Additions to That 2012 Movie List

Hello to another Monday! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. We spent ours with Kyle's parents, which was great because I feel like we don't get to see them that often.

Since it's Monday, let's start off the week with a fun topic--the movies! If we're being honest, Hollywood is blowing my mind right now. I mean, Anna Karenina, Les Miserables, AND The Great Gatsby, all in one year? Mind. Blown. Come December, my wallet is going to be completely empty and super upset with me. Somehow I didn't know about these films when I initially made my 2012 must-see movie list, but I'd say that with these additions my list is now complete. Here are the other movies I can't wait to see this year!

Anna Karenina (November 9)

Les Miserables (December 14)

The Bourne Legacy (August 10)

Taken 2 (October 5)

What movies can you not wait to see this year? Let me know if you think I'm missing anything on my list(s)! 

12 in 2012: Reading List Update

Happy Friday, friends! I think it's time for a Reading List update. :)

Since I posted my 12 in 2012 Reading List in January, I have only read three books. Yep, just three. Speed Reader of the Year award right here! I blame it on the fact that this has been the busiest year for Kyle and me to date. Kyle is in his last semester of classes before 8 months of clinical rotations, I am working full time while simultaneously trying to build my photography business portfolio, and somewhere in there we have to feed ourselves, take care of Doc, and (attempt) to keep the house clean. Which unfortunately means not much time to sit down and read, but hopefully that will change in the coming 6 months (for my sanity's sake)! Here are the three books I've read so far this year:

An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

And right now I am in the middle of:

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs

As you can see, I'm definitely a fan of historical fiction (and seriously, remind me to never read another Nicholas Sparks novel again). I am not going to make so lofty a goal as to review all the books I've read this year, but I would like to review my favorites. So be on the lookout for a few book reviews scattered here and there throughout the rest of this year. :) 

And speaking of  book reviews, am I the only one living under a rock and didn't know about the world of book bloggers out there? A few months ago I came across Hannah's blog and fell in love with the book blog genre! Let me tell you, these book bloggers are impressive. While I think reading 12 books in one year is an accomplishment, they read 12 books in one month. Personally, I think my best friend Jenny would make a great book blogger. Case in point--this recent Facebook post from her hubs: 

 Am I right? We were meant to be BFF because I am practically doing the same thing right now. I can't ever just have one book on my nightstand. So what books are on your reading list lately? Did you set any goals for reading in 2012? Feel free to share in the comments!

Golden Birthday {In Pictures}

Good morning lovelies! I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July yesterday. It feels odd to be back in the office today, hooray for awkward middle of the week holidays! While I don't have my pictures from the 4th ready yet, I do have some pictures to share from my birthday back in June. The 24th was my Golden Birthday (which is when your age and your birth date are the same), and these are a few favorites from that weekend. Kyle sure did spoil me! 

 

{Ready to go line dancing at the Country Club}

{Fried calamari at Bistro 491} 

{My dinner: halibut, fingerling potatoes, asparagus, and tomato-bacon stew} 

{Kyle's dinner: Filet Mignon, green beans, and peas} 

{Tiramisu cupcake from Tutti Frutti} 

{My little family that I love so much!}

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend. :) 

Happy 4th!

Hope you are enjoying your 4th of July today! We are grilling out for dinner and then going to watch the fireworks over the Savannah River later tonight. Love this holiday! And since no 4th of July post would be complete without a nod to U.S. history, here's a picture of Kyle and me hanging out with Captain John Smith in Jamestown, VA, circa May 2010. (I'm hoping to write a full post about our trip to Williamsburg soon so I can add it to our Travels page. Get excited!).

P.S. If you are in an especially patriotic mood, head on over to my sister's blog, where she is recapping her recent trip to DC!

We'll miss you, Kober!

Today is going to be a tough day for Kyle. His 12-year-old Doberman Pinscher, Kobe, has not been doing well for a while, and Kyle's dad (a veterinarian) recently discovered that she has an osteosarcoma. She would not make it much longer, so today Kyle and his family are saying their final goodbye to sweet Kobe.

Isn't she gorgeous? Kobe's the one sitting up on the left in the photo above. I've only known Kobe as long as I've known Kyle, but she will always hold a special place in my heart. I know most people are scared of or intimidated by Dobermans (darn Father of the Bride!), but really they are the sweetest dogs. Kobe most of all. When you started petting her, and then stopped to go do something else, she would follow you all around the house until you started petting her again. And she loved nothing more than fetching her Kong all around the front yard! 

This will be especially hard for Kyle, who got Kobe as a present when he was just 13. He trained her and took care of her mostly by himself, and she turned out to be such a smart and well behaved dog. Even though Kobe has been living with Kyle's parents since he went off to college, it's still hard to lose the dog you grew up with. Our family dog of 11 years passed away last year, and there are times I miss him so much and wish he was still there greeting me at the door at my parents' house, wagging his tail and jumping on my legs. It's hard to accept they're gone when they've always been there before, you know?

The other Doberman in these pictures is Atlas (pictured on the right in the photo above), who is actually one of Kobe's puppies. I know Atlas is going to miss his mommy a lot too. 

So here's to Koberman the Doberman! Thanks for being such a faithful dog, and we will miss you so much girl. Have fun playing with all the dogs up there in heaven, say hi to TJ for us!