Wordless Wednesday - Miss You Gramma!

"There's no place like home ...

except Gramma's."

~ Anonymous

There is NOTHING like it!

During the long months of the baseball season, it's such a blessing to be near my family. Especially now more than ever it makes a huge difference. Not only am I surrounded by help with Abby, but everyone gets to see Abby more than usual. My family was there for many firsts this summer. First steps, some sign language, a few new words and sounds. They were able to see her personality evolve and watch the transformation into a toddler. It's such a special time for us to be together and it's always hard when it's time to say our goodbyes.

However, there is nothing like coming home after being away for so long. Nothing like enjoying a hot bath in your bathtub and sleeping in your own bed. Nothing like catching up with best friends that have been missed so much. There's just something "right" about us living here in Florida, even though we are away from our families and missing them so much.

Needless to say, I've been busy unpacking, grocery shopping, and visiting with friends. Jim gets home tomorrow and we can officially begin our offseason together. Let the moving process begin!! Hopefully sooner than later .... I promise to add some new photos this week. Before I hit the sheets, I've got some work to do for this photography class. :)

Thankful Thursday - Twistin' my Arm

Call me crazy, but I've decided to take my first ever online photography class. No, I'm not crazy because I want to learn more and become better at taking photos. Crazy because October is going to be a busy, hectic, and probably chaotic month. Making the adjustment of being home from the baseball season, unpacking, packing, moving to our new house, Halloween festivities .... wow, we have a lot going on!!

So the timing isn't perfect... but the topics being offered in the October class are perfect! Light, focus, crop, perspective ... all topics I want to learn more about. And to be honest, my bestie basically twisted my arm. Seriously, she made me feel that twist and had a great sales pitch! For this I am thankful because I'm not sure I would have signed up for a class on my own. Hopefully this class will be able to offer a lot of advice for an amateur photographer (yup, that would be me!) and the best part is that Carol and I will get through it together. I'm really looking forward to it and will share some of my photos as we get through the next four weeks! Stay tuned ...

Wordless Wednesday

"Walk a little slower, Mommy,

Said a little child so small.

I'm following in your footsteps,

And I don't want to fall."

~Author Unknown

Mommy & Abby

"Colorful" Photo Challenges

After taking last week off from photo challenges, I'm back and entering two challenges this week. The first one is over at The Paper Mama with a fun theme. The theme for the week is "Hint of Color," which I must say excited me a bit. I'm always editing those photos that I think just a "hint of color" could really make the photo pop. I took this photo just a few weeks ago of Abby getting ready for her Daddy's baseball game. Love it. Especially like this.

The next challenge is over at Trendy Treehouse. The theme for the week ... blue. I wasn't so sure about this one and originally I was looking for a photo that I could take all the color out, leaving just blue. But... then I stumbled upon this one and noticed how Gramma, Grandad, and Abby were all wearing a shade of blue. I love how this photo is so candid and expressive.

Head on over to one of these challenges to enter one of your own photos or to check out the other entries! Happy Tuesday :)

Fall Festival + First Pony Ride

The weather up North doesn't really feel like Fall just yet, but the Fall Festivals are in full swing! On Saturday, Gramma, Aunt Jenny, and I took Abby to Knightongale Farm for some fun on the farm. I absolutely LOVE this time of the year... there is just something about Fall that brings me so much excitement. Pumpkins, hayrides, cooler weather, Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love it all.

Welcome to Knightongale Farm.

83 acres... now that's what I call some land!!

Thanks to the DJ, Abby was in her own little world.

She is a dancing machine!

Since Abby wanted nothing to do with the pony,

Mommy had to show her how it's done.

I can't remember ever riding a pony,

although my Mama reassures me I have before.

I was a nervous wreck ... over a small pony!

Who is more annoyed with this pony ride?!

Cowboy, pretty pony, unsure child, or nervous Mommy?

Just for fun ... and a few laughs.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

For weeks now I've been a follower of Ashley's blog over at Ramblings and Photos. She is an inspiration of mine when it comes to photography ... man is she good!! You may remember she did an awesome edit for one of my favorite photos of Abby. Anyways, Ashley hosts a weekly scavenger hunt and each week I stalk these photos and attempt the list of five items to photograph. I always seem to come up short and give up until the next week. Well, not this time!! I photographed all five items ... ok, I fibbed. I did have to dig into the archives for one, but hey... that's not bad for my first scavenger hunt.

So, here goes ...

1. Miniature - Despite the heat wave, Abby, Gramma & I enjoyed playing ball outside on Friday. I'm glad I took the camera outside because I was able to take some good shots of Abby in action! I wish I could hold these small hands forever.

2. Water Droplet - I'll be honest... I went into my photo archives for this one. But when I read "water droplet," this photo came to my mind right away. This picture was taken when Abby was six months old and drooling nonstop because of those two bottom teeth. I just love that drool bubble!

3. Eyes - I know this picture only shows one eye, but I had to use this photo. I love the way this photo tells a story. Abby shows such thought and wonder through those expressive eyes of hers.

4. Bedhead - No words needed for this one. This is Abby at breakfast time - scared of her own bedhead!

5. Colorful - My dessert with a glass of milk. Not on the diet, but makes for a colorful photo!

Hope you enjoyed my photos and if you want to link up, check out the scavenger hunt items for next week!