Well in this case, ALUMINUM and EYE candy ;) Today marks 6 wonderful years that Mark and I have been married! He literally blew me away with his gifts this year. Let me back up a bit first. Mark has always been 110% supportive in my photography. When he realized I was serious about it, he surprised me with my camera for Mother's Day (2007). A few months later he surprised me with a new 20" desktop Mac (for my birthday) since he saw me struggling to edit photos on my old Mac laptop. He has done everything to help me with Lot116. He threw the website up in days (and trust me, it could (and hopefully will be soon) a million times better (he and his brother are awesome website designers....trust me), but at the time we just needed something up super quick since people kept asking, and haven't had time to revamp yet.....soon though, soon!) He also designed my logo, designs my postcards, business cards, etc.....on top of making sure he's there to watch PJ while i'm gone to shoots, etc. He is just AMAZING all around (did I mention HE cleans the bathrooms, dusts, vacuums, etc too ;) hehe). Yes....I have the best husband (and PJ has the best daddy!) in the world :)





Anyway, this year he once again went over the top (even though we ALWAYS say "no gifts - we'll just go out to dinner or something"). Say hello to my little (or NOT so little) friend (on the left)...................




Ahhh yes, the new 24" iMac. Don't worry, my "old" (if you can even call it that since i've only had it for about a year) Mac will be going to an awesome (and much needed) home.......my sister's house ;) Yes, they are FINALLY stepping out of the stone(PC)age (hehe) and will see what it's like to have a virus free and FAST computer ;)




Those were taken while all of my files were transferring to my new computer, but here is the set up now........




The "eye CANDY" was another gift he gave me, a vintage Argus Argoflex camera, which now sits on my shelf with the other vintage cameras I have.......


Oh and the whole "iron and candy" is really ironic since I just happened to look up what the "traditional anniversary gifts" are for 6 years and saw this:

"The traditional materials for your sixth anniversary are candy and iron."


I'll take eye candy and aluminum over a cast iron skillet and a box of chocolates ANY day! ;) I'm so frickin' excited (in case you can't tell)!!!!

Although she loves many, many songs, this is "her song"......

(sorry it's just a lame YouTube video. I tried uploading her actual baby video but the music was distorted and on "fast forward" for whatever reason)

This is the song on her baby video (which was made by daddy and played at her 1st birthday party). She loves to watch the video and loves to sing this song. She'll request it in the car over...and over....and over again :)


I snapped some photos of her after breakfast this morning (hence the somewhat visible milk mustache in some of the photos) and this one reminded me of the song as soon as I saw it........


I'm not sure what it is, but I love it.



PJ received the BEST book from friend Ashley for her birthday back in March. It's a Sesame Street book that was customized to have HER photo in it. She LOVES it and laughs all the time when she sees herself in an astronaut costume, in a wetsuit, dressed as The Count, etc.............



Her favorite page (of course) is the one where she looks like a princess......







Oh and she insisted on me taking this photo.....

I'm not sure what's funnier, the pose she busted out with, her double chin,.....or the striped socks with the rest of the ensemble ;)


Proof of the milk mustache......confirming the impromptu shoot.....

The beginning is nothing special, but keep watching ;)




Not too shabby for a 3 year old, right? :) She definitely gets her musical skills from daddy. A few pics I snapped at the same time.......

THANK YOU all for the phone calls, text messages, emails and cards!!! :) We just got back from having "birthday breakfast" with my sister and her family. In a few hours we'll be heading to one of our favorite places in the world to spend a wonderful day together :) I'll do a b-day recap on Monday or so (since I still get to have a girls' day out on Sunday) :) Thanks again everyone!! XOXO!! Some PJ pics from last week........










Yeah, she was totally into it. Totally rockin' out with her eyes closed and making that face and everything....


I'll have to get an mpeg next time. She cracks me up :)

My nephew's 4th birthday party was yesterday (see, even when i'm not working, i'm "working" haha), and it was a blast! There was lots to do, but the highlight of the party was definitely the show put on by The Lizard Wizard (click here!)! This was the 3rd time our family has used them for a party, and they never disappoint! If you are looking for a reptile, amphibian and bug themed show, definitely contact them!! Anyway, here are some pics..........




The birthday boy holding a turtle (super cute custom bug themed shirt courtesy of Polka Dot Market (click here!) and Kat In The Hat Desgins (click here!))







PJ LOVED the "tortoise/turtle wash" and still hasn't stopped talking about giving the turtles a bath with toothbrushes......






Yes, even the adults were having a blast....







My niece (the daredevil) had NO problems holding anything....including this ALLIGATOR.....



.... this lizard......



......uhhhh new hair accessory?? Told you she was crazy ;)



Ok, see PJ here (in the middle)? Do you see how fired up and excited she is??



Now, notice anything about this pic?

(yeah, once she realized they were going to put the snake ON them, she was GONE! LOL)



FABULOUS cake made by our friend Jeff, as usual! Email him at rhinocakeco@hotmail.com for any of your catering needs! :) He rocks!!!



Complete with "guts" inside ;)





Don't these look fake?











No party would be complete without kick-a** favors (butterfly nets with goodies inside - including bug collecting jars with fake bugs inside ;)




I still can't believe he's 4 now.....especially since that means that PJ will be 4 in about 7 more months :( WAAAAAH!!