Mother's Day

This year instead of cooking, we took my mom  and Rick's mom out to dinner.  PLUS, we decided to do this on  Saturday instead of doing the crazy Sunday afternoon after church.  This was very smart on our parts, if I do say so myself.  Then I was able to enjoy my Sunday with my family.

We took our mom's to Mike's Farm in Beaulaville, NC.  This place is really more exciting at Christmas time due to the Christmas Light Hay ride.  But - the food is to die for ALL YEAR long.  It's family style of fried chicken, pork tenderloin, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, and of course the mac & cheese (YUMMY!!!!)  Plus, a choice of dessert - this time it was cheese cake, strawberry shortcake, or banana pudding. 

The weather was really nice so after we ate, we hung out on the front porch.  While we were waiting, we found out that they were doing hayrides around the grounds.  It was really cheap - $2 a person so Deana, Caroline and I took a ride.  Caroline loved it and we enjoyed watching her enjoy it!

Proud of my Sister-in-Law

Just a little over 2 years ago, my sister-in-law started on a journey to get her associates degree in nursing.  This year, she graduated from Edgecombe Community College.  How exciting!  She is officially done with school - for now - until she goes back for her bachelors.  She also graduated with having a job at Pitt Memorial Hospital in the NICU.  This is exciting and pretty much where she wanted to be.  Congrats Kristen!!!!  These pictures are from her pinning ceremony that I attended.

Put on you Easter Bonnet....

Please forgive the side views - I haven't figured out how to fix those :(

or something like that.  Easter often brings new clothes - well at least for some it does.  This year, we decided to "splurge" and buy a brand new dress for Caroline.  In years past, I have often gone to the consignment store and bought a couple of outfits.  My mom, Caroline, and I went shopping for Caroline's dress and decided to go to Target.  They had some very cute dresses and weren't the typical pink, flowery, frilly dresses.  An additional bonus was that I was able to purchase a dress for our little girl that we're expecting in June so that the two would have matching dresses.  Take a look at Caroline and her dress:

Easter Weekend

This year, Caroline understood more of the events that take place around the Easter Holiday.  Even though we are Christian and don't do the Easter Bunny thing, we do participate in the egg hunts and egg coloring activities.  She was SO excited about coloring eggs that as soon as she got up from her nap she was - "Let's color eggs!!!!"  So, on Friday afternoon, Rick, my mom, Caroline and I colored eggs.  She had a lot of fun deciding which color she wanted her eggs to be:

A Day at the Park

The Funky Steps that she was learning how to do it herself. 

Before her hair cut - the wind was blowing it EVERYWHERE!

Caroline and her friend Aaron.  The funny thing - Aaron was getting into trouble because he was supposed to be getting off the slide.  I of course took the moment to take a picture of the two.

Since I'm a stay at home mom and our weekly Bible study is over I have been trying to be more proactive about getting playdates together for Caroline.  This past week I invited 2 of Caroline's friends over.  Instead of hanging out inside since the weather was warm and sunny we decided to head over to the park that is across the street from our place.  This park if perfect because it not only has the "big" kid area but there's also an area specially designed for 2 - 5 year olds.  Of course Caroline wants to hang out in the big kid area, but she's learning to do things on her own like climb the funky steps up to the play area and to go down the slide on her own.  She's so fun to watch at this age develop her independence!

Baby Gracie

One of my really good friends and I were pregnant at the same time this go around.  She was 8 weeks ahead of me but it was good to have someone that was dealing with the same sort of thing that I was.  The Wednesday that we left for Indiana I got a very important and scary phone call - Meredith was in labor - 6 weeks early.  Well, everything went fine and she was born later that evening weighing 6 lb. 1 oz.  Since we were on vacation, I didn't see her till Baby Gracie was almost 3 weeks old.  Of course, I had to get a picture of my Caroline in there ;)

Jon & Tonya's Wedding

One of the main reasons for our trip to Indiana was to attend a wedding.  This wedding was of one of my best friend's from Nappannee Days.  She and I have had so much fun together that I knew that I couldn't miss this once in a lifetime event!  I've always been impressed with Tonya and her ability to be so independent but knew that she really wanted to find that special someone.  She has and had a WONDERFUL wedding. 

The wedding was held at a shooting club called the Back Forty - it really was.  Rick & I weren't sure we were even in the right place.  It was a crisp spring day but everything was inside so that was okay.  There weren't a lot of people there that I knew but that's okay, Rick & I enjoyed catching up with some former Lighthouse attenders. 

The ceremony was to the point but the funny thing about it was the hunting club didn't stop shooting during the ceremony.  So, when the pastor was asking who gave the bride away - we all heard the gunshots going off.  There were chuckles all over the audience - I'm sure everyone or most were thinking this is a new definition of a "shotgun" wedding.  The reception was catered by Nelson's - yummy and her cake was in the design of a sandcastle!  Which, I have to say was the MOST delicious cake that I have had at a wedding in a LONG time.

Congrats Tonya & Jon - love and miss you.  So glad that I got to be at your BIG day.

Visiting Friends and Family in Indiana

Rick, Caroline and I went to Indiana for a few days mostly for a wedding, but also enjoyed visiting family and friends.  We spent a lot of of time with my grandmother who had fallen back in January and is now home from the nursing home.  SO glad that she is home and able to get around as well as she did!  Here are some pics from the friends that we saw while there.

A Day at the Park

I can't believe that I'm THIS far behind in my blog updates....

Almost a month ago it was a warm, beautiful spring type of day even thought spring hadn't officially sprung yet and we as a family spent time outdoors.  We took Caroline to a park that she had never gone to before, or at least she didn't remember it.  This park is much larger than the park that is across the street from us.  They don't have an area for smaller children like Caroline and so I was a little apprehensive about her playing.  Of course, she showed no fear and thoroughly enjoyed going down the HUGE slides that the park had to offer.

Daffodil Fields

The daffodils are blooming - those are some of the best words that can be said at this time of year.  Translation: spring is coming!!!  Plus, it means a photoshoot with everyone else in Pitt County. 

Last Saturday we found ourselves without a lot of plans.  This is rare because it seems like we've been SO busy lately.  After Caroline got up from her nap we decided to take a trip down to the field.  The flowers were actually pretty nice, I had heard from others that they weren't blooming very well.  Also, there wasn't a LOT of people there which made it easy to get some good photos of Caroline taken.  She did GREAT.  Here's a few of my favorites.

Photography Class

The church that I attend has several small groups that you can choose from.  Leaders lead groups based on interest/topical study.  I have had the opportunity to take a photography class called "Through the Lens".  This small group is taught by a professional photographer for free.  He teaches you how to take your camera from auto mode to manual.  Another aspect he teaches is how to pose your subjects.  This is the second time I have taken the class - the reason being is that I have a new camera - not just a point and shoot.   Oh, did I mention that he gives homework each week?  This week's blog posts are some of the poses that I have taken the last two weeks. 

Making Valentine's Cards

I LOVE Valentine's Day...okay, it's my birthday, but I love the idea behind it of reminding people around us how much we love them.  I know people often say I don't need a day to tell someone that I love them, but maybe we do?  How often do we sit down and make homemade cards for them?  Or even buy them a card?  Well, I love being creative and can't wait till Caroline is able to do "more" with her creative gene that I'm sure that I passed on to her :)  So, we decided (well I) to make cards for Rick.  The funny part is that when Rick came home for lunch that day - last Friday that is - Caroline said SURPRISE!!!!  Then she proceeded to tell him that mommy hid something.  Okay, well, he got his card from Caroline last Friday, but he didn't know that I had made him a card until late Monday.  To say the least, he was pleasantly surprised.

First Full Week of February

Still am amazed at how fast time goes.  Yet, winter seems to move slowly by.  Maybe it's because it's so cold?  Gray skies?  Anyway, it's dreary and spring can't come soon enough.  Even though we are in the "middle" of winter, there are days that we in the south get to enjoy outside.  One of those days happened to be last Sunday (February 6).  Rick, Caroline, and I went over to my in-laws to celebrate Granddaddy's birthday.  He turned 82 on February 10.  While we were waiting for lunch to get ready Rick,  Caroline and I went out to play on Caroline's swingset that Ruth and Tony have in their backyard.  Caroline has a lot of fun playing on the swingset, unfortunately, she's the only grandchild so she has to play by herself. 

Time for a Catch Up

Wow, I can't believe how far behind I have gotten with this!!!  Part of it is that I loaned my computer to my sister and working in our office is so not fun since that room looks like a war zone.  I am really disappointed that I haven't taken more pics this week.  Last Sunday, we had an impromptu invite to go to the park across the street from us.  Caroline has a couple of older boys that like to play (they're both 5) and invited us to join them for a picnic.  So, with the weather being as it was, we decided to join them.  Unfortunately, one of the boys had to go to urgent care center because he needed stitches.  We had fun regardless...here are a few pics from that day.

Camera Bag Giveaway

I am in the market for a new camera bag and when I saw this contest, I couldn't turn it down.  I'll be updating my blog with my photos probably Saturday.  I have a lot of pics to upload to the computer!

I Heart Faces Weekly Photo Challenge

I have found that one way to improve my photography skills is to enter challenges/contests.  Although I have not won anything, I find value in the criticism I receive.  Through being fans of other photography groups I have found the website: I Heart Faces.  This is a place for all types of photographers to enter weekly challenges based on a theme.  This week is "Winter Wonderland".  Even though this isn't a pic I took recently it is the photo I entered in this week's challenge!  Wish me luck :)

Harder than I thought....well maybe

I thought for sure that I could easily take at least 1 picture a day.  It's amazing how at about 9 PM I will realize that I have yet to take a single picture!  Now, I have done fairly good.  I've taken at least one every other day and my sister took one on a day that I didn't do it.  I think the thing that is holding me back is the lack of creativity and the ability to pose something or someone creatively.  I am my own worst critic...  I also know that my house could use a good cleaning and so then I don't take pictures because let's be honest who would want to show off their dirty house?  Anyway, here are some photos from my first week.  Yes, most of them are of Caroline but who wouldn't want to take a photo of her?  Okay - one is of my favorite holiday drink - Cranberry Ginger Ale...yes, it was a late night photo!