My sweet little LL and CC

I can't wait to see you guys again! (And spend more than 2 minutes shooting those beautiful blue eyes!) Thanks for the visit- you are welcome ANYTIME planned or unplanned.

Look who learned the "no paparrazo" hands from my kids!

Oh yeah, she's winkin at me! And actually trying to swipe my camera!

Is it really Friday?!

I can't believe that I haven't blogged all week! What a week it has been! I wanted to share a few very exciting pieces of news with my family and friends.

First, I am going to be second shooting/assisting a VERY talented local wedding photographer named Charlie Gunter- check out his website- http://www.charliegunterphotography.com. I won't be able to share images with you all, but I will be gaining amazing experience and can't wait to work alongside someone whose work I admire and who is a seasoned pro.

Second, as of yesterday, I am going to be teaching a 2 year old preschool class 2 days a week! I can't tell you how excited I am that this has worked out the way that it has. Beginning next Thursday I will officially be on staff at First Presbyterian Preschool! I have a lot of work to do in preparation but, as those of you who know me best know- this is the kind of work I LOVE! Olivia will be in the 5 day 4's class and Caleb will be in the 2 day 1's class. I love the schedule- 9-12. I am a little apprehensive about Caleb but it is SUCH a great program that I know that, in time, he will love it too!

On top of all of this crazy news- one of my best friends dropped in yesterday for a very fast visit! I took a few shots in between teacher meetings and meet and greets. I will try and get them posted for you but my computer is having some issues- I NEED MORE MEMORY! Things are running very slow! Have a very happy weekend. Keep shooting!

Happy Fourth Baby Girl

I'm feeling extremely emotional tonight so this may be short! My baby girl turned 4 today. It seems just like yesterday that we were holding this TINY little being in our arms for the first time. I can't tell you how excited I was to have a GIRL. There are the obvious reasons like painted fingernails and matching hairbows but I was more excited about the relationship we would have. I couldn't imagine life without being able to share the sort of relationship that I had with my mom with my daughter. I think that we are a lot alike which, at times, makes things rather difficult. Her daddy is so incredibly enamored with her that she can do little wrong! She has a strong will but a kind and appreciative spirit. She makes us ALL laugh and tends to be the ring leader in the house.

We had a carnival themed party back in Indiana about a month ago. She wanted to make sure that ALL of her friends would be able to help her celebrate.

Her morning started with a gift. A Grandma Carla gift that has been sitting prettily wrapped for over a week now. She has been eyeing it and begging but, being the mean mom that I am, I made her wait until today! She scored a new diaper bag for Bitty Baby, aka Gracie, and the little mommy couldn't be happier.

We took a friend of hers for the day and headed out to Jumpin Jellybeans. I didn't get great shots but figured that I'd share them anyhoo. They had a GREAT time and were SO tired by the end! We feel so blessed to have met such a good little friend for Livi so fast.

Tonight we had cake, played outside for a bit and opened her last presents. I'm embarrased to say that the gifts that I had ordered for her didn't arrive until she was actually IN BED. Thank you UPS for making us wait ALL DAY! I didn't have a chance to grab my camera for that set but I'll try to shoot some in the morn with all of her loot.

Happy Birthday darlin baby!

A very busy weekend

This weekend I got to see my college roomate and kindred twin Liz and her husband Dave. I hadn't seen them in SIX years and somehow it was as if no time had past. We could get into a lot of trouble together! (And did at one point in time!) We met them, along with her fabulous brother and his amazing wife, at the Virginia Living museum. It is another fantastic place here! It is a mix between an aquarium, a zoo, and a museum. We will definitely go back.

Caleb got REALLY sleepy and spent part of the time lounging in the stroller. I can't resist that sweet face! The turtle REALLY wanted to be photographed- so, I obliged.

I get very few "normal" shots of Isaac. He usually has his tongue out and is pulling some kind of stunt like a monkey. This shot was between silly faces and I just love it. He looks rather pleased with himself and the fish beside him is watching the whole show.

More flowers. I can't resist. Today we headed to the Virginia Zoo with a colleague of Anthony's and her family. More fun had by all! I should post some animal pictures but I am completely enamored with the flowers here- so that is what you're gettin'!

After dinner walk

I missed you yesterday! I wasn't home more than 10 minutes until bedtime. I spent the morning at a new friend's house followed by a long physical for Isaac that included an x-ray of his adnoids. I walked in the door and Anthony called and told me that there was a new faculty dinner on campus- so off we went again! I was exhausted last night! Today was uneventful, just trying to get things done around here. It's always that last 10% of the unpacking that is the hardest. After dinner we like to take walks. Lately we've been walking down to this great little video store-which will get a whole post of it's own another time! But tonight was beautiful and cool so we headed down to our neighborhood park. On the way I found these BEAUTIFUL flowers. They look just like wedding dresses to me. They were so incredibly delicate. I would have shot more but there were also LOTS of bees.

Here is a sneak peek at Caleb's new haircut. I might keep shooting it further away! I did a PRETTY good job. Just don't look too close.

The Bay

ODU

Sorry I missed yesterday! I worked hard in the morning just getting stuff done and then we went over to explore campus a bit and visit daddy. I only snapped a few shots because I was trying to keep up with the ever moving Caleb. This campus is VERY different from IU. Much. . . newer and not nearly so sprawling. On the main lawn their are two very interesting little "groves" like the one below. I don't think that I've ever seen anything quite like it.


The kids were, of course, delighted to see a fountain. If you've been on my blog for a while you'll know that the fountains at IU were a favorite spot of ours. They like the lion here, there are paw prints all over campus and we talk about where this lion must go at night.

I am still amazed by the greenery here. SO BEAUTIFUL and plentiful. I feel like I see more at every turn!

I know that I am lacking in real substantial ODU shots. I will try, kid-less, another day. But today, alas, I was a mom first and just a photographer on the side.

It's the weekend. . .

This is a picture that I took on the 4th of July but hadn't shared because life was JUST TOO BUSY! There are a ton more but it is the weekend and I am going to go relax with the hubby. I have some exciting opportunities here in Norfolk that I will share soon. For now, I will just say God is good, and faithful even with the tiny details of life.

Nauticus

Last weekend, with my in-laws, we took in Nauticus- a maritime museum and the parking spot for the USS Wisconsin. I had a touch of the flu so I didn't shoot much but I was just going back through my photos and wanted to share a few so that you can get a sense of some of the things we are seeing here. Walking on to a battle ship is a little surreal. It gives you a whole new appreciation for the people that serve our country. The kids had a BLAST and are already asking to go back. I'm anxious to go back and really take it in with the energy that it deserves.

Bella Pizzeria

I feel like I'm one step closer to settling in to a place when I find a good pizza place. But we didn't just find a "good" pizza place, we found a FANTASTIC pizza place! The pizza at Bella Pizzeria is the closest thing that we have found to New York pizza. Perfection! For the locals- it is near Princess Anne on Colley right in Ghent. If you are in the neighborhood or just swinging through- it is worth a visit.

This is what Caleb looks like until he actually has the pizza IN his mouth. The owner and staff have always been very friendly and Caleb just runs around. They even bring me ice cubes for their delicious Italian Wedding soup so I can cool it down instantly for the eager mouths of my children!

How about some pizza pie?!

Boxes lined up and waiting for piping hot pizzas. I'm pretty sure they deliver!

The pizza stands shiny and ready to serve.

All the good stuff just waiting for you.

And this is how the professionals do it. I wouldn't try this at home. Believe me, we have and dough in the face is not pleasant!

Thank you to Bella Pizzeria for letting me shoot! We have already been many times in our short time here and will be back many more!