My cousin and his wife are expecting a sweet babe at the end of September. My Gram hosted a baby shower for them on Friday night –

Jared got them this – he had to make sure the size was right for the election.

Soon-to-be mom and dad and Uncle M.

Aunt L – Gram to the wee one – trying to feel the babe.

*R* and *M* – you guys will be great parents – I can’t wait to meet the babe.

Saturday I shot a very low-key wedding. The bride and groom arrived together and put the food out for the reception – then Anne – the bride called everyone over to the side of the pavilion where the ceremony was taking place. The groom’s brother stood up with him and the bride’s daughter with her – the rings were exchanged – the vows said – the bride kissed – and the license signed. Then we took a few pictures – ate – had a toast – had some cake and the bride and groom went around table to table to talk with their guests. I’ll post those pictures later – but for now – some of my mom and I.

My mom was playing with the mint wrappers – making bride and groom finger puppets.

My mom was my assistant for the afternoon – it was so fun to hang out with her.

Nice close-up Mom – This close-up shows the appliance that I am wearing on my bottom teeth. It isn’t nearly as obvious as I feel it is.

I have posted some pictures of Mauser before – Mauser is my Aunt L’s puppy – Saturday evening – he was all about giving me kisses – but I didn’t want any of it.

So he propped his sad little face on my legs – just waiting for me to give in. When I wouldn’t he ran to Uncle Bob to complain.

He is a cute little pup.

Friday night I headed home – to Athens – to attend my cousin’s baby shower – shoot a wedding on Saturday – and hang out with my family. Jared stayed in Mansfield b/c his company had their summer picnic on Saturday – which I was bummed to miss out on. When I got to my parents house on Friday night – I noticed two bunnies in a cage – turns out my mom’s friend found a tame bunny on her way home one night – ‘cus people always drop off animals on farms in the country – and she took it home with her. It was pregnant – with eight babies. So my mom and dad took two of them home. Smokey and the Bandit.

Bandit – she loves to run around the living room and try to sneak under the couch.

Smokey – he loves to chew – and hates going back in his cage.

Smokey – he would have ate my shoe if I had let him.

I have a kindred spirit. I have written about her before. She is a strong, Godly woman whom I admire and respect greatly. She is one of my biggest supporters with my photography and life in general. She is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a child of God, a soon-to-be grandmother … She is my Aunt L. She is one of the smartest women I know and love.

Every year our church has a picnic in August – and of course I took my camera along this year.

The kids collected apples and then I arranged them in stacked piles – mostly because I LOVE organization. One of the deacons in the church and I got into a conversation about geocaching – something that I didn’t know existed.

This baby bird was at the base of a tree by then pond – I thought at first he was injured but as soon as I took the lens off him the first time – he jumped up and stumbled off toward the water. I don’t think he liked having his picture taken.

At Tanglewood – they have a pavilion with an old fridge and stove in the back – I LOVE the old appliances.

Every year at the Troy Fair and Tioga County Fair – NCA has a booth with peach shortcake – and LUCKILY there were leftovers. Make sure to get to one of the fairs next summer and have some shortcake – SO GOOD.

Another beautiful sky …

The rest of our vacation pics – again in  no certain order –

Brandon – our SCOPES guy – at work.

Goofballs …

We rescued a Marine …

Me and my beach “boyfriend” that you may have read about …

Last year we decided to do the Mafia and Flappers … this year – Pirates.

Goodbye Ocean City – see you again next year – ???

Barden family beach portrait 2007.

Barden family beach portrait 2008. Thank you Brandon.

I love comparison pictures. A year ago – I think we look so different. Dr. Robinson tells me that the shape of my face will change with this device – I hope so – look at the difference in my face from 1 year ago – my weight isn’t any different but my face is shorter and chubbier. I am hoping to get that defined jaw line back. Nonetheless – this is one of my FAVORITE pictures of Jared and I together.

My vacation blog stopped short on Day Five – which I think was Wednesday. Thursday I didn’t feel too good – the heat, the sunburn, my jaw, and my fluid filled ears – all conspired against me. Jared and I spent the afternoon inside watching a X-Files marathon to get ready for the movie. Friday we spent ALL day on the beach – the last full day. Saturday we left around 10 AM – driving out of OC i got a migraine so I tried to sleep most of the car ride home – which took about 10 hours. We stopped at a few outlets and then to grab a bite to eat around Thorndale PA. We got home and unpacked – threw a load of laundry in – and went to bed. We slept in and recuperated Sunday morning – then spent the afternoon with Mara – who missed us like CRAZY! Our Second Annual Barden Family Vacation had come and gone.

I am posting the pictures from Jared’s camera first – ‘cus it is much easier than trying to organize them with mine.

Jared and I our first night on the beach.

It seems to be that moms are always in control.

Dinner on the Boardwalk – it is so nice to sit out in the fresh air and enjoy a meal with those you love.

Will someone PLEASE tell me what the deal is with these sunglasses!

Hanging out in the living room – watching a movie before bed.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE – Jared’s favorite place to eat – home or away.

The BEST onion we’ve ever seen.

Mom and dad enjoying the sun …

Trying to get a picture of all of us together …

Dinner at Seacrets – mom and dad’s favorite place to eat in OC MD.

Thrasher’s fries – a MUST HAVE on the Boardwalk.

Please note the AWESOME tan on half my forehead. It was all over my head – but the peeling began.

My AWESOME tan gave way to slight tan underneath – but I have learned that I need to actually wear an SPF now.

So – I have mentioned it before but I will say it again – I have the BEST family ever. My family, friends, and church family have blessed me with their love and kindness. I have a TMJ Relief Fund – thanks for the name to Jessica (my sister-in-law) – that people have been contributing to. I am amazed and so humbled by what people have given me thus far. I am not only talking about monetary gifts – but prayers and kind words. As an update for all of you who keep up with what is going on in the region of my TMJ life – I had my second appt. yesterday with Dr.  Robinson. He hooked me up to a TENS unit – an electrical stimulation device – to help relax my muscles – for about 70 minutes. He then took molds of my bite to send out to make the device that I will wear all along my bottom teeth. August 19th is the appt. where I will be hooked up to the TENS for about 45 minutes and then have the device fitted and in place! I can hardly wait. I will have trouble speaking for the first few weeks – or so I am told – but I am willing to sacrifice that to feel better. I sometimes get overwhelmed when I think of the life that I will be living in a  few months – God willing. I have the calmest peace about this device – I truly believe that THIS is what God has in store for me – for us. Again – thank you to all of you who have given or are giving of your time and money to help me in this endeavor. I cannot even express to you in words what it means to me to know that I am in your prayers and that you are willing to help me in this purchase. I would love to make a little graph on the side of my blog that shows how much I need and where I am in that goal – but I don’t know how.THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU.