Sweet Baby Kate....."Baby" is now a relative term.

Last Sunday, we had a house full of good friends to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Gilbertson Baby # 3. I was so excited to have the opportunity to take a bunch of great photos but the weather did not cooperate. It was storming and dark so our plans to be outdoors were foiled.

I managed to get these two sweet photos of our friend Meg and her daughter Kate. We have all lovingly refered to Kate as Baby Kate since her debute 3 years ago but on Sunday it became clear to me that she is certainly no longer a baby......but in our hearts she alwasy will be Baby Kate. Presh!

Around the House

I am still trying to practice photography everyday. I've gotten some critiques from the fantastic instructors with Click Workshops as well as Peter and although I think I'm off to a good start, there is a long way to go. Focal points are what I am working on now which I am finding a bit challenging, especially when photographing children- they are constant moving targets! So I've set out around the house to find things that don't move to give it a go. Still challenging but easier.

I moved this small vase of flowers all over the house, took literally 100 photos of it and decided this was the best of the lot. 

Our beloved "child" Lucy. Although she too can be a constant moving target she is also a supreme couch potato so it was easy to get this shot, but not many more....as soon as she saw me getting down to her level she jumped off Peter's lap and onto the back of the couch to play with me! :)

This is our foyer table. It's small and I think it should be a bit larger for the space, but I love it and can't seem to bring myself to go hunting for something more suitable. I also took far too many photos of this trying to get the right framing, angle, light, etc.

Meet Zeke. He's really not our style, but we were both drawn to him at a booth in Ashville, NC while walking around an art fair. He reminds me of something my Mom would have had in her home, and therefore he will always have a place in mine.

After this round of photos I've learned that I may now understand the functionality of this Fancy Pants camera, but I have a long way to go before I produce a photograph worthy of being hung on a wall. I'm up for the adventure, and can't wait to get back behind the lens. 

Best Buddies~ Young and Umm.....Older

I'm a lucky girl for so many reasons but one of very best things is that we have family that are our best friends and best friends that are just like family. We spend a lot of time with the Kallos' and Gilbertson Clans and I am so very grateful that they allow us to be so very close to their precious children as well. I'm getting a little choked up as I am thinking of the words to adequately express the love I have for both of these families. We've shared so many good times and have seen each other through some very rough patches. Peter and I are so very thankful each and everyday that we have such wonderful people to share our journey with and I have no doubt that their are many more adventures to come.

The latest outing we did as a group was last Saturday when we attended Presley's very first softball game (photos and more details on that in my next post) and while there I caught these images of Riley and Merritt playing. These two are rough and tumble and for reasons unknown to us they feel the need to constantly be touching or "wrestling" at all times. It is of course all in fun, they love each other, can't wait to see each other, and chatter non-stop about everything and anything that pops into their little heads.

Whatever Riley is saying here is very funny...

Hey guys, can I get a sweet picture? Can you guys smile for me? Almost.....thanks Merritt! Riley, you're a hamhock! :)

Perfect! I love that you guys are sitting right there next to each other, can we get a nice picture? Just one? Oh OK, I guess.....let me see your muscles instead!

Gotcha! This one is perfect and totally captures their friendship and their young spirits. Love them both more than words can say!

Practice, Practice, Practice

I am trying to take photos everyday, no one ever got good at anything with out practice, right? Here are a few shots I took last night before our neighborhood ladies night.

I love having fresh flowers in the house, it just makes me joyful.

The ladies and I got a jump start on the St. Patty's day celebrations and you just can't do that with out green beer! :)

Wine of course.....always have to have the wine.

I'm really enjoying my time behind the lens. I am anxious to get better and actually start producing some quality photos worthy of being hung on the walls of our home. 

Tacked to my Bulletin Board

When I created my own little "office" space is one of guest rooms at the first of the year I decided I had to have a bulletin board. I wanted to hang things right in front of my face that would be inspiring or that needed remembering. It's starting to fill up. There are a couple of magazine clippings of paint colors and a gift wrapping organizer that I want for the back of a closet door. There is a super cute baby photo of my mom that I think captures the wonderful spirit she carried with her her entire life. Also scraps of paper that give quick reminders of things that I think are important to remember every day, but do you see that in the top left hand corner.......

Can you make it out? It says ticket and has a brochure hanging right next to it. That is the most exciting thing tacked to my bulletin board right now. What is? It's an awesome gift from my amazing Aunt Cathy. For my birthday she sent me two tickets to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden and I can't wait to use them!!! I have been an Atlantian for nearly 10 years and have never been. I just know it is going to be beautiful and I am dreaming of all the photos I can take there. Soooo excited!!!

Thank you so much Aunt Cathy- I love you more than you know.

Another year of Decade Three has come and Gone.....Looking forward to 32!

The second year of Decade Three has come and gone. There were ups and down, no doubt about that, but I think I've grown as a person and may be a little closer to perfecting this "grown up" thing after all.

This years birthday was made very special by family and friends. Here are a few snaps shots from brunch with some of the "March Babies". There are so many people, both friends and family, in my life that have March birthday's and I love it.

At brunch we celebrated with a Doughnut Cake from Dutch Monkey Doughnuts. A tradition Peter started for my birthday last year. We love this locally owned shop and as always the doughnuts were amazing and enjoyed by all.

All the birthday babies gather around to blow out the candles. This celebration was for myself, my nephew Riley, our dear friend Mandy and her son Ethan.

Peter caught this moment of Riley and I blowing out our candles perfectly. This is a keepsake photo for sure, I think I may be in love with it! :)

Ethan is taking his turn with the candles here. Look at that sweet face.

I couldn't have asked for a better day. Surrounded with loved ones, making memories we'll have forever, doesn't get much better.

Here's to 32.......it's going to be a great year!

You outta be in pictures.....or taking them

When I was a little girl and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would always say photographer. I thought it would be so cool to create the beautiful images I saw in my mom's Vanity Fair magazines. But, as little girls grow, things change and we don't always grow up to be what we dreamed we would be. Instead, I married a photographer figuring it would be the next best thing....just kidding. His love of photography was always there but he didn't really get into photography for several years into our marriage.

When Peter really started getting into photography we bought a camera for me. A "starter" Cannon Rebel T1i. When it arrived I was thrilled, loved the idea of finally trying my hand at the art I've always enjoyed from a far and knew very little about. I took it out of the box, set that bad boy to "auto" and took approximately 10 photos. Then, I retreated back to my familiar and easy to use point and shoot and forgot about my new found toy. That was a year and a half ago.

Then one early October morning before heading to the office I checked my email, only to find a Groupon (BTW, I love Groupon, check it out if you haven't already) to take an introduction to digital photography course with Click Workshops on a whim I bought it, I figured it was time to really introduce myself to this "starter" SLR. I took the course a few weeks ago and wow am I addicted! First I must say that if you are in the Atlanta or Birmingham area and have any interest in learning to use your SLR please consider Click Workshops. Jody and Elizabeth were amazing and I can't wait to take their advance course. Since taking the workshop I've been out shooting almost everyday. I am loving every moment of it.....perhaps I may be able to say someday that when I grow up I will be a photographer.  

I found a quote that I think sums up how I'm feeling right now....


“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst". – Henri Cartier-Bresson

But hey...you've got start somewhere right? Here are a few I think have turned out fairly well, so much room for improvement but it's a start.

My Sweet nephew Riley, and his beloved Bunny

Miss Presley who is like my niece. I actually entered this photo in a contest Click Workshops is doing to win a more of their workshops. Pretty good but you should check out their Facebook page to see the competition, such amazing talented people out there!

Presley & Merritt- Sibling Love

Took this one with Peter's guidance during sunset, I am also playing with editing as you can see.

The Cherry Trees are starting to bloom, can you believe that this little "meadow" is part of my office park?