The Covenant Church of McKinney had a Valentine’s Dance and Banquet just before the big day, and they invited us to come along and capture the event.  I had to fly solo on this one since Stacia had just been discharged from the hospital.  It was really a great time had by all.  They had a comedian, played a hilarious game of “which is my wife” where all you had to go on was the touch of their hands.  The dude in the line up was not once mistaken for someone’s wife, to everyone’s relief I think.  They danced and stayed right through till the end, and I stayed with them shooting the fun.  When the DJ spun M.J.’s Thriller the dance floor came alive (and stayed that way all night).

It was great fun.  I wish I had received the our new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV before this gig, but alas it was still on backorder.  We have it now, and I’m loving it.  More on that in a later post.  Maybe even a review, we’ll see.

Anyhow, big thanks to the crew that put this excellent event on.  It was a ton of fun.  I put together a website for the guests to view their photographs.  You can check out the fun here on The Covenant Church Valentine's Day Dance website.

Sorry for going so long without a post, but things have been crazy lately.  Stacia had a very close call after complications from an appendectomy, so we haven’t been spending much time behind the lens shooting weddings or seniors lately. Instead we have been in and out of the hospital, not the way!  Once she was out of the woods (after her second surgery) I got to go home for a few hours so I grabbed the camera and caught a few candid shots of her recovering, some of the wonderful staff that treated her and the flowers and gifts that everyone sent.

This was by far the hardest thing we have ever been through, and it really was touch and go there for a bit.  The complication she had is fatal if not caught within 36 hours, which it was thank God!  She was in really bad shape, but is now on her way to a full recovery.  This is due to the excellent care her doctor, nurses and the whole staff at Plano Presbyterian Hospital gave her.  I wouldn’t wish what she went through on my worst enemy, however I can’t imagine a better place to go through something horrible like this. 

Thank you everyone, family, friends and Plano Presbyterian Hospital staff for taking care of my girl (and me).  We wouldn’t have made it through this horrific time in our lives without you all.

Here are some photographs of these wonderful people that took such great care of her.

Here is Nurse Jessika and Stacia (no she is not holding a baby!).  Jessika was great, tough love is what comes to mind when I think about her forcing Stacia to get out of bed and walk around.  Every time she came by she would say, “I want to see you up and around, Missy”  Loved her.  I wanted to say, “Yeah, Stacia, just walk it off!”  :)  Thank You Jessika!!!

Here is Jessika again as she retrieves the “good stuff” that goes in one of the six IVs Stacia had during her stays. Also here is Stacia with AK another wonderful nurse that took great care of her.  THANK YOU AK!

Here are some (there were so many I had to make two trips home) of the gifts and flowers Stacia received during her stay.

PCT (Patient Care Technician) Rosie was a riot!  She was on hand taking vitals when Stacia was finally allowed to have some food, well broth.

Cynthia and Mary were a great nurse and PCT team, really the whole 7th floor was full of great people, and the room could have only been better if it had its own mini-fridge!

We just put the finishing touches on Jessie and Kyle’s save the date magnet design, they’re going to be nice!  Now if we just didn’t have a stainless steel fridge, we’d have someplace to put ours when it gets here.  :(

Stacia and I spent this evening texting back and forth with Jessica and Kyle as we put the finishing touches on their wedding site. Here's what we came up with. Enjoy!

http://jessicaandkyle.tylerrbrown.com

...or just play around in it right here:

It was hard to get Catie to light up, at first.  Then I figured out what to talk about with her, her car, she loves that little red hot rod.  I noticed the back tires were a little low on tread, I wonder why that is…  :)

We had a great time with Catie, and the photographs are awesome.  You rule chica.

Stacia grew up on the same street as Jessica, and their families are now so close that you can’t really tell they aren’t actually related.  We are shooting Jessica and Kyle’s wedding in June and we’re really looking forward to it.  So for their engagement Stacia and I flew up to Kansas, went back to their home town and shot a few in the old neighborhood.  Kyle is Army bound, so it was nice of the park to let us use the tank for a few shots!  :)  I am only posting the rated PG pictures here, email me for the rated R versions, okay, PG-13!  ;)

I think we will have to get a trampoline in all of our shoots from now on, that was hilarious.

Seriously, we really enjoyed rushing around trying to beat the sunset with you… thanks for letting us capture this special time in your life… I hope you love the pictures.

Stacia and I flew up to Kansas for this one, well, really for several shoots.  Nothing like working on your birthday…

Happy Birthday Stacia!!!

Stephanie was a natural, tons of fun, and willing to try all of the poses we could throw at her.  She forgot her bow, and no I don’t mean hair-bow, I mean bow, as in, bow and arrow… next time I guess.  Thanks for being such a trooper Stephanie, I hope you had as much fun as we did making these!  You Rock!