Vacation {Nags Head, NC}

Well friends, I'm back! Last week was honestly a whirlwind and this past weekend was even more so. I haven't been this tired in a long time, but I somehow peeled myself out from under the covers this morning and to work on time. This is about the time I wish coffee came in IV form! ;)

I decided to (mostly) unplug while we were on vacation to really unwind and it was seriously refreshing. Vacation blog posts are always difficult to write because I can't really break it down by day; every single day was a good mix of the beach, pool, sight seeing, swimming, laying out and eating LOTS of food! So I'll just recap the highlights for ya!

We arrived Saturday a bit before dinner and luckily everyone was more than okay with ordering pizza, so we did just that! But not before taking a quick dip in the ocean! I hadn't seen the beach in YEARS so I was more than ready!

Our first day was a solid day. Lots of sunshine, pool time, and good food. That night Caleb and I tried out a gourmet seafood buffet and OH MY WORD. The crab legs. So good!

 Most nights ended with a walk on the beach, good conversation in the hot tub, or night fishing off the shore.

Tuesday was pretty gloomy so we used that day to explore a little. Caleb and I parted ways for a little day-date and headed to a fun OBX restaurant! After that, I hiked down to the beach to watch the guys boogy board and totally get eaten by waves. It was awesome.

The rest of our evening was filled with dinner at home, more hot tub time, and some ladder ball!

Wednesday was another beautiful day at the beach! I finished "Love Does" on our trip and I HIGHLY recommend it! We got so fortunate that the beach was NEVER busy or crowded. We truly had it to ourselves most days!

One of my favorite nights of the trip is when a few of us went to Sooey's BBQ in Kill Devil Hills. Guys, BEST RIBS OF MY LIFE. The entire experience was so fun! I mean, we even took a picture with the whole staff!

We went for a quick trip to the sand dunes and they did not disappoint. So gorgeous!

Other highlights worth mentioning: spending so much time w/ my nephew and best friends...that we had the coolest pool floats in the city... DUCK DONUTS...finding a giant yellow beach "chair"...and getting a good base tan!

Also waking up for sunrise at Jennette's Pier!

One of our last evenings there we made it a point to take some family pictures! I'm so glad we did because I think this might be my new favorite picture of Caleb and I! Thanks for the capture, Erin!

We had a great vacation with Caleb's family! Thankful for the time we got to spend together!

Memories from Summers Past!

I've been looking back at old photos a LOT lately, so I decided to bring a few old favorites back to life and reminisce on randomness from past summers.

-This is honestly one of my favorite photos of Caleb and I! He was a groomsmen in a childhood friends wedding and we drove down to Memphis for it! It was the summer right after we got married so my hair was still crazy long, and I curled it (which I never used to do). I have to say this is my new hair goal. I've loved it short, but I'm ready for a change!

-Last year for my birthday we took a trip to Indy with our best friends! It was a lot of fun. The state fair proved to be quite the attraction with so much to do, see and EAT!

-YEARS ago when our friends didn't live more than 10 minutes from us, we went to visit sweet little Nora. Many of our summer evenings were spent with them! Its hard for us to live over 30 minutes from them now. We miss you, Young family!! This photo always made me so happy. She was "hiding" from him!

-Last Summer our church shut its doors the Sunday of Labor Day weekend (which we're doing again this year!) and we went out in the community to "rise and build". Some folks needed their weeds pulled, others needed help painting, others just needed food. Its a great feeling to give back!

-Last summer we spent a LOT of time at our favorite donut shop. What's bad is since we moved last September, we could literally walk there now. Maybe I will convince Caleb we can get our steps in by walking to the donut shop? ;)

-Two years ago, when I turned 23, these cuties helped me ring it in the right way. Erin made me a personalized checklist for the evening, we made hilarious music videos and just hung out eating way too much cake and ice cream.

-The time Caleb got me Paramore tickets for my 19th birthday! I was so surprised! He still leaves me this smitten.

-Two Summers ago when I was cooking like a boss, trying new recipes. Where did that version of me go? I hope she comes back! ;) hopefully next week...I've actually meal planned my butt off! Woo!

-One wedding last summer when OSU's Brutus showed up! What the what?!

Summer will always be awesome for its warm weather but MAN I am ready for some fall breezes, bonfires and new booties!

Have a great day, friends!

My Summer bucket list

I'm making more of an effort to spend less time behind my screens this summer, and more time outside! I know we're a few weeks into summer already but I wanted to officially make a fun little list of things to work towards while we've still got the sunshine this time of year!

{Run 80 miles by my birthday} This is a big goal for me since I haven't been consistently running this year much, so I'm hoping this will really take me back to my regular running days! August 9th, you are going to come very quickly, I can already tell.

{Make a s'more - or three} no explanation needed, right?

{Make a dang photo book} pretty sure this has been on EVERY goal post I've written since we've been married... we shall see!!

{Go hiking/canoeing/do something adventurous} we live near some pretty cool trails and hiking spots and such, so I'd like to make this happen somehow!

{Hit up the zoo or aquarium} I love how many attractions our city has to offer, and although its kind of expensive, I think its always worth it!

{Play Frisbee golf} we have a pretty fun course by our neighborhood, so we need to make time on a weekend or evening to get outside and make it happen!

{Go to a Red's game} its been too long since we've been!!!

{Read a couple books} I love reading and once mid-July hits, I will have a lot more time on my hands!

{Get a couple chairs for our patio} I think since we know this isn't our 'forever' home either, we haven't made it very homey...but summer evenings are meant to be spent outside so I'd like to get a few chairs for Caleb and I to read outside together, or just chat about our days!

{Play corn-hole} we don't have a set, but I'm determined someway...somehow.

{Try a new restaurant with Caleb} for date night! Woo woo!

I'm trying to keep my summer list realistic. I'm hoping to accomplish all of these things by the end of August. Which reminds me about that 25 before 25 list. There's another post idea ;) its crazy how much has changed since I made that list and how my goals changed as well. I'm not even disappointed that it won't all get done, as life changes, our circumstances change, and so do our goals, and that's alright!

Here's to a fun, adventurous, sunny summer! What's on your summer bucket list? Please let me know! I'd love to have more ideas!

June goals!

It may be June 8th, but its never too late to set some goals in any given month, right? Here we go!

-Be up to date with our wedding edits. Typically I return photos before the 6 week post-wedding mark, but lately I've hardly been maintaining an 8 week return. I do know its because Caleb and I work a day job each, and we want to maintain a life, but lately we've barely been keeping our heads above water. Caleb and I came up with a new system and I think we're going to be turning weddings around a lot faster now, yay!

-Lose 5 lbs. We picked running back up again. Yay!

-Get in touch with some old friends. I want to send a few personal letters, call a few friends, and surprise some of my closest friends this month! Random kindness is my favorite!

-Finish this amazing book. Guys, its changing my life. When a book has you in tears in your car on your lunch break, you know its good. God is truly speaking to me!

-Continue to meal prep. I've been doing weekly quick trips to Kroger and its really helping me stay on track with eating healthy. I know myself too well to know I'M NOT going to get up earlier to prep my lunch, I have to do it the night before. So this week I bought all the meat and produce we'd need for the week; Caleb grilled the meat, I cut the fruit/veggies. Now we're both set!

-Get outside more. I'm excited that from two short evenings in the sun so far, I kind of have a small base tan going - and I'm determined to get more action in the sun this year! Whether that means we go for a quick run after work, take a long walk after dinner, or just play frisbee golf at a nearby course, I want to enjoy as much of this summer as possible. Less time behind my computer screen, more time in front of mother nature!

-Drink at least 100oz of water a day. I bought a 32oz Bubba for work/home and I am OBSESSED. It makes drinking more fun side the hot pink/green combo is so darn cute.

Here's to hoping June is one amazing month!

So, what are some of your goals for this warm month?!

Pack it up, July!

T.G.I.F!!!! How is it the last day of the month?!? I know, I say it every month! This has absolutely been the fastest year EVER. I can officially say that with confidence. I've also had 3 elderly people this month tell me "it only gets faster as you get older, just wait", verbatim. So there's that.

I've been wondering... does anyone do any kind of month-end link up anymore?? If you know of one, please let me know! I'd love to participate. I'm definitely excited about THIS football link up my SIL is doing soon, though! I miss those. I feel like they are such a great way to "meet" new friends and find new favorite blogs!

July was a great month. I didn't make a list of specific goals since I knew this month would be pretty crazy, but some really fun things happened and I figured what better way to remember them than by rehashing them all on my little corner of cyber space.

We started the month off by photographing back to back weddings over the holiday weekend.

We saw the cutest, fattest bulldog alive and then got to babysit one of our favorite little girls!!

My sister in love (who I'm lucky to call one of my best friends) and I got to have a much needed ladies night, while making some yummy food and laughing our faces off.

We spent the most incredible, emotional, insanely fun, life changing week with our teens in Tennessee for camp!

I finally got back in the gym... its been sporadic but I think I'm finally back in my groove!

We witnessed some of the most amazing sunsets, read our bibles every day, and edited our little fingers off...

...oh, and I took a mirror selfie (so 2012, I know) because I actually felt pretty good at work. I have NEVER curled my hair in the morning for work and I felt pretty darn professional yesterday!

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for August to begin. It's always been one of my favorite months for many, many reasons. I've got a lot planned next month but I honestly can't wait for it to begin!! Happy Friday, friends!!!

Florence y'all!

Took a couple days off from blogging since work has been crazy lately (both my day job as well as photography), but in all honesty I'm kind of loving how quickly my days at work are flying. So, excuse the fact that I'm recapping my weekend on a Wednesday...but here we go!

We had a lot of outdoors time this weekend. Caleb had the amazing idea to take me to the drive in on Friday and we saw Pixels + Minions. Both were good, but I personally liked Pixels more! I have to say, we witnessed something really awesome at the drive in. No one had their phones out, kids were playing frisbee and running all over the playground , there was laughter everywhere, the older family next to us was even playing Uno! It was SO refreshing to see!! We sat outside on our lawn chairs, ate flaming' hot cheetos and took ONE whole selfie the whole night :) it was awesome.

Saturday was spent free of plans and spending time in the gym, at a local pizza joint and relaxing like crazy. Sunday came and went and we found ourselves at the Florence Freedom game that evening with the youth group. It's been a blast to be so active with them this summer. They are teaching me a lot more than I teach them, most days. I love the crap out of them. For you local bloggers, head to a Freedom game ASAP. It was so cheap, and the entertainment was amazing!

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend. We needed a carefree weekend like this. I've been very overwhelmed lately (in a good way!!), and needed a little break! 

A little progress report.

So June is officially more than halfway over... how did that happen!? I honestly don't get how time flies by so quickly but that just makes me more thankful for this little blog of mine! Getting to look back weeks, months, even YEARS has brought me so much joy! ANYWAY! Since we're making our way into the second half of June...I thought I'd update everyone on my June goal progress;

enter random summertime photo because what's a post without a photo.

To use Myfitness Pal again: pretty much a success! There have only been a couple days in the beginning I missed, but I'm making a ton of progress. It's really helping me watch what I eat/drink!

Drink more water: everyday (except wedding days, ironically, which is when I seem to need it most)  I've had at least 80oz of water. I know I can do way better (I used to drink well over 100oz/day), so I'm going to try and crush this goal the next half of the month! HOWEVER! I have only had 4 tiny ounces of pop this entire month. This is crazy for me!! I'm pretty proud about this one.

Get back in the gym: okay, confession. I haven't done very amazing at this one...I've only worked out a couple times. But in my defense? It's because I've had SO MUCH editing to do...but exercise insanely important to me so I'm going to quit with the excuses and hit the gym more these next few weeks. I do have to say though, my eating has SIGNIFICANTLY imroved in just 2 weeks.

Make our wedding album selections... womp womp...not yet. But now that I've checked in, I'm already working with Caleb to see when we can sit down and make our favorite selections! It's about dang time, right? ;)

Finish 2 books: almost there! This is a huge goal for me!!!! I've really made more time for this. Reading is one of my favorite things to do and I'm hoping to make this part of my everyday life again!

Relax more: check. We've made it to the pool FOUR times since its opened and that's double the amount of times we went all summer last year. I'm getting a little tanner and that makes me a happy girl! I feel more like myself when I make time for me... and I think that's awesome.

How are you doing on your June goals? I want to hear!

June goals

I know its cliche to talk about how fast time is moving, but honestly... is this real life?! 2015 is nearly half way over already?! I'm definitely not complaining, though... I'm ready for warmer temps!

via

Since my half marathon in early May, I really haven't worked out much...okay, at all. Other than a few rounds of ultimate Frisbee and backyard kickball, I've been lazy. Mostly because for 3 straight weeks I felt like I could hardly put weight on my right foot, but to be totally honest? I had gotten out of the habit of exercising around mid-April. I truly think its because I just got lazy and stopped setting realistic (yet challenging) goals for myself.

Caleb and I watched a football movie on Sunday night where they wrote down very specific "season goals" and gave their cards to each other to keep the other accountable...I remember telling you all last year about our "weekly goals" challenge for each other, and we're going to start implementing that again. More on that to come later! For now...here are my JUNE goals!

To use MyFitnessPal again! At one point, my streak was over 170 days...I know its not all about the streak, but it really made me think twice about what I put in my body because I'd be logging it all.

Drink more water. This kind of goes hand in hand with the above goal, but I haven't been drinking nearly as much water as I used to so I'm wanting to cut out pop (upcoming dentist appt!!) and focus solely on water.

Get back in the gym. Now that my foot is feeling a million times better (no pain whatsoever - pretty sure I'm in the clear!), its time to push myself again. I've missed running and lifting so much. I've gained quite a few pounds since March and I'm ready to shed them and get back to feeling fit again! Exercise just makes me a happier person, and I love that.

Make our wedding album selections. I mean... talk about 2 years in the making. The sad part is? It was INCLUDED in our wedding package.. all we have to do is pick out our favorite pictures and its made FOR US! Although, I do still want to make my own customized photo books for a lot of seasons in life (both 2013 + 2014, our honeymoon and also our wedding...but lets be honest, that won't happen until wedding season is over).

Finish 2 books. This is a huge goal for me. Reading used to be such a huge part of my life and I love it so much. Now with blocking out certain evenings throughout the week for more "me time/free time" I know I can get this done.

Relax more. Sure, I've got a never ending list of edits to complete, and 4 weddings this month...but making more time for "me" and things I want to do? It's definitely happening. I'm excited for this month and all the fun things it's going to bring!!

What are a few June goals YOU have for yourself?

Jumping in the deep end!

Even though it wasn't exactly "summer weather" yet, we put on our suits and headed to the pool after work on Friday - books in hand, and adventure on the mind. We were the only ones there! I dared him to jump in (it was absolutely freezing), after a few whimpers - he finally did it...then he didn't think I'd do it. So what did I do? Yelled "SUMMMMERRRRR!" at the top of my lungs and jumped right in. It was freezing, but hilarious... seriously, it was a blast. Those are the silly memories that I'll never forget!

THEN! Saturday came. Eek! I finally went back to blonde. I don't know that most men care about the color/style of their wives hair so much...but Caleb truly missed my blonde hair, and to be honest? I did too. Don't get me wrong, he never once made me feel "blah" or "ugly", he always made me feel beautiful and he loved my natural color...he just missed the hair I had for the 5 years prior...so I decided since summer was approaching to just GO for it! My girl Becca rocks. She did really thin highlights all over but kept a little bit of my natural so I wasn't in total shock right away. She's amazing! Any local girls need her info, ask away!

After my appointment I went home, relaxed for a few and then we headed out for our 6th wedding of the year! It was a really good time and I'm so pumped about the photos we snapped! Is that bride not insanely gorgeous!?!? She's insanely sweet, as well.

THEN our anniversary adventure began Sunday and I can't wait to recap all of that!! More to come, later! I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend and I can't thank everyone enough for all the happy anniversary wishes! Happy Wednesday!