Smiling

DSC_1544, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

My son, James B. McDonell, graduated from Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on Thursday. Can you guess which one he is? Yup, that's right - those Irish eyes are smiling. He received honors for outstanding athletic achievement in scoring a perfect 300 on his physical training test. He ran his 2 miles in 11:06. I am so very proud of him!!!

He begins training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas on Monday for firefighter. We had to say goodbye to him this afternoon and drive back home without him. My husband and I are so proud of him and we are so happy that he seems to have found his direction. He is so looking forward to school and all that comes after serving in the Army.

I Will Have Cake!

I Will Have Cake!, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Happy Birthday to my grandbaby boy Brian!

Zoom, zoom, zoom!

Brian BW, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

He's here! And he's fast! And cute as can be! My Brian boy!

They're Coming Home Today!

DSCN0996, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I can hardly stand the waiting - my daughter and my grandson will be here this evening! I have missed them tremendously!

My Rachel

DSC_6047, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This is another favorite! I just love her smile!

A Fun Moment

DSC_6073, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

At the golf course, May 2007. She is radiant!

Hanauma Bay, HI

DSC_2739, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

One of the last days of our trip to Hawaii, we stopped here to snorkel but the lines were too long. So we walked up to some cliffs and we looked at the bay and I saw this. It reminded me of our pup Sara who had passed the year before and I felt like it was a sign. A few miles down the road, we saw this pup - and felt like Sara might be telling us she was "hanging loose".

Happy Moment

DSC_6105 copy, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This shot was a happy moment (no mistakes here) in between more formal shots of her senior pictures. We had just finished shooting at the park, golf course, and camp ground; and we had just arrived at the cemetary. She was talking about how she was glad the weather was clearing up but that it was still cold and she only had flip flops and should she put on a sweater, etc. The whole time she was talking, I was changing lenses and I shot this to test my settings on my camera. There were a couple of others, but I wanted to share this one because it turns out it's one of my favorites ever of her. I am truly blessed.

My Day with Zachary

DSC_6579, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This was taken on August 11, 2007. We were hanging our until Rachel finished work and we went to the park. I pulled him in his red wagon and when we got there - he ran for the slide. He played and I shot. He is Brian's big brother and he's such a smart and handsome boy! I miss him more than I ever thought I would.
More with Zachary.

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God I love her - she's the greatest!