Christmas photo shoot

So it seems that taking pictures for Christmas cards may only be a Southern tradition, based on things I keep hearing around Charlottesville. I can still remember my Mom rounding up my sister and me for Christmas pictures...and I remember always being pretty jilted about changing out of my play clothes in to a dress and smiling for the camera. My all time favorite Christmas card picture was one taken when I was probably 5 years old and Marion was 1. I guess Mario was still getting used to walking because she had a HUGE black eye from a fall a couple of days before. It's a classic. That said, Dave and I changed out of our usual lazy Sunday clothes a few weeks ago and went to a local park here with Sydney and our rockin' photographer Lindsey to take this year's Christmas card pic. It's always a fun experience trying to take a picture with Sydney since she is so ADD once we get outside around other people. Luckily, Lindsey's photography skills took over and we managed to get some great pics and some pretty hilarious ones as well. Enjoy!!!

Doggie Days

Today while shopping around for Christmas gifts, I came across something I've had my eye on in catalogs... a hooded sweatshirt for Sydney!!! Now I'm not one who is in to all these clothes for dogs, but since moving to Virginia, I've been interested in something warm for Syd when it snows. The only thing I have been remotely interested in are these hooded sweatshirts. So when I came across this cute hoodie at Old Navy AND saw it was 50% off, I had to have it! It was surprisingly easy to put on and Syd actually handled it pretty well. We'll see how it goes. I just laugh when I see it on her. But now she can be warm when icy winter hits - something we aren't used to in Alabama!

The first attempt at blogging...

So I've decided to try this blogging thing on for size. I've enjoyed reading blogs by other friends and family, so I thought why not try it out for myself? Dave and I have been married for 4 years now and I have truly enjoyed every minute! We got married during Dave's first year of medical school, so we have been together through the long haul - 4 years of medical school and now we are working on residency. We moved to Charlottesville, VA from Alabama in May 2008 and so far things are going great! We have managed to make a great group of friends, although we rarely get to hang out all at the same time. All my girlfriends up here are also married to residents, so the girls at least get to spend a lot of time together. It's nice to be around people who are living with the same weird schedule as you. It's comforting in a way. We will be here in VA for at least 3 years. Dave is planning on doing a renal fellowship following residency so who knows where that will take us. I am currently working as an RN in the cardiac cath lab. It's very different from the pediatric nursing I was doing in AL, but it's fun. Definitely some major adrenaline rushes at time! I enjoy my co-workers as well - quite a fun and diverse group! I've decided to post some pics of our new life here in Virginia as well as pics of our fabulous golden retriever, Sydney! No kids for us yet - still trying to adjust to our new home. But hopefully there will be many kiddos in our future!

Laura and Lauren's visit to C'vile...Barboursville Winery

Dave, Em, and Syd at Humpback Rocks

Davey in his white coat

Our House

Dave and Matt at Michie Tavern

Lindsay, me, Claire, Jessica, Beth

Sydney