For as long as I can remember, The Sheboygan County Fair has signaled the bittersweet end of Summer. As a kid, wrist band night on Thursday night was the highlight- unlimited rides, staying out past bedtime, the best grilled cheese sandwiches in the world. As I grew older, it was about running into friends, carnival games, and teeny weeny donuts.
Over the past few years, I have introduced the tradition to my own family. It's amazing to watch the kids from year to year as they grow bolder in their ride selections and begin to remember what they did and didn't do last year and predict what they will and won't do next year.
It was a great night. No wrist band night yet this year, but we won't be able to avoid it next year. Cows? check. Tractors? check. Teeny Weeny Donuts? check. The ferris wheel? Let's just say we're still working our way up to that one. Oh- and we didn't miss the best grilled cheese sandwiches in the world.
I recently had the pleasure to photograph Little Miss Sophia for her 5 month pictures. It should have been for her 3 month pictures, but her mom and I slacked for too long in getting together. We didn't trust ourselves long enough to wait for the 6 month milestone, so 5 months it was. Sophia did a great job and I am looking forward to next time- I hear a pink tutu is in the works!
It seems July went by without major incident. Hurling practice on Thursdays and games on Sundays tend to make the weeks fly by- except when I have difficulty walking for a day and a half after each game. I am getting old.
Channel 12 did a spotlight on our club and, it just so happens, my team (McBobs) was on the field. If you look closely at the 0:54 mark, I am the large one in the white helmet that comes in from screen right and may or may not check the dude running at me. That may or may not also be the dude who broke my finger last year- we're even now.
August was packed with a couple weddings and a fairly uneventful but pleasant birthday. We were fortunate enough to make our bi-annualsemi-annual whichever one means twice a year to Wausau to see the Roz's. Good times were had by all as it is always a nice and relaxing weekend- especially when they don't put me to work (just kidding Angie- you know I don't mind)
A trip to the park. A local church festival. Old Navy. And fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. What can I say- I'm a simple man.
Irish Fest came later in the month. And aside from a minor blow-up from the young lad, we all had a great time. Green slushies and Shamrock Twists for Calvin and Clara. Rueben Rolls and Irish Nachos for Mom and Dad. Irish Dancing. Scottish music. Did I mention Rueben Rolls??
Checking out some crazy Celtic rowing.
Checking out the grounds from above.
Last weekend Marisa was sucked further into small-town life when she attended her first block party. The neighbors have talked about it for years and it finally happened.
I have to say, it was pretty much as I remembered from my neighborhood growing up- kick ball in the street, grilled meat, capture the flag after dark. Only now it had the added bonus of Vodka Lemonades and the modern conveniences of Guitar Hero in the neighbor's garage and a giant rented jumping pit for the kids. I can feel Fredonia sucking us in and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
So I was perusing my "Summer Fun '08" photo folder and realized a couple of things:
a) I don't take enough pictures- seriously I am very streaky at this when it comes to the fam b) Where did the summer go? Labor day weekend already?
So a summer recap it is sans the big Labor Day weekend blowout still to come.
Probably one of my favorite memories from the summer was "Calvin and Dad Adventure Day". Clara was getting potty trained with Mom and all her work geeks friends so Cal and I packed our "adventure bags" (too much Diego for certain members of the family) and hit the road for destinations unknown.
We climbed the Parnell Tower.
Hiked the Ice Age Trail
And caught (and later ate) a fish.
When we got home, Clara was potty trained- no joke. Marisa did a great job and we haven't looked back since.
The Fourth of July was a big weekend for the McKee family. Two parades, two fireworks, cooking at the soup kitchen and picking (and freezing) 15 pounds of strawberries and 5 pounds of snap peas.
Cal and (neighbor) Paige at the Sheboygan Fourth Parade.
Dancing to some quality country music in good 'ol Saukville before fireworks.
mmmmmm....peas.....
...too...many...parades (passed out under makeshift tent at Elkhart Lake parade)
With a face that was born to be behind the camera rather than in front of it, I simply love taking photographs.
This blog is about me only as much as it is about my work. Rarely will you catch a glimpse of me here. What you will see are both my favorite family moments that I was lucky enough to capture and some of my favorite work that I have been lucky enough to be hired for.
If you know me, you might agree that I am a pretty mellow guy. I try to cut through the fluff and get the job done as simply as possible. That carries through to my work as a photographer. I would rather spend time photographing a family moment than posing one. Capturing a little smirk instead of a forced smile. These are the moments that I treasure. And in my opinion, these are the moments that make great photographs.
