Orange Everywhere

This was actually the last picture I took as we were leaving Samantha’s Orange party. I thought it was cool how the moon was peeking in over the trees. Notice the OSU signs. I’ll be so sad when she leaves for Oklahoma State in a few weeks. At the same time, I’m looking forward to the possibility of visiting her in Stillwater some time over the next four years. Go cowboys!

Continue on for more party pictures infused with orange everywhere!

I thought the decoration on the piano was appropriate considering Sammie’s plans to major in music education.

Ok, I admit — I was spying a little bit as Sammie mingled.

Guests were asked to wear orange, or, if they were ex-high-school seniors/incoming college freshmen, they were asked to wear a shirt for the college they’d be going to in the fall. Some people took the costume thing very seriously. I think OSU has a huge new fan because of Sammie! Go cowboys!

Sammie’s mom made a scrapbook. I love this picture of the kids checking it out.

Lots of OSU and MHS stuff in there.

It was really hot outside so I stayed inside as much as possible.

The decorations were very orange.

Dan did a great job on the ribs and hot dogs feast.

I think you can see the humidity in this picture.

Charlie was taking pictures and I was taking pictures of Charlie taking pictures.

This picture cracks me up. There are too many arms!

A-ha! THAT’S where the extra arms came from!

It was almost dark so I got a little help from Brad on the off-camera light.

That light makes things look a little more interesting than a regular on-camera flash. It gives photographs more depth. I was doing some test shots in preparation for a couple of snapshots of Sammie’s friends and family.

Bet you can tell where Sammie is. LOVE this picture!

Sammie’s dad made a speech, something about thanking us for coming to the Halloween party. (Insert laugh here.)

Sammie made a speech too, something about inviting me to visit her in Oklahoma. (I heard that right, didn’t I? wink wink?)

My friend, John, took this picture for me. My poppy-orange shirt is not exactly OSU-orange. I will remedy that before I come to Oklahoma. (wink. wink.)

Several interesting things about these group shots: since we had asked all the “young people” to gather for the shot of Sammie’s friends, the other shot became the “old people” picture. I found it interesting that the young people shot ended up looking so much more organized than the old people picture. Also, the only person holding a beverage in either shot is Sammie’s pastor, which is kind of funny in itself, but here’s the story: It was his anniversary, and seconds before the shot, the “old people” had toasted him and his wife with the champagne while I had been taking the young people shot. (Phew — thanks for listening.)

The young people migrated inside to the air-conditioning. Very smart. I don’t know the name of the game they were playing, but it was really funny. I felt a little awkward knowing the rest of the old people were in the backyard and I was in the den with the young people. It was worth a little awkwardness in exchange for air-conditioning.

I really need to find out what that game was!

Are there any cupcakes left over? Yummy!

Bye Sammie. I’ll miss you!

Have a great time at Oklahoma State!