I am amazed how fast this past year has slipped away. Is 2008 really over?? 

2008 was a great year for my family and we have so much to be thankful for.

We purchased our first home after 14 years of renting. This was such a huge milestone for us. My wife finished up the larger part of her dissertation and I should be calling her Dr. Shull by spring (fingers crossed). I also launched my new blog and gallery website (a personal milestone). I had 3 photos published in the Capture Arkansas coffee table book, and another three photos published in the NWA Peekaboo magazine. My wife cut the apron strings and let our girls attend a week away at summer camp. My girls got their first puppy. And countless other blessings.

Professionally 2008 was also a great year. The company I work for has had continued growth and success. We just moved into a great new space, complete with an authentic Silver Joes Coffee bar and lounge. I've also been learning Objective C, a launguage used to build iPhone applications. We are expecting our first app in the very near future.

I hope you have had a great 2008! I can't wait to see what 2009 has in store.

So last night I drove 4 hours to pick up an early Christmas present for my girls. They have been asking (begging) for a dog for a long time now and up until recently I've avoided the subject. I don't know if it's the time of year or maybe I'm just getting soft, but I finally caved in. I kept this a secret to my girls, I wanted to make it a huge surprise.

We started talking seriously about the subject for about a month or so now. After much research (and debate) we finally decided the best pup for our family would be a West Highland Terrier. The closest breeder was a good 4 hour trip, but it was well worth it. The look on the faces of my girls was priceless, they were so surprised, excited and thankful.

Today we decided on a name, "Satch" named after the late great Louis Armstrong.

A great new addition to our family and a great new subject to photograph. Below is one of the first photos of Satch. Isn't he adorable?
 

The last few weeks have offered up some of the most amazing and beautiful night skies. Tonight offered up probably one of the best views I've seen in awhile.

I think what amazed me the most is how fast the sky changed in the last hour of daylight. The clouds raced across the sky and morphed a kaleidoscope of colors. It was literally like watching a painting being created in the sky in front of me. It was truly an amazing view.

I took about 50 images, experimenting with different exposures. As light and color faded away it left me wanting for more. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the sky offers up tomorrow. Below are a few of my favorites.

 Click on the thumbnails for a larger view and EXIF info.

I noticed the most beautiful and vibrant sky as I drove home tonight. The setting sun lit up the horizon like fire.

I kept thinking to myself, "I have to find a place to pull off and capture this wonderful view". As I drove past the usual cluttered buildings and billboards, I was sure I wouldn't find a focal point before the moment had passed.

I've driven past The Church at Pinnacle Hills hundreds of times, but when I drove past it tonight I knew I had found the spot. The site was stunning and I hoped I could capture what I was seeing and do it justice.

I was really pleased how these shots turned out. I did very little post processing, the color is just as I captured it. I added a slight vignette and boosted the contrast.

Shot at 1/4 second at f/2.8, ISO 400