Mr. Manning

It's hard to be Peyton Manning. Seriously. Everyone wants to talk to you, ask you questions etc. I think we all feel like we kind of know him for one reason or another. I was so impressed with how he handled all the press, those crazy picture takers!, and random people coming up to him all night. All the of the Mannings (his wife, Ashley, Archie and Olivia)just carried themselves with such grace and dignity. And what a great night it was! The official name of the event was: The Inaugural Peyton Manning Children's Hospital Celebration of Caring. Basically, it was a big gala to raise money for the kiddos at St. Vincents.

The Hurst family donated their venue. They make lots of Hambeens. I have their products in my cupboard right now! What an amazing family. So sweet and generous! I just loved them.

The music during dinner was amazing. Gregg Bacon played some sweet jazz...I could have taken pictures of them all night!

James Brown (the sports announcer, not the singer), was the emcee for the evening. "JB" is the host of "The NFL Today" on CBS. He was so entertaining and hilarious. You could tell that he truly loved the Manning family.

Governor Mitch Daniels and Mayor Greg Ballard were there as well. Governor Daniels could hardly take a bite without someone coming up to talk to him. It must be hard to him too!

John Mellencamp performed a private concert for all the guests. He actually had major surgery for his spina bifida when he was a kid, so the gala meant something extra special to him.

I got this gig via my friend Kevin Swan...he's kinda a big deal. He takes lots of pictures for St. V's and Peyton. He needed an extra shooter that evening and it was a no-brainer. I was there! I tried to call him K-Swan for a while, but it sounded too much like K-Fed...and he's NO K-Fed.

All this being said, I'm definitely NOT ready for Hollywood! It was weird taking pictures of someone with my telephoto lens all night. Could you imagine someone taking your pics ALL the time (I make WAY too many weird faces to deal with that). Here are some of my favs of the night, with a slideshow coming soon!

With these first ones he and Archie looked right at me...so technically they "know" who I am. No, I didn't go up and talk to them ALL night...I'm such a wuss!







I know you're thinking what I'm thinking...freakin' flower!!!!












Gorgeous Mrs. Manning






Gorgeous Mrs. Hurst...check out her eyes!