shower the people you love with love

Today I am sharing some photos from my dear friend Mandee's baby shower.  Mandee's sister Grace and I started planning 4 months or something ridiculous prior to the shower date.  We are both "plan way ahead" kind of people and wanted to have plenty of time to do things.

The theme? Woodland critters. 

Mandee's mom lives in Florida, so she couldn't be present for the shower but she sent a lot of handmade crafts and things up for us to use.  She also sent a box up of the most amazing handknitted items for Sammy that she made herself.  A photo of the cardigan sweater she made is below.  It's incredible.

Grace put a lot of time and thought into the decor also, making quite a lot of it herself including the table setups, polaroid station (thanks to Michelle for making the masks), and of course..the cake.  Grace always makes the cake since that's what she does for a living (and is freaking amazing at what she does).  You'll see for yourself from the photos.

The shower was in May and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.  Thanks to Mandee and Grace's dad Bob and stepmom Daphne for allowing us to host the shower at their home. 

Here are some images:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

..................and then a few months later, came Sammy!  These are the only images I have of him as of yet.  I took them when I went to Mandee and Dale's house to meet him for the first time, just a week after he was born in early July.  He is the sweetest little thing.  Just like a baby doll.  I love him!

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Mandee and Dale on their new little guy who will grow up knowing me as "Auntie Nicole - the lady who always has the camera in my face". 

 

xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend at the beach? Yes, please.

I realize that the 2+ month hiatus of not blogging is out of hand. 
I haven't done nearly enough taking of photos in the last few months, so I will be getting back to it most definitely.  I still have wedding and baby photos to blog.  I will get there. 
It has most definitely been a summer of changes, and for the better! 

So with all the chaos that has ensued (in a good way), I decided to take a second and share a photo I took probably 7 or 8 years ago.  This photo wasn't edited at all and I believe I shot it with some type of Kodak point and shoot.  It was taken in Ocean City, MD at Fish Tales. 

I figured it was a nice image to share for a few reasons. 
One, I will be going back to OC for a long weekend soon - thank you God!, and two, it's such a peaceful scene. 

Who doesn't love a sunset?  Take time to stop and appreciate the beauty of nature that surrounds us all every single day!

Stay tuned.  I'm getting back into my photo groove, so look out.

Suzana and Joe + 1 (almost)

I desperately need to be able to blog at home.  At this point I have a lot of material to share (which is good) but still no internet.  It's my own fault so I have no one to blame but myself.  Busy times recently and also ahead.  Sometimes I have to remember to stop and breathe.

Anyway.

I have a few pregnant friends at the moment, both of which are due at pretty much the same time.  For this entry we are talking about Suzana.  A lovely person who I have been lucky enough to call a friend for awhile now.  She has a wonderful way of calming a person and getting them centered if stress is upon you or whatever the case.  I have experienced it so I know this is true.

Suzana and Joe actually just got married this past weekend and I photographed the wedding so those images will be in a future entry.  I am in the midst of editing them and so far so good! 
For now, this is the handful of shots that I most enjoyed from when I went to their home a few weeks ago to do some maternity photos. 

The silhouette in particular is my favorite. 
I don't know what it is about silhouettes. 
They get me every time.

Best of luck to Suzana and Joe with their upcoming new addition. 

Can't wait to do the newborn session.

I keep callin' to you, my baby blue

This weekend is the baby shower for one of my dearest friends, Mandee.  We have known each other since the tender age of 9 and have 25 years of memories together which boggles my mind to see that number in writing.   

Many are memories that only the two of us share and the list of inside jokes is incredibly long.

She is the only person who can play the Tori game with me.  It's a game we made up where one of us says only one word from one Tori Amos song and the other has to guess which song it is. 

Mandee is a wonderful person and someone who truly "gets me" in all my weirdness :)

With the baby shower so close I decided to share a photo I took of Mandee and her husband (and also my friend) Dale, at their luau themed wedding reception.  They got married in Hawaii and we all celebrated after they got back.  I took a bunch of random shots and particularly liked this photo....grainy quality and all. 
It was taken during their first dance as a married couple,  which was to the song "My Baby Blue". 

It's particularly ironic considering they are having a baby boy in July.

Congratulations to Mandee and Dale.  I can't wait to meet your little man. 

summertime and the living is easy

Today I am thinking a lot about summer and the good times it brings along with it.  I'm really looking forward to going to the beach a few times this year.  Even just a few long weekends will be ok with me.  To be able to relax on the beach and listen to the ocean with a nice breeze rolling over me...it's heaven.

With that being said, it made me want to post this photo.  This was the last time I was on the beach in Ocean City, MD.  It was SUPER windy and the sand blew all over my blanket and covered everything on it. 

I didn't realize it at the time I was taking it, but this image represents me as a person very well.

2012 beach time is on the horizon!

Ron Paul on a trash can

I took this with my iPhone sometime in the last couple months while I was out walking Lila.  I take her to a nearby elementary school and run her around back in the field.  Saw this, snapped it, and then today thought, well...it has been way too long since I made a post.  Even though it's just a shot from my phone, it seemed appropriate since today is primary election day.

Odd things catch my eye.  I guess either a parent or someone just passing through the area happened to have a Sharpie on them and decided to write their presidential favorite on a metal trash can?  Interesting.

PS:  Tell someone you love them today!  People love to hear that sh*t.

Can I go back now?

All inclusive Mexico resort where I can have people bring me tropical adult beverages and guacamole that is freshly made each day?

Yes please.