Color The Skies, Ripon CA

What a great way to spend a Sunday...It started at 4am, when my alarm went off. I got four kids out the door by 4:45am. We arrived in Ripon at 5:45am. We made a few wrong turns getting there. It was cold, windy and dark. All of the kids were instructed to bring warm sweatshirts, only one choose not to listen.

No balloons were setting up when we arrived. We found our way to the funnel cakes, and enjoyed a sugar filled breakfast. The wind had really kicked up...and there were rumors it was too windy for the balloons to launch. About 7am the entertainment started. Then by 7:30 a few balloons started to fill up.
Four were filling, and I enjoyed getting the pictures you see. Then about 20 minutes later, they started being deflated.

I talked to a pilot and he said the balloons were called a "90". That means they hold 90,000 cubit feet of air. One basketball holds 1 cubit foot. So a "90" is 90,000 basket balls.

The kids were asked to help hold onto the rope for one deflating balloon. They had fun being part of the action.

The event was a fund raiser for Valley Children's Hospital. The same one Lucas is currently in.

Angel and Autum were selected to go up on stage and be part of the Show. They were entertained by Ravioli the Clown (www.raviolitheclown.com) and Miss. Sparkles Delight (www.sparklesdelight.com). There were about 75 kids watching, and they were all laughing and having a good time.

I also meet Tim Mandel. He tried to get me to trade him my camera for his snake. I still have my camera. He was great to talk with, and He allowed me to get some great pictures of the snake. He also has animals available to have a Petting Zoo (209-765-7940) at events. He had the zoo at this event. There were chicks, rabbits, goats, pigs, turtles and more.

Lucas Update.

He's improving!!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!! There's so much good news from Anne today. Lucas's blood work shows the creatinine levels are coming down. He's not having dialysis all day, just at night. He's eating some solid food. He might be able to leave his room soon. He's been quarantined so far. Gloves, masks and gowns. So this will be a big improvement. He'll be able to go to the play room.

Also Anne had been worried about finances, because she can't work all this time. But Leman was told this week a mid year bonus will be on his next check! Does the Lord have great timing or what! Also they have already meet their insurance deductible this year...so they may not have much of a hospital bill! WOW!!

Thank you for all your prayers. But don't stop yet...not till their safely home.

Added 8/28/08 See comments:
"One more update as of Thursday night...Lucas is eating everything now and feeling better. He is still a little weak (he falls down when he runs!) but his renal panel looked good today. His hemogloben count is still low, so we are monitoring it. He is also receiving shots to help him make more red blood cells. We hope to be home by the middle of next week! Anne:)"

Lucas needs prayers

Lucas R. is currently in Central Valley Children's Hospital, near Fresno.
He contracted E. coli. He's been in the hospital since August 16th.
Pray for his kidneys to start working. Also pray for his parents. It's so hard to see you child sick everyday.

Never take good heath for granted. Love and hug your kids everyday.

Here's a link for more information about E.coli.

Does who you choose to take your picture really matter?

Yes...Yes...!!!
So what makes "Elaine Begley Photography" a great choice?

The fact that she continually increases her knowledge about photography. The list of blogs of other photographers may seem odd to you...but all of us are members of an exclusive members only photography forum. We daily share our wisdom and creativity with each other. I'm sure you are familiar with the phrase "two heads are better than one". Well how about 20 or 30 heads. Imagine the ideas we can ALL come up with.

What about the endless ideas of poses and locations for YOUR session. The new techniques for "photoshoping" an image...the list of advantages to you as the client is endless.

During your planning session we will discuss how we can use new ideas to make sure your session is fun for you and your family.
Call for September availability NOW! It's almost sold out.
209-403-0932 Make sure you check out the splash page on my web site, and the on-line only specials in the ordering section of my web site.