The Smokey Mountains

As many of you have read, my husband Brendan took me on a surprise trip for my birthday about 2 weeks ago. And because I have been slacking, they are just NOW being blogged...tsk tsk, I know.

Anyways, despite it being pretty cold at night (roughly 40 degrees and humid, so feels even colder), we camped. It wasn't too bad, but Ty (our 11 month old pup) was quite cold. He has never been out of Florida, so he wasn't used to feeling that coldness.

We grew up in Upstate NY so the cold is something we are used to, but sleeping outside in it was a different story. Overall though, it was beautiful to be up there and see all the wonderful colors.

Of course, here are some photos :)

Me and the pup


beautiful creeks up there



it's playtime mom!



Our first campsite



brendan catching me in action




This was part of the visitor center




another by Brendan lol



aw, me and ty



Love this picture of him!





It was a potty break so he needed to let some energy out



Hubby and Ty



Cute family photo. I just had this one printed :)




We couldnt believe Ty was climbing because he's a little on the timid side, but he did GREAT!

Hello United States!

We are back from vacation, suburnt and all.

Oh my gosh though, we had a fabulous time...if you haven't taken a cruise before...do so soon!

We are already thinking of our next one hehe.

Anyways, there was a minor setback on the first day. A gentleman on our ship had a medical emergency and had to be airlifted which caused us to turn around once we were out of US waters and head back towards tampa. Once we hit US waters again, he was airlifted from the ship to a hospital nearby. Luckily, as we found out the 2nd night, he made it and is doing great after surgery. PHEW.

Luckily,, our captain was able to save all the places we were supposed to visit....but instead of going in the original order....we went backwards.

So we went to Cozumel first, then Belieze, then Honduras, and finally Grand Cayman.

We say the Mayan ruins in Mexico, snorkeling in Belize, snorkeling and rainforest in Honduras, and shopping in Grand Cayman.

We had a wonderful time. Here are a few of our photos from our CruiseVacation:

Bon Voyage Miami

South Beach, Miami

Our dinner team, Chai, Adalberto and Bagus as well as myself

Our ship!

Tulum Mayan Ruins, Cozumel Mexico

My husband and I at the ruins

Belize

Belize

Me and a Bird In Honduras

Me and Peter (the monkey) in a rainforest in Honduras...I want one



Margaritaville, Grand Cayman

Hope you enjoyed them
<3 Amanda

What a world, what a world!

I am back from FPP school ( since i only live an hr away, I commuted all 5 days)...but WOW!

I have a whole binder full of new, exciting, and somewhat overwhelming notes, but I am really excited to be able to sit down and look these over and really work on the things I need to improve.

There are so many wonderful photographers there, many of whom I will keep in touch with and continue to learn from after the class. I just can't believe how much we learned in 5 days. At first it was hectic and crazy but it got better everyday and I really so very glad I went again.
Last year I took a portrait lighting class and while right now I do now have a studio....I never said never in that area. Right now, I do not plan on having one....but my mind changes everyday about may different things, so I can't say that I never will....just not at the moment.

The class with Mitche opened my eyes to a lot of stuff I may be missing or just not sure how to go about doing and I am excited to really work on these things.

1 thing left first though; VACATION!!!

My husband and I leave in 2 days to head to Miami and jump aboard Carnival Cruise Lines ship The Valor. (i said jump on...but i swear...we have tickets!) :)

We are very excited to be able to take a vacation and we are really looking forward to it and the places we are going to be able to go. First we head to Grand Caymans, then Honduras, then Belize, and then Cozumel Mexico. Its a 7 day cruise and we are so very excited. It can't come soon enough.

I promise though, as soon as I get back...the real changes will begin.....just not sure what will come first :)

Hope to see you all when I get back. Pictures will be posted of course~!!

Bon Voyage!

<3 Amanda