The Best of 2011

Since one of my goals for 2012 is to get better at knowing how to use my camera, I decided to review my photos from 2011.

There were some (ok...a lot) of bad ones.  A few others that weren't bad.  Then there are these, which in my opinion could actually be placed in a frame to display.

Almost all of these were taken after the birth of my shiny 50mm 1.4 lens.  The only one that wasn't was the first one.  It was taken about 2 weeks prior. 

 I'm actually only including it because my husband is actually smiling for the camera, which is a rare occurrence.  You are more likely to get Swine Flu than get him to ham it up for the camera.

Without further adieu....

Big Rock 2011.  These 2 have been friends for almost 20 years.

Lauren on her big sister's birthday and just one day shy of 6 months old.  This was also moments after opening the box containing my new lens.  In love already!

 

Lauren 9 months old playing in the bathtub.

 

A sunset wedding captured of the deck of Breakwater Restaurant in Hatteras, NC. 

11 months old playing in the front yard.

My debut as a sideline photographer using this lens. Thanks to a good friend for trusting me with it for the day.

 It was a good time but also really humbling.  I truly admire those guys/girls who do this day in and day out because it is truly challenging.  My goal for the day was get a few good shots and not get run over by one of these guys.  Much harder than I originally imagined.

Lauren's only other girl cousin at her 1st birthday party.

Lauren showing off at her 1st birthday party. 

Lauren and Tonka on Halloween.  This picture is hands down my favorite photo of the year!

One of Lauren's cousins who used to love being in front of the camera.  Now, not so much.

His brother with Lauren.  He loves Lauren.  Absolutely.Loves.Her.  I love this picture of them together.

Christmas morning 2011.  This pretty much sums up her personality.  Happy and curious all the time.

Finally, the day we went to see Santa this year.  The picture with Santa wasn't bad but also not one of my favorites. 

This picture is probably my 2nd favorite for the year.

There you have it, the year in review through photos.

Miles for Matthew

Next month, I will be running for Matthew. This month, I'm twisting the arms of all my friends and family to get them to join me and run/walk for him as well.

You can read all about him and his family here.

His mom and I are both members of JLG but that is not how his story entered my life. It all goes back to when I was about 16 weeks pregnant with MG on Valentine's Day.

The husband and I attended a benefit dinner to raise money for PPMD, which is the same organization for which the race raises money each year.

We did not know at that dinner that we would go on to lose our first child. His story entered my life again, when I decided to run the 1st Annual Imagine How 10k just 12 weeks after she was born.

Ever since then, I have watched his mom far afar raise money in every way possible that all goes to fund research for her son's condition. It has been amazingly inspiring to watch!

This year my goal is to get as many people as I can to participate with our team so that we can contribute to the cause as well!

So if you are local, then join our team!

It's My Birthday Month!

October has always been my favorite month of the year. What better month can you ask for than one that includes my birthday, Halloween, ECU Football, Fall, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes?

Here's to hoping I can keep this month an enjoyable one and just try to remember that Megan Grace will be celebrating with me from above.

Love you Megan Grace! Mommy misses you!

A Few of My Favorite Things

"There is nothing quite like a Fall day. The cool crisp air, pumpkins in the fields, and playing in the leaves. The smile on your face can warm a chilly day." ~ Unknown

It's here, it's here my favorite time of year! Yep, you guessed it...Fall. As a young child I'm going to say Summer was probably #1 but as I've grown up I've realized that Fall is my all time favorite. There are many reasons but to list a few:

1) My birthday.

2) Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks.

3) College Football

4) The beautiful colors of the leaves as they are changing.

5) The cooler but not too cold weather because it is great for running.

6) Halloween

7) Chili and soup in the Crockpot.

8) Seeing all my JL friends again after the long summer break :)

9) Thanksgiving especially since this year we are hosting the whole family. It should be fun!

10) The anticipation of Christmas and the New Year!