Month: January 2013

Today we celebrated my niece, Anne’s, birthday with some unusual bowling techniques and lots of adoration for this wonderful girl!

A Bowling Birthday

This year Santa came to our family’s Christmas Eve celebration.  Almost everyone was happy to see him.This is how she felt every time she Santa crossed her path this year.

The gifts he brought were well received.Then it was time for some dancing.

A very Merry Night.

 When Steve and I were engaged, I remember people telling me how happy they were about it.  A neighbor told me the news made her smile all day.  I didn’t understand.  I knew we were happy but why did it make anyone else happy?

I understand now.  Being around my brother, Joe and his fiance, Jill, makes me happy.  Can you see why?

I wanted to share a little about taking these photos.  This was the last morning of Joe and Jill’s visit.  I wanted to take some nice photos for them since I wouldn’t see them again together until their wedding in September. 

I looked outside and saw those big snowflakes and said, “This would be a great time to take some pictures.” They were ready in minutes.  Below is the first photo I took of them.  

They look great – I know.  But, I wanted to capture more for them.  Before we went outside, I had an idea.  I got two pieces of paper and wrote for Joe: Tell Jill about how it felt when her ring came in the mail. For Jill: Tell Joe what you think about or how you feel when you look at your ring.

Within moments, there was laughter and a some joyful tears.  

f/4.0: 1/320: ISO 400: 100mm macroThe kids always want hot chocolate when they come in from playing in the snow.  (Atticus asks for cold, hot chocolate.)  I’ve been going the easy route and giving them Swiss Miss.  Then, we ran out.  This didn’t take long with all the time they have been spending outside building snow forts and sledding.  I opened the cupboard and used cocoa, sugar and milk.  I know you won’t be surprised, but it tastes much, much better.  These marshmallows are also a great improvement over the tiny styrofoam sugar ones in the paper packages.  Today I sat down and shared a cup with the kids.

f/2.2: 1/800: ISO 400: 50mmf/2.2: 1/800: ISO 400: 50mmI wrote about how I learned to pan to capture sledding action.  I have found that when they jump, a fast shutter does the trick.  

We’ve been out in the snow every day. (This is not the end of the snow photos.)  It is an effort to get everyone ready to go out and then boots, pants, mittens, and hats come in wet. We’re figuring out a system so everything gets dry and is ready to go. 

f/2.5: 1/500: ISO 400: 50mm

f/2.8: 1/400: ISO 400: 50mmHappy New Year!