So today I had a few "blonde" moments. I was taking a photography workshop in Ballston (part of Arlington) that I had scheduled a couple weeks back. I had to work the night shift last night at the hotel (3-11), so that threw my schedule off, atleast that is where I am going to lay the blame. Anyways, so I had the workshop today, and there really wasn't anywhere to park, so my awesome hubby agreed to drop me off and pick me up (love ya babe). Well on the way there I realize that I cannot locate my bank card (this really isn't anything out of the ordinary), but I also had left my bank envelope at the hotel that contained my $$ for the class. Grreat, so Sam had his bank card and I was able to get my money to attend the class, well upon arrival to the class, I get out my camera, lenses, and flash-- turn on the camera-- NO SD CARD INSERTED. PERFECT. So, then I have to ask anyone if they have an extra. Luckily for me, they came prepared! After the class we were planning on going to dinner with the "Lancaster's and Winnicks" for Aunt Bev's birthday.

Timbuktu or Tim's


Stacy and Jared flew in from Denver Colorado this weekend for Aunt Bev's birthday. Tonight we decided to make a trek down to a little place on the Potomac River called Timbuktu (or Tim's for short). It is a seafood place that has open air seating overlooking the river, a band, a bar, tiki torches, and platefuls of blue crabs. Although Sam, Stacy, Mom, and myself decided to pass on the "work" some people call dinner-- Aunt Bev, Nick, and Jared put away 36 little crabbies!!!! The atmosphere was quite enjoyable, but I ate far too much fried food for my own good.

Here are some pictures of my niece and nephew. Besides dear little Gracie, they might be the closest I get to offspring of my own!!! Valancy Anne turned 1 in June, and my little bubby will be 6 in October. He should be starting kindergarten this year, and I hope his teacher is ready for a hand full!!!

"Memories that will last a lifetime"

the view from our cabin

Sometimes, you know, I wish we had a pause button in life.

Work

Traffic Jams

Rude City People

Starless nights

Dirty air

As I step back to reality, my mind wanders to our week in the Adirondacks, that in my opinion came to an abrupt end, far too soon. I hate to write two blogs on the same topic, but a place so gloriously majestic and undoubtedly alive as the Adirondacks, in particular Bull Point, warrants every bit of two entries.

Bull Point will always be a place I treasure in my heart. I really enjoyed sharing this place with Gracie and Sam this past week. We truly had a blast. Donnelly's ice creams, hiking to Deer Pong, Hazi, Go Fish, S'mores, Camp fires, Porch Dinners, Boating, Fishing (with a plastic butterfly), Bella, Swimming, Boat Rides, Knee Boarding, Attempted Skiing and Wake boarding, Deer, Family, Golf (for Sam!), Casino (for Me), and so many more things. I tried to find a quote about the Adirondacks that epitomized everything that 6 million acres embodies, however, I couldn't find one that really conveyed my feelings. It is paradise on earth.

Bull Point is rustic and old, it has seen many things over the years, if only the walls could talk, you better believe they would captivate any audience. The history of this Adirondack "camp" is very interesting. It was once owned by a very wealthy NY business man named Otto Kahn. It was quite an extraordinary place during its "hay day", however the peacefulness it offers its "guests" now; is what I love.

Leaving upstate is always hard, even more now then when I was a kid. Bull Point has attached itself to my heart strings over the years, and I will cherish the times spent there always. Each year when summer comes to a close and the cool autumn breeze picks up, I find that what lays so heavy on my heart is the uncertainties of not when I will return, but the ever foreboding IF. However, I pray that it remains exactly that, and the summer tradition of my generation is passed down to our children as it was for those before us, because it is truly the greatest place I have ever been.

~Marianne Elizabeth Smith ~

Sam, Gracie, Bella, and ME are heading up to UPSTATE New York on Friday!! I am so excited. This year would have been four years without visiting my favorite place in the world. Bullpoint is heaven on earth (with mosquitoes). Everything is so relaxing and beautiful. You really can get away from everything there... relax and unwind. I am very excited to share this special place with Sam and Gracie. Bullpoint will always mean the world to me. I not only spent every summer there since my mom was pregnant with me, but I truly believe the experiences and memories from there had an influence on the person I am today! So, with much enthusiasm, I can't wait to get to the Adirondacks this year!

These are a few of the pictures that I recently took of Sam and Gracie while we were at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. We had a little picnic and a photo shoot. She is so easy to photograph because she is just so darn cute and LOVES the camera!!!! Not unlike her father :) She probably will get sick of me and the camera when she gets a little older so I am taking advantage of the opportunity!

Welcome to Say Cheese D.C. Photography!!!!

So here is the deal, I probably am going to be the worst "blogger" ever. I do not have a way with words, I am not good at writing, and my life is not that exciting to warrant a blog. However, I felt that I would like to share some of my more interesting stories and some of my pictures. So I created "Say Cheese D.C" and I will see how it goes.