My Sister's

I was so excited for the opportunity to get to go to Alyssa's in West Virginia, even those it was a long 16 hour ride up there and I only had a few days to stay... But let me tell you, we packed TONS into those two and a half days I was there.

The main point of the trip was to help her paint some stuff in her house, so we got right on that as soon as I got there Monday afternoon. 

And the rest is just nothing but good memories :)

Marty and Alyssa's cute little home :) 

Alyssa and I had just finished picking up paint when I saw this spot, and she graciously turned around to go back so I could take some pictures there :)

I filled in for Alyssa on a photo session of a family while I was up there, and these bulls kept photo-bombing... but they just added character in my opinion :) (but isn't that a pretty view regardless!?)

This was one of our projects... we took down the wallpaper that was on this wall and made it into a chalkboard wall :)

This china cabinet was our other project... It was completely made of wood paneling, so we took the primer and paint to it :)

-MarLeahJoy

Of Mountains and Such

Last Monday, I had just got back from our gorgeous trip to Tennessee. Infact, I had miraculously received two extra days off at the last minute so I could stay with my sister and brother in law for a few days before all of us met up at a little cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

We were setting out on the deck eating our first supper together when we noticed the mountains in the distance were turning a really weird pink color. So I brought out my camera in time to catch this sunset. 

I don't think I've ever really played a game of pool in my life, but there was a pool table in our cabin. And let me tell you... it quickly became a new favorite game of mine :)

One evening we went into the miniature theater room and watched a compilation of home videos from my Dad's side of the family. I'll be honest and say that I cried a few times when I would see videos of my Dad's father. He looked like a man that I would have loved to know :')

Leaves were already falling just a little bit up in the mountains :)

This was one of those shots that I was anticipating taking the whole trip. When I finally saw the old Mill, I made no hesitation to walk down there, wade in the water, and set up my tripod for this shot. My family joined me down there soon after, and when I got out of the water where I could hear them... they pointed to a sign that advised to stay out of the water due to high bacteria levels. Oops. Well, it's a week later and I'm feeling just fine... ;P

Family :)

And family, plus a little one on the way :D

We had just been to the first ultra sound for the little one and found out that they're going to have a little boy! We're all so excited :D

Our very last evening there, we travelled up to Clingman's Dome.

It was too foggy at the top of the mountain to see more than a few yards, but the drive up there was certainly gorgeous!

And on our way back down, we stopped at an overlook to watch the night sky.

Thanks for stopping by :)

-MarLeahJoy

Andrea {Senior 2016}

 I was in Jefferson, Oregon for a church campmeeting in June. Andrea's family is originally from that area, so she asked me to take her senior pictures while we were up there for the campmeeting and youth camp.

I had never been to Oregon, so I had no idea of what the country side would be up there... But me and one of my friends, Kelsey, took a jog one afternoon and I was in awe at the beauty of the farm land out there. The crops were planted right up next to the road (literally within 2 feet from it). Then they stretched on until they touched the base of the mountains. It was really a majestic view... I wouldn't mind jogging on that road everyday!! ;) Anyway, the area we jogged just so happened to be the same area that Andrea wanted her Senior pictures taken. :)

Thank you so much, Karissa, for coming along with us. :)

-MarLeahJoy