Photography Class Portraits

So, for photography class this week, we had to take portrait pictures. They were actually really hard for me. I got some great pics of Bryden, but the light is a little harsh in some...well, most...of them. I am still trying to figure out how to use light properly, but I thought I'd share some of my shots. I also had to take some self portrait shots...not near as cute as Bryden, but not too shabby (I won't tell you how many pictures I had to take of myself to get even a couple decent shots...what a pain in the @#%). Enjoy the pics!
P.S. Be sure to check out the new information under "blog info" to the left. You can save any of these pictures to your computer if you want to.




This is my favorite picture, her expression is priceless, so I did it up in black and white and cropped it too, just to see how it looked...I really love this shot!










Oh, and here is a silly picture. Bryden has been working on curling her tongue for the past month or so. She has been able to get one side up easy, but just this week, she curled both ends of her tongue. They say it is hereditary to be able to do this amazing feat, so I guess Bryden gets it from me, since I can do it, but Jim cannot!

Neighorhood Halloween Party

Our neighborhood had our annual Halloween party today where all the kids get to dress up in their costumes so they can all see each other and the parents can see all the kids. Enjoy the pics!
Bryden and her "Best Costume" prize ribbon.


Princesses need juice and cookies too!


Bryden and her "big sister" McKenzie on the hayride.

Washington D.C.

We went up to D.C. for the day to visit our good friends Samantha and Jarratt. It was supposed to be a rainy day, so we decied to hit up the Museum of Natural History. VERY cool place, and we only saw about 1/4 of it! We got to see the mammals and some of the ocean animals, but we did see a sweet IMAX movie about Deep Sea animals (which Bryden fell asleep in!)...Did you know that fish go to cleaning stations in the ocean? It is like a "spa" for fish. Little fish, that out in the open water the larger fish might normally eat, nibble on the scales of the fish to clean them. It is a time of truce apparently between the larger fish and smaller ones. Very interesting. Anywho, we had a great day, and even got our own cleansing on the way home from the subway with a good downpour! Enjoy the pics!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Bryden's "Pretty Pretty" Dress

So, I picked Bryden up at school today, and on the way back to the car, she informed me that when we got home, she was going to put on a "pretty pretty dress". I said "Sure, that sounds like a great idea", thinking that she was going to put on one of her princess dresses or something...boy was I ever wrong...THIS, is what Bryden came down the steps wearing.

Yes, that is a teal and white swim suit, with a crazy bright skirt, bright green socks and hot pink shoes...oh, and under the skirt is a pair of purple shorts (so she doesn't flash the boys her princess undies)!!! Ah, that is our fashionista!!!

Wintergreen Weekend

We went up to Wintergreen and enjoyed a beautiful and peaceful weekend! Saturday morning we went for a mile hike...1/2 mile down the mountain to see some great waterfalls, and 1/2 a mile back up...and Bryden hiked it ALL by herself. We were so proud of her! We got some great pictures to remember a great hike!
Helping Daddy Build a Fire

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We stopped in Charlottesville on the way home from Wintergreen to go apple pickin' again...with Daddy this time! Enjoy the pics!

Apple Pickin'

Bryden and I went up to Charlottesville this morning to go apple picking. Daddy is in Nashville for a Johnny Napp concert, so we had a girl's morning out! We picked about 20 pounds of apples, had some yummy apple cider and apple cider donuts, enjoyed a hayride with beautiful scenery and listened to some 70 year old men sing country music!!! It was another gorgeous day and some great memories for Bryden and me! Enjoy the pics!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Pregnancy - 20 Weeks

Happy Happy Halfway...Happy Happy Halfway!!! Yay! We are 20 weeks and half way through the pregnancy. We had our 20 week ultrsound this week and things are looking good with Little Kiwi, and NO...we didn't find out the sex! Actually, the Doc said that even if we wanted to know, she would have to do some searching because Kiwi was practicing some very advanced yoga moves and was completely curled up and not showing us anything...that what we like to see, a modest child! Anyway, all is well with the pregnancy, I think we are going to have a very active baby on our hands, I feel Kiwi moving at least every hour, if not more!!! Bryden has been so sweet too. I have told her that Kiwi can hear her voice now, so she sings to him/her, says I love you and I am your big sister and loves to put her head on my belly and lay on Kiwi! Such a sweetheart! I will try to catch her on video singing to Kiwi...I made up a song for her with her name in it and everything, so she sings that to the baby, but changed the name to "Baby" instead of "Bryden"...all on her own! Smart little cookie. Oh, and this week, she said she wanted to name the baby "Smushie"...hmmmm.....
Enjoy the Pics!

This is Bryden "holding" Kiwi

Fabulous Pictures

So, I am currently taking a photography class with my Dad in the hopes of being able to take better pictures of our growing family. Since Bryden is the main focus of our pictures, I practice a lot on her. Here are some really great pics of her (if I do say so myself!!!)


Bryden and Cinnie

Pumpkin Patch

Since I was younger, my parents have taken our family to Ashland Berry Farm to pick pumpkins around Halloween. They started the tradition of bringing family and friends with us to enjoy the day together, and Jim and I are carrying on the tradition. We have gone for the past four years (since Bryden was 4 weeks old...yeah, it was more for us than her at that point!). We have a great time and make a day of it...pumpkin picking, tailgating, grilling out, playing catch, and just chilling out! We lucked out with another gorgeous day and had a great time with Nanne, Grampa, Chandra, Murat, Samantha, Jarratt, Sloan, Justin and little Barritt! Enjoy the pics!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook