Family Photo Shoot #1

Ok now folks, let's get something straight right off the bat. I love to take pictures, but it's just a hobby (for now). I DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF A PHOTOGRAPHER.

I don't know what I'm doing.
Honestly. Scout's honor.
(It doesn't matter if you're a boy scout or not...you can still use "Scout's honor". At least, I think so.)

But, I do like to practice once in a while, hone my skills, try new things...and what better place to practice than at the beach, right? Especially when I have a few beautiful families handy to practice with?

All right, all right...I had to promise them they could have all the pictures and use them as their Christmas card photos...but STILL. I wanted to take some portraits, so I begged, bribed, and pleaded. Actually, I didn't have to beg too hard. Everyone was really cooperative. Maybe it's because I was cooking for them. Bwa ha ha haaaaa.....bribery works! :)

Anyway, here are the faves from the first photo shoot. These first two are of my husband's brother and his wife...That first one was quite a coup for me, I have to tell you. Bryon NEVER smiles in pictures. NEVER EVER. EVER!!!! So I just pulled my camera away from my face a little, to fake like I wasn't going to take a picture...but I could still see my digital display (heeheehee)...and I told him to smile like he meant it, for Pete's sake!! And he flashed the quickest smile he could, intending for me not to catch it. But guess what, peeps??? HAHAHA....the joke was on him, because I've got a quick trigger finger...oh, yes I do!!!

These next two are the same picture, one in sepia and one in color. I initially didn't like the picture because Bryon is looking away from the camera. But the more I look at it, I think that's WHY I like it. It kind of makes you wonder what's going through his head. Like maybe, "I can't believe Jenny just got a picture of me smiling...DAMN!!! My reputation is ruined!!" I'm SURE that's what it was.

A trip to the beach is not complete without a picture in front of the breakers, so here's what we've got for that one...wait a minute!!! Is that Bryon smiling again?!?! I think he likes it!!

And one more sepia here...on the boardwalk to the beach...This next one is not a family photo...but just a random one I snapped without thinking about it. But I like it...it's so unposed...so REAL.

Although I'm sure Bryon & Lu already have their Christmas card photo picked out, what are your faves? Just wondering...

Up next...my mother and father-in-law!!

Parasailing!

Have you ever been parasailing?

Well, when we were in Nags Head, I decided that I was going...even if it meant I had to go by myself. You see, every time I've been somewhere that offered parasailing, I've been pregnant or otherwise indisposed and not able to participate. But not this time! No way was I missing out!

Lucky for me, I didn't have to go alone. Plenty of family members were more than happy to go along with me! We doubled up and found some discount coupons in a local flyer, so it was pretty inexpensive. It was a hazy sort of morning, but we didn't care. At least is wasn't scorching hot, as it had been at the beginning of the week!

Barry and I were up first. I had no idea what it was going to be like...NONE. Would I be paralyzed with fear?
Not a chance, especially with this goofball along for the ride...

Nope, not a bit. It was fun, actually! Especially the take-off. We were up something like 800 feet or so, which Barry pointed out is actually inaccurate, since we are let up at an angle. Isn't that just like him? Ok, so just for you honey, they let us out on 800 feet of line...is that better?? heehee.... :)
It's kind of weird, really.
Once you reach your maximum height, you just feel like you're floating.
It's completely silent, you can't even hear the boat.
It doesn't feel like you're being pulled, or moving fast, or anything like that.
Just floating...way up high.

Here's Andy and Bryon, coming in for a landing...

Bob & Lisa, taking off...

The PYTs preparing for their turn...

When Bob & Lisa were flying, a plane pulling an advertisement banner came dangerously close. the guys driving our boat were extremely, um....how shall we say it?
Pissed off??
Yeah, that about covers it.
Apparently there are areas where these planes are not supposed to be flying. And the worst part was that it was like the pilot didn't even see us. How he could miss that huge red, white and blue parachute is beyond me...but whatever. The guys got right on the phone and called the number on the banner to let the business know what was going on. All turned out well, though I think we were all sufficiently freaked for a minute there.

Up next... our family photo shoots on the beach...aka Jen Practices her Portrait Shooting!

14

Fourteen.

That's how many years we've been married as of today.

FOURTEEN!!!!

Sounds like a long time, doesn't it? I know it may sound like it, but I can assure you it doesn't feel like it. And I think that's how it's supposed to be, really. When you find your mate, your heart's true match...time passes effortlessly. Life is fun...and full of joy.

That's not to say, of course, that our relationship has been without it's rough patches. But in the end, we have a deep love and respect for each other that outweighs any hurdles we may encounter. We are pledged to one another to be here, be present, and be that comfort in the eye of the storm. We take each other for what we are, not what we want the other to be.

Barry is my anchor...my realist... my practical, economically intelligent, resourceful, sweet, strong, deep-thinking, playful, never aggressive or jealous, perfect match. He has the longest fuse in the history of time, doesn't worry (EVER!), and never gets really angry with me, though I give him many reasons to.

I am the yin to his yang. I am the dreamer who doesn't like to get caught up in the details of how said dreams happen...I just want them to! I want to find all of the fun little things to do and enjoy in life, and not worry about all of the work. I get frustrated when I am cornered or feel like I can't do the things I want to do. I have a lightning quick temper, but cool off quickly because life is too short to be mad. I worry that I can't balance everything...being a good mother, a good wife, a good therapist, a good friend...in general, a good caretaker. I don't always have good boundaries, because I like for the people around me to be happy.

But at the end of this day, our 14th anniversary, all I can tell you is that I think we both got pretty lucky and I am so very thankful to have found such a wonderful man to spend my life with. If you can look back every year of your marriage and think, "I love my life!", then you are exactly where you need to be.

I do, and I am.

But just so you know, I'm the one who got really, REALLY lucky... :)

Fun at the Beach!

Obviously, since we were on a "beach" vacation, we spent a lot of time at the beach! I have tons and tons of pictures of the kiddos (and the adults!) doing all kinds of fun things in the water and sand, but because Blogger would probably freak out and crash if I tried to upload all 500 of them, and because you would be bored out of your minds looking at all of them, I decided to just pick a few favorites. Hope you enjoy them!

Kendall, getting ready to ride the waves...

Aunt Amy found a nice relaxing spot to watch all of the fun...

Barry trying to help Noah learn to boogie board...
And he's off!!
Kendall's turn! Go, girl!!
Kayla and Kendall, taking a break...

Joe and Amy...relaxing before the upcoming nuptials!

Noah checks out the waves...

Whoa! Look at this hottie I was checkin' out on the beach!

Taking a break from the water to play in the sand...

Here I am, doing what I'm always doing...taking pictures!

Up next...our parasailing adventures! Stay tuned, peeps!

Vacation, Day 1... Norfolk!

**First of all, let me apologize for the delay on these posts from vacation. We've been having numerous computer issues around here since we got back. But let's hope we've finally got some things fixed. Now, on with the show...**

On the first day of our vacation, we stopped in Norfolk, VA to see the Nauticus Museum and the U.S.S Wisconsin. The kids (and the adults!) were psyched to see the ship and also to get a break from sitting in the van! Since we were only about an hour and a half away from our beach house, we could afford to take our time and see the sights, which was really nice.

We spent the majority of our time on the Wisconsin, which was really interesting. As cool as it was though, I think I would go crazy being stuck on that thing. The rooms were so tiny! The kids were interested in all of the details of the ship, while the adults soaked up the history and facts. But all in all, I think everyone learned something and had fun doing it!

Afterward, we walked down to a shopping complex on the bay and had lunch before getting back on the road. We were so anxious to get to the beach!

Look at the size of that anchor! There were TWO of these on the ship!

Each link of the anchor chains weighs 120 lbs. Do some figurin' and get back to me on the weight of just one of those chains...
It was HOT and HUMID!! Kendall was miserable after having been out on the boat for a while. She was searching for any little bit of shade she could find. This little bit was made by the "big guns"...

Barry, getting a look at the base...

Family picture in front of the Wisconsin...
When you're hot and tired, this is the way to go! Good thing Daddy is so strong!
Noah was not cooperating for a family picture...as usual!
The whole group, headed to lunch...

Fun day, folks!! This was definitely a favorite of the kids... and even better? The adults all found it very interesting as well, and it didn't take a large amount of time. I highly suggest checking it out if you're in the area!

The Miracle of Birth

You know, when I gave birth to both of my babies, I was too much of a chicken to let them pull down the big mirror so I could watch my precious babes make their way into the world. I knew that I would get scared and distracted, and believe me...with the length of time I was in labor, I could afford no distractions! Even with the understanding of why I chose not to watch, I still sometimes regret the fact that I missed such an important moment in my life...especially when Barry tells me how amazing it was. Both times. I really wish I weren't such a chicken.

But I digress. The point here is that I was thrilled to have the opportunity to watch not one, but two baby chicks hatch...and to have Barry and the kids there to watch too. It was so...so...so... I don't know what the word is. But I had tears in my eyes when it was over. The miracle of life is no small potatoes, that's for sure.

So if you've never witnessed a birth of any kind, I just wanted to share, so you can see what I mean. And guess what? Birth is not just hard on the mother, folks...just look at all the work this little dude went through!


Now keep in mind that I skipped the pictures of the first couple of pecks at the shell. It took a long time for him to get through. This whole process took a while...this little guy worked hard, I assure you. He would push and rest...wriggle and rest...push and rest some more. Once we made sure he was ok, we left him alone to rest. The next morning he was just a cute, healthy little puff ball. And then we watched his sister make her way into the world... what a day!

I'm back from vacation!

Hey there folks...I'm back from vacation!!

Most of you probably didn't even know I was gone, did you? Well, we headed to Nags Head, NC for a week of fun in the sun and my SIL's wedding. What a wonderful way to end the week spent with family!

I have many pics and stories coming (I took over 1,000 pics that week!), I just need to get my thoughts organized. There will also be some new recipes showing up on Party in the Pantry, so be looking for those as well!! And if that weren't enough to be excited about, school is starting on Tuesday, so hopefully I'll be able to get back to my regular posting!! I miss all of my blogger buddies!!

Happy Friday everyone! Can't wait to catch up with you all!