Memories, Dreams, and Reflections

Me

I'm trying to get better at actually being in some pictures; it is important for my family.  It isn't exactly that I don't like myself in photos, but I don't like handing off my baby camera.  Thankfully at Christmas my cousin knew what to do with it.  My photo club has a self-portrait theme coming up soon, so that will stretch my creativity...in a good way.

I Love You

Still Laughing

I really did assume that after tasting the orange one she would know better not to take a bite out of the green chalk.  Otherwise, I would have stopped her, really.

Winter Wonderland

 Our first snow this year led to a whole post of great winter photos.  This one is my favorite.

Birthday

We celebrated 6 birthdays in our family this year, but since I turned 40 it seemed like the most important.  We had cake and cuddles and while sometimes I feel so very old, my life has never been sweeter.  I wouldn't go back in time for the world.

Friends

I have a lot of truly fantastic people in my life as friends some near, some far, but...I don't have very many pictures of them!  However, I did get the chance to take pictures of two of my friend's newborns this year, and though I doubt I'll start a business anytime soon, I loved doing it.  Apparently I'm only overwhelmed by newborns when they are mine.

I Was Inspired

 A new ND filter and polarizing filter for my birthday inspired me to try my hand at some slow shutter speed waterfall shots.  Now I just need an even wider angle lens and some more hikes.

Spring Fever

Travel

We haven't really traveled since we came home from China with our new daughter.  It was an amazing trip. 

Summer Days

 The beaches in our state aren't exactly what one envisions, but they can still provide hours of fun.

A Day in My Life

 I really wanted to come up with something better, but in reality this scene or some version of it is played out in our house almost every day for at least a little bit.  Sweet Pea would be on the floor dancing to the Wii music.

All Smiles

Autumn Harvest

Family

We did make it to Oak's family camping trip this summer.  Sweet Pea did not sleep well which made the trip a little difficult, but it was worth it for the kids to see most of their aunts and uncles and cousins and for everyone to meet Sweet Pea.  I said, "If I thought this might be my new permanent home, I'd cry too!"  Though really she mostly only cried at night; she thought hiking and playing in the dirt a blast.

Celebrate

So much to celebrate this year, but Sweet Pea does top the list.  A year ago today we saw her picture for the first time and what a fabulous year it has been.  We are looking forward to many more years with this sweet little girl.

Let's Do it Again

I would go to China again in a heartbeat, over and over.  Someday we will all go back as a family, hopefully more than once.

I Miss You

We celebrated my Grandma's 93rd birthday just before she passed.  It makes me very, very sad that she didn't get to meet Sweet Pea and I miss her very much.

Beautiful

Dress Up

She loves dressing up in her outfits we brought her home from China.  This particular day we forgot to have her change back into her play clothes before going to the park.

Macro

My Favorite

One of my favorite shots of these two together.  SnapDragon feels it is his special duty to make Sweet Pea feel loved and goes out of his way to see that she does.  All the kids love their baby sister, but there is something unique in this relationship.  I look forward to see how it continues to grow.

Don't Ever Change

This girl approaches life with so much energy and enthusiasm.  I hope she is always this intense about life even if it does exhaust me.

Just Because

Huckleberry has been sadly neglected in this post, but he is a very important person in our home.  He is thriving in 7th grade and constantly astounds me with his kindness, wisdom, and sense of humor.  He is fantastic with his sisters and a great help around the house.  Our home would not be the same without him.

Hopes and Dreams

These two are still searching to find the right balance in their relationship.  Sunflower loves Sweet Pea intensely but sometimes a little too closely.  I hope, and know, that eventually they will learn to love being together and not just peaceably but separately share their family.  (It is actually good progress that Sweet Pea (the younger one) will just get down from my lap when Sunflower climbs on instead of pushing her sister off.)

 

 

Memories, Dreams, and Reflection

Me! - picture of yourself (you don't have to show your face). What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2011? 

Mostly I am proud of all I have learned about photography this year...and the friendships I have because of it. 

I Love You - picture of your husband, boyfriend, children, pets, etc.

My husband who supports me and encourages me and entertains the kids when I "disappear" for a few hours because of photography or other events in my life.  

Still Laughing... - a moment you're still laughing about now...tell us a story.

 

On one of my recent photo walks with friends, my good friend convinced me to climb this giant sand hill.  It was hard, but I had hiking shoes on.  She had to abandon her black heeled boots and was teased by everyone for wearing heeled boots to a beach walk.  She said it was easy to do in bare feet, but oh so cold!  It was November after all.

Winter Wonderland - a picture that reflects Winter.

The frost and sun have been very entertaining this winter! 

Birthday - share a birthday picture (your own or someone you love).

Sunflower, whom I love, turned three in August! 

Friends - a picture with friends (this could be your friends or your children with their friends).

Last April with several of my closest friends on a woman's retreat.  Our next retreat is in March and I cannot wait.  (Last year we were so disturbed by the Scriptural inaccuracy of the teaching that this year our church is planning our own retreat and we four are all on the planning committee.) 

I Was Inspired... - could be a picture of your inspiration (person or thing), or inspired by...

The sun and frost was so beautiful together, I was inspired to spend hours taking pictures...ignoring the cold.  

Spring Fever - a picture that reflects Spring.

 Nothing says spring like short sleeves and buttercups! 

Travel or Vacation - a picture taken on vacation or on a recent travel experience...even if it was only a few miles away.

Our summer camping trip to Mt. Rainier provided lots of opportunities to practice landscape photography. 

Summer Days - a picture that reflects Summer.

 'nuf said.

A Day In My Life - a picture of a typical day in your life.

This is a common scene around our house, especially during the Holidays.  Of course sometimes everyone is on their own electronic device--though Sunflower is usually not sitting this still. 

All Smiles - a picture that makes you smile or of smiling faces.

This photo makes me laugh every time I see it.  Good thing photos are digitally date-stamped because I cannot tell the season by how they are dressed at all!


Autumn Harvest - a picture that reflects Autumn/Fall.

 It was one of the most beautiful falls ever...at least in our area.  The beautiful light!

Family or Home - a picture of your family or a picture that represents family/home for you.

 Home is where my family is.  I'll miss the boys when school starts back up on Tuesday.

Celebrate! - a picture that reflects a celebration. 

We just finished celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus; though we celebrate Jesus all year long.

Let's Do It Again... - a picture of something you'd like to do again soon. 

Saturday I went on a photowalk with several people from my local facebook photography club.  It is so great to hang out with other photographers and encourage each other.  I cannot wait for our next walk or workshop.


I Miss You - a picture of someone or something you really miss.

My mom.  She died when I was 15, but there are times when I could really use Mom.  (I'm the girl in blue.) 

Beautiful - a picture of someone or something you find beautiful.

 Mt. Rainier is beautiful...from any angle.

Dress Up - this might be a picture from Halloween or not...but someone who is all dressed up!

He was a magician for Halloween.  I kind of like the blur in his hand as he does his magic! 

Macro - share your favorite macro or close-up image.

Oh, I love how close you can get with my friend's macro lens...someday. 

Holidays - a picture from the Holiday of your choice.

 I really do love Christmas with all the pretty colors and lights and happy children.  

My Favorite - share your favorite picture or memory from 2011.

 So far this is my favorite edit/photo from the night photography workshop I took on Friday. 

Don't Ever Change - something you love about yourself, someone, or something that you never want to change.

I never want how sweet my children are together and how much they really do love each other and take care of each other...Sunflower's ruling of her court notwithstanding...to change. 

Just Because...So There! - share any picture(s) that you really want to share, but doesn't fit in any other category.

Just because her expression and pose make me laugh, but the photo doesn't make it to my top 11 from the year. 

Hopes and Dreams - share what you hope to come or dream for 2012. Feel free to share an image of your choice.

Someday I hope to be able to make money doing portrait photography, but first I need alot more practice and I plan to be distracted this spring by our own addition to the family.