WINE!

I took this picture for my stepmom, she's a fan of Mad Housewife Wine, and now so am I. ; )

I told her I need to print this BIG so she can hang it in her kitchen. Fits her to a 'T'!! = )

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Back in June the kids and I traveled to Virginia with my Mom and Grandpa to visit my brother and sister-in-law.

My brother is also in the Marine Corps stationed at Quantico, VA. We spent Preston's first 5 years in the Marine Corps at Quantico, it was nice to visit again (six years later), to see how things have changed and to be back there again. We both miss it quite a bit.

We had the chance to visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

It is truly a must-do when visiting Quantico.

Here are a few photots I snapped while at the museum.

The quote...
"The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight."
~Major General Frank E. Lowe, US Army

There is a wall filled with eagle, globe and anchor pins and Navy anchor pins representing the Marines and Sailors who lost their lives during the WWII battle of Iwo Jima. This was definitely one of the most touching memorials.

They have exhibits dedicated to each war.

The Korean War exhibit was the most interesting for us because my Grandpa was a Marine and fought in that war.

He has often told stories (stories that certainly are true and not 'stories') of how they survied on TOOTSIE ROLL candy. It was great to see even the tootsie-roll wrappers made their way into the exhibits. Something I certainly had to snap a picture of.

A *FIRST* Birthday

Baby Merrick turned ONE!

I know he's not a 'baby' anymore but we still refer to him as 'Baby Merrick' ; )

His party was a 'Carnival' theme...which I absolutely LOVED!

His cake was the cutest EVER!

Here's a few of the BIRTHDAY boy!

SMASH cake time!!!



He had a MESSY FUN time!!



I am so glad his mommy allowed me to capture these moments from his FIRST birthday party, he is one of the best subjects to snap pictures of.

2 weeks old

I had the opportunity to photograph this beautiful little girl. She was SO tiny. At the time of the session she was 2 weeks old and 6lbs!! Right at what my baby girl weighed when she was born...FIVE years ago!

Here are a few from her session, I absolutely LOVE these photos.

And the PROUD big brother!!



On the TWELVETH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*TWELVE Christmas pencils*



On the ELEVENTH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*ELEVEN colorful gift tags*



On the TENTH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*TEN mini gift bows*

On the NINTH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*NINE red cranberries*

On the EIGHTH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*EIGHT steaks ready for the grill at the 'company' Christmas party*

 

[...]

Just a few randoms...

The super awesome card my sister and her family sent me for my birthday!

I told the hubs that I just needed a shot of tequila with it! ; )

This was actually take for my SEVENTH day of Christmas along w/another picture with a completely different theme...and then I realized I already had seven!!! AHHHH! So now I'm wracking my brain for EIGHT!

My sweet boy! He got a surgeon's dress up thing and absolutely LOVES it! He's barely taken it off and he's even slept in it!!! <3 He's having a minor 'surgery' on Wednesday and he's said he wants to wear it so he can be just like the doctor! 

Just a little creative shot...

STRAWBERRIES!!

I am making a Strawberry-Jack ((jack as in monterey jack cheese...NOT Jack Daniels)) Salad for tonight's RSS Christmas Party.

This is an absolutely delicious salad and one I love to make for get togethers!

romaine

mont jack cheese

sunflower seed kernels

glazed pecans

and sliced strawberries

served with a homemade poppy seed dressing!!

I CANNOT wait for dinner!!

On the SEVENTH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*SEVEN sparkly red bulbs*

On the SIXTH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*SIX presents wrapped and ready to be shipped*

*SO* Gangsta!! ; )

He makes me smile every day!!

Even gangstas like their oatmeal cookies! ; )

On the FIFTH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*FIVE snowy men*

On the FOURTH day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*four stripped candy canes*

Which I later SMASHED up and made this...

2-9!!

Shhhh...don't tell anyone but this will be my LAST birthday! ; )

I heard your 30s aren't bad but I'm TOTALLY content staying in my 20s!

I wish my SISTER a VERY *happy* birthday, I love you and miss you!!

I *love* my family and my ever thoughtful hubby.

He picked up a cake and my kiddos decorated it for me. My daughter ate a couple of those hearts and said, "My head hurts mommy, I think those are sugar and they made my head hurt."

On the THIRD day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*THREE hands that hold my heart*

((technically it's SIX but let's not get technical, mmmkay!))

On the SECOND day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*a hot cup of joe in my favorite Christmas mug*

((I *know* I didn't succeed at getting the TWO right but it's still TWO of my favorite things!!))

Okay...so here's my re-do since the SECOND day was an EPIC fail!

On the SECOND day of Christmas...
My true love gave to me...

*TWO Hawaiian ornaments*

On the FIRST day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

*a sweet baby girl that brightens my day*

Christmas is SO much fun when it comes to photography!

I decided I'd join in on the "Twelve Days of Christmas"...it's fun and it'll give me a chance to get creative! ; )

My how fast they grow...

This is the little guy I photographed a few months back when he was 2 months old!

They absolutely grow so fast and this little one just gets cuter by the day! I snapped a couple while they were here for a playdate...couldn't resist!! ; )