Photos by Andrea Marie - September 2012

In September my friend Andrea asked Darin and me to do a practice photo session with her. She was preparing for a wedding shoot and wanted to experiment with lighting, poses, etc. Darin was a great sport as Andrea called out, 'Ok big smiles. Now sexy face. Show me peaceful.' Its news to me that 'sexy face' is all the rage in wedding photo shoots these days. Turns out Darin nails 'blue steel'.
Andrea is very talented. Check out Andrea's website: (where you can also see pictures of beautiful cousin Angela and Rostand!)  http://andreamariephoto.com/

The Franklin Institute - Philly May 2012

A few hours at a science museum - always time well spent. 

Having Darin on hand to give detailed medical explanations - added bonus.

 'Diligence is the Mother of Good Luck' - Benjamin Frankilin

 Electricity

'He tore the lightning from the sky

and the scepter from the tyrants'

 Giant 2 story heart - to climb all around in

 Dad's work - surgery display

 The science of sports

 I remember loving these as a kid 

Coming full circle. Trip started with Philly cheesesteaks. Here they boys learned about clogged arteries.

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens - May 2012

One of the most bizarre, unique, fun places the boys have been to - Philly's Magic Gardens. The boys still ask me 'Can we go visit that place where you walk around all the trash?'

 

Located in the heart of Philly, we just happened upon the Magic Gardens and decided to explore. So glad we did. It was created by artist Isaiah Zagar in the early 1990s and it covers half a block on Philadelphia's South Street. It is mosaics and pathways, stairs and caves, all made of the randomest things - bicycle tires, glass bottles, dishes, tiles, garden furniture, chandeliers - glued and plastered together into a mysterious world.

Philly - May 2012

Lately, I've had some blogging technical difficulties. Meaning -  I haven't been transferring or organizing pictures. Hopefully in the coming weeks there will be many 2012 catch up posts.

Starting...... with some pictures from a last minute family vacation to Philly in May. The boys loved exploring the town, taking in all the brotherly love.

 Logan Square

And some pictures out and about in Philly... an attempt to capture the hipster, artistic, fighting vibe of Philly.

 Philly Museum of Art / Rocky Steps

 at the top of steps

chillin at the hotel

Like I say, brotherly love