Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.  Praying for all those who have to sacrifice these holidays with working. From service men and women, to doctors and nurses, to police and firemen.  Thank you for standing the watch.

Wedding Wednesday: Engagement Photos

We took our engagement photos with a Navy photographer on the beach on base.  The jetties are so beautiful!

Hiring an up and coming photographer, definitely worked out for us.  We saved a ton of money, and I love the results!

Chicago Christmas!!

This is the final post..ok, not final, I have a recipe post from the trip!

The 22nd, I went over to my future-in-laws house to bake holiday treats.  I wanted to spend quality time with them while my guy was at work.  I made the best dessert.  Recipe to come!
We talked, drank some wine, and went to dinner.  It was a great day! 

The 23rd, we met with a wedding planner to get some ideas rolling.  Then I met with one of my bffs, and we headed to the South Side for a friend get together.  All of the girls from high school gathered, ate Mexican food, had a blast with the littles!!

The 24th, my friend's momma gave me a ride back up North, and we made many pit stops along the way.  The first one was to our fav bakery, Wolfs!  If you are ever near Evergreen Park, IL or Beverly, you have to stop there!!!  My guy and I made stops that day to his Aunt and Uncles house, and then to my middle brothers house.  We had so much fun visiting with family, eating, and playing with my nieces!

The 25th, we had breakfast, and then went to his parents house.  His mom made such a great Polish feast.  I was so spoiled that day!!

Magners with Meghan!

Middle Brother and I on Christmas Eve!

Me and my guy!

Mistletoe!

Trip to Annapolis...day 2!

After day 1's festivities, we were exhausted.  From travelling, walking, hanging out..so we just hung out in our room at our hotel until the wedding.  Latham and Adam had their ceremony in the chapel at the United States Naval Academy, and the reception at the Marriott.  It was such a fairytale wedding, and I was so happy to be there for their day! 

It was a bit of a reunion for our six degrees of separation Navy crew, and we had a blast!

Mike and I. 

Love this dress and necklace...stay tuned for the story behind the outfit!

Traditional Sword Arch

Gorgeous!

Mike and I on the patio at the Marriott

How did we get so many powerful women in one room?!? 4 Navy Lawyers, 1 SWO, 1 USO director, and 1 Pilates Studio owner!

Goof!

Weekend Travels

Well folks.  I went and travelled a LOT this weekend.  It will probably take a few posts, as I saw a lot of people, ate a great amount of food, and celebrated big events!

First off, I went to Leesburg, VA to visit family.  I had the best time!  We went to a place called Clyde's Farm for lunch.   It was amazing!  I don't remember the last time I had some amazing comfort food like the meal I had.  I had a pumpkin dip for a starter.  It was in a little pumpkin, with ginger snaps, apple slices, and walnuts.  Best idea ever!  I also had a fried green tomato sandwich for lunch.  Yum!  We walked around a Civil War battlefield, and grilled steaks that day as well.  I was literally only there for 24 hours, so it was a whirlwind visit.  But worth every minute to see my "mini mes", as we call my niece and nephew. 

Pumpkin Dip.  Such a cute idea!

Creepy Halloween Décor!

Gorgeous Flowers in the guest room.  I may or may not be in love with buying these vases at www.personalcreations.com!

Civil War Battlefield

Perspective.

Gorgeous Leaves!



I heart Fall!

 

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Everyday Photography

I recently took a photography class online.  I loved it.  It made me look at the everyday just a little differently.  Appreciate it, and learn how to use my camera to capture it. 

Here are some recent pics I have taken!

1st week of class.  Atlantic Beach.

New Cork Holder.

Cool pup.

Hmm.  Reflection.

Salted Caramel Candle.  Dog comfy on the couch.

Last week of class...

As some of you may know, I decided to take an online photography class to sharpen some of my skills.  I wouldn't say I am an expert by any means, but I do love to take pictures every where I go!

These are some pics from a few weeks ago..

Here are this past weeks photos..

I made this bouquet of flowers this past week!

Rainy morning

Cupcakes!

Photography

I decided it was time to actually take my photography to the next level, so I started taking an online class.  It has definitely opened my eyes to new ways to take pictures.  I am looking forward to actually getting out more to take pictures, but unfortunately my sea schedule and rain has kept me inside.

Here are a few of the pics I have taken recently..and you can see my last batch here.

This picture was for the concepts of framing and focus

This picture was for macro and perspective

Same concepts as above

Photo Albums

I have made quite a few photography posts on here, and if there is one thing that I love, it is pictures! I inherited that bug from my grandma, who always had a camera on her.  I have started a tradition of making photo albums for each year.  I started this tradition in 2009, and continue it today! 

It is so easy to make photo albums on www.snapfish.com, so I use their website.  I have gotten groupons for other sites, but none have really matched up to snapfish.  The quality, the ease of making the album, etc has won me over.  I made 1 for each year, as well as for special occasions.  I went to Japan in 2009, and made an album to commemorate the trip.  I bought one for my SIL and sent it to her! 

I made 2011 and 2012 this week, and am waiting to purchase until I get a coupon.  These are great books, but I definitely need a price break on them.  I usually have about 50-75 pages per book, and that is cutting down on "only the BEST" pictures.  My next project is my deployment album!

3 photo albums!

Atlantic City in Pictures!

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

Supporting local law enforcement

Sightseeing

Compass Rose

Freedom Is Not Free

Partying it up for the Bachelorette!

Today in Photos

Bella.  Megan Gill 2012

Easter Flowers.  Megan Gill 2012

Bella.  Megan Gill 2012

Sun Bathing.  Megan Gill 2012

Perfect.  Megan Gill 2012

April Flowers.  Megan Gill 2012

Murphy.  Megan Gill 2012

Good Boy.  Megan Gill 2012

Delilah.  Just hanging out.  Megan Gill 2012

I love my new camera, and figuring out new settings, and new ways to capture every day life.  I was lucky enough to have a gorgeous day out, and neighbors with photogenic dogs.  Bella has to pose every time though.  She loves sunbathing in the nicer weather.