Our Summer Vacation

This is going to be a busy summer. A couple months ago my wife and I pulled out our calendars to plan a vacation. In the end there was only one week that our entire family was free. Sara had a job she would be at Monday through Friday the first two month of summer and then Alex started football the last month of summer. We decided to take that week and drive to Michigan to visit friends of ours who recently moved there from Wisconsin. They had a boat and promised to fill our week with fun. And that's exactly what we had. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week.

Here is a portrait I took of our friends, Carole and Nelson the morning we left.

Noah

My two kids have a half-brother named Noah. Sara was thirteen and Chandler was nine when he was born. They both love him dearly and talk about him constantly when they're not with him.

We picked him up yesterday and took him to the park. Our bribe was that if he would pose for a few pictures we'd take him to the playground. Let me just say that this experience gave me a new respect for photographers who specialize in children. There was nothing easy about this shoot. But I did end up with a few shots that I liked and here are two of them.

Sara's Junior Prom

Last night was a big night for my daughter, Sara. It was her junior prom. I picked her up at noon and took her to the salon to get her hair done. I waited for her in the Starbucks next door and I wish I had taken my camera along because the smile on her face when she came to get me (you know, so I could pay) was so cute. I dropped her off at her mom's house with the plan to meet up at her friend's house for pictures. You can see my favorite below.

But the best part of the evening was when pictures were all through. Every other kid I noticed just walked out the door to get in the waiting limo but Sara crossed the room, said goodbye and kissed me on the cheek. Yeah; I'd say I have a pretty special daughter!

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My Beautiful Wife

My Beautiful Wife I
Originally uploaded by Jeff Cleveland

Yesterday I participated in the Cream City Photowalk, a group of photographers who get together once a month to hang out and take pictures in and around Milwaukee. Fortunately the weather warmed up from the below zero temperatures it had been and there was a nice blanket of snow on the ground. Jan, my wife, went with me and we had a great time. This was my favorite picture of the day. Check out the rest of my pictures here.

Andy McKee - Guitar - Drifting

This is why I struggle to get my guitar out of the closet and practice. This guy is an amazing talent. Check him out at http://www.candyrat.com