Memorial Day 2009

As with Labor Day and Thanksgiving, my family and I visit my father-in-law each year for Memorial Day. We always have a wonderful time.

The ride down provided some opportunity to practice shooting light in a dark space.





Naples, FL has some very interesting vegetation.



My father-in-law's dog, Nicky, proves a good model.



An old firetruck was parked outside the house for a while.









The Naples Pier is a beautiful place.



During this particular visit, we took a boat ride where we encountered many interesting sites.

Labor Day 2009

Every year for the long Labor Day weekend, we visit my father-in-law in Naples, FL. The 10 hour drive is horrible, but we always have a wonderful time once we are there. Although Naples is H-O-T, it is beautiful. There is never a shortage of picturesque moments.

 



 



 

A Weekend Away

Soaking in the smell of the salt water air. Relaxing in the peace and silence of the beach. Spending time with family. Ah, what a weekend.

Our family shared a house on Dauphin Island. We laughed, we played, we rested. Isn't it wonderful to just be?



 

Apparently, we came across the great hermit crab migration. I wonder where National Geographic was for this one!











 

Yes, this would be my dad. Note the sign and the fact that there was, in fact, no drop off. The perfect opportunity for a photo op.



 

Here is the house we rented for the weekend. It was really lovely.



We also had an impromptu photo shoot with my parents. They were having a blast!

















Comments and criticism are welcome!

The Three C's

The C's are such a sweet family. Little M is a precocious girl with an infectious smile. The C's asked me to take some family photos for them so that they could use them as gifts and on their Christmas card. To say that I was honored would be an understatement. To say that I was nervous - well, that would be dead on. I had never had an actual photo shoot with someone who wanted to use those photos in any capacity other than facebook! However, I agreed, all the while reminding them that I was NOT a professional photographer.

We spent the day at a park in Pensacola relaxing, watching M play and just spending quality time together. It was so much fun and the pictures reflected that. I am so pleased with how they turned out and they were too (thankfully).

Any and all comments are greatly appreciated and wanted.

























 



 



 



 



 

 

So much to say...

I can't believe it has been 6 months since I posted a blog. I am shameful! I always vow to do better, to write something everyday, to give myself that "out". I am serious this time!

So much has happened in 6 months that I am ashamed to have neglected to write it all down. The biggest news, of course, is that I am now a proud mommy to a 3 month old perfect little boy, Canon. He is such a joy to be around. Seriously, Craig and I will sit around and watch him instead of t.v. We will do anything to make him smile, which he does from ear to ear and lights up his eyes, and the room, in the process. The ridiculous things we will do to see that. We have found ourselves singing and humming constantly now, and I have been told that I have already mastered the "mommy rock". You know, the rock that you do to soothe your child--even if someone else is holding him. It is weird, I know, but apparently I have mastered it. Yay, me!

An update on my grandfather: he is cancer free! We are so thrilled. His situation is a true testament at the power of prayer and we are so blessed that he is doing so well.

Speaking of doing well, we had quite a scare with my daddy. He was lethargic and just not himself--ALL THE TIME. It turns out that there was a problem with the valves in his heart. He had to have open-heart surgery to repair some valves that weren't working properly. That in and of itself is scary. However, after the surgery, when he was supposed to be feeling better, he was still lethargic--had zero energy, could not walk across the room without getting winded. Turns out that it is somewhat normal for your heartbeat to become irregular after open-heart surgery. Who knew?! So, he had to go in and have his heart shocked. With a defibrillator. I was not excited to hear this. Since the procedure, though, he has been in top-notch shape! He is working on the house and in the yard, going to soccer games and traveling for work. Praise God!

All in all, it has been a busy year, and it is only April! I can't wait to see what is in store for the coming months!

Here are some pictures from the past few months. Please comment with constructive criticism!!!


My husband loves reading to Canon. Canon is fascinated when he does!

This picture is from a "photo shoot" I did with him when he was 2 weeks old.




My grandfather is such a strong man!



My parents are so photogenic. Seriously, why couldn't they have passed on that trait?!