Labor Day

JP and I got to spend Labor Day weekend at the lake! JP's friend Sean's parents just built a lake house on Lake Wedowee and invited us to come hang out with them. The house was beautiful and I loved the style of the inside.

Sean's family has THREE boxers that kept us busy all weekend!

We enjoyed hanging out on the dock and going out in the boat. JP and I even got the chance to go kayak together.

The house had this sweet screened in room that we spent all of our time in. When we weren't hanging out there or on the water we would go on walks. Let me tell you, this is a very very hilly area! My calfs were super sore after the end of the weekend!

We are very thankful for the chance we had to go to the lake with Sean's family! JP and Sean were freshman roommates and lived together JP's junior year (the year I met him). Sean was in our wedding as well.

yes JP decided to sport the dirty 'stache over the weekend.

Look what we found!

The apartment JP and I live in is right next to the dumpster. As a result of this we pretty much know when people are throwing away of stuff that actually still can be used. You would be surprised what people throw away! Most of the time it isn't anything we need or have room for.

However, one day someone had set a grill next to the dumpster... something we needed and wanted. JP went and checked the grill out and decided even though it was really dirty, it would be a sweet find.

The next day he spent like an hour cleaning it and it looked much better. We went to WalMart and found the same grill for sale for $100 new.

The coolest birthday present EVER...

As previously mentioned JP and I have birthdays in the same week of August. I thought that my present from him was this shirt.

On my birthday, August 7, JP's mom and brother (Michael aka Mooks) came into town. Mooks is an awesome photographer. You should check out his website!

Anyway, I was talking to Mooks about photography and cameras. He was showing me some of his new pictures and I was saying how I really want a digital SLR. I was talking about how I'd been looking at them on the internet and was going to start saving money for one.
I mean I probably talked about this for like a hour.

Mooks said, "So I got you a birthday present." He went over to his bag and pulled out a long cylinder wrapped in newspaper. I open it and it is this fancy looking camera lense. I said, "Thanks! I mean I don't have a way to use it right now but maybe someday I will!"

Then JP leaned forward and pulled over to me a bag that I thought was Mook's camera bag. I started to catch on to what it was and I was kinda in shock!

JP got me a Canon Rebel XT for my birthday! Not only that but it came with some awesome lenses and other equipment.

It was one of the coolest surprises ever! I totally did NOT expect it! I think I just kept hugging him and saying thank you over and over.

It was perfect timing because I got to use it and learn from the best, Mooks, in NYC.

I'm still learning... I really want to get good at it! Once my classes die down I'll have more time to devote to becoming a great photographer :)