Wow - It's Been a While...

If I could fire myself from Blog Editor I totally would! I really meant to keep this blog as up-to-date as possible but I've failed miserably!! Ahhhh! A LOT has happened in the last few months.

The Beginner Photography Classes were a total success. I found it fulfilling to teach clients and watch them become better photographers. As a result, I think I've also become a better photographer. In the upcoming months I'll be organizing another class and eventually an advanced course.

For Memorial Day break we went to Carolina Beach for the week. It's a trip we take every year and it was awesome! The slideshow below is from that trip. We had one rainy day and then several windy days which made some awesome photos. I also discovered (with Leigh) a love of finding unique shells and also sea glass. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all of the pieces I found but it'll be cool. CAROLINA BEACH MEMORIAL DAY WEEK SLIDESHOW 2011

The next big trip we took was to Italy!! It was amazing!!!! I will have a full post on that trip as soon as I'm finished editing. So far, I've only edited 350 images...and that was only the last day in Rome!

One week after we got back from Italy, Jessy and I drove to Connecticut for a family reunion. It was the first time in 5 years that all of the sisters were in the same state. We all had the week off, including my mom!! We had something planned almost every day and it was great seeing everyone. I took some family photos which I'll post here soon as well.

And...the final thing (so far) that happened this summer: Jessy became a big sister! Gabriel Anthony Maldonado was born on July 27th and is sooo adorable. Jessy can't wait to go back to Connecticut to visit her "baby brudder". :D

I will definitely try harder to keep this fresh but I might just have to hire Jessy to do this job. ;)

Carolina Beach - Labor Day Weekend

We try to visit Wilmington at least 2 times a year and now that I'm living here too we try to visit more often. In the past we've always gone to Wrightsville Beach but the last few trips have been to Carolina Beach. 

Our friend Brad owns Surfhouse Cafe and Surf Shop in Carolina Beach so we get to visit him and the shop while we vacation. The food is phenomenal!! A personal favorite is the Turkey Cuban sandwich...it's to die for. In November his shop will be featured in the prestigious Southern Living magazine! In winter months they serve specialty hot chocolates that have gained crazy attention. They also bring back their mushroom sandwich which I've been craving since last year! Needless to say I'm already planning our October trip back! Here's a few images from our recent trip:

A Week at the Beach - Carolina Beach, North Carolina

A couple weeks ago we went to Carolina Beach for the week. Every year we try to go at least one week. It's always an awesome time, hanging out with friends, relaxing on the beach, and of course, delicious food!

We dined several meals at our friend's store/cafe, Surf House. If you ever get a chance to visit Carolina Beach, you have to check out this place. The Turkey Cuban is unbelievable! If you make it to breakfast on the weekends, try the House Hash. It's loaded with potatoes, cheese, garlic, bacon, ham, and then topped with a fried egg. It sounds kind of funny but it is soooo good!

One night we cooked in and had a shrimp boil or some call it a "a low-country boil." The basic ingredients are shrimp, spicy chicken sausage, mini corn-on-the-cobs, potatoes, garlic (lots of garlic), mushrooms, and then packets of spicy shrimp boil seasoning. It was delicious! Everything cooks together in the pot and is seasoned to perfection. Our batch was soooo hot...I think we used too many seasoning packets! My nose was literally dripping! It was great but if I ever cook it on my own, I'll take out a packet or two!

I can't go anywhere (especially vacation) without my camera. Here's a few of my favorites from the trip: