Thursday, April 30, 2009

London

I am going to London for a birthday party! Mine ;-) Two dear friends are meeting me over there. Many people have asked me what my plan for the trip is... I tell them that I have an airline ticket and hotel reservations. That is my plan so far. I will attempt to catch up on my guide book reading on the very long flight from Chicago to London. Then I might have a little more detail in my plan.

I have a layover in Chicago tomorrow and get to spend a little time with my cousin and her husband there. Then across the pond on Saturday with my good friend, Lorrie. I will try to blog while I am over there, but I can't guarantee any photos because I am not taking my computer.

And because it is always nice to add a photo. Here is Tills. I took the fasted senior photos ever yesterday. He was awesome.

A Little Photography

I had a little photo adventure with some of the senior girls last weekend. Here is a shot from the coffee shop when we hung out afterward. And a couple of demo shots that turned out fun.





Monday, April 27, 2009

Launched

I am excited to announce that my website is done! I have spent countless hours in the last four weeks building my website and officially launched the site last Thursday. I am very happy with the results. Check out my labor of love at www.carrielambing.com.



Many thanks goes out to my site testers who helped me work out the bugs. Thanks for making me look so good.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Prom

Meet some of 'my girls". These beautiful ladies became my girls when they were little crazy 6th graders. I have had the honor of being a part of their lives for 7 years. It blows my mind that this weekend was their senior prom. After teaching a 3 hour photography class Saturday afternoon, I ran over to grab a few shots before the handsome boys with corsages swept them out the door. What fun to be a little part of that fun day. I love you guys and I am so proud of you!

The Ryans

Last Sunday I had the honor of taking the Ryans family photo. It isn't very often that they are all together, so it fun to be a part of the celebration. I was so impressed with their great attitudes for our shoot. It it made it a fantastic afternoon and a blast to do my job. I have to add a shout out of thanks to Jeff and Luanna for being my crew. I couldn't have done it without you guys.

I really love how this shot turned out.


The guys wanted a 'band' shot. Little Elise really wanted in on it.


I think Will suggested this shot so that they could stay warm.


The new treehouse was a perfect outdoor spot for the formal shot.


So many blue eyes and beautiful smiles.



All the girls


Sisters. And they really will sing the song for you if you ask.

Thanks Ryan Family! I can't wait to do it again!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter

From my mom's chickens to you... hand-dyed by God this Easter just for us.





I hope you had a blessed day!

He is risen!
He is risen, indeed!

Monday, April 06, 2009

Home

I made it through selling my car, packing and shipping boxes, past the volcano and landed safely in the Last Frontier.

Yesterday I:
~ was surrounded by loads of wonderful friends that I have missed dearly
~ gasped at the stunning beauty of the snow covered mountains
~ savored the long twilight at 9:30pm
~ ate mac and cheese with one of my favorite people
~ was dwarfed by a 140lb great dane that thinks he is a pup
~ had wonderful coffee at my favorite coffee shop in the world... yep, I said world and that is a lot coming from me
~ remembered all the reasons that I moved back to Alaska

It is good to be home.
(and I do know that reality is going to be a bummer in about 2 weeks)

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Going North

I have been in Boise for a week. This is only a temporary stop on my way to Alaska. It has been a busy week of hanging out with kids, catching up with friends, packing and mailing boxes, and selling my car. I don't have a flight to Alaska yet, but I am planning to be up there by Monday. I have been making plans for some digital photography classes in Wasilla in April. Let me know if you are interested. Now if the volcano will calm down enough to let the flights resume like normal.

I did get to do a fun little shoot with these cuties yesterday.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Friends


Some of my favorite people are in Arizona right now and I got to see them! Zach and Jane Keller and their tribe are down here doing some more training for New Tribes Mission Aviation. Saturday Mom and I drove down and met them at Tombstone before heading to their place. We had a great time with them. It was so much fun. And, of course, I had to do an impromptu photo shoot while I was there. Here are a few favorites.







Sunday, March 22, 2009

Soaking up the Warmth

Two days after I got back from California I headed to Texas. Yes, the travel continues.

The highlights of my 5 days in Texas: Seeing Barbara Lee and spending time with her sister Betsy.
Hanging out with two of my aunts, Peggy and Laila.
Being motivated by some big name motivational speakers at the Mannatech conference.
Going to the JFK museum in Dallas.
The adventure of spending time in a big city.

I am back in Arizona soaking up the heat. It is official... I am heading north next Tuesday. I will be in Boise for 7-10 days and then I am moving to Alaska.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Shooting

The day after I got back to AZ from California my cousin, Ryan and I went shooting. He is a great photographer with awesome gear and makes me quite envious. He took me to one of his favorite places to shoot, the Superstition Mountains. It was a beautiful evening and we stayed for a couple of hours. Thanks for taking me shooting, Ryan. Here are a few of those shots.











Monday, March 09, 2009

Traveling

We made it back to the states about four hours late, missed our flight, and due to a snow storm in ATLANTA we got to enjoy the south for more than 24 hours. This was a blessing, however, because we were able to rent a car and drive to see my brother and family in Alabama. We looked into extending our stay in Atlanta the day before and they wanted $750 for us to lay over for a couple of days. And then God send a snow storm so we could save a bundle and still see the sweet faces of those we love.

Monday evening we finally arrived back in Arizona. The next morning I checked emails and my flight reservations I had made before we went to Brazil. And much to my surprise I discovered I had a flight that evening. So I did a little laundry and re-packed my bags and headed back to the airport. This time it was west to California. My dear friend, Anita just moved to CA to be with her fiance. And I got to do their engagement photos, help with some planning and brainstorming for the wedding, and enjoying friendship.

Here is a sneak peak of the photos. I had such a great time with these two. Thanks Anita and Ben!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Some Favorites

Here are some fun photos from the trip

Puraque

Slide show #2 pictures around PQQ

Our Last Days in Brazil

I have spent the morning importing photos and pick favorites to share. These photos are up to date as of yesterday. I last wrote on Friday. We spent that day in Manaus and it was HOT. It seems much cooler out here on the banks of the river. There is a breeze most of the time that cools things down. We are here during rainy season so nearly every day, at least once a day… and sometimes multiple times a day… the rain pounds the aluminum roof to loud that we have to shout to hear one another. But once the rain sweeps in (and we dash out to the clothes line to pull off the semi-day clothes) and cools the air down. On the days that it doesn’t rain, it becomes very muggy and we sweat more than normal.

When we were in town Friday Phil and Cindy purchased a modem from a cell phone company for internet at their house. I spend part of Friday night and most of Saturday-- first trying to get it to work at all, then trying to get it to work on Cindy’s laptop. It worked great on my computer but was being rebellious to hers. I am happy to report that it has finally agreed to cooperate at we are enjoying internet with views of the Amazon River.

Saturday evening we loaded up Chuck and Laurel’s bags and headed to Manaus. Their flight didn’t leaved until 1:30am so we stopped to visit Pat and John Sharp, good friends of Phil and Cindy, and made a quick stop at one more 24 hour grocery store before going to the airport. We left them to check in about 11pm. The generator turns off every night at 9:30pm so we have gotten use to going to bed about then. But we had about an hour drive to the water taxi then another 20-30 minute boat ride to our beds. We were very tired when we finally were about to crawl into bed after 1am.

Sunday we recovered from out late night out by reading books and napping. It was lovely.

Monday I taught my photo class and then Cindy and I hiked up to the orchard on the ridge. We found 17 cupaucu (pronounced koo pa su) fruit, 6 lemons, and some citrus fruit that we are not sure what it is, but it was very sweet and yummy. I have loved tasting, gathering and learning about all of the different kinds of fruit.

It rained most of the day on Tuesday. I painted the kitchen cupboards. Mom and Cindy made a quilted table runner.

Yesterday we went to town for a few supplies that were low, saw the famous Opera House (funny you should have asked about that yesterday, Janelle) and were home by 3:30 just as the rain clouds opened up the flood gates. I had scheduled with my photo class to do a demonstration, but with the rain we were limited. We talked about lenses and I let them play with my equipment. Then we took some crazy guy photos.

Today I have spent the morning going though photos and getting you caught up. We only have two days left and head into Manaus on Saturday evening to catch out flight out early Sunday morning.

Here us slide show #1 of our Trips to Manaus

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Sights from Brazil


It is amazing how fast the days are flying by. We are back in Manaus today and stopped by the guest house for New Tribes Mission for a little internet and air conditioning.

We have had a fun 5 days.
Saturday: I taught a 2 hour photo class.

Sunday: Chuck and Laurel went with some of the students and adults up river for an outreach Bible Study. Mom, Dad and I stayed at the base for church. Then in the evening Laurel helped the high school seniors with music and gave a testimony. Mom and Dad also were able to give a testimony. It was Grandma Joy's birthday today and my brother Shane and his wife Kristi had a little boy, Seth Jacob for her today! Happy Birthday. We spent a lot of time talking, thinking and praying for everyone once we heard he was coming.

Monday: Laurel and I painted a room in a guest house that kicked Mom and Dad out of their room for a few days. I taught the second photo class for the high schoolers. Dad and Chuck helped Phil start a wood shop project for his beginning wood shop class. Mom and Cindy kept working on the curtain project

Tuesday: We went for a tour of the Amazon river in our area. Phil drove us around both sides of the river in the launch. I have lots of pictures, but they are not downloaded yet. A couple of us spent too much time on the top deck of the launch enjoying the breeze and view...but also a little too much sun. In the afternoon I hiked up the hill with Chuck and Laurel to attempt some infrared photos... I haven't had a chance to look at them, but it should be fun to see what comes out.

Laurel, Chuck and I have started an evening ritual of jumping in the Amazon for a few minutes just before supper. A great way to cool off!

Enjoy the slide show!

Friday, February 13, 2009

A little more detail (before my battery runs out)

Monday
Dad, Chuck, Phil and several guys took a little trip down the river. I was asked to teach 4 high school guys a photography class for the three weeks we are here. So for an hour on Monday afternoons I pack in as much as I can.

Tuesday
We took a hike in the jungle and picked fresh fruit off the trees to take home with us. The oranges look like lemons and the lemons look like grapefruit.

Wednesday
I had the photography lab with the high school guys. Mom worked on making curtains for Cindy. And we had a terrific lightening storm all evening that lit up the sky around us.

Thursday
Chuck and Phil worked on honey-do projects for Cindy including: porch outlets and a new porch light so we don't trip walking between houses.

Friday - today
We came to Manaus, a city of 2 million people for a little shopping and internet time. We had fun in the fruit, veggie and fish markets. Then had a great lunch with Phil and Cindy's good friends the Sharps. (pictures to come)

Saturday - I get to teach a photography class open to anyone one.

Sunday - the high school seniors are leading Sunday night church and Chuck and Laurel are helping with music.