Our son Benjamin just turned 5 in November (along with his twin sister, Sydney).  This week, he managed to wear through THREE pairs of jeans (holes in the knee).  This is what prompted me to go to Children's Place today (for their $10 jeans).  While I was there, I couldn't help but buy these cute little shades and stripey tie.  I mean, my son will only allow me to dress him up and take pics of him for so long, right?

This whole photo shoot took exactly 5 mintues.  I just talked to him and clicked away.  He was also highly motivated by the candy orange slices that I promised him in exchange for a few good pics.

Although many of you would look at the next picture and automatically think, "License and registration," being that we KNOW this little guy QUITE well would more accurately caption the photo as the following:  "Ma'am, I'm gonna need your cake and ice cream."

All in all, this kid is one smart cookie, who loves to cuddle, and we sure do love him!

XOXO,
Shauna

Now that we are planning our move to Missouri this summer, I am already starting to reminisce about all the amazing places Dayton has to offer, especially when it comes to Photography.  When we moved here almost 4 years ago from Phoenix, AZ, I would have never thought there would be so many amazing parks, landmarks, and people.  I have grown very fond of Dayton over the last 3 and 1/2 years, and we will truly miss it!  One of our favorite places to visit is the Air Force Museum.

Admission is free, and they are constantly changing up the exhibits to keep things interesting.  If you are in the area, you must check it out!

Another place we loved to visit is the Art Institute of Dayton.  The art is amazing and the architecture of teh building is super interesting.  They have lots of special exhibits, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.  The last one we went to was a Norman Rockwell exhibit (amazing).  There is also a special area for kids for a more hands on learning environment, which allows them to create their own art.  This place used to be free, but now they strongly suggest a donation at the door ;)

These pics were taken before I got my nice, big full frame camera, so I apologize for the quality.  I need to get back there and take more pictures with my better camera!

Another place we loved going (and had a membership to) was the Boonshoft Children's Museum.  Again, these pics were taken with my less nice camera...

Next on the list is Carillon Park.  There is an admission fee, but well worth the trip.  Again with the disclaimer:  Pictures not taken with my nice camera ;)

We ate lunch at a fun little diner on site.  Hamburgers and ice cream for everyone! :)

The next place is Charleston Falls.  We haven't been in a couple years, and again, these pics were taken with old camera, but it is a very cool place!  I had just gotten my wide-angle lens (notice the tiny people in the lefthand corner?)

Oh how I love Cox Arboretum!  These pictures were taken a couple years ago in the very early stages of Spring.  I had just gotten a zoom lens for my old camera...

Fast forward a couple years to last summer (August 2012) when the butterfly house was full of Monarch butterflies!  Again, I brought my old camera with the zoom lens.

And last fall, they added the new addition of this beautiful wooden tower.  Love it!

I would like to give a shout out to the drive in theater that we have never been to because movies don't start until 10pm (but maybe this summer)...

And just down the road, is Skyborn Skateland (to which we've never been, but I was practicing night photography once upon a time...)

This would be another favorite view of mine in the Dayton area.  When there's not a huge, super cool airplane flying over our backyard, there is the evidence that one was just there not long ago :)

Next, I should mention downtown Fairborn.  This is where my beloved Dodd Camera store is located, where I purchased my Nikon D700 and several of my lenses :)

And here's a look at my old logo from years ago...

I LOVE the buildings and history of downtown Dayton.  These pics were taken a couple years ago now with my old camera and zoom lens during a warmish winter day.

And here are some more recent photos taken with my new camera downtown...

A very cool, lesser known, place to check out is the Packard Museum in downtown, Dayton.  We went a couple years ago, but the kids loved it and the old cars were super cool!  There is an admission fee, but it's not much.  I shot these pics with my old camera (D5000) and a 35mm lens.

A super cool place to visit during the summer, especially when they're having pow-wows and such, is Sunwatch Indian Village!  There is no admission. 

Sydney got a mermaid painted on her arm.  She was very serious about it ;)

Now Cox Arboretum isn't the only beautiful garden-y Metropark around here.  There is also Wegerzyn Gardens-another very popular family photo location.  Again, I took these pics with my D5000 back in 2011 sometime.  They also have this amazing twig-maze sculpture that was built entirely by hand, twisting twigs around each other. 

There is also the coolest water play area with caves, streams and waterfalls!

Here are a couple more recent family photos taken at Wegerzyn.

The next place I wanted to highlight may seem like an odd place to visit, but it is Woodland Cemetary.  It's a beautiful, old cemetary on a hillside with an overlook of downtown Dayton.

And here's that view of downtown Dayton I was talking about...

The next place I want to highlight is Carriage Hill, probably my favorite place to take pictures. 

I'm pretty sure I could add several more places, but this blog is already the longest blog ever written, so I think I'll end it here.  I will miss you, Dayton.  You were a cool place to hang out for awhile :)
XOXO,
Shauna