dance and more...

Here are more pics of Ayvarie before dance class. This year she's taking ballet, tap, tumbling, and jazz!

She is obviously done with the serious pics...
These were actually taken this morning. Levi was holding Ayla and I couldn't resist. Those toes are almost a year old. And what beautiful toes they are!

This is a local bridge (tunnel, according to Ayvarie, even though it can be walked across on top) we stumbled across before football tonight. I think we're going to sneak out there again this weekend for pics with the kids. And it might just be my pick for our fall family shots as well.
Ayden at play...oh, I mean practice. Ayla was ready to leave the comfort of her bumpy wagon. I'm actually considering blowing this picture up for the wall. You can't tell it here in this size, but I added some distress to the shot and edited it to look like canvas.

Have a good night!

dance, dance, dance

It's that time of year again. Tonight was Ayvarie's first night of dance for the new year. She's at a new studio, but with two of her friends. She was all excited, except she didn't want to remove her earrings. She was nearly ready to quit over it. Here are a couple of shots, but there are a lot more. I just have to go as Ayden has football practice tonight, too!

Here's one of Skeeter, too...

2nd attempt

Finally, I'm getting some pics posted...and I said some! It's still timing out on most that I'm trying to post. Oh well...below, Ayvarie is the blonde on the left side of the sign, and Ayden is on the far right.

Now that you've viewed the pics, you can take off your sunglasses. That orange is bright!

Running Wild

The kids and I participated in our first ever organized running event. I haven't made it far with the C25K, but this run/walk was a good test of my ability. I'm happy to know I can do it (walk most of it, that is). I'll find out my time sometime tomorrow when they post it {{here}}.

Ayden was involved in the 1-mile Fun Run and Ayvarie in the 1/2-mile Fun Run. Ayden's time was 09:38 and Ayv manged hers in 06:28. I know Ayden ran his entire mile and Ayvarie ran probably 3/4 or more of her half. I didn't see her walk much, and I doubt she had time to walk when she was out of our site. If you ask her, she won first place! There were two girls signed up in her age bracket, but the other didn't show. Ayden's group had 9 signed up, but only 4 were there to run. The boy who beat him was 12 years old and ran the mile in about 06:45. So, I think Ayden did VERY well. They didn't give places in those races as they were for "fun", but they did give times if you asked for them. Both kiddos obtained medals and we all walked away with bright orange t-shirts. We should easily be seen out and about in town now!

I will have to post pics later as blogger is having some issues with my uploads.

More pics from Weed Park

Ayv & J....
...and some taken before we left the house.

A sampling...

Here are a few pics from my mini-shoot today. It wasn't even meant to be a photo shoot, but Sonya & I met for lunch and took the kids to the park. I just couldn't resist snapping some...

This is one of my favorites! And I couldn't leave you without a pic of my beauties. Ayla really liked the slide.

The day is flying...

Between knitting socks I'm making for Ros, making out my grocery list for the week, and trying to motivate myself to clean, I have been working on Ayvarie's birthday invite. We haven't actually set the date, time, or location...but I put one together and it can be changed in an instant. I love it! Colors and all... The scrapping elements are from the Weeds and Wildflowers Lazy Days freebie. The pic is of Ayvarie at the Fair.

Let me know what you think...

imagingRox

Well, in an attempt to get my creative juices flowing, I took Ayvarie aside yesterday and did a mini photo shoot on our stairway and in her bedroom. The lighting was perfect yesterday afternoon. Here is a sample...with the rest located here.

Ayla today.

Here are a couple of pics I snapped of Ayla this morning. Ayv was dressing her up after her bath (in the second pic). She thought the glasses were funny.

Family gets a grillin'

Nobody was prying...really . We were only grilling! My Dad's side of the family spent some time catching up the day before the annual State Fair event. Here are some pics from our get-together on Sunday.

Uncle Don & Ayla. She really takes a liking to him!I love this as a close-up.Levi looking intelligent - or so you might think.Dad.Bernard.My goofy sis.I could post all day, so you'll have to do with this sampling...I need to get some rest!

Another day at the fair.

Today was my day at the Iowa State Fair with the kids. Ayla stayed home since it was soooo hot and muggy out, which made for a less restricted day out. Here are some pics to show what we covered at the Fair (only a portion of the pics I took).

While at the Fair, I had the opportunity to catch up with a couple of gals I know...their pics are located here. Since I was able to do what I wanted to do at the Fair on Saturday, today's trip was for the kids. We visited the Varied Industries building to get our fill of tattoos and freebies. We continued to the Grandstands, where we were able to have some fun in the Hall of Flame. My hometown Volunteer Fire Department was manning the booth today, so that was neat. The kids played with a baby sugar glider (and now think they need one), experienced some science and learned a bit about safety. I took the kids for a ride on Ye Old Mill and checked out the new Animal Learning Center, which was new for all of us. I hadn't been on Ye Old Mill since they revamped it. Not that it made a huge difference in what I remember it, but to do it with my kids was fun. You can never make a trip to the Fair without visiting the animal barns - largest boar, largest bull, etc. We topped off the day with a run through the fountains - the kids did, anyway. I would've trampled a bunch of little ones if I attempted to join them. The best part was simply spending time with my kids!

It's Fair Time!

Today I spent the day with my fellow IA Phi Beta Chi Alums. I pulled out the camera to snap some shots of the E-85 Chopper. It was really cool. I'm not a biker by any means, but I have always enjoyed watching American Chopper and appreciate their design skills. What they do is truly art. I love the detail of the corn and the embossed seats. It also had a mini combine on it, but I didn't manage to snap a good shot of just that. There's more info on the bike here.

Here are some other pics I have taken with my new camera this week. I think this one of Ayv has interesting contrast.

These black and whites of Ayla are fun, too. I just can't decide if I like the one at the bottom better in black and white or color. Feel free to post a comment to let me know what you think.

I love my 50mm!

This is what I snapped while messing around this morning...

This is what powdered donuts being consumed looks like...

And this is what my children are up to now... They snagged one of the older cameras and are learning to compose shots themselves. Ayvarie filled a memory stick in no time!

Shooting...pictures that is.

I didn't get much daylight tonight to mess with my camera tonight. Guess I'll have to dedicate some time this weekend for it. Here is a pic of Ayv (with flash) using my 16-55mm lens.

The barn board and Chynna were also taken with that lens. Sorry you have to look at Chynna through dirty glass. I'm going to blame it on the fact that it's so hot from being in the afternoon sun, that I just don't want to risk burning myself cleaning it.

Ayden's mug was taken indoors in very low lighting, which is why it looks candle-lit. I think it's nice...different.

The only thing I did to these was apply a smidge of sharpening and a couple of them have an inner shadow around the edge to be seen as a border. Oh, and I did manage to throw a bit of color pop on Ayvarie's, but it really didn't make much of a difference. I really wouldn't have to do anything to them, but I can't stand to let Photoshop sit there unattended.

Go Clones!

My new baby...

Well, it's not another human child, or animal for that matter that has arrived at the Bappe house. It's my new Canon 30D. It arrived this afternoon while I was on my way back from Ayla's appointment in IA City (me being the overprotective Mom, wanted to make sure it wasn't ear infection, just teething, that kept us up ALL night last night).

Tonight, I had the opportunity to play with it a smidge. My 50mm f/1.8 lens impressed me! The Sony DSC-F17 and DSC-H2 have been fun, but I am really looking forward to handling this baby. And, don't worry, I have a boy with some photography interest hanging behind to ensure the Sonys will continue to get some action.

Anyway, here is one pic that I took - straight from the camera without editing except to resize for the web. I like it!

More play!

Levi made it home from Idaho safely very early Friday morning after a long day of layovers. Meanwhile, Ayden was creating more Bionicles and the girls kept busy with their toys. Last night we ran some errands and I picked up some stainglass paint. I have a bunch of old window panes I want to make into neat picture frames to hang above my bed. As long as we can get things done around here today, I can play with my paints tomorrow. I'm feeling a bit creative.

Messing with actions...

The best part of my week is that I lined up some photo shoots this fall. We're fortunate to have wonderful scenery in the fall with close proximity to nice parks, water features, and just plain midwest nature. I can't wait (except I can because that means school will be in session and I am NOT ready for that)!