Siler was named for Silers Bald on the Appalachian Trail. Of course we still call her just “bird dog” most of the time. Cullin was named for a mountain too, the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Anywho, the point is – Siler turned 5 today!

She is truly a part of our family and even with her doggie quirks, she’s the most well-behaved, tolerant pup I know. She does what she’s told, doesn’t bark, she’s fetching maniac – on land and water, and she endures daily life with a 3.5 year old, oh, and annual halloween costumes. We love you, bird!

Today, she got to go for a big hike and last weekend, at the Lyons Outdoor Games, Siler took 3rd place in the Canine Cannonball competition. She’s always #1 with us. Happy Birthday, bird dog!!

Thank you Sapphire for writing it, Lee Daniels for directing it, Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’Nique for giving it everything you had within you {I sound like I’m accepting an award for watching it} Wow.

ps. I spy patterns. Check out this wallpaper and that fancy floral jumpsuit.

C and I went hiking on our Thankful Thursday right after music class last week. I had been telling him that we were going to take photos. He has this little plastic one-time-use style camera in the toybox at his Agi’s house and is always chasing us around beckoning “Say Cheese!” I loved photography class in college and had a great teacher, Baldwin Lee. This was real 35mm film photography, developing my own photos in a darkroom, I remember a high grain Illford film being a favorite. I loaded up the old Pentax K1000 with some film that I found, who knows if it is any good {or really where to even get it developed?} We set out and I taught him how to advance the film after each shot. He struggled a little with the weight of this metal beast, but was thrilled with the sound of the shutter. I am thinking of getting him one of these Diana Minis for his birthday. Digital cameras are great, I love the technology, but there is still something special about a limited number of frames and waiting to see the image.

Now for the professional side of photography, my dear friend Julie Afflerbaugh, who has taken photos of C since he was just sitting up, is launching seasonal mini-sessions starting this weekend, email her and get professional shots of your little one at a great price. Check it out: