I always feel so hopeful when the day starts off like this.
But things can go from hopeful to hopeless in under a minute.
Courtney Lee scoring in a morning round of Boka. (You can see her ball wrapping around the top rung.)
On our way to go ride horses. (Man, he's hunky.)
Where we were fortunate enough to meet Hayden. (Hayden's mom works there.)
Hayden likes to talk in 3rd person and says funny things like, "Ger er' done!"
And he likes to tell stories about his dog, Ali Gator.
I know...if you've taken one of my classes, you just noticed the border merger (and at the wrist of all places).
Coley got the most stubborn horse last year too.
Coincidence?...I think not.
And all the shots I took while riding my horse (Joe) turned out just as bad as they did last year.
That's Joe.
And see how Cali's horse (in front of me) is off the trail, trying to run her through all the brush...he did that the entire time. It was quite funny.
The Pioneer Woman gets great shots while riding horseback...so why are mine so crappy?
And then we went back to camp for lunch. (You can see Annie's scraped up chin in this one.)
She's so lovely.
She dropped her peach right after that stunt so I had to give her mine.
And then we headed up to Diamond Lake to watch the fireworks from Josh's boat.
I shot that from the hip, without looking through the viewfinder (just because I thought the light looked pretty).
The light was pretty harsh and direct in this one but I like it anyhow.
Icecream for everyone.
And then the girls whooped the boys in a game of Pictionary.
Josh Downs on the camera.
She's covered in bug bites and poison oak. (She calls poison oak, poison milk.)
The lake cops came by and told us if we didn't have a light on the back of our boat that we'd have to get off the water...so we tied a lantern to he motor. (Ok...maybe we ARE okies.)
See those three lights on the mountain?...every 4th of July, skiers go down the mountain with flares before the fireworks start.
Fireworks on the water are really pretty.
Just experimenting.
And that's what Annie looked like laying next to me (still in her swimsuit) when I woke up Sunday morning.
And then we made our way back home in time to have dinner over at Josh's parents.
A few notes:
1. I think an Okie has to do with someone from Oklahoma but I use it lovingly to mean 'hillbilly.
2. I shoot everything RAW. It's more time consuming but it's worth it for me.
3. I'll post more details about the general registration for The Photographers' Workshop tomorrow. Even if you're not planning on signing up this time around but want to sign up in the future, be sure to check back in.
4. Hope your day is great.
Just love your photos Karen xx
Posted by: Julie Pilch | July 09, 2009 at 08:28 AM
Awesome photos, I love the first two so much but they are all fab! hugs from Conroe, TX!
Posted by: Nancy Wyatt | July 09, 2009 at 08:56 AM
Best 4th of July ever. I'm so jealous cos it looks like you had such a great time.
Posted by: Jennifer M. | July 09, 2009 at 09:01 AM
I emailed the link to this post to my hubby. Diamond Lake sounds like a fun destination for the 4th! He usually heads there with buddies for a long fishing trip weekend every year, but I have never been! Looks like you all had a blast! Imagining the conversation between Annie and Hayden cracks me up.
Posted by: Davinie | July 09, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Stunning photos...as always. You are such an inspiration!! TFS.
Posted by: Dawn | July 09, 2009 at 09:58 AM
I can totally relate to the hopeful-to-hopeless transition -- been there, done that. And the border merger... when you're shooting candids, sometimes that happens (I've heard that before somewhere...)
Posted by: Jen | July 09, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Poor sweet Annie! Hope she is all recovered.
Beautiful and inspiring photos, as always!! LOVE THEM!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 09, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Dang Karen....how do you keep doing it?!??(Okay okay I was in your last class so I know but STILL>>>>>these are priceless...)
Posted by: Kathi (Irish Catholic Good Lass from the Midwest who loves Donna Downey too!) | July 09, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Those black and white pics are gorgeous! I LOVE them!
Posted by: Michelle | July 09, 2009 at 10:49 AM
I loved these, and was glad to see that my Chloe isn't the only one who looks like she's been through a war when we've been on an outing.. bug bites galore and other incidents lol. I'm a huge fan of the PW, and from what I understand.. Marlboro Man takes the pictures on horseback.. so you are safe there! LOL! And I love all your references to Okie's. Here in Southern VT.. we call them Rednecks, Woodchucks, Hillbilly's.. yeah, I come from a family of them.. don't always like to admit it, but it's true (and they make me laugh, a LOT). The best man in our wedding was a born an raised Okie. He lived here for a short time, but missed the heat and moved back west! Thanks for sharing your holiday with us!!
Posted by: Tammy Mellish | July 09, 2009 at 10:54 AM
fabulous pictures! i'm signed up for the jan. class...i'm so excited :) your family is beautiful.
Posted by: Sara at Be Still and Know | July 09, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Poor Annie. I'm sure she still had a great time even with all her mishaps. Great Photos though!
Posted by: Huyen | July 09, 2009 at 10:58 AM
As usual, beautiful work!!! I love the pic of Annie and the peach. :)
Posted by: Cee | July 09, 2009 at 11:11 AM
My Mom was born in Oklahoma, her family moved out here to WA in 1949 - I love that you use the term "Okie" - to me it just means resourceful. My Grandma and her sister were the most efficient resourceful women it was a blessing to grow up under their apron strings. Here's to the Okie in all of us!!! About horse pics, at least you can take your camera with you, where we rode this fourth, they don't let you, so funky pics are better than none. PS my Hubby thought the bbq left on the truck was an excellent idea.
Posted by: Kimberly | July 09, 2009 at 11:17 AM
These pictures make me want to do the holiday weekend all over again!
Posted by: MichelleG | July 09, 2009 at 11:20 AM
I love Annie's hairdo, she looks even cuter!
Posted by: Jennifer Hisi | July 09, 2009 at 11:34 AM
those first two shots are a.m.a.z.i.n.g. TFS!!
Posted by: allison Gottlieb | July 09, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Your photos make me cry all the time. Just real, beautiful and raw. I mean that it the best way. You make real life look stunning. And you inspire like crazy.
t
Posted by: tammy t | July 09, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Always gorgeous. Your blog always inspires me. Thank you!
Posted by: Account Deleted | July 09, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Diamond Lake looks beautiful in the summer. We go there every winter to snowmobile, however it is covered with many feet of snow! We'll have to give it a whirl in the summer. Great pics!
Posted by: Julie | July 09, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Great shots!! Love them! Especially the first one. Don't you love that you are married to such a hunk!!! I have one too!!! Almost 23 years and he's still a hunk.
Posted by: Tracy | July 09, 2009 at 01:28 PM
OMG I laughed so hard when I found out what Boka was...it is a game I know but we call it Polish Golf. LOL That is so funny.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 09, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Just so you know... the Pioneer Woman does not ride horse back... she is always in her car or on the gaitor. heehee. Great pics... looks like a great time.
Posted by: eh | July 09, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Karen,
Amazing and always! And guess what? Yep, I took your class and totally didn't even notice the boarder merger! Heck, even after I read it I had to go back and look again! Bad me! Does that mean I failed? I told you I needed to retake, lol.
Jennifer
www.bowdaciousbaby.com
Posted by: Jennifer | July 09, 2009 at 03:32 PM
1. Is Josh Downs flipping you the bird???
2. You went riding in flip flops???
3. Pioneer Woman does NOT take pics while on a horse, Marlborough Man does that and he has been riding his whole life. With boots. ;)
4. Love fireworks from a boat.
5. Lantern ON the motor??? I have never heard of the term Okie, Redneck comes to mind. ;)
Posted by: sharon | July 09, 2009 at 04:39 PM
I liked the pictures from horseback, but maybe I don't know any better and that's why I'm taking your class!
And Okie sounds better than hillbilly, hillbilly reminds me of Deliverance, banjos and summer teeth...summer there, summer gone.
Posted by: Kelli | July 09, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Boka? Polish Golf?! Here is Texas we call it "redneck" or "cowboy" golf! Hah! So amazing as always!
Posted by: Andrea | July 09, 2009 at 05:09 PM
loved ALL of your photos as usual. esp the first 2, the one with annie and the peach...courtney lee looking over her shoulder..what else.. sheesh. all of them. and josh downs is COMPLETELY a hunk! what a smile he has. you are BOTH lucky to have each other..
Posted by: michelle evans | July 09, 2009 at 07:53 PM
Your bw conversions are GORGEOUS! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the shot of the 3 littles. :) Your photos are just buttery smooth beautiful! I'm so glad you are enjoying life!
Posted by: Laura Carter | July 10, 2009 at 07:36 AM
Love all your photos but the one with Hayden telling Annie about his dog is PRECIOUS! As I'm admiring all your photos my hubby is admiring the outboard motor on the boat. Says it's COOL!
Posted by: Tonia | July 10, 2009 at 08:14 AM
wonderful pictures!
Posted by: Melissa Mann | July 10, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Amazing, beautiful photos! Great firework photos! I have some similar horse-on-the-go photos from our 4th of July!
Posted by: Krista | July 10, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Karen,
Aren't okies from the Grapes of Wrath... I think they meant like people who hauled everything around with them as they went moving and looking for work with pretty much all their junk tied to their car. So I think it works. Definitely with the grill in the truck bed!
Posted by: Lauren | July 10, 2009 at 01:54 PM
As always - awesome photos. Are you using Lightroom actions for your B/W or Photoshop? Either way, which actions? Love your work...thanks for sharing!
Posted by: HeidB | July 11, 2009 at 08:15 PM
I'm a long time reader of your blog. I haven't commented much, if ever, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE your photography. I wish I could photograph half as good, or even that I owned a camera half as nice as yours. My daughter, age 2 constantly reminds me of your Annie. She's adorable, your Annie that is, my Lily is too but I'm a bit biased. I love to follow your family here on your blog. Though I've never met you I think your family and mine would get along great. I love your adventures. Thanks for blogging them.
Posted by: Alyssa | July 12, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Love the moonlit picture with the poison oak bites - gorgeous.
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | July 13, 2009 at 01:53 PM
the very first picture is one of the best i've seen. you rock, karen! one day...with lots of help, i only hope to be 1/8 as good as you! nice photos!
Posted by: natalie gingrich | July 13, 2009 at 09:34 PM
Inspiring, as always, Karen!
Can you share your processing tips on the first two (b/w's)? Are these actions or your own processing? They are INcredible!!
Posted by: Shari Kimmey | July 14, 2009 at 08:41 AM
I'm quite late on this, but just wanted to tell you I so enjoyed these pictures! They have such a warm Americana feel to them.
Posted by: PamperingBeki | July 14, 2009 at 08:21 PM