Soccer Game...

Today was picture day and a game for Desirae for her AYSO Soccer Team "The Lightening Boltz". I missed the last two games but I was able to make it to this one. My original idea was to be a little lower key about photographing it but after 717 pictures I guess that wasn't the case. Even though our team only scored one goal it was still fun to watch them play. As usual I culled down the images to a more reasonable 138 pictures. So I hope everyone gets a "kick" out of them. Anyway the albums are here!

Well...

I am not the most positive person on the block, but I did have an idea for a shot using scrabble© pieces. Not sure if the idea is going to work but I think it looked good. It was also nice to get the strobes (well, strobe) out and do some studio shooting again.

I would like to say that we accomplished a lot this weekend, but as it turned out my feeble attempt to fix my telephone/internet connected was a bust. I did have some success yesterday but I think my entire approach was wrong so I am going to have to do it again. Fortunately all the hard work (for the most part) has already been done so it shouldn't be too bad.

I also had a chance to practice some more on guitar so that was nice. Now had I just accomplished that "work" stuff that I forgot about tomorrow wouldn't be so dreaded! Oh well...

Sport's Center Opening

Today was the grand opening of the new California City Sports Center. Desirae's soccer team where there in the outfits to support the event. After the grand opening they had a reception/parking inside that also included events for the kids (like face painting). Denise captured this cute photo of Desirae after she got her face painted. So although the city is growing SLOOOOOWLY it is growing....

Funeral and reception...

My brother Daren gave the eulogy at my grandmother's funeral and he did an outstanding job. For a very somber moment he was able to keep everything positive and focus on the good memories that we all had with my grandmother. He incorporated the DVD into the service and it really worked well and everyone seemed impressed with the service and the video.

After the service was complete my dad had a reception at his house for the family. I didn't really realize just how much family we had. Most of the people I hadn't seen in years and could hardly even remember. I still am having a hard time putting names to faces. The one really neat thing is that folks (I can't remember everyone's name) brought their instruments and it turned into a really long jam session. It was really cool to see and hear everyone play and it sounded pretty darn good!

As usual I took a bunch of photographs and the selects can be found here!

Funeral...

Well tomorrow is the funeral for my grandmother Leatha Long. Above is one of the segments from the memorial DVD I made for the service. My brother is going to give the eulogy and is planning on using the different parts of the video throughout his speech. I have been pretty focused on the project which has given me an opportunity to not really think about what is going on. I am sure tomorrow's service will be beautiful.

Leatha A. Ellison Long 1916 - 2008 Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 p.m., and services will be held on Monday, September 8, 10:00 a.m., at Greenlawn Mortuary Chapel, 3700 River Blvd. for our beloved mother, Leatha Ellison Long, born January 6, 1916, and passed away at home on September 1, 2008. Leatha was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert B. Ellison, and Loyd C. Long; son, Jerry (Randy) Ellison; parents, Wesley and Lorena Williams; brothers, W.E., Ed and Lawrence Williams; sisters, Lola Gentry and Ruth Northam. She is survived by her sister, Neva Lou King; daughter and son-in-law, Verna and John Colter; son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Donna Ellison; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, plus many extended family members and friends. She was deeply loved and will be remembered with great affection by all who knew her.

First Soccer Game...

Today was Desirae's first soccer game.  Her team, "The Lightening Bolts" run around the field like little banshies and had a really great time.  Fortunately their game was fairly early to it wasn't at the hottest part of the day - but the sun still beat down on everyone.  It was pretty fun watching them play and Desirae (well everyone) had a great time.  AYSO, at least at this age, doesn't keep score so I am not really sure who one - but I think it was the other team because I did see them score  couple of points.  I posted the selects here!

My grandmother Leatha...

I am posting this late, but I have been pretty busy. My grandmother Leatha Long passed away on Monday September 1st 2008. I was a bit surprised because I really thought she was going to be around a little bit longer. But like I said before, she wasn't doing very well and it was only a matter of time. I have been helping my brother build a DVD for the services that will be the following Monday. All in all it has kind of been a stressful week.