New year.. new office!

<img src="http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w541/dismantlerepair_storage3/web_J4B1884_zpsfce9f42f.jpg" width="690" /><img src="http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w541/dismantlerepair_storage3/web_J4B1890_zps1a0afa56.jpg" width="690" /><img src="http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w541/dismantlerepair_storage3/web_J4B1930_zps4aeec418.jpg" width="342" /> <img src="http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w541/dismantlerepair_storage3/web_J4B1933_zpscc8a2e52.jpg" width="342" /><img src="http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w541/dismantlerepair_storage3/web_J4B1898_zps991edb10.jpg" width="690" /><br /> <br /> 2014 was a fantastic year, and by far one of the biggest highlights had to be Graham and I buying our first home in October. And with this new home came something I have wanted for longer than I can remember: an office space!<br /> <br /> A few months have now passed since we moved in, and for a while this room was half-office, But now that all of our worldly possessions have been tidied away and the moving boxes have gone in the recycling, I now have a dedicated space to work in and I am just so excited and grateful.<br /> <br /> It's a work in progress but I am already really happy and can't wait to see how this room will evolve over time. I've always struggled to "switch off" from work at the end of the day, and now that I'm no longer working in my bedroom and finally have a door separating my work and our home life, it will be really interesting to see how this impacts our life (and my business) for the better.<br /> <br /> So with a nice tidy workspace, goals for the next year set and all my work from 2014 safely archived away.. I'm ready for you, 2015!

freelance personal photographer office photographer office design New year.. new office!

2014 was a fantastic year, and by far one of the biggest highlights had to be Graham and I buying our first home in October. And with th...

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Foot Pictures // Our Tradition

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Every time Mere and I travel somewhere, she always insists on a foot shot. I don't know what it is about these, but they've totally grown on me too! She has an entire facebook album of our feet... all over the world.<br /><br />The latest addition to our foot collection is from our first trip to Austin, TX. There's a famous wall there... maybe you've seen it. Well, when we got there, we had company, and instead of asking them to move, we decided it would be a little more interesting to leave them there. I love our little traditions!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/austin_foot.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/austin_foot.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 1414px;" /></a><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

personal travel Foot Pictures // Our Tradition

Hey everybody! Every time Mere and I travel somewhere, she always insists on a foot shot. I don't know what it is about these, but they...

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Happy Anniversary to US!

Hey everybody!!<br /><br />Tomorrow marks the 1 year anniversary since Meredith and I were officially married (aka signed the marriage license). We've had a crazy year, with some major ups and some heavy downs. Many people say the 1st year is the hardest, but I've found that the hardest times for us were the ones that brought us the closest together. I think that's a good sign, do you? :)<br /><br />Our wedding was such a dream come true for both of us. We were able to get married in a dream location (Four Seasons in Florence Italy), and have the fanciest reception (and best meal of our lives) - definitely one that Meredith deserved! I'm still ever-thankful for my good friend Becker, who came over and photographed our wedding, and Summer (from Grey Likes Weddings), who came over and styled it and did all our florals for us. It was such a dream because of the amazing talent we had at our wedding. Lastly, a big thank you goes out to our workshop photographers who took amazing pictures of our wedding day and were constant enjoyable company for Mere, Ellie, and me during our time abroad.<br /><br />I forget if I've said this or not, but I have advice for all our wedding couples on your wedding day:<br />Before you go to bed, make a list of your favorite things from the day - I promise you'll cherish that list! Meredith and I re-read our list tonight at our fancy dinner. The list is filled with funny anecdotes, inside jokes, and cherished moments. Seriously, couples... you'll be so happy if you do this!<br /><br />And now, a few of my favorite images from our wedding, photographed by Becker, and capture what I think about the day: a FUN day filled with love and laughter.<br />If you wanna see more images from the wedding, head to <a href="http://blog.thebecker.com/index.cfm/postID/1009/Wedding-Photography-at-the-Four-Seasons-Firenze">Becker's Blog post</a>!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://blog.thebecker.com/images/content/italy_wedding_22.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://blog.thebecker.com/images/content/italy_wedding_22.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 900px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://blog.thebecker.com/images/content/italy_wedding_17.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://blog.thebecker.com/images/content/italy_wedding_17.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 900px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://blog.thebecker.com/images/content/italy_wedding_09.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://blog.thebecker.com/images/content/italy_wedding_09.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 900px;" /></a><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

our wedding personal Happy Anniversary to US!

Hey everybody!! Tomorrow marks the 1 year anniversary since Meredith and I were officially married (aka signed the marriage license). We...

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Mimi's Surprise 60th Birthday Brunch!

Hey everybody!<br /><br />A couple weeks ago we all got together to celebrate Mere's Mom's birthday. Mere and her sister, Rory, worked really hard to pull off the big surprise, which was quite the feat considering they both live in Arkansas and the party was in Joplin. Mere's mom, Rita (a.k.a. Mimi) is known for having impeccable taste so the daughters were a wee bit nervous about all the details! I think they did a FABULOUS job! The surprise went off without a hitch! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/505.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/505.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/502.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/502.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/503.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/503.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/501.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/501.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/500.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/500.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br />Ellie made Mimi 4 presents (and drew her a picture of her - oh, precious girl!)<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/504.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/12Blog/0315_mimi/504.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

personal Mimi's Surprise 60th Birthday Brunch!

Hey everybody! A couple weeks ago we all got together to celebrate Mere's Mom's birthday. Mere and her sister, Rory, worked really h...

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It's Time to Make Time

Hey everybody,<br /><br />Today's going to be an atypical post. I know there probably aren't too many DADS who read this blog (if I'm reading my stats right, most of my readers are females between the ages of 18 and 35), but that's okay. I just wanna say what I feel like saying.<br /><br />I think that for the most part, dads out there don't make time. I know they're busy... they (typically) have the job of providing for their family, which involves traveling with their work... I get it.<br /><br />Believe me, I get it.<br /><br />But if I can do it, I think any dad can. I travel a lot - actually, so far this month I've only slept in MY bed 4 nights (out of 21)! I've been out of town, out of state, out of country. It makes it difficult to have quality time. However...<br /><br />When I'm around Ellie, that time belongs to her. I'm stingy with my Ellie-time, and I go out of my way to give "being a dad" my all. When I have a chance to connect, I don't hold back. Take Flat Ellie, for example. She made Flat Ellie as a school project to take on adventures. Whenever I travel, I bring Flat Ellie with me on my adventures, and then come back and teach Ellie's class (as well as plan a craft and a treat). <br /><a href="http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/111a1fe845d111e19896123138142014_7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/111a1fe845d111e19896123138142014_7.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 612px; height: 612px;" /></a><br /><br />I'm not saying dads need to go to the extreme (though I think kids appreciate it), but I think it's important that dads make special time for their kids, even if something else needs to be sacrificed. Let's step up, dads, and show our kids how much we care about them! Even if it's something as simple as a weekly date night.<br /><br /><a href="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/1a353066550f11e1b9f1123138140926_7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/1a353066550f11e1b9f1123138140926_7.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 612px; height: 612px;" /></a><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

Ellie personal It's Time to Make Time

Hey everybody, Today's going to be an atypical post. I know there probably aren't too many DADS who read this blog (if I'm read...

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Grade Card Time: 2011 Goals/Resolutions

Hey everybody!<br /><br />I know there are a few days left in 2011, but that's close enough to figure out how I did on my 2011 Goals and New Year's resolutions I made back in January.<br /><br /><br />1) Read 3000 pages. DONE! My favorites from the year are definitely the Hunger Games series! <br /><br />2) Write 300 pages. 1/2 done - dang! I do have <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/blogging-for-photographers/id473906232?mt=11">my book available in the iTunes iBook store</a>, but I haven't written as much as I'd hoped. Looks like this one is getting carried over to 2012.<br /><br />3) Be more efficient in business. DONE! We've revamped a couple key elements in our business that make us even faster on getting you images quickly, fulfilling your orders quickly, and working smarter instead of harder.<br /><br />4) Book 30 weddings. DONE! We booked 37 weddings this year - kind of a lot, but not too much to make us go crazy. :)<br /><br />5) Cook my way through a cookbook. DONE! I changed this one so that I could learn a wide variety of cooking styles. I have ready Tom Collichio's <span style="font-style:italic;">Think Like A Chef</span> which was really great and taught a lot and had some great recipes. I recommend it!<br /><br />6) Blog every day of 2011. DONE! (I promise, the last few days of 2011 there WILL be a fresh blog post - haha!) On Jan 1 I will have blogged for 1096 days in a row. Whew!<br /><br />7) Be published on 3 national wedding blogs. DONE! <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/search/label/featured">Click here to see all our features this year</a>. <br /><br />8) Go to a country I've never been to. DONE! I went to Ghana this year!<br /><br />9) Go to a state I've never been to. NOT done, but close... I'm going to New Orleans, LA, on the 14th. <br /><br />10) Stay under 170 lbs. DONE! I'm currently still at my wedding weight: 158-9 lbs!<br /><br />I give myself a "B+" for this. Maybe an "A-" :)<br /><br />How'd you do? I'd love to hear!<br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

personal Grade Card Time: 2011 Goals/Resolutions

Hey everybody! I know there are a few days left in 2011, but that's close enough to figure out how I did on my 2011 Goals and New Year...

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Ellie Reads the First Christmas Story

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Ellie's grandma got Ellie the book of the First Christmas Story, and Ellie read it to everybody before we opened presents on Christmas Eve. It was super sweet! I, of course, recorded it. :)<br /><br /><br />Merry Christmas to your family from the Benfields!<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/34184769" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

Ellie personal Ellie Reads the First Christmas Story

Hey everybody! Ellie's grandma got Ellie the book of the First Christmas Story, and Ellie read it to everybody before we opened presents...

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Christmas Card Outtakes

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Each year, Mimi finds to-die-for outfits for her annual Christmas cards. This year was no exception. I thought I'd share a couple images from the her Christmas card shoot of her granddaughters, Margaret, Caroline, and Ellie. We also tried to get some with their crazy dog, Remington, but as you'll see from the first image... it was kind of impossible. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1219_christmas/1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1219_christmas/1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1219_christmas/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1219_christmas/2.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

Ellie personal Christmas Card Outtakes

Hey everybody! Each year, Mimi finds to-die-for outfits for her annual Christmas cards. This year was no exception. I thought I'd share...

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Cross Church: Salvation Has Come

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Wednesday night was an amazing night for my church, <a href="http://crosschurch.com/fayetteville">Cross Church Fayetteville</a>. After opening its doors in January, Cross Church has grown tremendously and God has really blessed it. The worship minister, Jonathan Inabnit, has amazing talent and we love to watch him perform and lead worship Sunday mornings. And... apparently Meredith and I aren't the only ones who feel that way: Jonathan, along with the amazing band and choir of Cross Church Fayetteville, rocked Walton Arts Center Wednesday night to a packed house! We were honored when Jonathan asked if we could help capture it on video (no, we're not videographers, but our cameras shoot HD video and since it was for God... we couldn't really say no...haha!). Here are a couple screen grabs from the video footage I captured. Enjoy! And if you don't have a home church and want to be a part of the raddest church around, come to Cross Church Fayetteville on Wedington Sunday at 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am, or 6pm!<br /><br />I was able to get some pretty awesome shots because the lighting was unbelievable!<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Cross Church Fayetteville performing at Walton Arts Center" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/005.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br />Packed the house!<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Cross Church Fayetteville performing at Walton Arts Center" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/001.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br />JennyKate has an amazing voice!<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Cross Church Fayetteville performing at Walton Arts Center" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/002.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br />Jonathan at the piano... I seriously dig this shot b/c of the rad lighting...<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Cross Church Fayetteville performing at Walton Arts Center" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/003.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br />Dave McKinney on the other keys...<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Cross Church Fayetteville performing at Walton Arts Center" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/004.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br />Discipleship Pastor Ronnie Parrott shared the story of Jesus' birth with the crowd.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Cross Church Fayetteville performing at Walton Arts Center" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1202_salvation/006.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><br />I'm so proud to be a part of such a cool church where I feel welcome and loved!<br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale

crosschurch personal Cross Church: Salvation Has Come

Hey everybody! Wednesday night was an amazing night for my church, Cross Church Fayetteville . After opening its doors in January, Cross Chu...

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The 2 Things I'm Most Thankful For...

Hey everybody!<br /><br />If I could narrow down everything I'm thankful for down to the core, there are two things that overwhelm me with gratitude:<br /><br />1) The Lord provides. <br />2) My Family.<br /><br />My sister-in-law and I had the honor of making dinner for our family this year since we're both cooking fanatics and because she hosted, I though I'd take on a little more of the food preparation. I put my menu at the bottom of this so y'all can see what I made.<br /><br />By making dinner for the gang of 20ish, I realize how difficult a task it has been for my mom to do this very thing for every Thanksgiving and Christmas for as long as I can remember. My heart overflows with appreciation for her: she made it seem so easy! Believe me, it's not.<br /><br />This year, I believe the Lord is trying to show me the importance of simplifying our life to focus more on Him and on our families. We travel a lot for work, and we rarely have a day off, but we are depending on him more and more every day. It's not an easy process, but His ways are perfect and I'm thankful that He provides for my family and that we are being transformed into the people He wants us to be.<br /><br />And with that, I bid you Happy Thanksgiving!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_001.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_002.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_003.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_004.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_005.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_006.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1124_thanksgiving/thanksgiving_007.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale<br /><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/11/2-things-im-most-thankful-for.html" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div><br /><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/11/2-things-im-most-thankful-for.html" data-num-posts="5" data-width="820"></div>

personal The 2 Things I'm Most Thankful For...

Hey everybody! If I could narrow down everything I'm thankful for down to the core, there are two things that overwhelm me with gratitud...

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Sunday Funday: Family Day with Yo Gabba Gabba Live!

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Shooting a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150343296531403&set=a.83807166402.94608.24065476402&type=1&theater">Friday wedding</a>, Mere and I were able to block out the calendar to have family weekend with Ellie. And because we've had this Friday wedding booked for a year, we got to plan out a fun weekend in Kansas City! <br /><br />Aside from hanging out on the Plaza and also eating at Top Chef Master's contest (and Next Iron Chef contestant) <a href="http://www.juliankc.com/">Celina Tio's restaurant</a> (see <a href="http://instagram.heroku.com/users/dalebenfield">my instagram feed</a> for photos), we got to have a dance party with the gang from Yo Gabba Gabba! <br /><br />Seriously, I LOOOOOVE Yo Gabba Gabba. It wasn't <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2010/03/daddy-daughter-date-day-yo-gabba-gabba.html">the 1st time</a> Ellie and I had seen them live, and both times were a fun workout. :) No really... it's like dancing non-stop for two hours. Afterward this time, we got to go back and meet the gang, which was definitely the highlight of it all.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/yogabbagabba.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/yogabbagabba.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 534px;" /></a><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale<br /><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/11/sunday-funday-family-day-with-yo-gabba.html" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div><br /><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/11/sunday-funday-family-day-with-yo-gabba.html" data-num-posts="2" data-width="820"></div>

Ellie personal Sunday Funday: Family Day with Yo Gabba Gabba Live!

Hey everybody! Shooting a Friday wedding , Mere and I were able to block out the calendar to have family weekend with Ellie. And because we...

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One Person Can Make A Difference: My happiest post ever!

Hey everybody!<br /><br />It's with tears that I write this blog post.<br /><br />On July 15th, I received an email from my friend Meg (Art Feeds captain and Ghana travel partner) that told me she was contacted by Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to see if she had a nomination for a new home after the Joplin tornado. First, however, I must say that I'm amazed that she herself turned down the opportunity to be a nominee - what a giver!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/tom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/tom.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 492px;" /></a><br />(sorry, I cropped it so y'all didn't call Tom...haha!)<br /><br />Then, we had to keep it a SUPER SECRET! <br /><br />For Tom's birthday Mere and I took them out to dinner and they told us their super secret (they were nominated), and Mere blurted out my super secret (I helped nominate them) - it was fun and sweet and exciting and all that good stuff.<br /><br />But from that moment on... Mere and I had "diarrhea stomach" as she likes to call it. Haha! We knew that the camera crews had been spending time with Tom, and I knew that if I texted him today and got no answer, it would be because they took his phone away and sent him on a vacation. <br /><br />I texted.<br /><br />No answer. (heart started beating faster and faster)<br /><br />Then, I saw it:<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/tom2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/tom2.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 720px; height: 540px;" /></a><br />Can you believe my excitement?? To know that I had a hand in helping out my lifelong best friend and his family when he needed help the most is one of the most amazing moments of my life.<br /><br />Jesus is amazing me today, and I realize that one person can have a huge impact on another person's life!<br /><br />Or, as one of Mere's favorite quotes says: <br />Anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room.<br /><br />I'm so happy I could dance: (look at Tom and me - we're silly)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0204_benny/benny_booth_15.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0204_benny/benny_booth_15.gif" /></a></div><br /><br><br><br />I love this family:<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/121009_tom/skateboard-engagement-photos-017.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/121009_tom/skateboard-engagement-photos-017.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale<br /><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-person-can-make-difference-my.html" data-send="true" data-width="820" data-show-faces="true"></div><br /><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-person-can-make-difference-my.html" data-num-posts="5" data-width="820"></div>

giving back personal One Person Can Make A Difference: My happiest post ever!

Hey everybody! It's with tears that I write this blog post. On July 15th, I received an email from my friend Meg (Art Feeds captain and ...

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Don't Judge Me...

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Today I got called up on stage at church! It's one of the very reasons I LOOOVE my church, <a href="http://crosschurch.com/fayetteville/">Cross Church Fayetteville:</a> I know and love Nick and feel super comfortable with him - so much so that I'd run up on stage in front of hundreds of people even if I don't know what I'll be doing. Anyway... today's message was a great one, and one that I always find myself guilty of... being judgemental.<br /><br />Yes, I am guilty of judging others. I see people like hitch-hikers, crazy moms in Wal-Mart, etc., and I judge. I'm being unfair because I don't know how or why they are at such-and-such point in life, and I don't ask. Even so, God tells me it's not my job to judge, and that I'll be judged by my thoughts. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A3-5&version=NIV">Matthew 7:5</a> illustrates that I need to examine and realize my own sins instead of focusing on what others do. Check yo-self. <br /><br />You're definitely going to want to check out minute 7 (but the whole thing is good - I'm never wrong about these things)<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/30287856?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/30287856">How Do I Live Out My Faith Before Others?</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/crosschurch">Cross Church</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />How many of us needed to hear that message today? I definitely did! Thanks Cross Church (and Nick) for being an instrument and bringing to light those areas in my life where I still struggle. <br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale<br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-judge-me.html" data-send="true" data-width="820" data-show-faces="true"></div><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-judge-me.html" data-num-posts="5" data-width="820"></div>

crosschurch personal Don't Judge Me...

Hey everybody! Today I got called up on stage at church! It's one of the very reasons I LOOOVE my church, Cross Church Fayetteville: I ...

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The Magnificent Mullet (yes... Dale's)

Hey everybody!<br /><br />If you've been around Meredith for more than 15 minutes, she's probably mentioned to you that I used to have a mullet. Yeah... one of my finest moments.<br /><br />What started as a "fool's tale" (also known as rat tails) in elementary school grew into a full-blown mullet as I hit middle school. From 6th grade until 8th grade, I walked around with a party-in-the-back.<br /><br />I feel like you and I are friends, and I can share these kind of embarrassing secrets with you. You won't poke fun, right? ... ... RIGHT??!!!<br /><br />So, enjoy this BLAST FROM THE PAST... (I was 13 years old here)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/mullet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/mullet.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 700px;" /></a><br /><br />Here's to improving your self-image with time. :)<br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale<br /><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/magnificent-mullet-yes-dales.html" data-send="true" data-width="820" data-show-faces="true"></div><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/magnificent-mullet-yes-dales.html" data-num-posts="5" data-width="820"></div>

personal The Magnificent Mullet (yes... Dale's)

Hey everybody! If you've been around Meredith for more than 15 minutes, she's probably mentioned to you that I used to have a mullet...

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Ellie's Picture Day Outfit, and Why I Don't Trust School Photographers

Hey everybody!<br /><br />One thing I don't put off to non-pros are pictures of my daughter (you should be the same way!). If I'm going to through the many steps to getting clothes ready, hair ready, face ready (there are some messy faces, as you know)... I'm not going to just hand my kiddo off to someone who would rather be somewhere else. Okay, that last part is a generalization, but most school day photographers are just part time helpers.<br /><br />Rant aside, Ellie and I had such a fun time and Mere even took some of the two of us. Aren't her little kiddo suspenders presh?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/001.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/002.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/003.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/004.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0903_ellie/005.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale<br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/ellies-picture-day-outfit-and-why-i.html" data-send="true" data-width="820" data-show-faces="true"></div><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/ellies-picture-day-outfit-and-why-i.html" data-num-posts="5" data-width="820"></div>

Ellie personal Ellie's Picture Day Outfit, and Why I Don't Trust School Photographers

Hey everybody! One thing I don't put off to non-pros are pictures of my daughter (you should be the same way!). If I'm going to thro...

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Happy Fall Y'all! A Corn Maze Adventure...

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Happy October! Last weekend, the fam and I decided on a whim to head over to the corn maze and pumpkin patch for some good ol' fashioned fun! <br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1001_pumpkin/1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1001_pumpkin/1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br />Ellie's so dang cute!<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1001_pumpkin/2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1001_pumpkin/2.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br />When we were in the maze, I think we set a new record of solving it. I'm a map guy. No need to wander around aimlessly and get frustrated. I find it's more fun to study the map and then see it unfold in front of you.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1001_pumpkin/3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1001_pumpkin/3.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br />At the end, we all picked some pumpkins. It was definitely a fun way to end the trip.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1001_pumpkin/4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/1001_pumpkin/4.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br />Here's to family time!<br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale<br /><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-fall-yall-corn-maze-adventure.html" data-send="true" data-width="820" data-show-faces="true"></div><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-fall-yall-corn-maze-adventure.html" data-num-posts="5" data-width="820"></div>

Ellie personal Happy Fall Y'all! A Corn Maze Adventure...

Hey everybody! Happy October! Last weekend, the fam and I decided on a whim to head over to the corn maze and pumpkin patch for some good o...

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My 1000th Consecutive Day of Posting!! The Benfield Blog: Sharing My Life

Hey everybody!<br /><br />Today is my 1000th day of blogging!!!!!!!!!! (hey, when's the last time you did something for a thousand days in a row without taking a day off?!)<br /><br />Are you coming to my party tonight? Let's celebrate!!<br /><br />To end my "sharing" series to recognizing my reasons for blogging, I wanna talk about my final reason: Sharing My Life. <br /><br />I feel like I can tell you anything. :)<br /><br />Over the last 1000 days, a LOT has changed in my life. <br />I <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/real-exciting-news-dale-and-meredith.html">got engaged</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/110709_proposal/003.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/110709_proposal/003.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 551px;" /></a><br /><br />Ellie <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-ellies-reading-barbie-edition.html">learned to read</a>.<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/5921853?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br />And we <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2009/11/ellies-halloween-costume-audrey-hepburn.html">taught her about all things fancy</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/audrey-hepburn.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Ellie, my little girl as Audrey Hepburn" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/09Blog/audrey-hepburn.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 1200px;" /></a><br /><br />The Rowskabouts, the ska band I was in way back in high school, <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2009/12/rowskabouts-reunion-show.html">got together for a reunion show</a>.<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/8389430?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br />I wrote letters from my heart, yes publicly, <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2010/06/letter-to-my-brother-not-my-usual-post.html">to my brother</a>, and <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-memorial-day-letter-to-my-sis.html">to my sister</a>.<br /><br />Ellie <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/elizabeth-claire-benfield-class-of-2024.html">started kindergarten</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/0818_ellie/4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/10Blog/0818_ellie/4.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 1200px;" /></a><br /><br />We bought <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-house-well-some-of-it.html">our house</a>!<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0301_celebrate/1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0301_celebrate/1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><br />Took <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/italy-touristy-pics.html">Ellie to Italy</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0406_italy/3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0406_italy/3.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/ellies-trip-to-paris.html">And Paris</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0407_paris_portrait/ellie_paris_portraits_3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0407_paris_portrait/ellie_paris_portraits_3.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/08/mexico-part-dos.html">And Mexico</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0807_ellie/0009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0807_ellie/0009.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 1200px;" /></a><br /><br />Then, all in one weekend this May...<br />Ellie had a <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/05/ellies-dance-recital-rehearsal.html">dance recital on the 21st</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/ellie_dance_052011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/ellie_dance_052011.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 533px;" /></a><br /><br />Then, the Joplin tornado hit. I blogged about it <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/05/please-pray-for-joplin.html">here</a>. It was the hardest part of my life, not being able to get a hold of Ellie.<br /><br />I <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/05/rest-in-peace-grandma.html">lost my grandma</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/grandma.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/grandma.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 800px;" /></a><br /><br />But we picked ourselves up and dusted ourselves off. <br />Ellie was <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/08/ellie-is-in-and-on-usa-today.html">in USA Today</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/usatoday.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/usatoday.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 920px;" /></a><br /><br />And then <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/08/ellies-1st-day-of-1st-grade-back-to.html">started 1st grade</a> at her new/old school.<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0817_ellie/irving_joplin_back_to_school_001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0817_ellie/irving_joplin_back_to_school_001.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" /></a><br /><br />The best thing that happened over the last 1000 days... <a href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/05/our-italian-wedding-story.html">I got married</a>!!<br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0504_portraits/00114.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0504_portraits/00114.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 1200px;" /></a><br />(wedding images by <a href="http://thebecker.com">Becker</a>)<a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0504_portraits/00152.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0504_portraits/00152.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0504_portraits/00154.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.benfieldphoto.com/11Blog/0504_portraits/00154.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px;" /></a><br /><br /><br />All in all, a LOT has happened, wouldn't you say?!!<br /><br />Thank you, readers, for sharing it all with me! I appreciate you! And love you. And I love this blog.<br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Dale<br /><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-1000th-consecutive-day-of-posting.html" data-send="true" data-width="820" data-show-faces="true"></div><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><br /><script>(function(d, s, id) {<br /> var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];<br /> if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}<br /> js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;<br /> js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";<br /> fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);<br />}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><br /><br /><div class="fb-comments" data-href="http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-1000th-consecutive-day-of-posting.html" data-num-posts="10" data-width="820"></div>

blogging personal My 1000th Consecutive Day of Posting!! The Benfield Blog: Sharing My Life

Hey everybody! Today is my 1000th day of blogging!!!!!!!!!! (hey, when's the last time you did something for a thousand days in a row wi...

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