Shannon Gurney Photoblog

Inspired...more from Eureka Springs

It's funny how changing your perspective can change your daily life.  We create our own experiences and those experiences shape who we become.  This trip to Eureka Springs was nothing amazing.  I didn't jump from any airplanes or hike to the top of Pike's Peak.  BUT, I left there inspired. 

I spent some quality time with my family and friends, rested a bit, ate what I wanted, breathed in the crisp morning air, and soaked up EVERY last ray of sunshine.  It was just what the doctor ordered...so to speak.

I'm even starting to see myself inside here somewhere...that person I was 4 years ago before giving birth to my two FAVORITE little men in the whole wide world.  I know I was always there - I just hadn't seen, REALLY seen, myself in a very long time...even that double chin I've come to know so well is starting to disappear.  That's enough to inspire anyone!

It helped that I walked into THIS store.  What a perspective!  I wanted to buy every clothing item, journal, sticker, and doggie bed in the whole place.  Why can't we all live life thinking nothing but the best.  As Jake and Rocket put it so well, "Good vibes are contagious."  Amen to that!

I even got back to my roots.  OR revisited them...by way of my mom and Karri...HA!

They say the waters in Eureka Springs have healing power.  Whether it's true or not, I believe my life is different today because of my trip there.  I had to LET GO a bit in order to make the trip.  As you all know, I've never left my boys for more than a few hours at a time.  It wasn't really my plan to do that.  I'm not quite THAT neurotic.  The opportunity just hadn't presented itself.  Needless to say, I was a bit worried while being gone from them.  I'm pretty sure, however, I missed them more than they missed me.  Talk about a WAKE UP CALL!

I survived my time away and came back renewed.  I can't wait to introduce you to all of the changes I'll be making in my photography business and in my life.  Not to worry though, the changes won't be in pricing!  :)  Come back tomorrow for the first of many details...
 

I'd forgotten how completely gorgeous my mom is...I see her everyday almost the same way I see myself...running herself ragged from job to home to taking care of everyone else (including me)...

I hope she's as renewed as I feel today.  She deserves it as much, if not more, than I do.  I love you, Mom.  You're beautiful today and everyday.
 

I really wish there was a way to get a good shot of Thorncrown Chapel without all the trees blocking the view.  It was amazing.  I'm sure most of you have heard of it, but it's just not the same as actually being there....reading Psalms while you breathe in all the majesty that is our Lord.  God is good.

After all, he did provide me with the BEST of family and friends.  People who love me for who I am...no matter the circumstance...

Don't worry, Karri.  There's hope for you, yet.  HE has a plan for your life, too.

Just keep on kissing those FROGS...

Prince Charming will be here soon.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
I had a super time girls!  Can't wait to go back!

 

AND, don't forget to smile...Life is good.

Eureka Springs...catching up.

As you may have noticed, I've been MIA for a few days.  I've been REALLY wanting to post to give a big shout out hello to all of you in blogland, but resting won out.  We've literally been laying low for the past few days while on vacation in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  It's been nice.

I was super worried I'd be missing by boys and sad.  BUT, I have to say, it's been NICE.  Did I mention that?  I do miss my boys.  I just really needed the break from all things mommy.  Does anyone else ever feel like that?

So, here's where we're staying.  A little cottage on Spring Street.

It's called the Wishing Star.  Pretty cool, huh.  AND, since being here.  I've even come up with some changes for my photography business.  I feel refreshed and full of energy...READY to take on the world.
 
Life is good.

I'm getting to spend some quality time with my mom (YES, that's me!)...

AND, my sister...who I absolutely adore...

AND even our friend, Karri, got to come along...

We've been silly, nutty, sleepy, lazy, HUNGRY, and just plain ole' us.  It has been perfect!

So, thus far, we've shopped for antiques and cool little bobbles...
 
 

We've gone cave exploring...
 

We've even gone GHOST HUNTING....Yes, us!  Just look at the orbs we found!

There are some SERIOUS ghost stories regarding this place...they've even been on GHOST HUNTERS!

So, as you can tell, we've really enjoyed ourselves.  Here are some more random shots before losing my internet signal all together.  I'll check in again with you all in a day or two.  Happy HUMP DAY!
 

Did I mention, I love my adorable sister?
 
 

Ya'll come back now. YA hear?

Road Trip

On Thursday, my sister and I loaded up all the kids and headed to Tishomingo to spend the night and hang with family we haven't seen in a long while.  I'm not sure we knew exactly what we were getting into.  Let's just say, my kids were interesting...

snotty noses and sore throats don't do well in unknown beds.

Still, we made the best of things and I even got a few snapshots in the process.  Are you surprised?

My dad...with all of our bunch, except Wes.  He was having NO PART of picture taking.  Go figure!

My adorable sister (who gets prettier every year)...

and my cutie pie nephew who is growing like a weed these days.
 

Believe it or not, I handed the camera off to Sis and she snapped a couple of pretty sweet shots!  I'm SO proud!

I LOVE this photo of Wes!  Sis, you ROCK the camera!

And, LOOK, she caught one with ME in it!  Cool beans, dude.

Please ignore the fact my hair wasn't brushed...I promise my teeth were and that's all that counts, right.
 
 
See ya Monday!

Snowed In

It looks like the snow is finally starting to melt.  It's amazing what a 60 degree (almost) day can do to a bunch of frozen white stuff.  But, hey, that's Oklahoma for you.  Snowing and freezing cold outside to 60 degrees all in the span of a couple of days!  Wow!

I have to say I'm really glad the snow is starting to melt since being cooped up in the house with two rambunctious little boys can be really tiring.  My boys haven't burned nearly enough energy in the last week even if we did get out for a little while to have a little fun in the snow...
 
For those of you who think it's cool to buy the "store bought" sleds, think again!  Ours is much better and came from the local hardware store!  It's amazing what high school kids can throw together to make a sled (especially after they bust your "store bought" one and have to replace it when all sleds are sold out!)...
 
AND, with Grandma around who need hills?  It's much more fun to be pulled around!

Plus, you get cuddles and hot chocolate afterwards...
 

Even Zipper was out and about to watch all the action.

Ty's favorite place to play at our house was in the ditch out front after the snow plow came by.  Talk about thick, deep snow with lots of chunks to throw around...HEAVEN for boys!
 
 
Did I mention we were snowed in for 3 days?  Luckily, the roads were just good enough for us to make a trip to my mom's house who happens to have a perfect-for-sledding hill in her backyard.  You know what that means?   More sledding and more hot chocolate...
 
 
 
 
 
 

White out

Wow!  The last 24 hours have been packed full of craziness around our place.  Unless you're living in a cave somewhere, you know Oklahoma has been completely overcome with a January ice-storm.  So much so, our governor has declared it a state of emergency.  Of course, the only emergency around our house is the lack of movies and junk food!

Josh didn't even make it home from work last night until nearly 9pm.  Apparently, the work truck he's driving is not exactly ice-friendly.  About 5 miles away from our place, it decided to take refuge from the crazy road conditions in a very large ditch.  Nice.

Not to worry, though.  His WONDERFUL wife saved the day...

I called our neighbor to rescue Josh and bring him home safely.  After nearly two hours of tugging, they were able to retrieve the work truck and make it home in time for a very late dinner.

Luckily, we were all able to pile in at home today...

After lazing (staying really close to the couch) most of the day away, I couldn't stand it any longer.  I covered my camera with a ziploc baggie and headed out the door with Ty in tow.  Soon after, Josh and Wes weren't far behind.  The windchill was around 5 degrees so we couldn't play too much, but here are some of the shots I stole in the brief amount of time my fingers were working.
 
 
 
 
 
Actually, I had to put the camera away to help out our neighbors (who had a few extra movies to share).  Afterward, we decided to take the truck out for a 4-wheel test drive...ended up at Braum's and the rest is history.

The pushing was kinda fun though...

yes, I even helped (a little bit).

CELEBRATE good times!

Happy 2009!

I hope you had a great New Year's and are celebrating to the fullest!  I know our house has really enjoyed the past few days...

It's the little things, folks.  Do you remember how excited you used to get over these silly poppers?  I sure do.
 

I'm super excited about beginning the new year.  I'm not one to make a lot of resolutions, but I did set a goal or two for myself and especially for Shannon Gurney Photography.  The first will be to update the main website with all of the great sessions I've had in the last few months.  Be sure to check it out often, you might see yourself there sometime soon.

I know many of you are here today to see what special I'll offer to you for January and I don't want to keep you waiting or anything...

To see the JANUARY SPECIAL and all it's details CLICK HERE. 

I'll also be posting a February/Valentine's Day special soon so keep your eyes peeled for that, too!
Now, take a look at all these crazy New Year's Eve photos from my mom's killer party!

Okay, so it might not have been a killer party in the true sense of "killer parties", but it was pretty fun (at least, for us old folks)...
 
 

There was a little smooching.  Does that make it a killer party?

Okay, so what if they're married!  They are newlyweds...
 

Poor dog.
 

More Wii.
 
 

Carly and Braton have been best friends since elementary school.  The funny thing is he went to OU and she went to OSU - HUGE COLLEGE RIVALS!  But, they still get together over breaks...

Believe it or not, I got shot with that airplane gun as soon as I snapped this photo.  Looking at it now, I can see the evil grin on my dad's face.  Turkey!


And the party was coming to an end...even the dog passed out...
 

Happy New Year!

I have to say I LOVE the holidays, but now, I'm really glad they've come and gone.  I'm worn out.  Aren't you?  All that shopping, planning, traveling, wrapping, decorating, cooking, etc....

I need a vacation from my vacation!

I have so many photos to share with you guys... none of which are THAT great.  In fact, most of them are taken with the point and shoot.  But, I did promise to use the BIG camera for New Years Eve this year and I did.  I even used a FLASH!  ME!  I know what you're thinking...

I figure it's good practice, right?  Plus, I've been getting so many calls from all of you to do events and weddings.  I need the practice!

So, anyway....I know you're sick of me blabbering on and you're probably wanting to hear more about what special I'll have to offer up for January.  You'll have to wait another day!

I'll be posting the JANUARY SPECIAL this SATURDAY.  So, come back and visit this weekend to get all the yummy details!

For now, just a few photos from Wednesday to tide you over.  There's a lot more where these came from!
 
 
 

This is my dad and his buddy, Steve, playing a little Wii Tennis...we spent most of the evening taking turns on the Wii.  Hilarious!

Can you guess where my husband was at midnight?

Nice.

Christmas Recap...

well...it's not exactly a recap...just a lot of jumbled photos from our holiday craziness...

I'm pretty sure I've left out an entire holiday get-together because I haven't downloaded them from my point and shoot yet.  BUT, I'm also pretty sure you DON'T want to see all of my holiday photos, right?  I thought so.

Anywho, I still have to post some shots from Ty's birthday, which was earlier this month (more for me than you guys).  That means these shots are a bit out of order, but who really cares...not me.

So, here comes the onslaught of photos...

Christmas at our place starts on Christmas Eve.  We go visit my Dad's (step-dad) side of the family in OKC.  This year, we did a Christmas Eve brunch, which was kinda nice since we head to Josh's folks that evening.  This is just one of the racetracks Ty got for Christmas!  Do you think he was excited!

As you all know, my boys already own a John Deere tractor and 4-wheeler (both battery powered), but for Christmas from Santa they received a John Deere Gator.  The reasoning behind this one is the fact they can both ride at the same time.  We figured it would help keep Wes from running behind Ty screaming to ride all the time!  Apparently, that's not the case.  Wes always finds a way to scream...

In this case, Ty was driving a little too fast for Wes' taste.  HA! 

We spend Christmas morning at my mom's house.  This year we got there around 10am, which was not early enough for my sister who called us about 5 times to tell us to hurry.  My parents won't let her open anything until we're all there.  Sad, isn't it!  Poor, poor Carly...

Every year Mom tries super hard to find interesting things for Josh's stocking.  Does Pickled Okra and Jam count as interesting?  HA!  At least, we get a little laugh at it all!

opening his camo deer-hunting blind...he said it would be for him AND Ty to go hunting in...
LORD, help me.

Wes looked so cute on Christmas morning.  I barely took any photos at Mom's because I was so busy helping the boys open.  So, ignore the bad quality of these two.  I still love them!

The second one is Carly giving Wes his present from her.  So cute! (even if it is blue and over-exposed!)
 

Moving right along to my Dad's side of the family (about two hours away from home)...

Meet Dad.  He's a complete and total mess...but we still enjoy visiting!

Ty loved his big rig from his Aunt Micah.  JD was helping him out.  Why do they make toys so hard to get into.  I mean, really...what are they worried about?
 

speaking of Aunt Micah...I love this shot of her!

Taking a walk to the pond...

I'm not sure why Josh always makes that face when I snap photos of him.  But, he's still a total hottie, isn't he!

Wes, checking out Pappy's new tractor (John Deere, of course).  He was a little frustrated that AJ (his cousin) would not move out of the driver's seat.  He looks so mistreated, doesn't he...

Are ya'll sick of photos yet?  Good.  See ya next time.  I'll be sharing Ty's birthday photos soon!

Playing catch-up...Thanksgiving

Did ya miss me?

I've really enjoyed having the past few days off.  I went to bed at a decent hour and even watched a movie or two instead of proofing all night while everyone else got to have fun.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love to proof my work.  BUT, the human body can only take so many 3am nights...

I'm still technically on vacation, but will be posting a tad bit over the next week.  I've also decided to pick up a few sessions.  I have lots to update you guys on, including the 2009 price list.  If you are interested in getting a session at the current pricing, you MUST book before January 1st.  Don't forget, though, I will be starting the new year off with a BIG special!  Keep your eyes open!

Okay, back to catching up...

These shots are all from our big family Thanksgiving celebration we have at my Aunt Diane's every year.  It's so nice to see everyone.  Her house has great natural light due to tons of glass doors and big windows.  So, of course, I was in photo heaven!

This is my Poppy along with his newest great-grandchild.

and, my favorite cousins...Laynie, Bailey, and Callie.  Bailey is the youngest and she's the one with the new little gal.
 
 
 
 
 
Bailey's hubby, Kevin.
 

My mom, doing what she loves.  Relaxing with a cup of hot tea.  If you look closely, you can see Ty sneaking up behind her for a grandma attack!

This little gal is Sloane.  She belongs to Laynie...along with the cutie pie giving Ty a big hug!
 
Barrett and Ty saying good-bye.  I love the look on Barrett's face!
 
What do you think?  Does Ty look bored?
 
 
"PLEASE!!!"  "Let me outside!"
 
 
TROUBLE.

My mom with the boys.  They love their grandma!

Okay, that's enough for now, right?  I promise to post again soon!  Have a happy Monday, everyone!

Who needs toys?

Hello, hello...anyone there?

KNOCK KNOCK
 
 
Oh, there you are!  Glad to see you guys still read this crazy blog!  I've been buried under a pile of sessions to proof and thought I'd better check in over here.

Since I've been busy on the computer for days on end, the boys have pretty much taken over the house...leaving a trail of destruction...

I heard some chaos and loud noises coming from their bedroom the other day and thought I'd better make sure they were both still alive.  This is what I saw...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I mean, really, who needs toys?  For Christmas this year, my boys are getting baskets, boxes, and bubble wrap...