The latest Bump- 22 weeks

My bump has obviously grown over the past few weeks. Little Eva is growing. I've enjoyed the last few weeks off school getting to work on her room (and having more energy)!

Baby Girl!

Today we are 18 weeks and 4 days pregnant! Earlier last week we found out BP (baby penny) is going to be a little girl. I was honestly shocked during the ultrasound because I had thought all along she would actually be a he. We are super excited for a little girl and now are starting to plan all things baby: nursery, registry, painting, cribs, strollers- and the list continues. 


Eva Campbell Penny is due on December 22nd... our little Christmas gift!


Here are some pictures of Emily and Eva...

Emily at 16 weeks

Eva posing for the ultrasound (actually just taking a snooze)

It's a Dog's Life

A day in the life of Dakota and Lucie

STRETCH and SCRATCH!

"Dakota, come on... it's time to play!"

"I don't nap. I wait for Dakota to wake up."

Eyeing human food

Waiting for dad

And he's here!

Goodnight world... Getting pumped for tomorrow!

The one where Emily and Matt play Scrabble

A quick game of Scrabble! Also, testing out the time lapse software I found on the internet. Pretty cool stuff.


Merry Christmas to everyone!

Long Exposure Photography Contest

It's been a while since I've posted. I just recently entered another photography contest on a forum that I visit - and I won. First place out of 6 different photos for long exposure. Long exposure means taking a picture with a really long shutter speed (the contest required longer than 1 second). See if you can guess where I am in the picture below!

Engagement Pictures!

First of all, I'd like to congratulate my sister and her new Fiance, Mack, on their engagement. Mack popped the question a couple weeks ago up at Grandfather Mountain and he picked out a fantastic ring. Emily and I asked if they would let us take some engagement pictures of them last week, and they accepted. What follows is a few of my favorites from the shoot. We went out to NC State's campus last Saturday and, although we got started a little late, we still got some good shots in. I hope you enjoy and congrats to Mack and E!

In the free expression tunnel - Elizabeth had to make sure the wall was dry prior to leaning up against it.


Hey now - that's my sister! Just kidding, had to put a little PDA into the pictures - they just got engaged!


On the stairs outside of the English buildings. It was starting to get a little dark at this point.


Outside of Talley. E and Mack brought several changes of shirts for different settings. They call this one "fishing next to the fountain."


We found some pretty flowers just beyond the Free Expression Tunnel.


Mack painting things on the wall to the Free Expression Tunnel.


At the Belltower - I think there was a funny story going on here, but I can't remember.


Mack and E felt embarrassed taking this one. Laying on the stairs outside of Talley Student Center and people kept walking by, haha!


These last two are the more artistic of the bunch, and I really like them.


Again, Congrats to my sis and my soon-to-be brother-in-law. Here's hoping you guys cherish the good times and work together during the bad times. Love you both.

CTK - Lutherock Retreat

On October 8th-10th, Emily and I traveled with the CTK middle and high school youth groups to Camp Lutherock (Sugar Mountain) in Western North Carolina. We had an awesome time and really enjoyed getting to know the kids throughout the weekend. Activities included hiking to Cross Rock and to the Pinnacle of Sugar Mountain, as well as a combination of ropes courses. I took my camera, of course, and some pictures of the trip are below.

Check out Emily's massive backpack.

Maddie was rocking the 80's sunglasses. Yeah, her future is bright.

Corrine with Toren, just before the first hike of the day.

The great thing about hiking is that you're walking along through the woods and all of a sudden you see something that can take your breath away. The sun was piercing through the trees in the image above and it just caught my eye.

Luther Rock was just below Cross Rock, jutting out of the mountain. Look at all the fall colors! We were really lucky to get to enjoy the mountains during this time of year.

Camp Lutherock was visible from Cross Rock. This is the main lodge where the middle school youth stayed at night. You can also make out the Scott Simerly's tent. And if you look really close, you can see Neil's Life Skills Pants...just kidding!

Check out that view!

Push-ups at Cross Rock to prove our manhood!

Second Hike of the day to Pinnacle. I got to hike twice (once with the Middle School Youth and a second time with the 11th and 12th Graders)

This is a picture of the other view point at the Pinnacle.

Group photo time!

Later that evening, looking up at Cross Rock and Luther Rock from the Lodge.

Perhaps the most popular game of the weekend - seeing how long a group could keep the volleyball in the air.

Pastor Brooks' daughter, Molly.

Saturday night, Mr. Simerly built a massive bonfire and we roasted smores and sang songs/had skits. "It's the raisin, that makes the raisin bran so great!"

Some silly dance song around the bonfire.

Sunday morning, we all gathered around the bon fire pit for Worship.

Music provided by Parry and Adam

The only 12th grader to make the trip. He gave a good talk about the advantages of staying involved in youth group.

What an awesome retreat! Thanks be to God!

We really had a great time with all of the kids, and youth advisors that made the trip. What a wonderful way to grow in love and fellowship.