Archives for July 2011

Looking Back: A Wedding Day

July 31, 2011 by Cheryl Barker 8 Comments

We’re back from an amazing week of vacation with our kids, and of course, I didn’t want it to end :) I’ll probably share pictures in a post next week, but for now we’ll jump back into Summer Photo Fun with photos from Kristin and Shawn’s wedding in 2006. Remember, those were my pre-blogging days so I’m allowed to share pics now :) I’ll share some shots from the reception in Wednesday’s post so don’t despair — you’ll get to see the cake! :)

Kristin and Shawn’s wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life, and Kelli and Jake’s was another. God has blessed us with two of the best sons-in-law in the world. You saw Kelli and Jake’s wedding here on the blog last year as it happened so hope you enjoy now seeing the wedding joy of Kristin and Shawn!

Getting the bride dressed was a group effort :)

First time I saw Shawn on wedding day. What a happy moment for both of us. We couldn’t believe the time had finally come. Such joy!

A few final touches by Kelli — sister, maid of honor, and make-up artist for a day! :)

Shawn talking with his mom right before the ceremony. Someone looks a little nervous :)

Don and I waiting our turn to light the unity candle. Yes, I wore silver for this wedding, too :) Both of my girls chose blue, and silver was what I could find (that looked good on me) to coordinate. They are different dresses, though :)

Time for the father of the bride to give his little girl away. He’s trying awfully hard to smile :)

A gorgeous ceremony site — Sharp Chapel at The University of Tulsa where Kristin and Shawn both got their undergraduate degrees.

Mr. and Mrs.! Both so happy to be married. Kristin was particularly exultant :)

The private after-kiss before everyone descended on them.

Ready for the rest of their lives together!

“…and the two will become one…” Matthew 19:5b

*Photography by Chris Humphrey

*Remember, the party pics will be in my next post so check back Wednesday evening or after for the rest of the story!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter/ezine, will come out this week. If you’re not already receiving it, sign-up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: celebrate, family, memories, photo fun

Time for a Break

July 20, 2011 by Cheryl Barker 6 Comments

Hope you’ve been enjoying Summer Photo Fun here on my blog. Even though it’s provided me with a bit of break from writing more focused blog posts, I need to take a real break from blogging for the next 10 days or so. Don and I will be spending an entire glorious week with our kids, and I want to concentrate completely on them during that time. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it :)

I’ll be resuming Summer Photo Fun late in the day on Sunday July 31. That week I plan to share some of Kristin and Shawn’s wedding photos—and guess what? I’m excited about that, too! :)

Enjoy the rest of your July, and I’ll see you when I get back!

“‘May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.’” Genesis 31:49b

*Flickr photo by annmuell, Creative Commons License

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early August. Sign up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: family, fun, refresh

July Family Fun

July 17, 2011 by Cheryl Barker 4 Comments

*If you missed seeing Kristin’s bridal portraits, be sure to check out the previous post. Don’t want you to miss it!

The past few posts of Summer Photo Fun have taken a look back in time. This time I thought I’d share some of the family fun that’s been taking place this month. About 10 days ago, my sisters and I gathered at Mom and Dad’s along with my husband, Don, niece Joanna, and nephew Gavin. All of our family members weren’t able to be there, but the smaller group gave us all a chance to spend more time with one another.

The photo above shows us ready to chow down on our meals at Lambert’s, the restaurant famous for throwing hot rolls at you. And believe me, you want these hot rolls thrown at you. Yummy hot goodness and fun to catch at that :)

After we filled our bellies at Lambert’s, some of us tried to walk off the calories at Springfield’s Botanical Center and Gardens. What a beautiful area!

Even in the midst of such beauty, our gang finds a way to be silly. We can’t take photos without bunny ears appearing :) Look closely and you’ll see Gavin as the culprit behind his mom :)

After we’d been on the grounds awhile, Gavin found himself in prison :) Joanna was happily unconcerned and texting her friends :)

When we run out of fish food, we just offer them toes! :)

And one final shot from some earlier family fun in July — Kristin and Gavin sword fighting with ears of corn on the 4th of July at my sister Carolyn’s house. Call us crazy — but call us creative, too! :)

Hope you’re also enjoying some fun with your family this summer!

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:2a

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter/ezine, will come out the first week in August. If you’re not already receiving it, sign-up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: family, fun, photo fun, summer

Looking Back: Bridal Portraits for Kristin

July 13, 2011 by Cheryl Barker 7 Comments

Don’t you just love Summer Photo Fun? I certainly do. I’m thrilled to have an excuse to share some of Kristin’s bridal portraits with you. Since they were taken before my blogging days, you’ve not had the chance to see them, but allow me to fix that today :)

Seeing my first-born as a bride for the very first time was one of the happiest moments of my life. She was so in love and so excited she simply glowed. I hope you enjoy a glimpse into her bridal portrait session — otherwise known as “Isn’t She Gorgeous?” :)

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelation 21:2

*Photography by Chris Humphrey

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter/ezine, will come out the first week in August. If you’re not already receiving it, sign-up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: family, memories, photo fun, preparation

Looking Back: An Engagement

July 10, 2011 by Cheryl Barker 6 Comments

As we continue with Summer Photo Fun here on the blog, I’m excited to share some special photos from the life of our oldest daughter Kristin and her husband Shawn. Last year I got to share Kelli and Jake’s engagement and wedding events as they happened, but now I’ll take you back to a year or two before I became a blogger and share the love story of our first little girl. And yes, I guess I’ll always think of her as our little girl :)

Kristin and Shawn became friends as college students at the University of Tulsa but didn’t start dating until they graduated and were ready to leave town. Crazy, but true :) Thus began a long-distance dating adventure which led to their engagement in June 2005 and their wedding in May 2006.

I can honestly say they have one of the sweetest love relationships I’ve been privileged to witness. We are forever grateful that God brought them together to share their lives. Hope you enjoy getting a peek at some of their engagement photos. Be sure to check back in the coming weeks. I’ll show you some bridal portraits and wedding photos as well! Good stuff ahead! :)