Dad, look at your roses!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Every time I look at my blog, I cringe to see the botched editing job on my last entry. As much as I don't like it, I don't want to delete the posts or go back in and re-edit them for blog purposes. Part of the fun of digital photography for me is to look back and see how I've grown, what I've gotten more skilled with, and the whole new set of things that I'm learning (i.e. doing poorly). :)
For the past three years, we've taken family portraits on Father's Day. In 2008, we set up our little point and shoot on top of a book on our patio table and tried to squeeze into the frame before the self-timer went off.
Last year, I attached our newer point and shoot to the monopod that I accidentally bought instead of a tripod, rested it against the swingset, framed Anthony and Connor, then ran with Alaina into the picture before it was snapped.
This is where I give myself a pat on the back for getting better at Photoshop. I honestly thought that this looked REALLY good. Though better than the original:
, it still makes me want to hurl a little bit. I have since learned to stay far(ther) away from the saturation slider, that evil little thing. Where did our eyes go?!
Which brings us to this year's portrait:
My sister-in-law Kandis snapped this photo for us with my D60 (http://kandisbphotography.blogspot.com), helping us avoid the whole tripod mess, and I edited it.
This is the original:
While I'm still no pro, I feel like I'm getting better. I'm learning that for me, less is more, but it's still a struggle not to over-edit since it's so much fun. Here's to enjoying the climb!
For the past three years, we've taken family portraits on Father's Day. In 2008, we set up our little point and shoot on top of a book on our patio table and tried to squeeze into the frame before the self-timer went off.
Last year, I attached our newer point and shoot to the monopod that I accidentally bought instead of a tripod, rested it against the swingset, framed Anthony and Connor, then ran with Alaina into the picture before it was snapped.
This is where I give myself a pat on the back for getting better at Photoshop. I honestly thought that this looked REALLY good. Though better than the original:
, it still makes me want to hurl a little bit. I have since learned to stay far(ther) away from the saturation slider, that evil little thing. Where did our eyes go?!
Which brings us to this year's portrait:
My sister-in-law Kandis snapped this photo for us with my D60 (http://kandisbphotography.blogspot.com), helping us avoid the whole tripod mess, and I edited it.
This is the original:
While I'm still no pro, I feel like I'm getting better. I'm learning that for me, less is more, but it's still a struggle not to over-edit since it's so much fun. Here's to enjoying the climb!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
We've been so busy lately enjoying the warm weather! I thought the kids would love fingerpainting, so I bought them some paints. As usual, I was wrong in trying to predict what activities they would enjoy, so the fingerpainting turned into bodypainting, then turned into whines of "Mess!", "Wet!", and "All done!" from Alaina and Connor accidentally painting the hose, faucet, and table. Oh well, it was a fun diversion from the norm!
...and more flowers, since I'm a flower junkie.
...and more flowers, since I'm a flower junkie.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
It's June 3, and I the fact that I haven't seen snow for five days makes me so happy! My brother-in-law told me today that this past May was the coldest May in Salt Lake in the last forty-seven years! I believe it!
Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the morning with my friend, Theresa. We lunched at a little eatery in SLC called Au Naturale that only serves natural ingredients in their dishes, and it was so good! I had a quesadilla and baked sweet potato fries and it was the best experience eating out that I've had in a long time.
Our neighbor's cottonwood tree is showering down it's little pieces of cotton all day. As annoying as it is to have them all fly inside whenever you open the door, it's magical in a way. It's like snow when it's eighty degrees and sunny outside. Can't complain about that!
The rest of these pictures are for my mom, who is currently a time zone away visiting my sister and her family in Minnesota. The last thing I've heard about her is that she was living it up alongside the Mississippi watching waterskiiers. She asked me to take a few pictures of her iris since she's gone, and I love the personal symbolism in these flowers. My grandparents had these very bulbs in their yard (and if I remember correctly, so did my great grandparents). My parents took some and planted them in their yard in Sandy, where I grew up and enjoyed them every year. When my parents moved from that house, they took some with them up to Kaysville. When my grandparents died, my siblings dug up the bulbs and planted them in their yards all over the Salt Lake Valley. My mom passed them out to friends and neighbors as well, so when I drive down the street, there are beautiful reminders of my grandparents everywhere I look. Such a cool story.
This iris is my dad's favorite. Can you believe the way the petals sparkle in the sunlight?
Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the morning with my friend, Theresa. We lunched at a little eatery in SLC called Au Naturale that only serves natural ingredients in their dishes, and it was so good! I had a quesadilla and baked sweet potato fries and it was the best experience eating out that I've had in a long time.
Our neighbor's cottonwood tree is showering down it's little pieces of cotton all day. As annoying as it is to have them all fly inside whenever you open the door, it's magical in a way. It's like snow when it's eighty degrees and sunny outside. Can't complain about that!
The rest of these pictures are for my mom, who is currently a time zone away visiting my sister and her family in Minnesota. The last thing I've heard about her is that she was living it up alongside the Mississippi watching waterskiiers. She asked me to take a few pictures of her iris since she's gone, and I love the personal symbolism in these flowers. My grandparents had these very bulbs in their yard (and if I remember correctly, so did my great grandparents). My parents took some and planted them in their yard in Sandy, where I grew up and enjoyed them every year. When my parents moved from that house, they took some with them up to Kaysville. When my grandparents died, my siblings dug up the bulbs and planted them in their yards all over the Salt Lake Valley. My mom passed them out to friends and neighbors as well, so when I drive down the street, there are beautiful reminders of my grandparents everywhere I look. Such a cool story.
This iris is my dad's favorite. Can you believe the way the petals sparkle in the sunlight?
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Day Out With Thomas
What a day! Connor and Alaina couldn't have enjoyed Day Out With Thomas any more and it was so nice to spend the day as a family!
We were surprised just how much Connor liked Sir Topham Hat! Even though it looks like he is pushing him away, he was really stroking his cheek! Alaina was not so pleased.
The kids got balloon animals while waiting in line to board. Connor chose a purple and black sword and Alaina got a pink and purple butterfly that she was determined (and succeeded) to pop.
Connor kept yelling, "HI THOMAS!" through the bars.
I was impressed with the organization of the event! Even though there were droves of parents with their small children, everything went smoothly with the ride and there were enough activities at the train station to keep everyone happy. I think my favorite part was the helicopter that looked just like Harold from the series circling overhead. I think that little detail made the day pretty magical for the kids.
Boarding! Connor chose where we sat.
The train car that we rode in was so old! Anthony and I had fun trying to guess what decade it was from, and it was interesting to think of just how many people had sat in the very seat that we did. We also determined that the people from generations past must have had very short legs, since my knees almost touched the seat across from me. Anthony was pretty squished.
Connor spent the majority of the thirty minute ride with his head out of the window.
Connor chose to get a James tattoo on his hand.
The only way to get Connor away from the train station was to bribe him to go eat at "the restaurant where the train is". He even got a vanilla shake with gummy bears in it, my favorite as a child. We thought about you as we sat enjoying our lunch, Uncle Blake!
We were surprised just how much Connor liked Sir Topham Hat! Even though it looks like he is pushing him away, he was really stroking his cheek! Alaina was not so pleased.
The kids got balloon animals while waiting in line to board. Connor chose a purple and black sword and Alaina got a pink and purple butterfly that she was determined (and succeeded) to pop.
Connor kept yelling, "HI THOMAS!" through the bars.
I was impressed with the organization of the event! Even though there were droves of parents with their small children, everything went smoothly with the ride and there were enough activities at the train station to keep everyone happy. I think my favorite part was the helicopter that looked just like Harold from the series circling overhead. I think that little detail made the day pretty magical for the kids.
Boarding! Connor chose where we sat.
The train car that we rode in was so old! Anthony and I had fun trying to guess what decade it was from, and it was interesting to think of just how many people had sat in the very seat that we did. We also determined that the people from generations past must have had very short legs, since my knees almost touched the seat across from me. Anthony was pretty squished.
Connor spent the majority of the thirty minute ride with his head out of the window.
Connor chose to get a James tattoo on his hand.
The only way to get Connor away from the train station was to bribe him to go eat at "the restaurant where the train is". He even got a vanilla shake with gummy bears in it, my favorite as a child. We thought about you as we sat enjoying our lunch, Uncle Blake!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Before I post Alaina's stage birthday pictures, I wanted to show Alaina in her absolute true form. This photo is Alaina defined, with crazy hair, dressed in a hoodie and diaper since we had already gone through two dresses by 9:00 AM, and wearing her new favorite shoes that she asked to put on the moment she woke up.
My Sweets,
Your favorite things are shoes and candy.
You put an upward inflection on the words Mama and Dada, making your sentences sound like you're begging. :)
You are a very happy child unless you feel like someone is mad at you, and then you feel like your whole world is crashing down.
You are sweet and gentle.
You love watching Thomas the Tank Engine.
You hate to have your hair done.
You and your dad bond over having eggs for brunch.
You are a fabulous eater.
You are beginning to stand your ground when it comes to your big brother picking on you.
I think we may have cracked the code to getting you to sleep past 6 AM - keeping your light on until
midnight. If you could explain that one to me, I'd be grateful.
In the past few weeks, you have all but stopped your quiet babble. We are so excited to hear your new words every day, but sad to see your unique language disappear.
Your favorite person is your Mama, and I intend to keep it that way for as long as possible.
Your skin is so soft and always smells sweet. I kiss you hundreds of times a day.
You kiss me back, and it may just be my favorite thing in the whole world.
You insist on taking books and magazines to bed, your recent favorite being Reader's Digest.
You love to draw and don't scribble like most children your age. All your lines are calculated and precise.
When I watch you, I feel like I'm watching myself as a child.
I love you more than you will EVER know. You are and will always be my baby girl.
My Sweets,
Your favorite things are shoes and candy.
You put an upward inflection on the words Mama and Dada, making your sentences sound like you're begging. :)
You are a very happy child unless you feel like someone is mad at you, and then you feel like your whole world is crashing down.
You are sweet and gentle.
You love watching Thomas the Tank Engine.
You hate to have your hair done.
You and your dad bond over having eggs for brunch.
You are a fabulous eater.
You are beginning to stand your ground when it comes to your big brother picking on you.
I think we may have cracked the code to getting you to sleep past 6 AM - keeping your light on until
midnight. If you could explain that one to me, I'd be grateful.
In the past few weeks, you have all but stopped your quiet babble. We are so excited to hear your new words every day, but sad to see your unique language disappear.
Your favorite person is your Mama, and I intend to keep it that way for as long as possible.
Your skin is so soft and always smells sweet. I kiss you hundreds of times a day.
You kiss me back, and it may just be my favorite thing in the whole world.
You insist on taking books and magazines to bed, your recent favorite being Reader's Digest.
You love to draw and don't scribble like most children your age. All your lines are calculated and precise.
When I watch you, I feel like I'm watching myself as a child.
I love you more than you will EVER know. You are and will always be my baby girl.
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