50mm

As I mentioned before, Matt got me a new lens for my birthday!  I had done a good bit of research and talked to several people about what kind of lens I should get next. I finally decided on a 50mm or "Prime" lens.  I am SO happy with my choice...now I just have to continue to play with it and figure it out.

My new toy!

For those of you who aren't familiar with cameras, lens, etc. (ahem...myself, haha) the idea behind this lens is that it lets in a lot more light and you can make you aperture lower than you can with a standard lens.  The lower the aperture the more clear your picture is in the foreground and the blurrier the background is...see how Tiger looks in these pics? 

Tiger is always my favorite subject :)  These were taken the day I got the lens and I was testing it out. 

It also does a pretty good job of taking action shots...check out those ups!

One last shot of some tomaters (as my grandma calls them). I have been trying to read more tutorials and learn as much as I can so I can get the most out of my new toy.  It can be very overwhelming to try to learn this stuff on my own.  I am thinking about taking a class or two...who knows!  Overall for the amount of money, this lens was well worth it!

Trick or Treat

We had the whole family over at our house for Halloween this year.  We were excited to have lots of trick or treaters in our neighborhood!  My mom brought over a delicious dinner for us to enjoy!

Ryan and I waiting on our trick or treaters!

Liz and Ryan

I think she sees a trick or treater!

It was the first chilly night where we could build a fire in our fire pit...I love building a fire, it is just so cozy!

We got lots of options for the trick or treaters, but as an inexperienced halloweener I realized that that was not smart.  When you have options the kids (actually the 15-17 year olds that decide they can still trick or treat) grab one of each....so its like 10 pieces per person. You end up running out quickly...but we will learn for next year!

My dad enjoying his supper!

Matt was proud of his big ol' fire in the fire pit

Our friends Meg and Nathan stopped by with their sweet little lady bug, Mary!  Isn't she the cutest? She just turned 1 year old 5 days ago and she is already a pro walker! Go Mary!

Hope everyone had a happy Halloween, too!

Showering Baby Blakely

Lauren had her first shower this weekend and it was so fun!  All of the third year pediatric residents (well the girls) threw Lauren a shower.

Me and the mama-to-be...only two more months!

 My mama looking pretty at the shower!

 They had everyone at the shower's baby pictures scrolling the TV while we were there.  Bet you can't guess who that is? ;)

Kimberly, Shannon, and I had to come back early from the conference to make it in time, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

 Mom, Lauren, and I

 These were Lauren's hostess gifts to the girls.  There were 10 hostesses so she had to keep it simple!

All of the residents that Lauren works with...such a great group of ladies!

Lauren was showered with so many wonderful presents that Blakely will love! Her shower was absolutely perfect and we are counting down the days until we get to have a real baby to play with and dress up! You can see Lauren's post about her shower here.

Child Neurology Society- Savannah

Last week I went to a big, dorky conference Child Neurology Society in Savannah, GA.  Basically all the pediatric neurologists from the whole country (and some NPs, too!) get together once a year to do what neurologists do...learn.

Kimberly, Shannon, and I (the two other nurse practitioners I work with) went, too...mostly to have fun in Savannah and not-so-much on the whole "learning" front... we might have learned a thing or two, but it was not on purpose! ;)

Shannon and I accidentally dress alike all the time.  When we showed up identical we just had to laugh and roll with it!

We stayed in a little bed and breakfast in Savannah called the East Bay Inn...it was adorable!  The only negative was right when we got there we found out it was haunted.  The ghost's name was Charlie and he was supposedly a friendly ghost, so we thought that it was ok. 

Our cute bed and breakfast

Our room

 This is Kimberly, me, and CHARLIE!  Can't you see the "orb" in this picture?!? Its totally Charlie, our ghost friend. 

 Headed to the conference

After the conference the second day we went shopping downtown Savannah.  Their downtown reminds me somewhat of Charleston, but not nearly as busy!

 Kimberly and I at Your Pie in Savannah

It was such a fun time with Kimberly and Shannon. I am so lucky to get to work with two girls that have quickly become some of my best friends.  I don't know if I would survive at work without the two of them, we keep each other sane through all the craziness!  Can't wait 'til next year for CNS...its in California :)