Week 2 photos (1st set)

The "Keeper of the Plains"


This is a lady that was twirling fire. This effect was created with a slow shutter speed.


This is of a girl with a lighted hula hoop.


This is another picture of the fire twirler.

Week 2 photos (2nd set)

The emphasis this week was on portraits and Josiah got the most cooperative subject award!


This sign always cracks me up. I wonder how old it is.


This is one of those "right place right time" photos. Mary is peeking out of her tee-pee.

I don't know them, but I'm glad he liked my idea of giving her a kiss! :)

Week 2 photos (3rd set)

I spent way too much time on this and didn't get the shot I wanted, but I'll share it anyway.

Photography Class Week 1

I've started a four week photography class. Here are a few of my photos from this weeks' assignments. I have recently learned how to adjust ISO (the camera's sensitivity to light), aperture, and shutter speed. They are all related to each other and you have to keep the last two balanced by using a meter so you get the correct exposure.


cool sculpture near our house


from a depth of field experiment


Panning while Mary rode her tricycle.

The Kid's Bedroom

The kids are now sharing a room! The transition was smooth sailing and so far so good. She had wanted to name her old room "the living room", but I told her we already have a living room so we settled on calling it the "activity room". One funny moment was when Aaron sent Mary to a time-out in her bedroom (yes Grandpa Bob, your angel...) She skipped off to her old room and quickly doubled back with a smile saying "oops. that's the activity room".

Family Vacation!

This is my favorite photo from our 4th of July weekend. We decided to take our family vacation this weekend and originally planned to go to OKC. However, as it approached we realized we wanted to drive as little as possible, while still getting away from home. We finally decided on Hutchinson the day before departure. It was wonderful. Our hotel had an indoor waterpark, the Hutch Fest offered a variety of activities throughout the weekend. We ate at Bogeys, watched a talent show, Aaron and Mary watched a parade, we all went to a carnival for kids, Mary "won" several pieces of candy, we had plenty of time for resting and reading, and the grande finale: Mary got to go to "Old McDonald's" to eat. Mary has had one piece of parade candy each day since. She does NOT forget it and the only thing I would change if we did it again would be to enter the talent show. :)

Father's Day 2010

I'm so thankful our children have Aaron for a father! Aaron is really good at is including the kids in whatever he is doing be it work or play. He truly enjoys and delights in them. He is also really good at teaching Mary through problem solving together. Happy Father's Day Aaron!

Incremental Freedoms

I just realized I failed to update my faithful blog followers on Josiah's latest progress. June 14th the family loaded up and headed to KC for the ceremonial cast removal. The actual event was less than ceremonious with us covering J's eyes from flying fiberglass dust while holding his hands out of the blade's way. I will admit though that I teared up at the the sight of him being pulled out the cast. After that he had to wear a brace for 20 out of 24 hours which was great because he got 2 hours in the morning and evening to wiggle and roll (and be easier to take grocery shopping!) He also started getting regular baths which he loathed and I loved. :) He rolled over that first night out the brace and in the last 3.5 weeks has learned to roll both ways out of the brace and from front to back in it!

Today I drove 5 MINUTES to see Dr. Olney for his checkup! He and his nurse travel to Wichita once every two months. As if that alone was not enough, his x-ray looked great, he now gets 8 hours a day out of the brace, and he gets to use a regular car seat. Understandably, I caught myself belting out "Oh, Happy Day!" on the way out of the parking lot!

Little Guy, Big Awe

Now that my nephew, sister, and mom are famous, I thought I should share it with the world! Anne took this picture of my nephew, David and it was published in "The K-Stater". This is a magazine that goes out to members of K-State's alumni association. The photo was taken at the Vanier Football Complex in Manhattan. David was gazing at a huge mural of football players. David, Anne, Mom, Dad, Mary, and I were attending the Women's Basketball Alumni Reunion. The story of Mom's basketball and other athletic achievements is for another post.