Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
We've been on vacation
Sorry for not posting much this week...like at all. We've been on vacation at Grandma's house. We dropped JM off at summer camp on Father's Day, and came back to Grandma's for a few fun filled days with my Mom, my sister, and her kids.
We're so incredibly tired. Worn out exhausted...but the kids have had fun.
I've also beenchecking stalking the camp's website for updated photos of my kid. So far this week, JM has been camping without a tent and fought a water balloon battle using cardboard "subs" they designed as a shield.
He has been in precisely 6 photos out of over 500-600, there are 227 BOYS from grades 2-10 at this camp. Of those 6 photos, only 3 were non-posed...and all were in the lake where he was swimming! LOL
He is signed up for various "skills" that he will go through and learn while there each day, 3 hours each morning with alternating skills on each day.
Canoeing, Swimming lessons, Target Sports (archery and riflery), crafts, rocketry (he'll build and shoot a model rocket), and geocaching.
He's also probably playing A LOT of 4-square games.
I miss my son. I really do. But I also know that he is having a truly AWESOME time!!!
We're so incredibly tired. Worn out exhausted...but the kids have had fun.
I've also been
He has been in precisely 6 photos out of over 500-600, there are 227 BOYS from grades 2-10 at this camp. Of those 6 photos, only 3 were non-posed...and all were in the lake where he was swimming! LOL
He is signed up for various "skills" that he will go through and learn while there each day, 3 hours each morning with alternating skills on each day.
Canoeing, Swimming lessons, Target Sports (archery and riflery), crafts, rocketry (he'll build and shoot a model rocket), and geocaching.
He's also probably playing A LOT of 4-square games.
I miss my son. I really do. But I also know that he is having a truly AWESOME time!!!
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Summer is here
can you believe it?! I sure can't, but then again I'm so incredibly busy with juggling the 3 kids, homeschooling, the yearbook, the photography, the gearing up for all things for the summer fun, trips, and oh yeah...we started school back. Not to mention the household chores, and I started wondering if I truly am a little insane to try to do all that at one time.
I sat down the other day and listed out all that I'm responsible for, and I finally decided that it would be rather nice to have about 5 clones of me. Yeah, that might work.
Over Memorial Day weekend we took the kiddos to visit Grandparents and cousins and Aunts and Uncles and "hopefully one day in future" Aunts...and managed to work in a trip to Splash Country. It was the first waterpark for all of the kids, and it was a HUGE hit. A big huge major hit especially with JM.
The favorite waterslide.
Samuel on the lazy river with his cousin.
JM on the lazy river.
Katie does NOT like the wave pool at all. "Is too wha-owd."
Cousins together and happy...they love each other so much. 3.5 months apart, and they will give you the funniest look if you ask if they are related. I swear they looks at you like you are dumb for not recognizing that they are cousins. I mean, in their eyes they look just alike...both short. LOL
I sat down the other day and listed out all that I'm responsible for, and I finally decided that it would be rather nice to have about 5 clones of me. Yeah, that might work.
Over Memorial Day weekend we took the kiddos to visit Grandparents and cousins and Aunts and Uncles and "hopefully one day in future" Aunts...and managed to work in a trip to Splash Country. It was the first waterpark for all of the kids, and it was a HUGE hit. A big huge major hit especially with JM.
The favorite waterslide.
Samuel on the lazy river with his cousin.
JM on the lazy river.
Katie does NOT like the wave pool at all. "Is too wha-owd."
Cousins together and happy...they love each other so much. 3.5 months apart, and they will give you the funniest look if you ask if they are related. I swear they looks at you like you are dumb for not recognizing that they are cousins. I mean, in their eyes they look just alike...both short. LOL
Friday, May 29, 2009
Photos from last weekend
Katie LOVES to float around the pool.
JM was not allowed in the pool on this day (long story for another time), and he wasn't thrilled about it. But he survived. Notice the RAIN drops in this photo? How cool!
Then...the entire series of Samuel jumping....he didn't stop and he LOVED every minute of playing in the pool.
Okay, so this is a COOL series right? Only you wonder how in the heck did I click the shutter that many times?! I didn't. I pushed it once and held it down until the camera stopped, or Samuel was in the water. On most cameras you have a "burst" mode as an option in "shutter drive" - single shot is one box, the stop watch is the self-timer, and then there is another option of MULTIPLE boxes stacked on top of each other. That is burst mode, and the number of frames per second is totally dependent on your particular camera. My sister's new point and shoot will do about 3-5, the 30d that I was shooting with will do 7-9. The 5d? something like 3 if I'm lucky.
Each camera is designed for a different purpose. This is why I can't recommend a particular dSLR or camera to any one person without knowing what they want the camera for. It's just...well, so dependent on how you will be shooting. KWIM?
When do I use burst mode? Well, mostly during sporting events (or swimming). I've used it to capture my younger brother doing his crazy dives off the diving board (lots of fun), I use it during baseball games to capture the hitting of the ball (or the entire swing), and I've used it to capture my boys sliding on the slip and slide (will re-do that later this summer as well).
I do NOT use burst mode to capture portraits. It's overkill. It's for capturing the motion of actions. It ends up making a GREAT "flip" movie book, or a storyboard. ;)
NOW....for the photoshop portion. ;) Compare these two versions of the same photo. One is "batch processed" with my basic edits, the other I edited fully.
and before I get any criticisms about no one being right next to Katie....my BIL is a lifeguard and was in the pool and within quick reach of her at all times. Of the 3 kids in the pool, there were 8 adults around the pool. ;) 1 big kid sulking and wanting a chance to jump in, and one 3 year old who was REFUSING to even get on the steps.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
A zoo trip...
A recent family trip to the zoo.
A rare moment of sibling unity and love....
Did I mention rare? How about fleeting? At least no one is screaming here, just climbing and not listening to me like normal. Okay, so honestly, I let them climb on that rock and right after this photo I went over and stood behind Katie just in case...and YES the rock is on the pathway side of that rope.
Discovering the animals that we hardly ever see...except on our various zoo and aquarium trips that is.
Umm, this is a "statue" and she had to pet it like she did the animals in the petting zoo. I believe she ended up a wee bit confused.
and a wee bit taken aback. Well, the photo right after this one that I took she is laughing her little head off because she found this HI-LAR-I-OUS.
an even RARER photo of us two.
Our favorite animal of the day...that is Dh's and mine. Katie liked this weird bird thing, Samuel liked the monkeys, and JM...I think he liked...wait...we didn't see any lions, he can't claim the lions were his favorite of the day....I'll get back to you on that one!
A rare moment of sibling unity and love....
Did I mention rare? How about fleeting? At least no one is screaming here, just climbing and not listening to me like normal. Okay, so honestly, I let them climb on that rock and right after this photo I went over and stood behind Katie just in case...and YES the rock is on the pathway side of that rope.
Discovering the animals that we hardly ever see...except on our various zoo and aquarium trips that is.
Umm, this is a "statue" and she had to pet it like she did the animals in the petting zoo. I believe she ended up a wee bit confused.
and a wee bit taken aback. Well, the photo right after this one that I took she is laughing her little head off because she found this HI-LAR-I-OUS.
an even RARER photo of us two.
Our favorite animal of the day...that is Dh's and mine. Katie liked this weird bird thing, Samuel liked the monkeys, and JM...I think he liked...wait...we didn't see any lions, he can't claim the lions were his favorite of the day....I'll get back to you on that one!
Friday, April 03, 2009
Finding the light outdoors
Not sure if I ever showed these photos off or not. I took these photos (well, okay I set it up for the one of me and Dh) last summer while visiting my parents. Taken outdoors near my parents, around Noon.
Noon is NOT the best time for portraits. Not one bit. Especially not on a VERY bright sunny day.
These were all taken in one of the few locations you can take "good" portraits of people around Noon on ANY day, we were sitting on a porch in the shade. Notice I'm not showing the legs on the boys? It's because the sun was hitting the legs. Porches provide one of the better places for portraits all day long.
If you are outside planning on portraits, say for your Christmas card photo....plan for before 10am and after 4pm as those are the "best light" of the day. Honestly though, the VERY best light? Within 2 hours AFTER sunrise. (yes I mean sunrise) The light is soft, and has a blue tint to it (so you'll need to "warm" up the images some. The other "best" time is 2 hours prior to sunset, but you have to work fast as you lose the light quickly. That light is very golden, and beautiful.
Open shade works well for outdoors during the best times for light - prior to 10am and after 4pm (that's more than the 2 hours around sunrise/sunset because you can make it work). Open shade is found in the shade cast by a building or a tree that has clear sky above it. It's best because you don't deal with the influence of color changing elements (green leaves shading you creates a green cast to everything on film). If you are outdoors, look for the spots that shade is created by tall buildings, or tall trees.
Porches, pavilions, etc. are also good, but be aware of the BRIGHT sunlight behind them sometimes, especially if you shooting against the bright background.
Then, well, sometimes you just have to shoot in open sunlight. How can you keep the sunlight from creating harsh lighting? Well, one way is to stand your child in the sun, and have them face you as you circle (they'll be turning in a circle as well). You are looking for the "sweet spot" of when there are no harsh shadows, sort of a "flat lighting" and it typically comes near where the sun is BEHIND them.
If the sun is above, between 11 and 1pm especially...you WILL get raccoon eyes. You will need a reflector on the ground to bounce the light back into the eye sockets to prevent the shadows, if you are outdoors in direct sunlight. This will happen on a CLOUDY day as well as the sun is still your light, and it is still directly overhead.
Noon is NOT the best time for portraits. Not one bit. Especially not on a VERY bright sunny day.
These were all taken in one of the few locations you can take "good" portraits of people around Noon on ANY day, we were sitting on a porch in the shade. Notice I'm not showing the legs on the boys? It's because the sun was hitting the legs. Porches provide one of the better places for portraits all day long.
If you are outside planning on portraits, say for your Christmas card photo....plan for before 10am and after 4pm as those are the "best light" of the day. Honestly though, the VERY best light? Within 2 hours AFTER sunrise. (yes I mean sunrise) The light is soft, and has a blue tint to it (so you'll need to "warm" up the images some. The other "best" time is 2 hours prior to sunset, but you have to work fast as you lose the light quickly. That light is very golden, and beautiful.
Open shade works well for outdoors during the best times for light - prior to 10am and after 4pm (that's more than the 2 hours around sunrise/sunset because you can make it work). Open shade is found in the shade cast by a building or a tree that has clear sky above it. It's best because you don't deal with the influence of color changing elements (green leaves shading you creates a green cast to everything on film). If you are outdoors, look for the spots that shade is created by tall buildings, or tall trees.
Porches, pavilions, etc. are also good, but be aware of the BRIGHT sunlight behind them sometimes, especially if you shooting against the bright background.
Then, well, sometimes you just have to shoot in open sunlight. How can you keep the sunlight from creating harsh lighting? Well, one way is to stand your child in the sun, and have them face you as you circle (they'll be turning in a circle as well). You are looking for the "sweet spot" of when there are no harsh shadows, sort of a "flat lighting" and it typically comes near where the sun is BEHIND them.
If the sun is above, between 11 and 1pm especially...you WILL get raccoon eyes. You will need a reflector on the ground to bounce the light back into the eye sockets to prevent the shadows, if you are outdoors in direct sunlight. This will happen on a CLOUDY day as well as the sun is still your light, and it is still directly overhead.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Because I've felt guilt about it...
I keep telling Tonggumomma that I can hold my own against her in "old photo" contests. *giggle* So here is my evidence...the "good" photos!
I know I was in Kindergarten, probably the spring of that year. Why? The HAIR.
This was the Kindergarten FALL photo.
This is WHY I ended up with all my long pretty hair cut off. CURLY and LONG does not bode well for tangle free hair. ;)
Senior portrait....take a LOOK at just how curly it was....yes, PAST tense there.
First year of marriage...
By the time kids came along...I typically pulled it back...DAILY (that's JM ya'll...wasn't he just the CUTEST "little" 1 year old here, honestly 16 months which is how old Katie was when we got her? That outfit? it was either 2t or 3t, but I think 3t)
But sometimes I would leave it "down" and you can see how "non-curly" it is now, and how frizzy...and oh my I need some major hair help.
Then, while waiting on Katie's referral, I met "The Magic Hair Lady" who could do THIS to my hair....
*this is what it looked like without her magic touch* Be sure to COMPARE the curls to the Senior photo above, or heck even the one "pre kids" with the mountain view if you can see the hair....
That my friends is what having children will do to your hair. Hormones do some really funky things to your body. REALLY FUNKY.
I look amazingly ALOT like this today (same braids in fact, same length I'm fairly certain even though this was from 2007? or 2005?)
Okay, now you all can see the potential for the "fro" right? Don't worry....I'll scan and post it soon. Just for you Tonggumomma, just for you so you can feel less alone in the bloggy-land of embarrassing photos!
and I just noticed something ya'll...
We're about the same age here....he does look more like me than I thought! I can still see definite differences though (his face is rounder, his hair is straighter...but the eyes. Oh if I can find one of his eyes looking at me all serious....)
I know I was in Kindergarten, probably the spring of that year. Why? The HAIR.
This was the Kindergarten FALL photo.
This is WHY I ended up with all my long pretty hair cut off. CURLY and LONG does not bode well for tangle free hair. ;)
Senior portrait....take a LOOK at just how curly it was....yes, PAST tense there.
First year of marriage...
By the time kids came along...I typically pulled it back...DAILY (that's JM ya'll...wasn't he just the CUTEST "little" 1 year old here, honestly 16 months which is how old Katie was when we got her? That outfit? it was either 2t or 3t, but I think 3t)
But sometimes I would leave it "down" and you can see how "non-curly" it is now, and how frizzy...and oh my I need some major hair help.
Then, while waiting on Katie's referral, I met "The Magic Hair Lady" who could do THIS to my hair....
*this is what it looked like without her magic touch* Be sure to COMPARE the curls to the Senior photo above, or heck even the one "pre kids" with the mountain view if you can see the hair....
That my friends is what having children will do to your hair. Hormones do some really funky things to your body. REALLY FUNKY.
I look amazingly ALOT like this today (same braids in fact, same length I'm fairly certain even though this was from 2007? or 2005?)
Okay, now you all can see the potential for the "fro" right? Don't worry....I'll scan and post it soon. Just for you Tonggumomma, just for you so you can feel less alone in the bloggy-land of embarrassing photos!
and I just noticed something ya'll...
We're about the same age here....he does look more like me than I thought! I can still see definite differences though (his face is rounder, his hair is straighter...but the eyes. Oh if I can find one of his eyes looking at me all serious....)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Merry Christmas!
From our family to yours, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with great joy, peace, and happiness. We hope you are able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with those you love, and we hope for those who have lost loved ones this year that you are surrounded with comfort in this time of grieving as well.
This blogger is taking a break to focus on her family, spend time making memories to treasure, and bask in the love I get from those amazing little people I call my children.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thankful Thanksgiving!
Today I'm thankful for...
My family.
I'm thankful for 3 wonderful children. I'm thankful for having the experiences I have had with all 3 coming into my life. Each and every one of them (like it's more than 3), has a different story to their history. Each is special.
I'm thankful for my extended family. On both sides.
I'm thankful for the ability to worship as I want, and as often as I want.
I'm thankful for my freedom.
I'm thankful for the work and income we currently enjoy, and I hope and pray it continues.
I'm thankful we learned about Dave Ramsey and budgeting 6 years ago. It has truly changed our lives. It changed our thoughts. It changed our patterns.
I'm thankful for friends. We are blessed beyond measure in that regard. So many good good friends.
I'm thankful for the health of my family. It is such a fleeting and precarious thing. Life is precious.
I'm thankful for how blessed we've been this year, in so many ways. We've made more friends. We've seen love grow and blossom within our family. Oh so much.
I'm thankful I have the chance to homeschool. It's truly an experience...both good and bad things about it. It's not for everyone, and I'm glad that I have the choice.
I'm thankful that I have another year ahead of us, and all the unknown joys we will find there. Joys such as family game nights, learning with the kids, making new friends, keeping up with "old" friends, and seeing the love our family has grow and grow and grow.
So, Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family. I hope you have a very happy TURKEY day (even if you don't eat turkey). Just think, I'm cooking the meal for one of the very first times EVER. Not to mention, we don't have cable/sat hooked up to the TV. Poor Dh and FIL. Of course, we're still moving and settling in.
My family.
I'm thankful for 3 wonderful children. I'm thankful for having the experiences I have had with all 3 coming into my life. Each and every one of them (like it's more than 3), has a different story to their history. Each is special.
I'm thankful for my extended family. On both sides.
I'm thankful for the ability to worship as I want, and as often as I want.
I'm thankful for my freedom.
I'm thankful for the work and income we currently enjoy, and I hope and pray it continues.
I'm thankful we learned about Dave Ramsey and budgeting 6 years ago. It has truly changed our lives. It changed our thoughts. It changed our patterns.
I'm thankful for friends. We are blessed beyond measure in that regard. So many good good friends.
I'm thankful for the health of my family. It is such a fleeting and precarious thing. Life is precious.
I'm thankful for how blessed we've been this year, in so many ways. We've made more friends. We've seen love grow and blossom within our family. Oh so much.
I'm thankful I have the chance to homeschool. It's truly an experience...both good and bad things about it. It's not for everyone, and I'm glad that I have the choice.
I'm thankful that I have another year ahead of us, and all the unknown joys we will find there. Joys such as family game nights, learning with the kids, making new friends, keeping up with "old" friends, and seeing the love our family has grow and grow and grow.
So, Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family. I hope you have a very happy TURKEY day (even if you don't eat turkey). Just think, I'm cooking the meal for one of the very first times EVER. Not to mention, we don't have cable/sat hooked up to the TV. Poor Dh and FIL. Of course, we're still moving and settling in.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Pumpkin Carving Fun
Yes, this will be a photo intensive post. :) Our carving night, in photo essay.
Answers to some possible things - we use the kit and templates for carving. Yes, it's somewhat tedious. No, it's actually VERY easy. The tools make a HUGE difference.
Yes, Katie dug right in. The boys...not so much. The boys took some convincing to stick their hands in pumpkin guts.
I really wonder what Katie's thinking here...
Not a moment's hesitation on Katie's part.
Katie's pumpkin was the cat, Samuel's was the Pirates logo, and JM's was the Black Pearl.
If you think these are cool, you should have seen the one we did when Dh and I were engaged! It threw bats up on the wall behind the pumpkin and had a moon with a witch in it on the front. It was a very cool pumpkin, but my photo skills could NOT do it justice (I've learned quite a bit since then). :)
Answers to some possible things - we use the kit and templates for carving. Yes, it's somewhat tedious. No, it's actually VERY easy. The tools make a HUGE difference.
Yes, Katie dug right in. The boys...not so much. The boys took some convincing to stick their hands in pumpkin guts.
I really wonder what Katie's thinking here...
Not a moment's hesitation on Katie's part.
Katie's pumpkin was the cat, Samuel's was the Pirates logo, and JM's was the Black Pearl.
If you think these are cool, you should have seen the one we did when Dh and I were engaged! It threw bats up on the wall behind the pumpkin and had a moon with a witch in it on the front. It was a very cool pumpkin, but my photo skills could NOT do it justice (I've learned quite a bit since then). :)
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