ISEK Camp 2009

Ayden looks forward to attending ISEK Camp during the summer and he designated this year's camp as his favorite of the three years he has attended. A camp-mate from last year joined him again and a camp counselor (although I'm not sure they're considered a "counselor") recognized him from previous years as well. It delighted Ay to see some familiar faces and participate in some new activities. What a great marketing job ISU Engineering is doing by offering these opportunities. Little do they know that my boy has taught me some things about ISU in the past two days that I didn't know...and I attended and now work there. Way to go ISEK for passing along some cool information!

What would this post be without photographic proof of Ayden's participation?

In honor of Ayden, they set up a grouping of "A" frames (aka: easels)...well, maybe they were there for another reason. I like to believe they're for Ayden.


Here's my boy with his solar car. He told me all about it...and he'll tell you, too, if you ask him.


I'll just throw a few in of Ayv while I'm at it. These were taken a few days ago when she dressed herself in a trendy little grouping. Maybe she'll attend ISU in Apparel, Educational Studies, and Hospitality Management someday.





My kids are growing up too fast!

July 2009 is the best!

I hope I never forget how lovely July 2009 was. These temperatures could stay year-round! It's been highs in the upper 70s and low 80s with a bit of rain here and there. Unfortunately, not hot enough to be too excited to head to the pool daily, but I'm okay with that...even if the kids aren't.

Tonight I was able to post two sessions and I pulled a few personal pictures from this past month into Photoshop for a little play. It feels like the most I've been able to accomplish in one sitting in a long time.

Although it's July and we should be outside, we found a bit of time to go through the closets. Ayla found a hat that was tucked away. I think she's pretty cute in it! She was making faces like a "silly goose" for me, too. Just ask her and she'll agree.

This past weekend was Zearing Days and I took my camera out with me. Ayvarie handed off the Little Miss Zearing Crown Friday night. Ayden played with his friends all day Saturday at the park with the kids' activities they had going on (he won a wrist band at the kids' dance that allowed him free entry on all the rides). Ayvarie performed her debut at the annual lip sync contest while Ayla simply hung out with us. By the way, Ayvarie already has plans for next year's entry. Watch out!

While downtown, I finally captured this sign painted on the side of the building down Center Street. I've been eyeing it since we moved here and hope to do more with it another day.

Then, on the way home, I stumbled across this great grouping of blooming things. Bugs were crawling on them, but they still looked pretty.

Here's some texture...
And here's a different texture...

The kids didn't want the weekend to end, and truthfully, I didn't either. We had a nice time with my parents at the parade and lunch on Saturday, then again at the antique tractor pulls on Sunday. Gotta love small-town festivities!

Palo Duro Canyon

We made it to Amarillo and back. We've been back for a while and I still haven't had a chance to go through all of our pictures. I pulled a few to post on the blog for a quick update. These are all SOOC shots, but I like them just as they are...as natural as the land we were on.




Our visit to the canyon occurred on the last day of our stay in TX, so we only had a few hours to run around before heading over to my Aunt & Uncle's in OK for the evening. The kids could have stayed there all week, I'm sure. Ayden spotted a turkey, Levi had his eye on a bright green lizard not long after he had spied one screaming across the road in front of us, and we all had the chance to view some bugs we're not used to seeing. From the information we received, there is a variety of wildlife, spiders, and poisonous snakes present in the canyon. I followed the kids with the camera so I could soak in the sights (probably to no surprise) and we left just as a storm rolled in. You can see the clouds building in the pictures. A thunderstorm in the canyon would have been a great experience as it sure wasn't a treat to drive in. Ask Levi!

Busy month!

June is proving to be a busy month for us. It really started way back in May, which makes for a very busy year if this continues. Actually, it might have started in April!

Ayvarie had her dance recital Memorial Day weekend. It was adorable...Grease theme and all. Then, the first weekend of this month was the AAU State meet for trampoline and tumbling. She placed first in her flight for trampoline and third in the state in that event. We are so proud of her accomplishments this year. It's fun to look back and see how she was doing just a few months ago and how much she has improved. She will be competing at the USTA Nationals the end of this week, which should be a lot of fun!

In addition, Ayv started t-ball this year and Ayden is in baseball again. Games are nightly between the two, but I enjoy watching them.

Oh, and I'm still keeping very busy with photography. Sessions are tucked in here and there. The kids and I took a break one evening about a week ago to head outside and shoot. It was Ayvarie's request, and it yielded some pretty cool results of all three kiddos. Thanks to our neighborhood funeral home's garage out back. It is the best backdrop. See for yourself.

This is one of my favorite pics of Ayden.Ayla imitates Ayvarie regularly.We see this look regularly.This is proof we have a goofball on our hands. :)

I'm planning to take a lot of pictures down here this week (while still working on those I've taken). It'll be up to my finicky access if I'll be able to get them posted to the blog timely. Have a great week!

End of another school year.

The kids are counting down the days until summer break.  But, I'm not sure if I'm ready for the year to end.  Ayden will become a middle-schooler and that will mean I'm old.  Well, not that old, but before I know it he'll be driving and that will definitely make me feel old.

Ayden's middle-school orientation was yesterday and field trips are on the calendar for Friday and next Tuesday.  I'm going with Ayvarie to the zoo on Friday.  We're just hoping the rain stays away.  I have my umbrellas ready...just in case.

Ayvarie's artwork was nearby tonight when I pulled out my camera.  I try to take pictures of the kids' art pieces since they don't always last as long as I'd like.  Here is a picture of her flower she painted in Art.  We played with the color a bit.  

..and I LOVE IT!

I will frame the original as I did with one of Ayden's pictures from Kindergarten.  My intent is to fill my house with original artwork...and if from my own family, it's even better!  

Foxy!

Tonight, one of our friends called to let us know about a fox den outside of town.  I had him pick me up so we could capture some shots of the cute creatures that dared step out of their home. They were so cute!





I took Ayden & Ayla out to watch them after I got back.  Unfortunately, by that time they were back in the den for the night.  We'll head out again when the weather is nice to watch them grow.

Happy May Day!

Finally...I get to post!  It was a gorgeous first day of May.  Kindergarten roundup was being held, so I stayed home with the girls and we managed to pull together some baskets for the usual May Day festivities.  It's so fun leaving baskets for our neighbors, family & friends...even those that weren't home!  The kids spent a lot of time outdoors after Ayden was dismissed from school, so I followed them around with the camera a bit.  Ayla was reluctant to have any pictures taken, but Ayv posed for a few.  The one above is one of my favorites...mainly due to her natural highlights that I dream about.  I'm looking forward to trying to round all three kids up for some pictures sometime next weekend.  Not sure how that will go down...I have been unsuccessful so far.

More tests...

This afternoon, Ayla & I ran to Des Moines to pick up a light stand and umbrella for my flash. I've had enough of the bracket, so I've been playing with my off-camera flash (aka: OCF) since I got my transmitter and receiver, but needed something to hold it since I intend to use it outdoors and there aren't a lot of bookshelves strategically placed in nature to set it on.

My kids were coerced into being my models (minus Ayvarie who is the neighborhood socialite these days) as soon as we got home. I had every intention of taking pics of Ayden on his birthday, which was Wednesday, but I left home without the necessary accessories. You know, lenses, memory cards....I only had the camera body with me. It's pretty useless without a lens and card. Tonight was a different story. I had everything ready, including the flash. So, Ayden & I went outside so I could play photographer and he could play golf. Meanwhile, Ayla dressed herself (since she completely undressed as soon as we got home - her usual homebound activity) and joined us, too!

Here are a few of the shots. I touched them with a few actions, but I probably didn't need to. I can't wait to get Ayden's 10-year-old pic shown here blown up and hung on the wall. He seems much older than 10, but I have not aged one bit in the last 10 years...just so you know.

Ayla kept running around the yard, so I'd shoot when she'd get near the flash.I feel pretty lucky to catch this one. She is beautiful!

I'd better get back to verifying my backups so I can erase some cards for the wedding I'm shooting tomorrow. I really hope the rain holds off until 3ish so we can at least get some outdoor shots of the couple and wedding party.

Sleep tight.

Test run.

I got outside for a bit this evening to shoot some pics with my new camera (Canon 5D). Portrait shots were put aside tonight for textures and images of the neighborhood. The sharpness of the images straight out of the camera makes me soooo happy! Plus, the images play well in Photoshop, too. I can't wait to use it for the wedding I'm shooting on Saturday. And fortunate for my children, my plan is to drag their little bums out of the house and around town here real soon to get some new shots of them.

Here are a few samples from my test run:




The colors of spring are so comforting. After our long winter, I am ready for some renewed sights and pictures such as this feed my soul.

Still catching up...

Today was a busy one. We woke to a house in need of attention. Well, it has been needing some attention for quite a few days, maybe even weeks. The kids were very helpful in picking up and then we did the usual run through with the cleaning supplies. I had a wonderful senior stop over to go over her memory book and invitations. Then, we ran to town to get some groceries and meet up with Ros for a late lunch. Then, came our fun evening...at least for me. I pulled out the studio lights and played a bit. My kids really treated me well by simply being good models.

Here is what we snapped:

Ayden was pretty casual.
Ayla tried to copy him, and she did a wonderful job!Then, Ayvarie pulled this face, which is a common expression. I'm glad I captured it!
Of course I snapped more, but there is only so much time in a day to play. Have a good night!

Catching up!

Today was gorgeous! It was hard to stay focused on getting anything done around the house here. I worked on some photog stuff, some personal must-do stuff, and some personal for-fun stuff. This is what came of the personal for-fun stuff...

Little painted piggies. I painted Ayla's toes last week and she LOVED it.

Our annual shoot out on the front steps. Maybe it's bi-annual or any-annual...whenever we feel like it. She's getting so big!
Have a good night!

The pink eye.

Levi phoned me at work today to relay the message that school called with the news that Ayv had pink eye. We had a weekend of gunky Ayla eyes that was definitely related to her cold and now we have to deal with Ayv's ONE irritated eye. It took me an eternity to get through to the pediatrician, so it didn't surprise me that they were more than willing to call in a prescription for us. Now I wait....to see if she has an improvement by morning. Otherwise, I'm home again, home again.

The best part of my day was the weather! I'm not sure if we were some of the fortunate few to experience 60 degrees, but the air felt warm. Even when my house at 67 barely feels warm, 60 outside definitely feels warm! I suggested to the kids that we get out for a walk. Ayla and I were the pedestrians of the bunch while Ayv & Ayden whizzed by on their bikes. It felt good to get some fresh air and soak up some sun. Ayla took in more than the rest of us, I think. The second half of our adventure was A LOT slower than the first half, but she still didn't want me to carry her (I offered). She's such a big girl! As soon as we entered the house and took a load off, she hopped up into my lap and in a near instant, sacked out. She's still sleeping.

Now, tomorrow looks to be a bit sketchy weatherwise. Possible rain/ice and snow? Really. As long as it clears out by Saturday, I'm fine. My plans to hang out with my girlfriends will not be disrupted!!! We're planning to visit Crazy Girl in Cedar Falls. I'm guessing we'll get a caffeine fix at a coffee shop along the way and find nourishment at a restaurant we don't frequent too often. Actually, I'm pretty sure that will happen.

I don't have any exciting pics from today, but I really like this one from CA. It's not my normal processing, but the car is what stands out to me (and should to you now). The guy sitting in the driver's seat is actually strumming a guitar. If only this car was on the beach...