I feel like Dorothy...

...Because there seriously is no place like home. Last year, Jack's first Christmas, was spent in PA with my husband's family, and while it was a lot of fun, I've been so excited this year to be home for Christmas - I can't wait to wake Jack up and tell him it's Christmas. I know he's not even 2 yet and he still doesn't quite grasp everything going on, but I know he'll sense the excitement, and you KNOW he'll be all about ripping some paper off some boxes :-)

Right now he's currently in love with Elmo (who he calls "melmo"), and we found a cute stuffed Elmo (silent as the grave since it'll be something he sleeps with) that I can't wait for him to open.

All this will be even better if I can actually finish my shopping. It's shameful how behind I am.

Anyway, my friend Amber (who I've never actually met, but feel like I have since we've been friends online for like 5 or 6 years) tagged me to share 7 random things about myself. Sure, why not.

1. I have a small obsession with Mexican food.  In particular, tacos. I am to tacos as Santa is to cookies.  The Salsarita's near my work - I think they recognize me now.

2. Taco-obsession aside, I'm one year into a weight loss journey, and before the holidays, I was 23 lbs down. I'm taking December off (much like I took 2009 off), and in January I'll start training for a 10K, and I'm sure it'll help me lose the last 15-20 lbs.

3. When I've reached my 35 lb mark, I'm going to buy a pair of Buckle jeans as a reward. I never buy $100 jeans, but I think by then I'll have deserved it.

4. I'm slowly becoming a runner. My husband has done a couple marathons, and his dream is for us to do one together one day.  Fat. Chance. BUT - I have done a couple 5Ks now, and as I said we're both doing the Cooper Bridge Run 10K in Charleston in April. Maybe if I survive, I'll train for a half marathon. Or I'll die on the side of the road. I'm not sure which.

5. I am in love with Photography. Right now it's still just a serious hobby of mine, but if I can save enough money to purchase the camera I want, perhaps one day it can be more, God willing. But only God willing.

6.  I am also in love with all things Italy. We were blessed to be able to go in 2008 before Jack, and our goal is to go again the moment we've said goodbye to our kids as they head off to college. Seriously - we'll be packed and ready to go as we pull out of the University.

7. I love home. I used to love travelling, but now, I love being home.

Thanks Amber for tagging me!

Smiling Spatula

I've gotten the opportunity twice now to shoot for Marisa at Smiling Spatula. It's the first time I've taken pictures of food, and oh my - what wonderful food it is! If you have a sweet tooth, please, try Smiling Spatula. Speaking from experience, you'll go gaga over the chocolate chip cookie dough sandwiches, brownies, and more. Seriously, go now.

The Harris Family

This weekend I had the honor of shooting Christmas pictures for my friend Amy and her beautiful family. The Hewlett's and the Harris' go back awhile, way before we were chasing around toddlers together. And with the arrival of their second son, Avery, Christmas was the perfect time to catch up on some pictures.

Final Christmas Card!

All Of Us Christmas 5x7 folded card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Oh Blog, I miss you...

I know I need to blog more. And now that I've found a couple blogs that I love to read daily, It's given me motivation to do it again.

So i will.

Just not today ;-)

We are leaving for PA in... 6.5 hours and I need to pack, clean, and oh yeah, leave work at some point.

But in the mean time... Happy Thanksgiving, from me to you.

Oh... what am I thankful for?

These two men, and the One who gave them life.

Christmas Cards!

Well, it's been a little while since I posted, and I'm going to try and blog more often, but here's a little blog about Christmas Cards!

Obviously, anyone who knows me or gets cards from me knows that I only use photo cards for my Christmas cards. I've even used them for Halloween, and I used one for Jack's first birthday party invitation this year. Last year I even bought my Grandma a Photo Mug for her kitchen.

So, when I saw on Amber's blog that Shutterfly (the site where i purchase all my cards) was doing a promotion for bloggers (you get 50 free cards when you blog about their site and their cards), you know I'm in! I was planning on using them anyway for this year's Christmas card so I could use my favorite photo of Jack from this year, so this is a perfect way to save some money! If you've never done one, take a look at their Christmas Card selection - they have a TON! And I love that they include cards that really speak to the real reason for Christmas - the birth of our savior!

So thanks Shutterfly! If you blog and want to sign up, go here:

My baby is one!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet boy :-) . We celebrated with friends and family and snuck in a couple mommy/baby moments too :-) I wasn't as emotional as I thought I'd be, but mostly happy at the thought that I haven't completely messed up his life in one year - ha!

Oh, how I love him.

I had the wonderful opportunity to shoot a couple portraits for my good friends Dave and Gina this weekend. It was my first time on the Belmont Abbey campus - and wow, is it beautiful!

And on the subject of beautiful, Gina... is.

(Please excuse the fuziness of a couple of these, I still haven't figured out how to blow them up on here and keep the clarity of them!)

Easter Happiness

This weekend we were able to take a 3-day weekend and spend it all doing our favorite things... breakfasts together... walks in the neighborhood...a little shopping (I'm not quite sure Matt or Jack would agree that's a favorite thing)... and just generally not caring about anything but squeezing in each second of time we have with each other.

And then add Easter on top of that, and it's just icing on the cake.

My little Republican:




Add in sunshine, blue sky and my family, it was one those perfect days.

Been so busy....

...with a little one who makes getting up early easy... and who has forced me to learn the art of eating dinner in 5 seconds flat... and who every day, gets more and more a mind of his own.

If you asked me 3 weeks into Jack's life if I enjoyed being a mama.... I don't know what i would have said. His colicky little self threw me for a huge loop... I took his constant ... yes constant crying 100% personally - I thought he hated me, I thought I was a terrible mother. Turns out he just has a terrible stomach. But 10 weeks into his life things just got better, and now 10 months into his life, I find myself practically running through the doors of the little daycare he spends his days at so I can snatch him up.

I haven't had a lot of time to take pictures. I've been studying other photographer's work, and realized I just don't have the camera I need to take the shots i want to take. So... in about 20 years I'll have saved up enough spare change to buy the camera I want!

But in the mean time, I do want to introduce you to something that makes everyone laugh, makes my heart melt, and gets this little guy anything he wants (almost).

I give you...

...the lip.

Noor's Engagement Party

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting this formal engagement ceremony for Noor and her family.... and what a sweet and beautiful family they are! The camera loves Noor, she is GOR-GEOUS!


Here are they bride and groom-to-be's fathers formally accepting their engagement.



Stunning!

They had ALL their family in from all over the world for this occasion, and there were some DARLING babies!

Just a little thought...

In this economy, I'm grateful to have a steady, decent job ... but dang, do I miss these two today...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the Hewlett's!