I love colorful photos. And there’s no place more colorful than my friend’s house.

As promised I am posting some of the pictures I took that day.

The only one downside to this amazing view is the “no-see-ems” (sand flees) in the evening.

The always gorgeous Michelle

Loved this real moment!

Soon enough we’ll be the ones chasing a crawling baby

My friend Elena making crepes at my request

More family moments!

Linking up with

The paper mama
5 Minutes for Mom

I’m starting my edits as far back as 2007, though I will probably jump around depending on my mood. That was the year we hosted a Black and White Martini Party for Labor Day. It was also the same party that I met some of my fellow bloggers ( back when I had a blog on a Russian blogging service). I always love meeting with people I know well online- it’s so much fun.
The two girls arrived throughout the day, one with her hubby, another with her new baby and it was instantly pool time.
This was also the week I got my first DSLR, so I was just learning to use it.

Being the pro pool jumper ( lol jk), I tried to get the shyest one, Nat, to jump with me. After a few attempts to literally walk into the pool by her, she finally got the “run and jump” method.

After the pool , we grabbed some food with mandatory around the table self portraits Again, you can tell who was a bit more shy and who was all about having fun Note: Nat did warm up towards the end and turned into quite a party girl

Case in point: Nat making my hubby into a devil, with his help of course

I have 4 more days of the party to edit, so more pictures coming up.

Before I go right into this week’s challenges, I’d like to share a piece of sunshine that is my backyard. It’s my happy place. It’s always blooming, regardless of what season it is. The colors of the hammocks bought in Key West make even the gloomiest day awesome! When I had to study for exams, I’d would come down there and spend hours reading the material and enjoying the birds chirping, the fire burning, and the smell of the fresh cut grass.

What is YOUR happy place?

This shot is for Mellow Yellow Monday

Also, this is my first time participating in Ashley’s and Jill’s challenge “GOOD TO WOW”

I wanted to pick something family oriented and recent. This photo is of an adorable couple who just had their second baby, Alex. They are some of the greatest people I know. We were relaxing at the beach and, of course, Anna wanted photos (who doesn’t?), I snapped a few as they were walking ( I was limited by my 50mm).

This is the shot I will be editing this week:

Last weekend, instead of getting work done like planned, or cleaning our filthy house, we spent both Saturday and Sunday relaxing at the pool.
I didn’t take many pictures, but a few are worth sharing.
{disclaimer: pictures of me holding the baby are taken by hubby at my request}

The cutie is my friend Anna’s baby, Alex. He’s 4 months old and is absolutely adorable.

The flowers below are my favorite type of potted flower. A year ago I bought seeds and planted them, and only this year did they bother to start blooming like crazy. I’ll post more pictures of the urn some time, but they look gorgeous.

This week’s Selfie Saturday theme was Conceptual Selfie, a self portrait revolving around an idea and executed with details and props.
You were given two options:

Capture your Inner Child and Dance Partey

{there was also a more challenging option to do Scavenger Hunt Sunday using selfie shots only}

If you haven’t done your shot, you still have time, go ahead and try using one of the themes. Trust me it’s a lot of fun shooting something with a concept and it’s even more exciting to see the final product.

Now onto my submission for this week:
I chose to capture my inner child. I have to admit it’s not my best shot or execution, but I am still in pain from the wisdom surgery and taking 30 minutes to jump around nearly killed me. But here it is is. The result of my effort, even though I’m sitting writing here in tooth/head pain from those jumps {this recovery is a bitch}

I absolutely can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!

 This has to be one of my favorite ways of taking selfies. Coming up with an idea and executing it!

Do not forget to come back here to see what I’ve got for you for yor next week’s challenge. IT IS VERY EXCITING!!