much. She was truly in her element surrounded by mirrors, pink tutu's and twirling to her heart's content.

A Reminder...

Just scoped out my brother's blog. This post moved me. Please take a second to check it out, we could all do with a little reminder every now and then.

Enjoy...

That Kind of Church

Take a Hike!

It's Bambi! See his spots? SO cute!

This weekend we had the most incredible weather. Usually here in the south going outside during the month of August means you will turn right back around and head for the showers. The humidity is like a thick haze that hangs in the air. And any kind of physical activity during August is usually going to end in a trip to the ER.

Well, this summer we've had some of the best weather since I can remember and hanging out indoors was simply not going to happen. So, we headed out to Bledsoe with Ann and her gang (who I've used my influence on and watched her become a hiker) and hit some trails. We actually had to sport a light sweatshirt until around noon because their was a nippy breeze blowing through the forest. We saw about 2 dozen deer who've taken over the area because the campground is closed for renovations. It was a fantastic day and now I'm ready for the Fall!

Laundry

I know, I know this is SO not politically correct, but it made me laugh so hard. I found this in my little brothers facebook pics. I should be outraged but seriously, c'mon. That's a little bit funny. I guess the first part is the funniest to me because the idea of a man even reading a laundry label is pretty absurd let alone expecting that he would attempt to follow the directions is even more ridiculous.

Our Burden

The Village from Long Hollow Baptist Church on Vimeo.

So, many of you who read my blog are also members of the very same church that we are. Many of you are already aware that our church is now in the process of raising $$ to build orphan villages in Haiti. For the last couple years I have felt God preparing me to GO. I have felt a 'burden' on my heart to do something. I wasn't sure where or when he wanted me to go...until now. Also, the idea of GOing seemed a little tricky for a wife and Mother of four, especially since my husband did not feel the same calling...until now.

Steve & I are so...what's the right word? Affected? Moved? No, it's more like a feeling of urgency, we are restless, we want to be there...NOW! We want to love on these children, we want to care for them and hold them and feed them, we want them to know that they are valuable and worthy. We want to build them a shelter. We are not sure how this will all come about but we KNOW that God will handle all those details. Until then we are going to pray and continue to let God prepare us for the right time to GO! We are so excited.

The reason's why I am excited are because for the last year or so I have been...restless. I KNEW God was preparing me for something. Did I have any idea it would be this? Absolutely not! It is just overwhelming to see Him move me. To look back and go "Ooooh, now I understand"

We're not sure what our role will be in all this but we are willing, we are clay and our answer is YES!