So even though I’ve been busy with the 9-to-5  and jet hopping and driving down winding roads, I did get to spend the day with one of my favorite people and her family last weekend.  It’s always an honor to even be invited to Melanie’s parent’s home [because the spread that she and her mom puts out is OUT OF THIS WORLD], but I was asked to document Allie’s first birthday.  With traveling, I haven’t even had enough time to look at what I shot that day.  But I was able to give Mel a sneak peek.

It’s a cute peek.  And there’s more to come.  Promise!

 { Shutterboo Photography }

When we explored, I took a camera.  But honestly, none of the pictures are very good.  I was ready to relax and being creative  was not on my list of things to do.  I wanted adventure.  And adventure is what I got alright.

You may wonder where I’m going with this.  

I’ll be upfront and remind you of how accident prone I am.  

That’s where I’m going.

We all wanted to go to the Baths, so we ferried to Virgin Gorda and ohmygoodness is that place beautiful!  The beach was unlike any I’ve seen.  Very rocky, very coarse sand, chickens galore.  (Yes, chickens.  Stupid birds.  I hated them.)  And the water was gorgeous.  I don’t have any pictures that do the place justice because as soon as we threw our towels down, I was in the water.  The hubs had swam out to a big rock and climbed up on it.  Being that I was seeking adventure, I followed.  I happened to not pay attention how close I was getting or how big the rock was underwater or something of value, because mid-kick my foot hit the rock.  And I might add that I’m a ferocious kicker when I’m in the water.  The rock didn’t disappoint – I had a cut on my big toe joint and it hurt but I pushed through.

When ended up leaving the Baths to walk through a cave of rocks – we had to climb, wade through water, duck down low and I was sure I’d hurt myself again.  I came out unscathed.  Tired, but unscathed.  We ended up at Devil’s Bay (that’s actually where the damn chickens were) and it was even better beaching.  It was such a good day, an excursion that we did all on our own and it was great.  Until we got back on the boat and my foot began to bruise.  Big, bad blue and purple on my foot.  I couldn’t wear shoes without it hurting.  I pressed on through dinner though because this girl doesn’t pass up a three-course meal with a decadent desert.

In St. Thomas we explored Blackbeard’s Castle and it was actually a fun time.  I think the best thing I heard that day was a guy say, “They’ll take to you the 99 steps which is actually 103 steps.”  But we drank rum, climbed to the top of the watch tower, walked through several buildings – I actually got my best pictures there.  In Antigua we decided to walk St. John with friends and check out the cathedral.  Most disappointing cathedral ever.  Only because it was under construction.  After seeing what the sidewalks looked like, I can’t imagine how bad a 167 year old building looked.  We unfortunately got rained out in Barbados.  I blame Rhianna.

But we did have another adventure, in Dominica.  Very mountainous, much more so than the other islands we’ve visited.  The hubs recommended we go river tubing.  Sounded like fun – but I’d like to state for the record that this is the second excursion Mike has recommended that has driven us through the jungle and required a helmet.  Just sayin’.  The drive to and from the river was ridiculous.  Road construction… unlike any road construction I’ve ever seen… I’ve never been scared from road construction until our driver decided to drive backwards for an insane amount of distance to let a large work truck through.  Travel aside, the river tubing was fun.

We lost each other floating along but made acquaintance with other folks floating in tubes.  We all got stuck.  We all tried to paddle our way out of situations.  We all hit river rock with our bums.  (The guides would call out “BUMS UP!” when a lot of rocks were coming up.)  I hit several rocks with my bum and it didn’t faze me.  Until I was going through a rapid and slammed into one.  It hurt.  The outcome was a dark bruise the size of a lemon on my tookis.  I still have it and it’s been over a week later.  I don’t get it.

So while I had a gimp foot and a large contusion on my hiney, it was still a wonderful getaway.  I was so happy that friends could join us and I hope they had a great time as well.  We will be cruising again.  Probably go on even more adventures that require helmets.  I’m just not sure where that might be yet.

Soraya and her family visit during the holidays but this was the first time I had the pleasure to meet her, her husband Hamid, her daughter Naseem and her son Eemon.  Throw in Nazzie and I can honestly say I had never felt more confused by light conversation in my life.  A little bit of English here, a little bit of Farsi there – I seriously couldn’t tell what was what.  But it didn’t matter.  Seeing them all together was a treat – a sweet treat covered in hilariousness.  But knowing that not long after Christmas Eve everything would go back to the way it was – Soraya and Company back in California and Nazzie chasing after little girls – I felt special to be there with them.

These are the Ghasemiyehs.

Brother and sister.  I couldn’t help but laugh at their reactions when I tried to convince them to act like they liked one another.

Soraya and Hasim.  She’s beautiful.  He’s quite dapper.  And very fond of his wife.

Nazzie got her love on with big sis.

Their mother is Irish and their father is Persian.  We took a vote and decided Soraya “looks” the “most” Irish of the sisters.

And of course Aunt Nazzie had to love on her niece and nephew.

Naseem has gorgeous hair.  I don’t know why these ladies love to pull it back so much.  Naseem’s mane is such a warm chocolate color with thick curls.  It’s luscious.

I might be jealous.  Maybe.

Soraya.  Seriously.  I love you.  And your gentle smile.

Thank you to the Ghasemiyeh and Casebier families for hosting me on Christmas Eve.  I had so much fun with you all.  And I hope everyone made it safe and sound back to California.  I cannot wait for your return!

Just have your people call my people.  Or just tell Nazzie.

{ Shutterboo Photography }

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Not the cruise ship that capsized.  Thank goodness.  But a big floating vessel nonetheless.

I was somewhere warm, sunny, humid enough to turn my dry hands into soft lady-like hands again.

But now I’m back.  And it’s raining.  And dark.  And not so warm.

I missed you.

But not this weather.

I got this wise idea last year to knit matching infinity scarves for my three lady friends.  I found the GAP-tastic pattern and immediately fell in love with it.  Simple.  Trendy.  Useful.  So I casted on with light brown yarn and got started.  I finished in about 2 months.  And then I casted on with pink yarn.  I finished it in about 3months.  Finally, I casted on with purple yarn.  Six months later, on Thanksgiving Day, I wove in the ends.   And it will be a very, very, very long time before I even blink at another pattern that has a seed stitch.  But the screaming fingers and 11-month time line was well worth it.  Because they were perfect.

For Natalie, a natural color.

For Abby, a bright and lively color.

For Kelly, my Little Skipper, purple. When I look at her, I see purple.

Squishy.  Warm.  Perfect for a cold winter day.  I really want one for myself… but I will be waiting a long while before I even decide what color I want.  Just the thought of knitting the seed stitch over and over and over again… yeah, it will be a long, long while.

*Pattern: GAP-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley, free download on Ravelry.com.

It was a long drive there.  A long drive back.  But the good time we had was well worth it!

A little tunnel vision on I-40.

While I was excited about the game, about Coach Strong, about the big Louisville party at the Epicenter and the possibility of shaking Omawarisan‘s hand (which totally happened!), I was most excited about walking through Uptown Charlotte.  I haven’t been to a new city with my camera in a while.  The morning started out with the worst rain.  But the skies lightened and even though the wind blew, we went for a photo walk.   (I was excited.  The children in our company were not.  I can’t blame them… but I love that I got what I wanted.)

The Bank of America Stadium – the battlefield!

I had to snap it.  A self-portrait opportunity in street art.  It’s completely necessary.

The night of the game was a blast.  We walked the path with all the kids games.  We visited with the hubs’ co-workers and had our picture taken with the over-sized Charlie Strong head.  (Thanks Paula!)  We enjoyed the Chris Daughtry concert before the game.  There was so much excitement when we took our seats.  The stadium was a sea of red – you couldn’t tell where Louisville ended and where NC State began.

Well, you could when the cheering started.  We were severely outnumbered.  Severely.  But we cheered our butts off, tried to stay warm, yelled at the refs… and we left with our heads hanging.  We lost.  The walk back to the hotel was very cold and very long.  It was a sad walk.  The drive home wasn’t fantastic either.  But, all in all, it was a great trip.  The only thing that would have made it better was a W.  But you can’t win them all.

And then they asked me to help capture their Big Day.  I accepted… was maybe a bit reserved about it… but I was thrilled they had asked me to document their wedding.

The day came and went as fast as the fastest thing you can think of right now.  Friends traveled to Louisville from all over: Chicago, Austin, Maine.  The support for Meredith and Troy’s union mounted throughout the day and was apparent from all the warm embraces, tender smiles, numerous toasts and wild laughs on the dance floor.

To be a part of their wedding was tremendous.  But honestly, to be a part of their lives is beyond that.

{ Shutterboo Photography }

And did people play along… I’m happy to say we had over 200 members in our Flickr Group!  Now, not everyone posted, not everyone commented but we still had a following and it felt great.  But what was even better than the number of people who were intrigued with the idea, were the people who, week after week, shared their photographs.  And they didn’t just share images.  They shared their voices – kind words, encouraging comments, critiques – oh there were so many wonderful comments!!!  I looked forward to not only seeing what other Challengers had captured but I longed to see what words they dropped in the boxes below.  And I have to say we had one helluva group of folks checking in weekly.

But when we closed out the year, we closed out the WPC {2011}.  Bitter sweet.

My goal for the weekly challenge has always been to push myself.  Granted, you don’t get something great every week.  Sometimes just finding time to take a photo is a challenge in and of itself.  But the times you think something up, roll up you sleeves and actually pull it off – those are the ones that count most.  The ones you pat yourself on the back for.

As much as I’d love to recount every week, I’m not going there.  It would be extremely boring and I’d lose the five people who read my blog.  I instead went with a mosaic (just like last time) – it shows the different thoughts and different perspectives I’ve experienced throughout the challenge.  And, also just like last time, some fun facts about my challenge photos:

• 6 photos include my doggins
• 4 include friends and family
• 7 photos include my fantastic co-workers
• 6 are self-portraits
• 8 of them are food focused
• Taken at home: 25
• Taken at work: 17
• Taken in another country: 1
• Taken in a bathroom: 1

Thanks again for another wonderful Weekly Photo Challenge!  If you’d like to see all 52 posts, click {here}.  And if you’re looking for a weekly themed challenge for 2012, check out this Flickr Group by amysuda.  I’m going to try my best to keep up with them!

I took the time throughout the year to write down my favorites from each month – the photos that captured not only something that makes me proud but also captured my mood.  They may not be my “best work” or your favorites, but they bring a twinge to my stomach, stir up my butterflies – and I kind of love that feeling.

January: The Virgin Islands

We went cruising last January and my new 7D made it’s way with me to the Virgin Islands.  By far one of my favorite images from the year is of my friend Alan standing on the beach in St. Kitts.  Every time I look at it, I want to go back.

February: Balloon Self-Portrait

I took this photo for the WPC{2011} but it’s one of my favorites.  I’ve taken the advice of my friend Mrs. Rev and strive to take a self-portrait each birthday.  So while this isn’t my birthday SP, it was still in February and involved the largest balloons I’ve ever encountered.

 March: Chase – the one that can hear

I don’t have very many good photos of my doggin Chase.  She despises the camera and usually darts away.  But for longer than a split second, she left the blanket on her head and I caught picture.  She’s not a silly dog, more of a no nonsense kind of pup… but that just makes this one even better.

April: Meredith+Troy

I was hesitant to take their engagement photos, but man am I so glad I did.  Meredith and Troy.  I had a blast being with them, jumping all over the place with my nerves, but we walked away with some keepers.  “No Parking” is a forever favorite.  I know some other people that feel this way as well.

May: The Sorority Girls

I had the honor of photographing several different Sigma Kappas last year but the first group is the one that stayed with me.  These three gals, Madison, Kelsey and Sarah, were goofy as could be and didn’t have a care in the world.  Not only did we get some fantastic images on UofL’s campus, but they stirred up my girly feelings for the ladies I call my sisters.

June: Little Angry Man

My DAd has said that if you want to capture the pictures others don’t, don’t take the camera away from your eye.  I did just that and I caught this little boy in a mini-fit of rage, accusing me of stealing his cousin’s flashlight.  I was an innocent bystander holding on to a small flashlight only after being asked to.  And well, I snapped this.

July: Cali

I am loving watching all my friends’ children turn into little people.  And it’s especially true of Cali – she is her mother once over and I could not believe the fun stories this little girl told during our family session.  And I adore this photo of her.

August: Sleepy Ethan

Oh man.  I couldn’t wait to get over to Brent and Emily’s to see their youngest son, their third son, and stick my camera in his face.  He was as precious as could be, so sweet and mellow.  Then he yawned.  And then I melted.

September: Heather+Clinton

I had the opportunity to assist Louisville Wedding Photographer Courtney Reece in September.  And not only did I learn a lot, but I had such a wonderful time.  The time I spent with Courtney and Melinda was some of the best hands-on schooling I’ve had.  And the bride and groom, Heather and Clinton, were out-of-this-world gorgeous/in love/fabulous/pick a positive adjective and it will probably fit.

October: The Meehans

I feel the need to say that the mini-sessions I had in October were better than I had even hoped for.  Each family was fantastic to photograph, the kiddos were beyondo cute and I felt so blessed to be a part of their lives in 2011.  But the Meehans… maybe it was the time of day, I’m not sure… but the colors that came out during their mini-session were like whoa.  And I might have a crush on Eli.

November: Theresa+Billy

My cousins who are expecting their first child in February.  This definitely took the top spot of any other photographs I took in November – and I got so many awesome photos in November – but this one takes the cake because I cannot help but smile.  I could not be happier for them, knowing that it’s taken years to get to this point, but in a matter of weeks, they’ll be a family of three.  I am so excited.

December: The Big Deaf Dog

Seriously, could I have left the BDD out?  My last photo taken for the WPC{2011}, the theme was “black and white” and the BDD fit the bill.  This dog gives me so many headaches… but they’re soon forgotten when she pulls on her sweet face.  And even though she can’t hear and does the weirdest things dogs shouldn’t do, I think I’ll keep her.

{ Shutterboo Photography }