July 12 More engagement pics

continued:  These next few pictures were taken very far away from Kota and Emma. I am absolutely terrible at ZOOMing anything! I used my photo program to kind of fix these, but I don't think the pixel quality is very good.

They are closer here, so this is a clearer shot ...

Oh to run down the beach again (never in my lifetime will I be able to do this)! I love it when Emma does this. She is a fast runner!

This next series is my favorite. I hope Emma will use these on FB, but she is free to use whatever she likes.

They are just such sweet pictures.

And she's OFF once more ... !!!

 I hope Emma finds these acceptable to use where she wants to use them. It sure was nice to be with these two yesterday. 

We ate dinner out (they treated me!) at Buffalo Wild Wings--YUM! I moaned as I ate. Shock!

Oh, Lord, please draw these two dear people close to Your wonderful heart. Teach them to love you as You alone deserve. Help them submit all of their lives to You. Guard them, Jesus, from the evils of the world around us. Direct them to Your Word and use it to daily cleanse their lives. 

Help us to truly KNOW You, the only True God, and Jesus Christ who You sent to chase us down and show us Who You are. Please guard us from our enemy, help us keep alert, and use our lives to bring You glory, honor, and praise.

July 12 Emma and Kota

Sunday afternoon: Emma asked me last week if I would come with her and Kota and photograph their engagement "event" -- Kota actually proposed on July 2 over at Pioneer Park, so these pictures are just to celebrate that fact. 

We had perfect weather Sunday afternoon and we KNEW the beaches would be super crowded. Where could we go that was beautiful but where we could find less people? We decided on Muskegon State Park because there is such a long stretch of beach there. Sure, people were there--but if we walked far enough we could get them pretty much way in the background. 

I'm going to post a whole bunch of pictures that I have edited--you know, fix the horizon line, sharpen the color, etc. I may make several posts, depending on how I feel about it.

I liked this first picture, especially of Emma, but every time I tried to remove the background people nearest to her face, everything messed up and got all out of line. I gave up trying. I still like this picture though.

I cropped a bunch of people out of this photo (including Kota) but I wish Emma had been smiling ...

I like this one of both of them!

I super like this one. I love Emma's smile, and I love how Kota is looking at her.

Okay ... by now, you have quickly realized I am NOT a professional photographer (as if you didn't already know this!). A pro-photo person knows exactly where to have the subjects stand, which way to face, how to place their hands, etc. AND that photographer bosses everyone around until they get the result they are looking for. I'm not that person!

I do favor this first picture of their hands though (look at Emma's beautiful nails and engagement ring).

I am shooting into the sun in a lot of these pictures, so my fine-tuning isn't exactly the best; however, I do like these pictures--so there!

A very sweet kiss ...

The sun is right exactly in Kota's eyes in the next shot ... he looks pained (because he is!).

He moved just slightly and smiled (below), so that one is better I think.

I did order both of them INTO the water ... I surprised myself ... I'm not good at being the boss.

I think all of these are lovely ... I have more to follow ... bear with me.

July 11 Deer Tracks Junction (cont)

Saturday (continued): After walking past the emus, we entered the PIG area. These little pigs have grown quite a lot in the two weeks between Erin's visit and today. Cal was very pleased to feed them. Look at his happy little face ...

We then walked over to the prairie dog place that has tunnels underneath, but Cal noticed this climbing place right next to it and decided he would prefer to do this ...

He was a little tentative about climbing this rope ladder, but he continued on up until he reached the very top, and then crossed this wiggly bridge. He was very proud of himself.

It was about noon and beginning to get HOT. Cal sat down to rest for just a minute. I reminded him that there were still a bunch of tunnels he hadn't been inside of yet.

We retraced our steps and returned to the biggest playground at the park that has tons of tunnels. Cal had a little green flashlight with him to light up his way ...

I stuck my head inside and caught this picture of him ...

I loved watching Cal climb all over the place. I could hear him talking inside of the tunnels. He had so much fun. "Next time we come, grandma, I'm going to start with the tunnels!"

We left Deer Tracks at about 12:30 and drove over to the Rockford Culver's and enjoyed a very nice lunch together.

I love you, little Cal. You are such an interesting person! Many times, Cal will begin a conversation like this: "Imagine if ..." and then he will go on to say the funniest things!

Thank you, Lord, for these wonderful hours with this dear little grandson. You are so kind, Lord!