Mother's Day

Every Mother's Day our whole family gets together. It is great. I don't know when I would ever see my family if it weren't for my mom and dad doing this every year. This time I wanted to take some pictures of my wonderful cousin Sarah. I have been so blessed with such a great family including wonderful cousins. Emily loves Sarah so much. Sarah is so pretty, I only wish I had her figure!





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What some may never see

Yesterday we were in the front yard and heard a fawn crying out. It was over 50 yards away...they are loud. We went and found it and took some pictures. We were careful not to touch it. I know you are wondering where the mother was, right?

It is normal for mother deer to leave their fawn alone for long periods of time to avoid attracting predators by the mother's scent (the young are odorless, therefore safer without mom around). The mom will usually leave them until all the after birth is gone and then she will go back and bring the baby home.

This baby was less then 24 hours old. He could hardly stand up. You can see his feet were still turned under. He was crying out, which most of them don't do. However he was hungry. He hasn't cried out since. However it was getting close to dark last night and he wanted some food. I am sure his mom wasn't far away but she wouldn't dare to come out until after dark.

Earlier in the morning I saw another doe go and pick up her young. The baby had been in this one spot since at least Saturday. Yesterday morning I saw a deer in the field walking to where this other baby was. It isn't normal so I watched her and saw her baby run to her, feed, and follow her off in the woods. It was time for the baby to be with its mom.

God is amazing.

Emily's first Dance Recital

The Recital!

The pictures below are from Dress Rehersal. Emily was in a great mood that day. She didn't want to leave. She loved watching all the older girls dance.

This weekend was Emily's first Dance Recital. Emily has been in a mommy and me dance class since October of last year. Yes I said Mommy and me. However this mommy never danced. I always stayed off to the side and watched. Emily loved it most days but then there were days that she didn't want to go but we went anyway and most of the time she still did great when we got there.

One thing I didn't know when we signed up was that there would actually be a recital and I would have to be in it with her, hence, Mommy and Me. When I found out we were already 3 months into it and Emily was loving going to dance every week, so I couldn't back out. During the recital I stood behind her as the other moms stood behind their child. The moms didn't really do much but you can imagine having to be on stage in front of people at the age of 33. I was so nervous. I guess I really got a taste of how it is to want your child to be good at something. I was so worried that she would clam up and even start to cry and want me to hold her...as 2 out of the 10 girls did.

Not only was I scared but I have to admit, I teared up back stage. As we were waiting to go on I realized my little girl was grown up. I mean her first dance recital. She will be 3 in July. Tom me that sounds so young but it isn't. I am starting to think about her first day at school, her first sleep over, her leaving home to go to college. I mean I know I have to let her grow up but it is so hard and it hasn't even gotten to the hard part yet. I never thought I would be the mom that didn't want to let go, but I don't want to let go. I guess this recital was good for me because it was taking a big step. A step on a big stage standing behind my little girl, not holding my baby. It is so sad.

The good news. She danced her heart out. She made me so proud. I hopefully will have the video to post soon but I can tell you she did great. I know any mom would say their child did great but she really did, even other people say she did. Yes they were all family members but still you get the point. :)

Since I was on stage, I didn't get to take the pictures but my husband did what he could..LOL Here are some from Dress Rehersal Friday night that I took and a few from her performance on Saturday! They really grow up fast don't they!

I had told Emily if she did good I would buy her a new doll. (I had to give her something to look forward to) However, thanks to her Nana I didn't have to buy her anything! Her nana gave her this cute Angelina that now goes where she goes. I think since she got it she didn't want anything else. We went shopping but she told me she didn't want anything. (what a girl:)

For those that came....thank you for your love and support. Emily and I really appreciated it!

Sarah this is for you!

Hope you all had a great Easter..

My cuz has asked me a time or two about our Easter pictures. I didn't realize I hadn't put them online. I have been so busy taking picture for other people that I forgot to do anything with my own. I love doing photography and have been blessed with how everything is going with it but it does keep me busy.

So Sarah this post is for you! Thanks for reminding me...and for checking my blog!

I love you girly.

Patton Photography

View my new blog... www.michellepattonphotography.blogspot.com

Spring DSL line

Here are some pictures of the shoot we had yesterday for DSL kids clothing. There are some great spring clothes. We were lucky to have a pretty day for shooting.

See more clothes at http://www.dottiestripelayne.etsy.com/

It's been awhile

I just realized I haven't posted on here in over a month. I am so sorry. I guess since we moved to the country we have been staying busy. So much to do out here.

A little update. I have two more weddings that I will be taking pictures at, one in April and the other in September. I am so excited. I pray that God will help me grow this into a career. I love photography and am teaching myself more and more everyday. I am doing everything I can to take this to the next level. Of course having a great model helps!

I just got a new camera last week. I haven't taken any pictures with it yet, but they are coming. Here are some pictures I did talk with my other camera last week. Enjoy. I promise to keep up with this more often!

Valentine's Day

Here are some pictures I took today of Emily. It was a great Friday! We also went fishing today for the first time so I caught a picture of that as well. Emily loved fishing. A girl from my own heart! There are more pictures on my photography website, check it out... http://pattonphotography.shutterfly.com/ Also, check out Emily's jewelry she has on, I made it! See my special for photography sessions below!


Patton Photography Special
Schedule your photo session before the end of February and save money! As long as your appointment date is before April 1st, 2009 you will receive $20.00 off your session price. A session includes one hour, on-location sitting for up to 4 people. Approximately one week after your session you will receive a free CD of the pictures taken during your session. Custom prints and other sizes are available. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email for detailed pricing and information.

If you do not have a specific location that you would like your pictures taken, you can come here to my home in Buffalo, SC.

I look forward to capturing your memories with you!

Happy Valentine’s Day,

Michelle Patton
http://pattonphotography.shutterfly.com/
Buffalo, SC 29321
(864) 580-1582

God is so great

One of the best things about the country is being able to enjoy all the great things God has made for us. Emily loves to ride the roads and see deer and ducks. We got really close to the deer today, closer then normal, maybe next time we will get a picture of a buck!

The ducks are finally getting use to us. They don't like it when we walk down to them but are okay usually with us being in the car....doesn't make since to me! Maybe soon they will come closer!

Guardian Angels go everywhere

It feels like forever since I have written I was proud when I signed on toe see I did post pictures less then a month ago! Things have been crazy, we are moving and will be fully moved a week from today. Thank goodness. I am so ready for it to be over!

So much has happened over the last two days I couldn't resist, I had to write about it. If you read my story before about my Papa being Emily's guardian angel then you will know where this post is coming from. Long story short, I have always believed that My Papa was around me and since Emily has come into this world I have felt that he was with her. She has in some ways confirmed that.

Wednesday this week we were cleaning out of room and I took the picture down that has been in the same spot in her room since before she was born. As I took it down I asked her who it was and she said Papa, mommy's Papa. I asked her if she had ever seen him and she said yes, in my bed. His picture has always been over her bed and at times I have seen the shadow on the monitor move across her bed. I asked her if he said anything and she said yes, he said he loved Emily. I started to cry and of course Emily held me! I know kids have an imagination and sometimes just say whatever they want to but deep down I believed her and felt so warm inside as I watched her say again that is Mommy's papa.

Then there was yesterday. We were on the way to see Elmo Live, which Emily has been so excited about. This was our first time ever doing anything like that. You know how kids just talk about whatever in the car and sometimes they aren't really talking to you. I think she just likes to hear herself talk. Anyway, I heard, " go see Elmo, mommy, emmy, mommy papa." Of course I about ran off the road. I asked her what she just said and she said the same thing again. I asked her where Mommy's papa was and she said right here by my seat! What do you say to that? Speechless! I just grinned. I guess he went with us and I didn't even have to pay for Papa a ticket! I am so glad he is still here with us, it amazes me in so many ways. We are so lucky!

Here are a few pictures from Elmo

Christmas has come and gone

Sorry for the delay but as you can imagine, the last few weeks have been crazy. This year Emily had so much fun during the holidays but she is so worn out. I know she can't wait to get back on schedule, poor thing hasn't had a real nap in forever!

Emily finally realized that Santa is a good guy and he gave her the Red Bear she asked for. Now I can hang the whole, you better be nice thing over her head! All in all Christmas was great! Emily got a little kitchen, a red bear, books, apron and a few little things from SANTA. She also got 2 mickey mouses (that I love) a mickey robe, wallet, and scarf from her Uncle Kevin! He always did give great gifts! She got a chalk board, golf clubs, plastic food she can cut, a lot of books, cookie cutters, clothes, a new cash register, a doll bed, and so much more from the family. One of Emily's favorite gifts was a kitten from her Papa! Now the question is what do I do with everything!

I finished taking down the Christmas stuff today. I don't know what it is but I look so forward to putting everything up but as soon as Christmas night comes, I am ready to take it all down. I dread it so much I guess that I am just ready to do it and get it over with. Also, since we are moving in the next few weeks, I am ready to get the house to normal so we can put it on the market. So much to do and so little time!

Anyway, Christmas is over but it was great! I love being with everyone during the holidays, and I love the whole reason for the season. I was so happy that this year Emily understood everything. We worked on the nativity sets that we had out. This year she was actually able to pick out Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is so sweet when she says their names. It is amazing how last year at this time she couldn't say much and now she is saying everything. Where does the time go?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, here are a few pictures from our Christmas!