Has it really been 7 years??

Yep, that's right, Jamie and I recently celebrated our 7th...where has the time gone??... anniversary and we really went all out this year.  We planned and planned for weeks before to create the perfect weekend to celebrate...and then we woke up that morning, threw the plans out the window and decided to go with simple.  Ok, so no plans were ever really made.  Not that I wouldn't have preferred otherwise but you know at the end of the day I was grateful for the laid back time together and for the love that has grown over the last 7 years.  And speaking of love, that great looking chap above just happens to be that hunky love of my life.  He's smiling because we decided to eat at the Cheesecake Factory in Inner Harbor and cheesecake is one of his favorites.  (I have to admit, they have gooey, chocolatey, that-has-HOW-MANY-calories, outta-this-world, delicious cakes that can make any bad day float into blissful oblivion...so the smile is completely appropriate, Jamie.)

 We needed an outlet for walking off all those incredible calories from the cheesecake so we walked around Inner Harbor enjoying the finally cooler and slightly less wet weather we had that day.  Our walk happened to take us by the Baltimore Aquarium and we decided that since neither of us has been inside since we were kids it would be fun to well, "be kids" again.

As my camera follows me everywhere I go, I thought it would be fun to see how she performed in the aquarium.  (Yep, I lifted the tail...it's a she)  Although I appreciate that there are several inches of glass between me and...this guy below...it sure does make getting the right shot a little difficult.  (Hello reflections of annoying people trying to push past me, welcome to my blog)

Sting rays are cool on the top...AND the bottom.  Kinda looks like they have 2 faces.

Again...grateful for that super-duper thick, heavy duty glass between me and him!

I love Jamie, but there were more Jamie's down the escalator than I ever cared to see.  One Jamie is quite enough for me!  Kinda interesting how he seems to be looking at himself too.

The jellies are really cool!  Full of bright colors and light, it's just a fascinating creature.

(Yeah thank goodness for the glass around his watery hole too!)

They recently added a 911 memorial at the Baltimore World Trade Center to remember those from Maryland who lost their lives that fateful day.  This piece of steel was from the actual World Trade Center.  Around the marble slab the events that happened on 911 are etched like a timeline.  To the left of this memorial are 2 other memorials to remember those from the Pentagon and Flight 93.

I really had no intention of ending on a sad note, but maybe this is a good reminder on a happy occasion for us...to hold close the times we have together, to remember the love our relationship was founded on and continue to nurture it, and most importantly to never take our time together for granted, for in heartbeat it can be taken away.  We owe much to those who sacrificed their lives and for those who continue to sacrifice their lives for our freedom and privileges...so don't waste the time you've been given.  There are many who would give anything for the moments we daily take for granted...and remember to thank those who give up moments together to provide you those freedoms and privileges.

And Baby, Happy Anniversary!  Our wedding day was one of the happiest and most memorable of my life and I'm thankful that no matter what you continue to stick by my side.  You're the bread to my butter, the fuel to my fire, and the light of my life.  I love you, Jamie!

Keyan turns 1!

This beautiful little boy belongs to a friend of mine from work and although I sweated my butt of trying to get just a few good pictures for them, I had a great time doing so.  And I have a small confession to make, although Keyan is now 1, he is several months past that 1 year mark…there has just been no time to blog!  But I wanted to share this fun little guy whose smile is VERY infectious.  I had to say though he was a tough little guy who literally had me spinning in circles trying to get most of these…I could only laugh at him…and as soon as they left I promptly headed to the bathroom for my second shower of the day as the heat that evening was almost unbearable.  Thank goodness Keyan was there to distract me from the uncomfortable climate. (PS Little Buddy, you can come over any day to distract me!)

Keyan loves his pretty mommy, who has such a beautiful personality.  She truly has a heart for people and is a wonderful nurse!

Keyan loves his daddy too….he was just more interested in exploring the farm than he was in smiling with his daddy.  Good grief, he’s cute even when he’s crying.

There you have it…this is Keyan, signing off!

An Evening on the Lake

We recently…well considering how long it’s taking me to blog, not so recently…had an impromptu get together with my family on the lake.  My parents have a small boat, so we packed up our swimming suits, towels and some food and headed out to meet them.  There is a great spot we like to go in Wrightsville.  We couldn’t all fit on the boat but we had fun taking turns and cooling off in the lake.  This evening happened to be an “off” evening with my camera so the pictures aren’t the greatest…my apologies.

Rachel and Jessie were very excited to get out on the water, so Mike, Isaac, Jamie, Jessie, Rachel and I took the first trip out.  Jessie was all smiles on Uncle Jamie’s lap.  Rachel was a little more hesitant

Our little fish was once again in action, this time “driving” the boat.  Mike and his family had a vacation at Raystown Lake this past summer and had taken the boat with.  Being a now seasoned boater, Isaac was more than comfortable on the boat and the lake and I got a kick outta watching him in his “element”.  I’m amazed at how quickly they grow and learn.

Jessie was more than happy to “jump” in the water after Isaac, but Rachel was a little more hesitant.  It took Aunt Jess jumping in and a little encouragement from Uncle Mike before she finally decided it looked like fun.  Uncle Jamie stayed on the boat to catch a few pictures.  Jessie was all smiles and did great in the water, but she clung to me like a spider.  We all had a grand time swimming and splashing.

After the kids all went out and got a chance to get wet, Papa Smurf and the 3 of us kids went out together to try and water ski.  It kind of felt like the good old days at Raystown.  It took a little bit for them to get the rope untangled and a few laughs later and Jason was ready to try his hand at skiing.

We sure had a great evening for our picnic and boating and the sunset that evening was gorgeous!

Jason is an old pro at water skiing…that boy had got more skill at things like this…makes me looks like an idiot whenever I try.  Unfortunately the boat was acting up and although he was practically out of the water, there just wasn’t enough speed to get him out enough to truly ski.

Papa Smurf decided he needed one last swim before we called it a night and I sure don’t remember the conversation we were having but I do remember quite a bit of laughing.  Again it took me back to our summer vacations on the lake…we sure do know how to fun together!  Lastly, I had to include this one in here.  Jason unfortunately didn’t make the cut off for boating license age and is in the process of obtaining his license so this entire last trip out that evening was a rendition of everything he knows…he was in the process of telling Papa Smurf that the number on the side of the boat wasn't spaced properly…for crying out loud!

Bella & Company

I have a long way to go in the world of photography but thankfully I have friends who are willing to let me photograph their families.  I have had the opportunity to take photos for a few girls from work and I have really been enjoying it more and more.

My friend Jess asked me to do some pictures of her family and so they came over one afternoon and as soon as we started with her adorable daughter, Bella, I was hooked!  She is a beautiful little girl and a photographers dream…those big blue eyes and her baby smile…I was truly in heaven!  Thanks, Jess, for the opportunity!