The past few weeks have been so, so busy! Finding balance among my psychology work, my photography business, and family life has not been easy, but so many good things have happened in all three areas. Now that I'm finished with all my client work for 2015 (and am relaxing in Kentucky for Christmas), I can finally catch up on blogging personal photos.
We had the most wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! It sure was different than last year! My parents came to Mississippi again, and Alex's parents came to meet Afton for the first time! It was great having all four of her grandparents around to love on her. (Not sure how Sweet T managed to evade the camera!)
We decided to fully embrace cajun culture by trying our first turducken (turkey/duck/chicken)! I did virtually none of the cooking, which freed me up to take pictures of it instead. :) I'm much better at that, anyway.
Our dinner was delicious!
It was so special to have our family gathered in our home. Afton's outfit really summed up my feelings about the day.
The fun continued the next day. While the boys went shooting, the girls ventured to Bellingrath Gardens.
Alex and I saw the Christmas lights there last year, but this was my first time visiting during the day to see the beautiful flowers.
This place is a photographer's paradise! And I am so glad I chose to bring my macro lens.
The guys met up with us for dinner, then we walked around the gardens again after dark to see the fabulous lights.
We rested up on Saturday to recover from all this excitement and prepare for the big day on Sunday: Afton's baptism! She wore the same christening gown that I wore for my own. It belonged to my grandma and is now 97 years old! It is very fragile now, but I am so glad she got to carry on the tradition.
Another personal detail was the water, which my parents dipped from the Jordan River on their trip a few years ago! Pastor Scott shared these tidbits with the congregation and even made some references to our wedding five years ago! It was such a joyful way to officially welcome Afton into our church family.
I look forward to showing her these pictures someday so that she will know all her grandparents were present for this milestone.
We have much to be thankful for, indeed.