08-31-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

Teri & Freja play in the gator pool at the end of a hot summer day. I can't belive the summer is "over" already! It seems as if it just started and now we have to begin preparing for Fall. Halloween candy is already up for sale in the stores and football season is almost here. The time has just flown! I'm glad I started this project up again, as I can look back and see what we've been doing all summer long.

As for today, it's been a very relaxing day around the house. We get a few chores done, play with the baby, eat food I've made, nap... and now the girls take a dip while I make us all dinner. As I worked in the kitchen I can see them down there, having fun and it makes me so happy.

08-30-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

On the way home from running errands we stopped to pick up some lunch. As I got out of the car I was surprised to find a tattered Luna moth, Actias luna (Linnaeus, 1758) lying on the ground. Looks like the end is near for it...

08-29-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

Mommy came home early today as Freja had her 9 month check up this afternoon. She's in excellent health and the Dr was impressed by her strength and coordination. She also gave the green light on feeding her even more varied foods than we have been. One surprise was the fact that her upper teeth are now coming in! That's why she's been fussier this week! Her teeth hurt!

After coming home, we all went on a long walk to the local school playground, where the girls had fun climbing all over the gear there.

08-28-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

My buddy gave Freja a toy drum, I think with the idea it would drive ME crazy. Far from it! She LOVES to play with it, and is even learning to use the sticks. Of course, her favorote thing is to climb up on it!

08-27-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

We're having a very restless, fussy day here today. She can't seem to sit still and wants to explore everywhere, including the downstairs bathroom, where we don't really let her explore. I'm spending a lot of my day just following her around...

08-26-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

Another day of collecting some shots for a local architect. Today we walked all the way over there, but I have to admit, the lighting wasn't doing it for me... it was still a great walk!

You can see the gallery by clicking the 24.

08-25-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

During the day, I headed over to photograph a local architects home. I've been building an image gallery for him to use for magazine submissions and award submissions. I don't have a tilt/shift lens, so I'm playing with the forced perspective I get using the lenses I do have. I am looking at getting a TS lens, or a new super, utra wide lens... so many options...

You can see the gallery by clicking the 24.

08-24-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

Today's picnic was to Cedar Creek Park, where we let Freja explore the stream where it feeds into the Youghiogheny River. It's very shalllow and was a perfect place for her to crawl around. Her favorite thing was to find really nice rocks, and then to try and eat them!

08-23-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

I shot my first Heinz Chapel wedding tonight. It went pretty smoothly, no real surprises.

08-22-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

I've been working for a local architect, shooting details of the home he designed and lives in. Essentially it's a box, with interesting textures and details. I've been going at different times of the day, on different days, and am building a collection of images he can use for journals and the like. It's a fun gig and I am thinking I'll get a tilt/shift lens to make it even more interesting.

08-21-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

We took Freja to the playground at the local elementary school. There she tried over and over to climb UP the slide. Once we took off her little pants, so her bare knees could help get traction on the plastic, she went right up! As you can see, she was very excited to make it to the top!

08-20-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

She'll be walking soon!

08-19-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

"I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A NAP!!!!"

That about sums it up... what a day...

08-18-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

Freja and I went back to my hometown to visit Nunna. We took a nice walk to Diamond Park in downtown Butler. I remember when I came here with her father years and years ago. It used to have a lot more trees and was very shady. I sort of miss those trees. Freja seemed to really enjoy the fountain, walking around and around it.

08-17-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

We had a great "family" day today. I keep our picnic gear pretty much ready to go, so it was easy to load us up and head out for a few hours. At a nearby state park we grilled the chicken I'd bought from the farmer's market andwe ate a yellow bean salad I made from local produce. Talk about a relaxing afternoon! We both really enjoyed it, and I am so glad my wife loves afternoons like this as much as I do!

08-16-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

I realized this morning that I have not been home on a Saturday for almost 5 weeks! I had 3 weddings in a row, then went to Pennsic. At the beginning of the season, we vowed to go to the farmer's market in nearby Ligonier often. We never did! So this morning we went, and bought all sorts of great things for me to cook with! It just feels to good to be home!

08-15-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

I drove Freja uip to visit my father's brother & sister today. It was a brief, but fun family gathering. I sort of enjoyed the relaxed, small get together, with no real frills, or planned picnic. We all just sat around and played with the kids. We need to do this more often!

08-14-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

All I can say is, it's been a great day! We've spent almost the entire day playing in her room. She's becoming very active and I really enjoy watching her climb all over her room, exploring all the toys and furniture. I move things around so she'll not get too bored!

08-13-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

Freja has become a real climber! I think the two weeks we spent camping on a hill, with lots of terrain for her to negotiate, has made her a little fearless. She's been climbing up onto her chair, then trying to get over onto the window ledge all morning! I had to place overstuffed animals on the hardwood floor because she falls off every once in a while. When she does, she lays there for a second, assessing damage, then scrambles right back up!

08-12-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

Freja plays in the dressing room mirror. She is "kissing the baby" in the mirror. We aren't sure if she understands it's her she's seeing or not. all we know is, her antics really make up laugh and start our day out right!

08-11-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

After her bath we let Freja climb all over her room, chasing after my cat Pelle. Life is returning to "normal" now that we're back from Pennisic, and I think we're all very happy to be back.

08-10-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

One big change her two weeks camping at Pennsic brought about is ability to climb steps. There she had stone steps to practice and play on. By the time we left she was able to scramble up them. Now we're home and she finds our stairs an easy, and tempting place to play! Life will never be the same!

08-09-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

What a very busy day it's been! We woke early and ran into town to pick up a rental, 12' box truck. What had taken me 4 days, and 5 Prius loads, to install, took me only one day to pack up. Renting this truck really saved us a lot of hassle!

As I began my drive home, I took the crosscountry route to one of my favorite spots on Lake Arthur. This always helps me refocus on life post-Pennsic. I also miss going here as much as I used to.

08-08-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

It's the last day of shooting Pennsic for me and what a busy day it's been. I shot a few good assignments, one them the Rapier Woods Battle. I was assigned a Marshal and with his help I was able to wander the whole battle, shooting like crazy! I LOVED IT!!

Tomorrow, we pack up and head home. All three of are ready to get back.

The Pennsic gallery is now open. See it by clicking here.

08-07-2008, originally uploaded by Darter02.

Today was the Tuchux Charity Tournament. I consider this to be some of the most active and contested fighting to be seen at Pennsic. The event is held to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation to help find a cure for breast cancer. If you ever attend Pennsic, be sure to check this event out! If your a fighter, this is where you can really test your skills!