A chapter quickly coming to an end

The tassel, cap and gown are purchased.

I have 3 days of college classes left.

Graduation is 2 weeks away.

It's becoming all too bittersweet.

'Tis the Season

I went to the Junior League Marketplace at the Classic Center earlier in the month to get some photos for my internship with the Convention and Visitor's Bureau.  I came across a ton of stuff my Mom would love, so naturally that's what I was drawn to photograph.  My Mom loves Christmas time (especially snowmen) and she's incredibly patriotic. There were a ton of great local vendors and I probably could have gotten all of my Christmas shopping done in one day....too bad I was working.  However, after my visit to the marketplace I was quickly in the Christmas spirit that's for sure! 

Light up the Night

Since I have gotten really behind on my blogging, I am now working backwards.  

Before Thanksgiving Alan was surprisingly in the Christmas spirit, it was probably due to the fact that it was the first day that it was actually cold in Athens. Fall had finally arrived! So, we made a trip to Wal-Mart for more lights to decorate his balcony.  Well, he did most of the light hanging and I did most of the hot cocoa sipping.    

Trimming the Tree

My nephew Brandon has his very own tree at my parent's house.  This year will technically be Brandon's 3rd Christmas (he was hardly a day old on his first Christmas). He is a Christmas Eve baby and I think he must have been born knowing how to decorate a Christmas tree. Without anyone showing him what to do he hung ornaments all over his tree.  I was pretty impressed, but he is a pretty smart little boy.    

A little help from Uncle Bryan was needed for the top of the tree. 

The artist with his finished masterpiece. 

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. 

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.  

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.