http://www.photographybydeann.com/

It's not fancy, it's not the coolest website, but I think it shows my stuff pretty well. It's better than what I had and the best part is, I can update my photos anytime I want. Which lately has been a couple of times a week. My goal is to keep it fresh, with new pictures every week. You know, change them around a bit.

So for now, this is what I will use. Even if it's not the fanciest site in the world. It's simple. Kinda like my business.

Thanks for checking it out. I hope you like it.

There is nothing more exciting than getting a great bargain. I love it. It's kind of like an adreline rush! Here's my bargains of the week:

Bargain #1: I noticed a fashion trend of skinny pants coming into style. Just when I started liking the bootcut, they bring back the tapered pants. Anyway, I thought I'd try some. On a whim, I found a pair on Ebay, new with tags for $10. The tag said $55. I thought if they don't fit, I'm only out a few bucks. So I bid, won, got them today and I LOVE them. Comfy, cute and maybe will put me in, as least a little bit, with the fashion scene.

Bargain #2: Needed new blinds for our bedrooms. I began shopping for those wooden ones and found they were not cheap, especially for 3 sets. So I waited for a while before ordering, I knew I could get some cheaper somewhere. Then I get this magazine in the mail from an outlet and had the exact blinds I wanted for half the price! I ordered, haven't gotten them yet, and if they don't work, I guess I can put them on Ebay!

nothing like a couple of bargains to make a woman happy all day...

A sneak peek at the family Christmas card 2007. Funny what bribes will do...

It's 1:30 a.m. and I'm working late tonight, getting caught up on all the appointments I've had the last couple of weeks. People have definitely started thinking about the covers of their holiday cards. It's been great, I've met some really neat people and have received some nice thank you's in the mail from people liking their finished pictures. I honestly could take pictures everyday, I just enjoy it so much. When I get behind a camera, I kind of lose myself in the real world and just get caught up in the action in front of the lens. I've done lots of weddings this fall, some seniors and a ton of kids (secretly, they're my favorites). I did a family last week and the dad is leaving for Iraq for the second time on Wednesday. I got him with his family, his wife and just his kids. It will be a great CD he'll get to take with him. I'm glad I got to do that for him. Another family had their full bred St. Bernard with them...she was huge and the sweetest 160-pound dog I've ever met. She posed very well. So with all the families I've been doing, I started thinking about our family and how we need a photo for the xmas card. And if you know the boys in my family, they don't like me mentioning it. My girls are all for it, hair done, smiles on, trying to pose us. So I brought it up one night during a Charlie's Pizza supper and surprisingly enough, they didn't balk. Before anyone could change their mind, I dressed us up, set the timer, bribed my son with a buck, my hubby with a backrub and snapped away. We actually had fun, waiting for the little beeper to go off before the camera flashed. We got the photo. It looks pretty good considering I have ten seconds to get in position! I was going to post the photo but blogger is having a technical difficulty, so it will wait until the next time. Hope you are all sleeping well...


Good night!

My Packer-roid son finally got to see his hero play in person. As you can see, the rest of us, including my dad, cheer for the Vikings. It was quite a sight. No one, not even us, can figure out where the Packer mania came from. He is the only cheesehead in the family. Nonetheless, we got to see Brett Favre break the record for the most touchdowns thrown in a career, which was Dan Marino's until then. (Just in case you wanted to know!) I love NFL football games and even though I'm not a huge Packer fan, I loved watching my son's face when Favre came through the tunnel. And I loved getting to enjoy it all with my dad. I hope we get to do it again next year.

And yes, the Packers ended up winning that day. But I didn't care. It will always be a great memory.

The last month has been so busy and I'm so glad I finally get a breather. It's been a whirlwind, like fall always is. I had many late nights working on customers pictures, helping kids with school projects and making sure I had my pom-poms for all the soccer and football games. Needless to say, my blogging has been next to nothing. One night, I tried to start a new post and I didn't even know where to start. My mind was bouncing around so I decided to wait until life just mellowed out a bit.

So here I am, catching up on my blog-girls posts and savoring the quiet time. I missed blogging. A lot. I hope to never get into that funk again. It's your blogs that add a little something special to each day. I'm sorry I haven't been posting but I have been reading yours and loving it all.

Another great time in the mountains of Colorado for my hubby. He got his elk, his second one, and is completely hooked on this kind of hunting. Yes, we get to eat it and it's awesome. Very healthy and very lean. I'm proud of my bh. Not many people get even one elk in their lifetime and here he has come home with two within 3 trips. He knows his stuff. Next time he says I get to go with. The hot tub in the log cabin sounds perfect to me!

Way to go, honey. Thanks for bringing home our food and incredible stories.

My 5-yr. old baby girl says to me,"Do you know there is a little man that lives in the oven? Yep, he does. He's a little green man and he looks over the food and when it's done, he makes the buzzer ring."

Pause.

"There's a little man in the micowave too. Except he's red."

And that was the end of the story about the little men that tell me when the food is cooked. :)

Paradise City.

This will mean more at the end of this blog. Race day was over a week ago already. Here's my rambling thoughts, mile by mile.

Mile 1: I can't believe how many people are here. This is awesome. I wonder where Rachel is? I'm glad we got to ride the shuttle bus to the starting line. I must get together with her again this fall.

Mile 2: Wow, I feel so good. The weather is perfect and people keep passing me. I wonder where all the Yankton folks are?

Mile 3: I feel like I am going really fast but my watch says I'm okay. Water break up ahead. I think I'll pass that one. Why does my nose run when I run? Kinda embarrasing to have snot all over my face. Hey, I think I know that person from high school...

Mile 4: Okay this is cool. Augustana Viking football players standing in a row cheering us on. That's so neat for them to get up so early to do that. Thank you. Too bad they can't hear me. More football players. They're from USF. Thank you too. Hope they didn't notice my snotty nose.

Mile 5: I really feel like I'm going fast. Oh my gosh, my watch says I did a 7 minute mile. Slow down, I'll won't make it to the end at that pace. Must have been those football players...

Mile 6: I am feeling really, really good. Totally in control. I am sure glad I have my ipod music. This song reminds me of my youngest daughter, she loves to sing this one. Oh I hope they are having fun swimming with grandma. The halfway clock just clocked me at 52 minutes. That means if I keep this pace, I can break my goal of 2 hours! Keep going, just keep going.

Mile 7: I think I know that person too. Wow, these trails are really pretty. I am so glad I got to meet Rani and Bobbi in person. They are such great people. I wonder what they are doing right now? Thank you God for all you do for me and for bringing me to where I am today. Oh this song reminds me of my other daughter! She can sing really loud and I love it. Still feeling good, still feeling good. Sure could use some Gatorade, water is making me feel nausous.

Mile 8: Now I really could use some Gatorade. I wonder how the kiddos are doing at the pool. The hotel was a great idea, we had a blast. I wonder how bh is going in the mountains. I'm sure he is wondering why I didn't answer the phone last night. Too tired, honey, too tired. That pasta buffet with my dad must have worked because I'm still feeling pretty good. Don't check my watch anymore. This song reminds me of my son. He is getting to be such a big boy. I hope he will still let me hug and kiss him before he doesn't want that anymore.
My legs are starting to tighten up, that's never happened before. ugh.

Mile 9: I think I am feeling some cramping in my lower calfs. That doesn't feel good at all. Maybe those carbs from last night are wearing off. I can't stop now or I'll never be able to get going again. So just keep going. Like my bh says, work through the pain, work through the pain. Keep going keep going. Now that guy is really happy. He must run these all the time. Like Carey, I wonder how that girl has such a little butt. Okay God, I really need that Gatorade now. Please don't let it be just water. Ick. Oh thank you. Powerade pit up ahead. How do people drink while they run? Mine ends up all over my face. Oh well, at this point, who's looking?

Mile 10: That last mile must have been measured wrong. That took forever. This must be the point where I hit the wall. I read if you do just keep running and you'll get through it. I can do it. My legs aren't that bad. The tightening feeling seems to be getting worse. Hmmmm, wonder why that is happening. Only a few more miles. I sure feel like prayers are being said for me right now. I'm so blessed to have such amazing people in my life. Man, now that would be a perfect photographic background. This mile is longer than the last. I think they need to measure again.

Mile 11: I think i'm past the wall. Whew. That was rough. Thank god for my music. I wonder where the song Paradise City is? I still love that song. Makes me feel old but I love it. That's funny, in between Newsboys, Switchfoot, 3rd Day and Mercy Me, there's this old Guns N Roses song. If that would just pop up, that would get me going. Wow, I think I am going to break my goal! This is so exciting. Keep running, keep running. Where is Rachel?

Mile 12: It's my song, Paradise City. I feel the adrenaline creeping through my body. My pace picks up a bit. One mile. I think it's so great how all these people are out here cheering us on. Complete strangers. I wish they knew how much I appreciate it. My cramping legs hurt but I must concentrate on the song. I can't wait to see my dad at the finish line. I sure love him. I must have the greatest dad ever. Everything good in me comes from him. One mile left, one mile left...

Mile 13: I'm turning the corner now. Oh thank you God, for getting me through the wall. The people are all over the place clapping, ringing bells. My song is up probably too loud but I don't care. I am totally pumped up and feeling good, except for those darn cramps. Where's my dad? Where is he? There he is! Hey dad, over here!! I go even faster, smile and cross the finish line in my personal best time of 1:53:45. I can't believe it. I really can't believe i did it.

After the race, I limped to the massage therapy tent for some professional treatment. My dad looked worried but soon the legs were fine again. Sore but fine. I am convinced the only reason I broke the 2 hour mark was because of my friends, my family, my blog family, my God and of course...good 'ol Paradise City!

Well, the husband is probably sleeping with the wildlife somewhere in the mountains of Colorado. So with him gone, the kids and I are heading to Sioux Falls tomorrow. After my son's soccer game, we'll be staying in a suite, complete with pool and hot tub. Oohh how the kids are excited. it's kind of like a weekend with just mom. And grandma and grandpa too. The big race is Sunday morning. It's what I've been running around town like a crazy woman for the past 6 months for. I'm excited for it and I can't wait to see all the other people there, including the 14 others from Yankton.

So I know I've said before that I totally am in God-mode when I run. And the other day, while I was running, I realized how blessed I am for this whole blog thing and how many awesome people I have met through this. There are so many times when I read your blogs and don't always get to comment but I just want you to know, that so many of your stories, your advice, your experiences, have totally made such a difference in my life! Know that when I am in the zone of running 13.1 miles, i will be thinking of YOU and YOU will get me to the finish line!! :))

It's that time of year again. My hunter-husband just left for Colorado in search of the biggest elk in the mountains. He went with his hunting buddy and hopefully will find their way through the rugged terrain, meet up with their guide and begin the quest. I'm glad the day is here. He's been waiting a long time for this one. Now I just hope he doesn't come home next week empy handed.

Good luck, my mountain man, bring home the big one.

It's been a crazy week, explaining why my blog is a little outdated. Here was my week in a nutshell...

2 lunch dates with friends

4 football practices

3 soccer practices

1 lunch date with husband

1 wedding shoot

2 wedding consultations

3 family shoots

1 senior shoot

2 photo shoots from previous week to deliver

5 days of school

3 kids to get ready in the morning for those 5 days of school

1 word of the week project due for 2nd grader

6 math problems to help solve for 5th grader

1 school carnival

1 Yankton Bucks football game

1 grill out at friends new house

1 tree stand to help assemble

1 yard to mow

1 yard to mow again

1 Jeep to wash

3 games of Monopoly

2 games of playing makeover

25 miles of running

1,000 prayers of thanks for our happy, busy life!

This was how the sky looked last night after a big thunderstorm. The whole sky looked like a bunch of cotton balls, it was really neat. The second picture my son pointed out...look closely...it resembles an angel.

Hmmmmm...I think that's why we didn't get the softball size hail they predicted. That's what my son thinks too.

My family grew by 3 the last couple of days. The extra children are the kids of our great friends. We met this family when we first moved to Yankton, 13 years ago. We trade babysitting, as well as shopping tactics, recipes, etc. As you can see, their kids are the same age and gender as our kids. So it's an instant bond. Their mom and dad are teachers and had to go back to school a couple of days earlier than the kids so they set up camp at our house. It was fun although I truly don't know how people who actually have 6 children do it! But the girls played dress-up and the boys played football and I just held down the fort. Shewww, I made it. I'm so glad we have such good friends.

This weekend is kind of like our last hurrah before school starts. It's Riverboat Days here in Yankton, where the town of 18,000 suddenly swells to 100,000. My girls dance tonight...which meant a week of dress rehearsals and run thru's. Tomorrow morning I'm running the 5K...it's a great race which goes along the parade route so lots of people cheering us on. Then the huge parade, then it's down to the river for lots of food, shopping at the hundreds of booths and letting the kids go crazy with the "kid" stuff. My son plays in a 3-on-3 basketball tournie. The night brings a sitter for the kids, my hubby and I and friends head back down to listen to Kory and the fireflies and partake in the adult festivities. Sunday we usually go back again for more food. Those darn funnel cakes...I love 'em.

So it's our annual tradition of saying goodbye to summer before school starts next week. It's a great time, we look forward to it every year. Seems like we were just there last year. I've said it before...the summer months go way too fast...

My 2nd grader was in my room watching me change my clothes into a new outfit.

"You're a hottie, mommy. I want to be just like you."

Where in the world did the word hottie come from? Another sign that my 2nd grader knows more than I think she does!

i'm in the prime of senior picture season...this is one of the appointments I had this weekend. I loved these. She has been dancing since she was 3...just like my girls...I think her mom will cry when she sees these photos. I know I would. Just wanted to share them with you...

This is a beautiful spot out by Lewis & Clark Lake we discovered just last week. I can't tell you how many times we have driven the sign "The House Of Mary Shrine" and just kept going. 13 years in Yankton and never once took this in until now. A couple of friends were talking about how cool this was. We decided to meet there one afternoon and I was totally impressed! Along the highway there are 3 huge crosses up on the bluffs, you can't miss them. Well, this place takes you up that hill until you are right up with those crosses with the view of the lake. The kids were so amazed they were up with the crosses they have seen from the highway so many times before. Next time you are in the area, you must take this in. We're going again very soon!

It has suddenly become extra-busy around the McClure house. My son started football camp, VBS at church, dance rehearsals for Riverboat Days, our new bathroom is almost done,my business is booming and still managing to get in those long runs for the half in 5 weeks (or is it 4 now...) And now I have decided to repaint the basement. But what has been cool has been this awesome quality time my bh and I have had. The kids are all at their acitvites at the same time for 3 hours this week so we've done things together that we don't usually get to do. Last night we ran with the dog together along the beach. The night before we biked the nature trail. We did some work around the house together. We' ve had so much fun together. So all these activities are not only great for the kids, they're good for the parents too!! Tomorrow we are heading to the lake with friends for a day of relaxing...because with all the chaos, we can always find time to spend by the water playing in the sand!

It's an annual tradition...one summer weekend, my son gets to stay with his grandma and grandpa in Sioux Falls. They go to baseball games, the movies, the watershow, retaurants and he gets to pick out his favorite Playstation2 game. He loves it. He got his weekend a month ago and this year, we decided the girls should have a turn. so this was their first weekend away by themselves in Sioux Falls. We picked them up on Sunday and I truly don't think they missed us at all! They got a pedicure/manicure, went to Rataouille, McDonalds and the watershow. They loved it. My stepmom gave each little one ankle bracelets as a reminder of their first stay with them. I love the memories they come home with. As the kids say, grandma and grandpa are the best!

Yes, they are.