Shannon Gurney Photoblog

Wes - 9 months

In case you hadn't noticed, I took a few days off to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.  I'm back and in full swing.  So, if you're waiting on photos from me...not to worry...they're coming!  Baur family, you're up next!

So, on to the family stuff...  Wes was officially 9 months old yesterday.  So, in honor of his cute little pudgy face... here are a few pics to enjoy.  These were taken about a week ago.  I love the way my two boys are interacting these days.  They already love each other so much.

It's funny.  He's always got that serious look on his face when I'm holding the camera like he's wondering what the heck I'm doing.

I took him outside the other day while Ty was catching a few rays of sunshine.  It was such a pretty day, but the wind was a little cool.  Wes hadn't really had a chance to explore the feel of grass.  So, I plopped him out in the middle of the yard and watched.  Don't worry he was only out there for a little while with those bare feet.

Always gotta have that binky in his mouth.  I don't really mind cause it keeps in all the DROOL!  And, believe me, we have lots of drool right now!!

Speaking of drool, that's the reason Ty is SO grossed out in this picture!  HA!

Green Bean Casserole - a day late

This is super super late.  But, here's a yummy recipe I stole from Paula Dean.  This is my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner this year.  Luckily, my mom feels sorry for me and only makes me bring one side dish.  Try it, you'll love it!

Green Bean Casserole

1/3 stick butter
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cups sliced green beans
3 cups chicken broth
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (2.8-ounce) can French-fried onion rings
Pinch House Seasoning, recipe follows
1 cup grated Cheddar Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a large skillet. Saute the onions and mushrooms in the butter. Boil green beans in chicken broth for 10 minutes and drain. Add the green beans, mushroom soup, onion rings, and House Seasoning, to taste, to the onion mixture. Stir well. Pour into a greased 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, then top the casserole with the Cheddar and bake for 10 minutes longer, or until the casserole is hot and cheese is melted.

House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Grandkids, sisters, and a really HOT momma!

This is the last sneak peek to the super huge family session I did this past weekend.  I think I'll be proofing their session for the next two weeks!!  Just kidding!  But, it is definitely gonna take me a while!  This last peek includes the entire crew of grandkids, all three sisters, and their really HOT mom (also grandma to all the grandkids).  I can barely believe it myself.  Just look at her, you'll see!  Can you even figure out which one she is?? 

Slaughter Family

Again, this post is a small part of a huge session I did over the weekend.  I decided the best way to do the sneak peeks would be to break them up by families.  This group was SO MUCH FUN!  I loved the kids.  They were totally adorable and gorgeous!  Mom and Dad were just a tad bit shy, but that's what was so cool about them.  They were quiet, laid back, and taking it all in.  Their kiddos, on the other hand, were boisterous and full of laughter (and tears at times)!  I loved everything about this family!  Here are some of my favorites!

Best Shot Monday - you GO SISTER!

This shot is part of a session I had this weekend.  These two siblings (Tregan and Jayden) were adorable - BOTH of them loved the camera.  The little guy actually said to me, "How about one more?" - meaning one more picture!  Hilarious!!  Just look at SISTER!  She got some serious AIR!!

For more great shots, steer your way to Tracey's place.  Happy Monday to all!

Shelley & Reece...and Zena

I had a huge family session last night - mom, sisters, kids, grandkids, dog... you get the idea, right?  Well, I started off with these two...Shelly and Reece.  They had such a neat rapport between them...momma and her boy.  I loved taking these shots - they were having so much fun with it.  Oh, and don't forget Zena who is a boy's best friend!

S.T. and Stacia

These two were the sweetest couple!  Stacia was so talkative and outgoing.  S.T. was very quiet, but always kept that grin on his face like he was up to something.  He probably was...  We met at a local park (they drove from Stillwater!) which was perfect for an engagement session.  There were leaves and lots of color to enjoy.  I have a feeling they'll have a long and happy marriage (starting next May).  They were so good to each other.  Not to mention, any guy whose willing to spend an hour taking photos for his girl has got to be pretty good, huh.  So, Stacia and S.T., here's your sneak peek!  congratulations and good luck!

by the way, GO POKES!!

Baur Family

I had a great time with this family.  I was so excited when I first saw them.  Right off, I noticed they had a little one the same age as Wes (my little guy) and then I noticed big sister's cool western getup.  Western getup (a.k.a attire) is totally my thing.  Then, she tells me she's on her college rodeo team.  She barrel races!! How cool is that???  Mom and dad were a lot of fun, too.  They all seemed so laid back and I loved the interaction between them.  Oh, check out mom's cool turquoise jewelry!  Anywho, on with the sneak peek, right!  Here ya go Baur family!

Popcorn

Popcorn has got to be one of my all time favorite snacks.  No, seriously, I could live on the stuff...

So, when I saw this in the store the other day I had to buy it.  I figure I should teach the boys a thing or two about popcorn, especially, something so cool as this.

If you've never experienced the true wonder of JIFFY POP, you're leading a very sheltered life...unless of course you're three.  Anyway, I'm not the only person in my household who loves the fluffy yellow stuff...Ty could live on it, too.  Which brings me to the reason I bought the stuff in the first place.  A boy should experience the coolness of Jiffy Pop before turning a whopping three years old, right?  I thought so.

I tried to explain the process a bit as I was pulling off the label...  Ty was SO excited to be popping his own popcorn...

He was "chompin' at the bit" as those of us Okies would say...

So, onto the stove it goes.  We listen carefully for the crackling to start.  As soon as it does, swoosh goes our popcorn...round and round in circular motions... "just keep swooshin son."  He did.  The smoke started steaming out of the little pinhole in the top of the foil.  We knew the popping would start soon (At least I did, and I kept tellin' him.).  Then we heard it...the first POP!  Ty was astounded...in awe...spellbound...until the popping got louder...and louder...and LOUDER!  Then....

HE RAN! 

It took me awhile to get him back to the kitchen (after I finished the popping, of course).  But, once he was back he was only interested in one thing...

a BIG WHOPPING bowl of the fluffy yellow stuff...which we enjoyed together...

YUMMmmm

Happy Saturday!

A good day

Today was cast removal day.

It was a good day.

For those of you who haven't had to experience a broken bone in some way, shape, or form...here's a lesson on cast removal, courtesy of our friend Katie at the Orthopedic office.

Step 1 - Identify the tools and convince child you're not cutting his arm off.
This was not the fun part folks...looks of terror...and whines of limbs being cut from his body...  You get the picture.

"Just touch it", Katie says, "you'll see...it's not sharp at all"...

not a chance.

Step 2: Proceed with cutting - whether said child likes it or not.

nice.

Mom, please help!

Don't worry son, I'm just gonna take a few more pictures...then I promise I'll help.

Step 3: Using large, very unique looking, tool - pry cast open causing small child to perk up at the excitement of seeing (non-cutting) tool at work.

almost done.

Step 4: Cut protective cloth underneath (oh no, not another cutting tool)...

Step 5: Remove cast.  YEE-HAW!

all better...

I know what you're thinking.  What kind of a mom would be taking pictures of all this, instead of holding and protecting their sweet, scared little boy...

well, I guess that'd be a photographer mom...

Don't worry... to celebrate we went here.