Thursday, November 27, 2008

Family, food and fun

I spent Thanksgiving at home with my family as I have done most every year.  Everyone was there except for my big brother David, who is in Afghanistan.  He called though, and I was rest assured to find out that he probably had a bigger, nicer spread than we did.  Since Thanksgiving is one of his favorite holidays it was nice to know he got to enjoy a good warm meal today.  Here are a few of my favorite shots from today.  I hope that you had a Happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family, fun, food, and love. 
   


Brandon is well on his way to being a master chef. 

The final product: they don't look too bad and tasted delicious. 

After plenty of hard work cooking up a storm we all sat down for a nice Thanksgiving dinner.  (yep, those mashed potatoes came right out of the serving bowl). 
Brandon ate enough to make up for Daddy's absence.  He would be proud. 

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Somewhere over the rainbow....

After one of the most hectic days I have had in a long time - Last Friday - the run down included class all day until 3:30, with a very important paper due that afternoon, then rushing over from class to shoot swimming and diving, then rushing over to the men's basketball season opener...all of which happened in the pouring rain.  It's a good thing I don't mind the rain..but really my day was so busy I didn't have time to worry about be soaking wet most of the day.

My Saturday was almost as busy...ballroom practice until noon, then georgia football, which I ended up napping through because it was so boring, then the lady bulldogs season opener. On my walk from the parking lot to the coliseum to shoot the game I saw this....


which totally made those really hectic days worthwhile.  A beautiful gift from mother nature; a calm in the storm of my crazy life.  I know, it's just a rainbow, but I really can't remember the last time I saw one so I photographed it just incase it's a long time before I see another one.  

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The Big Picture

Yesterday was Veteran's Day and since I come from a military family [my dad is retired from the military after serving 23 years and my oldest brother is currently serving in Afghanistan] I thought it was appropriate to post a link to some pictures that I came across on a photo blog that I read daily.  Two of my favorites are pictures 15 and 16.  Who knew that such beautiful photos could be made in the middle of the desert.  

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Puppy Love

For as long as I can remember growing up, there has always been a dog in my house.  For the longest time, our family cocker spaniel, Joli was the protector of our home and now my dog Harley, less a protector and more of the neighbor busy-body is the dog of the house.  

I guess I didn't realize until being away at college for the last 4 years that I greatly miss having someone to greet me with a wagging tail and a happy face when I get home everyday. I think that kids that grow up without a pet in their homes are missing out immensely on a special friendship and love you get from an animal, especially a dog. 

I took these pictures of my dog Harley when I was home and I can't believe that I have had her for 5 years already.  Well, for the past 4 years she has really been my parent's dog, but maybe someday we can reunite and live together once again. 



Fall is in the Air

One of the many things I love about Athens is that with the changing of the seasons there also comes changing of the leaves.  At home the leaves don't change and there's is just something about the obvious season change, colder weather, and beautiful colors that makes me so happy!

I never thought these birds in the windowsill were ever very interesting, except when I saw the beautiful changing leaves behind them the other day.

Friday, November 7, 2008

a 2-year-old's Halloween

Last weekend I went home and since Friday was Halloween I spent the day documenting how my nephew, Brandon, who will be 2 in December spent his Halloween.  The best part was that he was in costume the entire day...yea, he's pretty hardcore. 

The day started with story time at the library. 


Then 606 Cafe for lunch


After his nap Brandon painted his pumpkins.  Yes, pumpkins are supposed to be carved, but that is not the easiest thing for a 2-year-old to do. Painting was much for fun! 
 
Pop Pop got dressed up in his harley gear for a mini me photo and trick-or-treating. 

Brandon and his friend Jagger met up to go trick-or-treating together.  (They aren't always the friendliest of friends). 
 
Brandon's First trick-or-treating house.  


He got a hang of the trick-or-treating concept pretty quickly and seemed to really enjoy taking candy from neighbors.  But don't we all?