Children's Museum {September 19, 2010}

Did I NOT say no promises?  See, I knew I wouldn't be able to catch up... Sheesh!

Junior and I just enjoyed shooting a wonderful wedding this past Saturday and have two more back to back coming up.  So it might take a little bit to get the cruise pictures posted.  Oh, and Reagan's birthday was last week too!  TWO YEARS OLD!  I still can't believe it.  She had a lot of fun at her party at the park, the pumpkin patch, and Steads Dairy for the corn maze and other farm fun.  They'll be posted eventually... 

But for noooow... Part 2 of the Atlanta Trip!

After spending the morning at the Georgia Aquarium, we had lunch at Max's Pizzaria and went to the Children's Museum for the afternoon.






The whole building was nothing but hands-on things for kids to play with.  Whenever we do things like this, I can never get Reagan to look at the camera, go figure.  She was too busy having fun.  : )








They had little fishing poles with magnetic fish!  So cute!  Reagan just grabbed her fish and stuck them on the end of the pole.  About as talented a fisherman as I am.





I love when he fixes her bow.  It makes me smile  : )




My little tidy girl.
Okay.  She walked into this kitchen in disgust.  Since we were there in the afternoon, everything had already been thrown everywhere and nothing was where it belonged.  She was disturbed.  As she was staring to get this kitchen back together, in walks this little girl with a buggy full of food.  Reagan stopped her immediately like a Mom stopping muddy shoes from entering her house.  She tried to unload the groceries into the fridge and on the counter as quick as she could.  I wish she kept her kitchen at home that clean!    














Junior and Reagan hung out together the next day while I was at the seminar.  He took these shots of her around the mall at Old Navy and Barnes and Nobles. 

Hopefully it won't take another week for a post, but I have a few things on burners right now.  In addition to the weddings, I have had sessions here and there to work on too. 

Isn't life great?  I love it!

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Nemo's Nemanee : ) {September 19, 2010}

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Atlanta for a WPPI seminar.  I listened to a few wonderful photographers, and got my hands on some awesome products that my lab and wedding album company carry now (totally exciting.)  It was an all day event  that Monday, so we went down the morning before to take Reagan to the Georgia Aquarium.  We had only been once a few years ago with Troy and Kristina, and always wanted to go back.  This is the most beautiful display of sea life and is the LARGEST in the WORLD.  Everyone should add this to their list of places the most go, even if you have to fly cross country.




Had to share my thoughts...
When we walked around the building towards the front door of the Aquarium, I felt my heart start beating faster.  The music being played on the walkway was like one big drum-roll gearing us up.  I thought of my friend Marti taking her daughter to Disney world for the first time.  There is nothing like presenting such an incredible little person with such an amazing experience.  Watching her, I felt my emotions well up and my eyes start to water and I was honestly surprised that moment hit me as hard as it did.  I started walking slower, hanging back to photograph that moment for Reagan.  I know she probably won't remember this trip, but the excitement was not only on her face, but radiating from her whole body- it made me feel like the best Mommy ever.

Wow.

I don't want to bore anyone or sound like a commercial, but these numbers were just amazing to me...

This tank was the most impressive and famous... LARGEST aquarium habitat in THE WORLD. 

6.3 MILLION GALLONS!

The tank was designed for four Whale Sharks (the largest fish species in the WORLD)

and four Manta Rays - (9 feet across, 200+ lbs) 

This is the ONLY aquarium to house either of them... So amazing.

The acrylic window we are standing in front of here is 23 feet tall, 61 feet wide and 2 FEET THICK!  You just cannot image... so overwhelming.

Baaack to Reagan. : )

Reagan said "Wow-WEEE!" probably 213 times while we were there. She loved the Nemo tank, and for the first time she said "nemanee!"  At that point, I knew exactly what the new words were because there were so few, maybe one every few days.  I seems so weird blogging about it now, October 21, because she is talking so much more and every conversation she comes out with new stuff. 

I've GOT to get caught up. 

This was the coolest tank.  It wrapped up and over your head, and there were divers feeding TONS of fish right up against the glass.  I wish I could have stayed more than a few minutes to actually learn about all the fish, but with a nearly 2 year old, yeah right.  She hit her max on each tank in about 5 minutes.  

Been there, done that. 

She recognized this alright!  Mr. Ray!  All the characters from Nemo were here, imagine that. 

It was SO cool.

The Aquarium played a little 3D movie and sold toys of all their characters... Deepo- NOT Nemo.  We didn't watch the movie, but the sign sure wasn't impressive.  How much worse of a knock off could you get?  There was a generic version of everyone from Nemo, and the shark was the lamest of all- he looked like he had a hang-over with horrible bags under his eyes.  You've got to be kidding.  They fooled Reagan though, she kept saying "Meemo!" and wanted to touch every big orange fish she saw. 

Before we went, I envisioned walking Reagan through this tunnel.  Holding her hand, she's watching in amazement, "Wow-WEEE!" pointing to all the fish.  I just knew it would have a huge impact on her because it is SO beautiful and you are essentially walking on the bottom of the ocean.  So cool.  I even thought to hit this area first so there would be less people, better pictures, blah blah blaaah. 

Oh  ab... so... lutely not. 

Junior practically had to run her though it so her crying wouldn't disturb everyone in the tunnel.  For some reason, she decided to be cranky right then and we completely missed the boat.  We had to go for food after that, and of course she was happy the rest of the time.  We never went back to it though, because we had too much ground still to cover and a long day ahead of us.  Maybe next time.

THIS was her FAVORITE thing there.

Hands down.

There was a cool little bubble window in the Parana tank, of all things, and Reagan could have sat in that window for hours. After about 15 minutes, other kids started coming in and I felt we needed to get out and give them a turn. I felt bad, she was heart-broken and did NOT want to leave!

There's Deepo again...


"Nemanee!"

We broke for lunch and went to an AWESOME pizza joint a couple blocks over, Max's Pizzeria. 

Best pizza I think I've ever had.  The waiter brought Reagan a pan with pizza dough to play with, and she loved it. 

We then spent the afternoon at the Childrens' Museum, since Dad told us how much they enjoyed taking Lucy.  THAT was worth the trip! 

That's the next post though!

Whew! Sorry this was a long one!

Hope you enjoyed : )

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Lego my Mego {September 8, 2010}

Ah yes, more zoo trips. 

I can't help but post every time we go, because she just has too much fun!  It was the two of us with Megan this time, and she REALLY loves her Megan.  They are so cute together, and she loves my baby as much as any adopted Aunt could.  We love this girl!

She is such a busy body when we are there.  Loves the carousel, playground, Shah-Shah (Mufasa, the bronze one), hearing the monkeys, penguins, okay- nevermind.  I guess every time there is a different favorite, which we talk about until the next visit.  : )






This was so funny.  My perfect-cleaner-baby, was watching the koala bear eating and witnessed him DROP a leaf.  How dare he!  She was about to leap out of my arms, pointing frantically- "UH OH! UH OH! UH OH!"  She usually won't let it slide if you don't clean up your mess, so I just had to change the subject pretty quick.  Since she was maybe a year old, she's been good about throwing things away at home.  Besides the occasional hair bow that was annoying her.  Lately I've been trying to keep her from trashing all the broken crayons.






I must say, I am much impressed with this shot.  With the carousel spinning, Megan catching the focus, and both of us finding her at the same time AND smiling... I would think near impossible.  Way to go Mego!

Til next time!

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