Easter Egg Tree

I am not considered a "crafty" person but thought I would test out my artistic genes when I spotted this adorable  Martha Stewart Spring Tree at Grandinroad for $89 {not including their $24 eggs}.  With an urn from my bookshelf, sticks from the yard, and $6 worth of super cute eggs from Hobby Lobby {thanks to my mom for finding}, I made this fun centerpiece.  The kids loved hanging the eggs on the tree but didn't quite understand why a "tree" would go inside.  Here is my creation.

Photography Class

We've had this fancy camera (Nikon D80) for about four years now, and I've taken interest in it for the past two years.  When the opportunity came up to take a photography class with some other cardiology fellows' wives, I immediately jumped on it.  Penny Hoey {check out her website} has been an amazing {and patient} teacher.  I was completely clueless before walking into these lessons.  I thought using the portrait and sports settings were advanced functions on my camera.  I was completely wrong.  Unlearning the ease of the auto function and adapting to the manual setting has been a humbling experience.  I never knew adjusting ISO, aperture, and shutter speed were so involved, especially when trying to capture my active little ones.  We have taken two classes thus far, with about four to go.  Here are some of my first manual photos.

Happy St. Patrick's!

We were on the lookout for a little leprechaun yesterday.

 

You want us to look for what?  A little green guy?  That has a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow?

Okay, I get it, is it that wee little on over there?

Look Charles, the little guy in green!

 Nevermind, let's go see if we can find him at the park.

Nope, still no green guy.

What about this cute little baby?

Maybe he is hiding up here.

Or in here.

Or down there.

Mom, I give up, let's just enjoy this sunshine!  I think this leprechaun thing is crazy!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

The Circus and a Regatta

Two weekends ago we headed back to GM and GF's house, but this time with husband in tow.  So much easier when two parents are doing these weekend trips.  We went to Uncle Michael's regatta and then to the circus.  I was a little hesitant about the circus with all the action, but the kids had a grand time.

The Circus McGurkus!

Reading about the circus

The finale

My two cuties...and the kids' first taste of cotton candy

Why are those kitty cats walking across a rope?

The Regatta - chilly, but nice to cuddle with GF

Even better with Cracker Jacks

Check out my boo-boo

I want Cracker Jacks too

Chatting with Aunt Julianna in Monaco

Playing in the "cave"

Be A Tourist 2011

Back in January, we once again took advantage of Charleston's Be A Tourist in Your Own Town Pass.  Basically, you pay $50 and can get into a ton of neat touristy plantations and museums during the month of January.  Although I was not feeling well during my first trimester, we were able to get out a  good bit.  We did the usuals such as Charleston Museum, Children's Museum, Fire Museum, and we also ventured into a few new places such as Drayton Hall and the Old Exchange.  Here are some pictures.

Middleton Place

I love C's pose

"Old Time Living"

A house once stood here, but it was burned by in the Civil War

Moving on to The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

See our church steeple in the background?  This city is absolutely beautiful.

Patriot's Point (Home of the USS Yorktown) with Grandfather

it was quite chilly outside

But nice and cozy inside

Magnolia Plantation with friends (even more fun on with mud)

Drayton Hall

Beautiful plantation home built in the 1700's.  One of the only plantation homes on the Ashley River to survive the Civil War.

My two little loves

And finally, Charlestowne Landing

On a boat

We even ran into friends in the animal forest