Hoping your day has been as wonderful as mine, filled with family, friends and lots and lots of cookies.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Last Friday night, we were all in for a winter-y surprise.

A snowy surprise.

In preparation for the chilly weather, I whipped up a mug of marshmallow lovers hot chocolate and snuggled in to the couch while I watched the state football championship game on TV. (You can see images from the matchup here and here.) The snow was coming down pretty hard in Jackson (where the game was held) by the end of the first half, and I knew it was on its way for us, too.

It was clearly sleeting outside, judging from the pitter-pattering sound on my tin roof, and I snuck a few peeks out the front door before deciding to give up and go to bed.

Later that night, I awoke to learn two things. One, that my power was out because of a blown transformer. (Have no fear, the power people were able to fix it within an hour.) And two, that it had snowed (and stuck!, if only for a few hours) and that I needed to hightail it out of my home to make some images for the paper.

I made my way across town to Southern Miss to find students playing in the snow.

And on my way home, in my little alleyway, I spotted the following photo and had to stop my car, pull out my camera, and make the image:

After the photo was made, I headed back home and crawled into bed a little after 2 a.m.

While it was a busy night, it was a good one.

…

What did you do for your last snow day?

Mailee, 3, of Oak Grove, tells Santa what she wants for Christmas as she is held by her mother, Mandy,Thursday afternoon at the Oak Grove Public Library. Children and their parents came to the library to take pictures with Santa. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

Wednesday: Trees were lit during Lighting the Way to the Holidays at Southern Miss. MDOT launched a new traffic management program.

Thursday: “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” surprised a local family. Children and their parents came to the Oak Grove Library for pictures with Santa. (Photos coming next week in OG Today.) Southern Miss held a memorial to remember students, staff and faculty.

Friday: We went to Collins to speak to veterans about Pearl Harbor Day. (Story coming Monday!) It snowed!

Saturday: Work continued on the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” house. Hattiesburg and Petal held their Christmas parades.

Sunday: More work on the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” house.

And my weekly favorites can be found here.

…

How was your week?

I know I said last Sunday that the week was crazy. Well, if that week was crazy, this past week was ridiculously busy. No worries, though, I made some lovely images while I was running around.

Staci Williams closes her eyes and holds family dog Daisy close Tuesday morning at Oak Grove's All Animal Clinic. Daisy fell down a 40-foot well Monday afternoon, cutting her shoulder, and veterinarian Dr. Kirk Frazier and Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department firefighters pulled the dachshund out of the well. Daisy spent the night at the vet's office, was given eight stitches and was sent home with her family Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

Monday: Since Oak Grove’s game was canceled because of bad weather the previous Friday, they faced off against Brandon High School on the gridiron.

Tuesday: LIFE of Mississippi hosted its annual event, Walk With Me, to raise public awareness about the need for accessibility for all. A rescued dachshund was reunited with its owners. Measures have been taken in Mississippi for students to eat healthier at school. The WCU basketball team practiced.

Wednesday: Two teenage boys who died in an accident were laid to rest in their hometowns.

Thursday: Government-run healthcare was protested. Petal is digging a new sewer line and trying to dig out of debt. An elementary school is selling feathers to raise money to feed the needy.

Friday: A task force is tackling textbook prices. Southern Miss prepares to start their basketball season.

…

How was your week? And what was the most exciting thing you did?

I know, I know. I said I was hopping back on the bandwagon of updating you daily, and I fall off as soon as I make the statement.

If last week was busy, this week has been HECTIC with the amount of assignments I’ve shot and everywhere I have been. It has been a really good experience, and I’ve done a lot of good work, even though I am really tired. Y’all are in for a HUGE week in review post on Sunday. Trust me.

…

So the following image was snapped Sunday at the fair. I love the fair, and I went quite a bit when I was a kid. Especially since my school district let us out one Friday every year for ‘Fair Day.’ So when I think of the fair, I’m immediately brought back to my childhood, eating a corn dog, riding the swings and wondering if maybe this year I could ride the roller coaster. I had horrible motion sickness as a kid, and I wasn’t able to ride many rides because of this. So that roller coaster? Not a good idea.

I want to dedicate the following image to my friend, Elizabeth, who has never been to the fair. We need to remedy this, chica!

Happy Thurdsay, y’all!

That’s right, folks. Friday Favorites. I’m starting this new little feature to showcase work I’ve seen around the Internet that is wonderful, as well as any other things I might like (this week), find amusing, beautiful, sad, encouraging, etc.

Because what better way is there to end the week than spotlighting some things that inspire me and make me smile?

Let’s hit this thing off right:

Canon announced the 1D Mark IV. Que drooling and crooning over a camera body that is ENTIRELY too expensive for a newspaper shooter. (A girl can dream, though, right?) Here’s to hoping the AF isn’t wonky like the Mark IIIs were/are.

Tear alert: TIME showcases an amazing photo essay called “Strays to the Rescue” on their Web site, featuring images and clips from a new book (To the Rescue: Found Dogs with a Mission, by Elise Lufkin and photos by Diana Walker.) Check it out here.

To my AP Style-loving friends: @FakeAPStylebook has made me chuckle for the past day.

My friend, Crystal, has a featured intern diary up at Sportsshooter. While you’re at it, mosey on over to her SS page and Web site. You’ll be thankful you did.

AP shooter Brennan Linsley was quoted on the NYT Lens blog yesterday on the Pictures of the Day post. Not only are the images strong, but his words ring true about the impact of photography.

…

To my shooter friends, have fun at high school football tonight. (I know I will!) And to everyone else, enjoy your evening off, whatever you may end up doing!

Happy Friday, everyone!

I know, I know. I’m a week(ish) late on this post, but things have been busy in Mississippi. Not only have I entirely moved out of one apartment and into another (with relatively little mess), I have also been working full-time, dodging overthrown footballs AND been offered wine on assignment (and turned it down) at 1 p.m. from a native New Orleanian.

I photographed the North Forrest-Sumrall matchup last Friday night.

Most of the area games were delayed or cancelled due to a HUGE front of thunderstorms rolling through the area about an hour before the games kicked off. Luckily, my game only started 20 minutes behind schedule, and I was able to stay for the entire first quarter before heading back to the newsroom to submit my photographs.

Since the game started a little late, I took the time to make some feature images.

North Forrest wait beneath the concession stand before the North Forrest-Sumrall game Friday night at North Forrest High School. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

North Forrest cheerleaders Emily Patton, left, 16, and Laykin Posey, 16, hang a sign before the North Forrest-Sumrall game Friday night at North Forrest High School. (Photo by Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

You can check out more images from the waiting and the actual game at the Hattiesburg American Web site.

I went to the local airport last Saturday to photograph some troops coming in for basic training. (Photo gallery this way.)

I was waiting in the shadows for the plane to land behind a HUGE blue hangar. In my time sitting there, I noticed how the light and shadows were playing on the side of the building, and I knew I had to photograph this.

I ventured up to Indiana to document a wedding this past weekend. The day was long, but it was absolutely perfect: from the weather, to the couple and their wedding entourage to the location.

This was my first wedding since shooting my cousin’s two years ago, so I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect other than to be on my toes. I ended up spending most of the day photographing the preparations, the formal portraits, the ceremony and then the reception, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In fact, I’m rather excited about the results.

I’ve still got A LOT of images to edit, but there will be more posted eventually! Let me know what you think!

This past week has been pretty crazy, work-wise AND personally.

Want to know why?

Check out all these links and photo galleries. I think they explain it all.

Miss Hospitality pageant photos (here and here)
First Tee of the Pine Belt celebration (here)
Regina Adams appreciation at Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist (here)
Body found in apartment (here) –> This was a surprise Sunday afternoon, and now knowing what happened makes it pretty crazy.
PCS teachers prepare for school (here)
NFHS football community service (here)
First day of school at the DuBard School (here)

And last but not least, Sumrall football practice.

Sumrall High School player Brian Hartfield (12) dives to catch a pass Wednesday afternoon during practice. (Erin Parker / The Hattiesburg American)

More images can be found at the Hattiesburg American Web site.

What have you been up to recently?