Cousins

A few weeks ago, my brother and his family moved back to CO for a couple of months. The guys were doing some work on the trees at my mom's house and they took the kids for a little ride across the street in an old pick-up truck my Grandpa gave to my brother.

Jacob and Jayden really are the best of friends. It's so cute to see them play together. It gives me hope that Jacob will be like Jayden when he has a sibling!

Carter is slowly becoming more open to being around the family. He was really shy at first and now he will give kisses and talk to you, as long as one of his parents is in the room. He also likes to wrestle with Jacob, which produces much screaming, wail and woe in my baby boy.

Float Away

Every year, on Labor Day weekend, Colorado Springs has a balloon classic. So we get up around 5 AM and head to Springs to be in Memorial Park by sunrise.

Then we get to watch dozens of hot air balloons as they are laid out and pumped full of air. It's so fun to stand in between them when they are still resting on the ground.

There are about three "waves" of balloon launching and they looks so tiny against the massive Colorado sky.

Jacob did not have as much fun as we hoped he would, due to the fact that he was expecting to be able to go for a ride. He was very disappointed that no one offered to take him up. Maybe next year? I'm just hoping he never notices the boucehouse and air slides off to the other side of the park or we will never get to breakfast and that's half the reason I get up so early!

Some Pictures of Flowers...

...That I did not grow.

I never much cared for white lilacs, the purple ones smells better. But I was making myself remember how to photograph white objects. ISO set to 200, f16 and my shutter speed was 160, I believe.

ISO- 200 f 8 and shutter speed at 120 (if I'm remembering correctly)

Jacob needed to touch it! I don't think he knows that roses smell good yet.

May=Snow

Although it was snowing on Sunday, these were popping out on Monday morning.

I love tulips. Maybe because they are the first flower to pop up? These are rather late, as lilacs are already in bloom in our neighborhood.

Iris. Once a Kappa, always a Kappa.

Kate Middleton & Prince William~Royal~Engagement~portrait''

 

Kate Middleton And Prince William Royal Engagement portrait

Kate Middleton And Prince William Royal Engagement portrait

Photo Blue Blazers shoe

 Blue Photo, is making quite some rounds this year and while we have seen its a few Blazers this model is definitely one of the more demure colorways,



The Nike Sportswear Blazer, SP features a shining Black tumbled leather upper with mainly white details on the outsole, swoosh, heel and laces.Blue photo hops in on the help out via the tongue tag and outsole for that extra touch of oomph. It’s easy to miss unless somebody is really watching your feet but trust us with these on they will be.

Wedding Bells

I got to go away for the weekend! I left on Friday, nearly missing my flight but luckily my plane was late. Sadly, Sally's plane was even later than mine and she didn't arrive for almost 5 hours after she was scheduled. Friday night we got a hotel and stopped at Olive Garden for soup, salad and a bottle of wine.


Saturday morning, we found a lovely place for brunch. Despite a pair of panties outside the front door, it was so good. I had a lobster Eggs Bendict with a mimosa, Abby had Challeh French Toast/Eggs in a Basket and Mimosa, and Sally had a Veggie Quesidilla and a Bloody Mary. Then we went shopping for jewelry before going back to the hotel to pop open the bottle of wine and prep for the wedding. Clearly, you will be able to see a theme for us?


Hint: Food+Drinks+Shopping

Tomorrow, I'll tell you about the wedding!

Doorknobs

As it turns out, I have a thing for door knobs. I'm currently thinking it would be cool to print out a bunch of these, frame them and hang them on my wall in the living room. Our house is sadly lacking in ANY for of art, besides a few pieces I've had since college or before. Of course, we have yet to live anywhere for a long period of time, the exception being in the house we live in now, but hanging photos seems to make an impression that we have plans to stay here a while. And I'd like to be out any day, just give me the word and I will start packing!

Since my class is now over, I thought I'd share some of my best door knob pictures!


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Springy

Can you believe this? I found these at CS's parents house, just a bright as can be, on a Sunday afternoon.


I had to re-adjust my meter on my camera to accommodate for the brightness of COLOR.


Jacob was not nearly as impressed as I was, especially when he got knocked over by the big ball into the flower bed.

So even though it's not a warm, spring day (too much wind) I have something to look forward to.

Pueblo

This last Sunday, I got up early (extra early due to the time change, THANKS A LOT.) and went to Pueblo to take some photos with one of my classmates. I only had a little over an hour to get them done for the day, but we were able to find some good shots. Or at least shots I enjoy having. I haven't had class this week, she had to cancel due to illness, so I'm not sure if she will even like them yet!

Above is the Vail Hotel in Pueblo. It's now a retirement home but it's absolutely beautiful. A man inside saw us taking photos outside and invited us in. Very art deco inside, but a bit dark for our shots.


I love the blue and white. I believe this is a restaurant down on Union Ave in Pueblo. It reminds me of New Orleans, for some reason. Maybe Mardi Gras was on my mind?

Actually, blue should be the theme of these shots. If only this hydrant was white instead of silver.

PS. Did you know blue and white were my High School colors? True fact.

Boulder

This weekend, we went up to Boulder to hang out, have lunch with my boss and shop. We haven't been able to get out for a day in a while so it was way too short for all the things we would have liked to do. In retrospect, getting a hotel and staying the night would have been genius!

I haven't been to Boulder in years so it was nice walk around Pearl Street and take some photos. I was shocked to see that pansies were blooming. I assume they were planted recently, but I could be wrong. Makes me almost hopeful for spring, even when there are 2 inches of snow on the ground and it's still falling.


This guy was awesome. Jacob put a dollar in his trunk and he offered to take a photo with him. Of course, Jacob was too scared to get close. When we first walked by, we didn't realize that he was real.


Shocking moment of the weekend: Jacob wanted to hold the baby, rather than pitch a fit that I was holding her.


My lap isn't big enough for two so CS had to help. Unrelated, I would like a baby girl now. Holy cow, she is cute. Even when she almost ripped my earring out of my ear.

We also made a stop at Mike's Camera store on Pearl St. and CS got me a new zoom lens for my camera. So now I have to take the in-between class next month, just to break it in!

Now if only he could give me a girl baby.....

Photo Tuesdays

Just a few shots from the weekend. The day was overcast and a bit chilly so I didn't have the will to get up to the Flat Irons.

Funny story, after I took this, a woman that worked there told me the owner didn't allow photos inside.

Luckily, I got this shot of Chocolove Bars before getting shot down! I really have a problem with this brand. It's local to Boulder and it's the best dark chocolate! My favorites are Peppermint, Sea salt and roasted Almonds, and a toss up between Cherry/Almond, Raspberry, and Orange Peel. I wish I liked Ginger but I think it's gross, so I've never tried it. I should, I know!

Ceiling of the restaurant we ate in. I've only been to Boulder one other time, and this is where I ate as well. It's a Mediterranean restaurant and they have good gyros and kabobs. As well as Strongbow Cider. CS vetoed The Kitchen, but we can go next time. I hear their Community Night is amazing.

Ice, Ice BABY

On Saturday, we went up to Cripple Creek to see the Ice Festival. I was really disappointed with it, but it was still fun to get out. We have been home bound from cold, snow and lack of funds for a while so even though we went to go look at ICE, it was nice to go for a drive and show Jacob the slots. Which of course he wanted to touch because it looks like a room full of video games. Way to go, Casino. Hook 'em young.

They had an ice slide, which he didn't notice until the end of the trip, even though we passed it first. He went down first with CS, but only because CS slipped on the ice and fell down.

The best one was set up like a maze so the kids could run around and look through the ice.

This was a chariot pulled by polar bears. Ice is terribly difficult to photograph. I really have no tips for that!

Photo Tuesdays

My photo class is going well. We are learning to meter which is a lot of work when you are still unsure if you want a low or high f-stop or what shutter speed you need for daylight, clouds, night, etc.

I took this at night, in my room with only the overhead light on. I was in manual mode, my f-stop set to 5 (or as low as it can go) and my shutter speed was 1/25 (or 25). I set my ISO to 1600 and my White Balance to Auto, I believe. Anytime you are using a shutter speed of less than 1/60, you might have camera shake, so beware!

This is a blur action shot. I sent my ISO to 400 or 800, since the room was quite bright. My White Balance was also on Auto. I set my f-stop as low as possible, either 3.5 or 4 and my shutter speed was around 1/100. I had to play with it a bit to get it to blur. But it's much brighter than the stop action shot below.

ISO set to 800. White Balance on Auto. Shutter speed was around 1/60 and my f-stop was as low as I could set it.

This is the Arkansas river down the road from us. On Sunday the temperature was over 70 degrees so around 4 PM, CS, Jacob and I went down to take some pictures. I had to trek around a large pond in the middle of the road to get down to this point, but I'm glad I did. My instructor said she liked this one, and she doesn't like many of our photos! My ISO was 400, White Balance was set to shade. I set my f-stop to 5.6 and my shutter speed was 1/200.

Next week I have to take pictures downtown (only) so wish me luck. I don't know if I will have many cute baby shots to save me!

Camping

How many people does it take to put up a tent?

There is no need for pants when you have on cute cloth diapers.

Relaxing with dada. Probably trying to convince him that he needs a cup for tea, since Mama said no more after the first night when he tossed and turned and fell straight off the bed.

Watching Hunter

Jacob showed an interest in Hunter the other day. However, Hunter was chewing a bone and could care less. I'm more impressed with the fact that 1) I put Jacob on the floor and he was happy and 2) Hunter didn't try to lick or step on Squally Thing.