I’m posting earlier today than on other days because I’m about to be invaded by a great group of high school girls from my church for a “Finals Are Over” sleepover.  I’m sure we’ll be up past midnight so I can get some shots for tomorrow’s post.

About this photo:  I’ve been eyeing this fire hydrant for a while now. I pass it every time I drive my girls to preschool & it just intrigued me.  I’m not sure why.  So, today, I finally pulled over on the side of the road and snapped a few pictures of it.  I wonder if it still works?  I wonder if the people in charge of fire hydrants know of it’s dilapidated conditions?  I wonder why I chose it?  I don’t have any answers today.

Photos I’ve been looking at:  Heather Grace Photography.  Heather is a very dear friend of mine, and also a photographer.  We have daughters around the same age & I love seeing what her little ones are up to throughout the week.  She also just shot a sweet newborn session.  I love what Heather does with newborns – they just look so newborn-y!  She’s got a special touch with them.  Great work, Heather.

Well, it seems that Christmas is officially over.  How do I know this?  When I went to Target to get an ornament storage  box & was greeted by bathing suits at the top of the escalator it was a pretty solid indication.  Bummer! 

This photo is a small part of the Christmas cards we’ve received this year.  I’ve always wanted to display my cards in some creative way, but having no fireplace mantle, I wasn’t sure what to do.  We had originally bought this red felt snowflake rope stuff to put around our Christmas tree, but Josh bought a ginormous tree & the rope barely made it half way down.   Emma & I decided to drape it along the ceiling with push pins & tie our cards on it.  It’s been great for the girls to be able to check the mail each day & hang up new cards from friends & family.  Thanks so much for sending us your cards this year.  We’ve loved getting a glimpse into your lives!  I am going to keep this snowflake rope up for a few more weeks just to remind us of all of YOU!  (ps – if you didn’t send us one & still want to, get that sucker in the mail, pronto!).

On a camera related note, I’ve been practicing Amy Wenzel‘s advice & moving my focus points to where I want the focus to be instead of focusing on a spot & reframing my view.  It’s super neat!  Just a small trick, but I like trying it out.  I’m not too fast just yet, but I’m working on it.  I need to learn my camera’s buttons by heart first!

Photos I’ve been looking at:  My friends!  I’ve been following my friends & fellow photographer’s 365 projects.  Here’s a few:  Heather Grace Photography, Stacy Richardson Photography, Stevie T Photography.  If you’re out there & starting or continuing a 365 project, or a 52 week project, let me know!  I WANT to see it!  Thanks!  That’s all.

My dear friend Heather & I shot an intimate wedding yesterday at the United States Naval Academy Chapel for Jacque & Joe.   Since I’m still working on previous sessions (and laundry, and dishes, and raising children), I’ll give you a quick preview of this fabulous couple!  Check back next week to see their full blog post.

And now, presenting Mr. & Mrs. Parker!