First day and last day of 5th grade.
First day and last day of 8th grade.
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Saturday, June 28
Before and After
This year, because of a trend I saw on Facebook, I took a "last day of school" picture of the kids. I'm glad I did this; it's great to see how the kids have changed over the course of the school year. Seeing the side-by-side of Josh was shocking. He's grown and matured so much this year. This is a new tradition I hope to carry on, at least for as long as the kids will let me take "first day of school" photos.
Sunday, November 25
Thankful for Family
Yep. Thanksgiving has already come and gone; it's hard to believe. First and foremost, I am thankful for my family.
I twisted some arms last week and made everyone get outdoors in the beautiful fall scenery for some family photos. The last time we gathered together specifically for family photos was Thanksgiving 2008. Otherwise it's been a quick family shot here or there, usually with the timer feature, on family outings.
2008
2012
So here you have it; updated family photos from 2012. And yes, I used the timer feature. I haven't been able to figure out how to use an off-camera remote with my new(ish) camera.
On a side note: I do like to see how much my photography skills (and equipment) have improved over the past four years.
These kids. Always has to be a "silly face" picture. I sure do love them though.
Meet you back later this week? Carley will be sporting a new braces-free smile.
I twisted some arms last week and made everyone get outdoors in the beautiful fall scenery for some family photos. The last time we gathered together specifically for family photos was Thanksgiving 2008. Otherwise it's been a quick family shot here or there, usually with the timer feature, on family outings.
2008
So here you have it; updated family photos from 2012. And yes, I used the timer feature. I haven't been able to figure out how to use an off-camera remote with my new(ish) camera.
On a side note: I do like to see how much my photography skills (and equipment) have improved over the past four years.
These kids. Always has to be a "silly face" picture. I sure do love them though.
Meet you back later this week? Carley will be sporting a new braces-free smile.
Wednesday, May 23
Wednesday, July 6
Life List #28 : Yosemite
Two weeks ago, I took the kids to Yosemite. "Take my kids to Yosemite" is officially #28 on The Life List and I'm happy to say now it's officially crossed off.
I have lived in the Sacramento area for nearly 15 years and I have never been to the Yosemite valley. I could kick myself! Walt has been to Yosemite a couple times when he was in his 20s. I'm sure it hasn't changed much (right?), so I scooped the kids up and took them on a day trip to Yosemite.
Seriously, if you haven't been before then GO! To me it was more amazing than Yellowstone, although it's not fair to compare the complete different areas.
All I have to say is UH-MAZE-ING.
Okay. That's not really all I have to say. So here's another really long photo post of a absolutely beautiful National Park. By the way, my photos don't do it justice.
El Capitan was just awesome. It was Josh's favorite. After dark, when we were leaving the park, you could see little lights on the rock from where the climbers were sleeping. They looked like little stars.
This tree, on the trail to Bridalveil Fall, was so worn from years of visitors sitting on it that it was like a smooth piece of furniture.
The vista point for Bridalveil Fall is covered in water. We got our feet soaked.
Turns out stopping at Bridalveil first thing was not the best idea. The sun was behind the fall so this was our view.
We had fun in the cold mist anyway.
Ribbon Fall, in the crook of Carley's arm, is to the left of El Capitan. It seemed like everywhere we turned we could see a waterfall.
Swinging Bridge, which does not swing, crosses the Merced River in a wide, lazy spot....
... and gives a beautiful view of Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Falls has an upper and lower fall with a middle area too. The total fall is over 2000 feet!
The path beyond Swinging Bridge was flooded from the swollen river. The kids wanted to take off their shoes and follow the trail a little way. The water was so cold!
We walked to Lower Yosemite Fall.
Lower Yosemite Fall is 320 feet.
The pounding water creates a ton of mist and lots of wind. We had fun walking back and forth over the bridge that crosses the creek beyond the fall.
Taking the free shuttle around the park ended up being easier than trying to find parking on the crowded summer day.
Sometimes the shuttle bus was super crowded though!
After having an early dinner, the kids and I walked out to Mirror Lake, aptly named for it's beautiful reflections of the amazing scenery. Now if only peope would stop rippling the water!
The shuttle back from Mirror Lake was quite empty. Josh asked if he could honk the bus horn and the driver agreed if he could be in photo. This is Mark, the shuttle bus driver. He let both Josh and Carley honk the horn. Carley said it was her second favorite part of our trip!
As the sun was heading down, we were heading up to Glacier Point for views of the valley.
This is not taken from Glacier Point; I stopped at Tunnel View to get a better photo of Bridalveil Fall. Across from the fall is El Capitan and in the far distance you can see Half Dome.
This is not from Glacier Point either. This from a different vista on the way to Glacier Point. I love this view of Half Dome.
We're almost to Glacier Point.
These photos of the kids "leaning on" Half Dome look to me like they were taken against a paper backdrop. The views were absolutely stunning.
Another view of Yosemite Falls. This time we're actually at Glacier Point. We watch the mountain peaks change colors as the sun set. Once the sun was gone, we headed back to the car to drive back down to the valley and up the other side to head towards home.
Josh's "my sister is really ticking me off" face. The kids got tired and irritated with each other only a few times throughout the day.
For the most part, the day was full of smiles.
It was such a long day. We left home at 6:45 am and got home at 1:30 am but it was so incredibly worth it. We're already planning a several day family trip to Yosemite next summer. I'm looking forward to spending more time there.
I have lived in the Sacramento area for nearly 15 years and I have never been to the Yosemite valley. I could kick myself! Walt has been to Yosemite a couple times when he was in his 20s. I'm sure it hasn't changed much (right?), so I scooped the kids up and took them on a day trip to Yosemite.
Seriously, if you haven't been before then GO! To me it was more amazing than Yellowstone, although it's not fair to compare the complete different areas.
All I have to say is UH-MAZE-ING.
Okay. That's not really all I have to say. So here's another really long photo post of a absolutely beautiful National Park. By the way, my photos don't do it justice.
El Capitan was just awesome. It was Josh's favorite. After dark, when we were leaving the park, you could see little lights on the rock from where the climbers were sleeping. They looked like little stars.
This tree, on the trail to Bridalveil Fall, was so worn from years of visitors sitting on it that it was like a smooth piece of furniture.
The vista point for Bridalveil Fall is covered in water. We got our feet soaked.
Turns out stopping at Bridalveil first thing was not the best idea. The sun was behind the fall so this was our view.
We had fun in the cold mist anyway.
Ribbon Fall, in the crook of Carley's arm, is to the left of El Capitan. It seemed like everywhere we turned we could see a waterfall.
Swinging Bridge, which does not swing, crosses the Merced River in a wide, lazy spot....
... and gives a beautiful view of Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Falls has an upper and lower fall with a middle area too. The total fall is over 2000 feet!
The path beyond Swinging Bridge was flooded from the swollen river. The kids wanted to take off their shoes and follow the trail a little way. The water was so cold!
We walked to Lower Yosemite Fall.
Lower Yosemite Fall is 320 feet.
The pounding water creates a ton of mist and lots of wind. We had fun walking back and forth over the bridge that crosses the creek beyond the fall.
Taking the free shuttle around the park ended up being easier than trying to find parking on the crowded summer day.
Sometimes the shuttle bus was super crowded though!
After having an early dinner, the kids and I walked out to Mirror Lake, aptly named for it's beautiful reflections of the amazing scenery. Now if only peope would stop rippling the water!
The shuttle back from Mirror Lake was quite empty. Josh asked if he could honk the bus horn and the driver agreed if he could be in photo. This is Mark, the shuttle bus driver. He let both Josh and Carley honk the horn. Carley said it was her second favorite part of our trip!
As the sun was heading down, we were heading up to Glacier Point for views of the valley.
This is not taken from Glacier Point; I stopped at Tunnel View to get a better photo of Bridalveil Fall. Across from the fall is El Capitan and in the far distance you can see Half Dome.
This is not from Glacier Point either. This from a different vista on the way to Glacier Point. I love this view of Half Dome.
We're almost to Glacier Point.
These photos of the kids "leaning on" Half Dome look to me like they were taken against a paper backdrop. The views were absolutely stunning.
Another view of Yosemite Falls. This time we're actually at Glacier Point. We watch the mountain peaks change colors as the sun set. Once the sun was gone, we headed back to the car to drive back down to the valley and up the other side to head towards home.
Josh's "my sister is really ticking me off" face. The kids got tired and irritated with each other only a few times throughout the day.
For the most part, the day was full of smiles.
It was such a long day. We left home at 6:45 am and got home at 1:30 am but it was so incredibly worth it. We're already planning a several day family trip to Yosemite next summer. I'm looking forward to spending more time there.
Wednesday, June 29
Wyoming Weekend: The Short Story
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to meet up with some friends I met online about 5 years ago. None of us had met in person until that weekend but we hit it off like long-time friends.
Kelley and her daughter, Kayla, drove over from Idaho. Carolyn, and her baby boy, Avery, drove from eastern Wyoming. Angelica flew from Tennessee. And of course, I headed over from California.
Angelica and I ended up on the same flight from Denver to Jackson! Since we both had window seats, I switched seats with the middle-seater so Angelica and I could get to chatting right away.
I stayed three nights in Jackson Hole. We rented a small cabin near town. There was lots of outings, lots of visiting, lots of fun.
I hope you are prepared for a long picture post about my trip to Wyoming. I wasn't joking when I named this "The Short Story." I could post so much more but I won't.
Thursday, after everyone arrived, we went to Grand Teton National Park. The weather was not the best but what can you do?
Chapel of the Transfiguration.
Friday morning I woke up at 6:00am even though I was the one on Pacific time. After looking out the window and seeing clear skies, I couldn't resist throwing on a coat, grabbing my camera, and walking around the sleepy town.
After everyone was up and ready we hit the road for Yellowstone. Although the weather forecast was cloudy and rain every day, Friday turned out to be beautiful.
It was unfortunate that we never got to see the tops of the Grand Tetons but I was so grateful to have mostly sun on Friday.
As we got into Yellowstone National Park and kept climbing elevation, there was so much snow on the ground. We stopped to snap pictures at Lewis Lake, which was covered in ice. It was the first time I've seen a lake frozen over.
Buffalo were everywhere. We saw them in parking lots, eating from the road median, and in fields like here, which seemed more appropriate.
Old Faithful was pretty cool.
We ended up having lunch on a porch near Old Faithful and were able to see it erupt a second time. I wonder how many people have gathered by the edge of this old and faithful geyser to watch it erupt since it was discovered.
After Old Faithful, we visited Midway Geyser Basin nicknamed Hell's Half Acre.
Just walking through the area felt like we were in a steam room.
Angelica, Kelley, Carolyn and Avery
Excelsior Geyser
Turquoise Pool
This is the Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the largest hot spring in North America. Okay, not actually this but over yonder where you can see the blue. The orange is part of it but it's not really the pool. There wasn't a good vantage point from the side we were on but it was still so beautiful.
Mama Grizzly and her two cubs.
At the northern point in our loop around Yellowstone we stopped to see Lower Falls on Yellowstone River.
There's a platform just to the right of the top of the falls. If I had more time I would've wanted to hike down to that for a better view. Night was quickly approaching and we still had a few hours of driving ahead of us.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It sort of looks miniature in the photo but it was so big!
Mud pits.
On Saturday after a lazy morning in the cabin, we spent some time wandering Jackson. Saturday evening we went on a chuck wagon ride.
Kayla ended up being part of the show.
Sunday, I flew home just after breakfast.
I'd caught a cold and was definitely ready to head home. Although after looking at these photos and being in perfect health, I'm ready to head right back with the same girls, maybe more.
Kelley and her daughter, Kayla, drove over from Idaho. Carolyn, and her baby boy, Avery, drove from eastern Wyoming. Angelica flew from Tennessee. And of course, I headed over from California.
Angelica and I ended up on the same flight from Denver to Jackson! Since we both had window seats, I switched seats with the middle-seater so Angelica and I could get to chatting right away.
I stayed three nights in Jackson Hole. We rented a small cabin near town. There was lots of outings, lots of visiting, lots of fun.
I hope you are prepared for a long picture post about my trip to Wyoming. I wasn't joking when I named this "The Short Story." I could post so much more but I won't.
Thursday, after everyone arrived, we went to Grand Teton National Park. The weather was not the best but what can you do?
Chapel of the Transfiguration.
Friday morning I woke up at 6:00am even though I was the one on Pacific time. After looking out the window and seeing clear skies, I couldn't resist throwing on a coat, grabbing my camera, and walking around the sleepy town.
After everyone was up and ready we hit the road for Yellowstone. Although the weather forecast was cloudy and rain every day, Friday turned out to be beautiful.
It was unfortunate that we never got to see the tops of the Grand Tetons but I was so grateful to have mostly sun on Friday.
As we got into Yellowstone National Park and kept climbing elevation, there was so much snow on the ground. We stopped to snap pictures at Lewis Lake, which was covered in ice. It was the first time I've seen a lake frozen over.
Buffalo were everywhere. We saw them in parking lots, eating from the road median, and in fields like here, which seemed more appropriate.
Old Faithful was pretty cool.
We ended up having lunch on a porch near Old Faithful and were able to see it erupt a second time. I wonder how many people have gathered by the edge of this old and faithful geyser to watch it erupt since it was discovered.
After Old Faithful, we visited Midway Geyser Basin nicknamed Hell's Half Acre.
Just walking through the area felt like we were in a steam room.
Angelica, Kelley, Carolyn and Avery
Excelsior Geyser
Turquoise Pool
This is the Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the largest hot spring in North America. Okay, not actually this but over yonder where you can see the blue. The orange is part of it but it's not really the pool. There wasn't a good vantage point from the side we were on but it was still so beautiful.
Mama Grizzly and her two cubs.
At the northern point in our loop around Yellowstone we stopped to see Lower Falls on Yellowstone River.
There's a platform just to the right of the top of the falls. If I had more time I would've wanted to hike down to that for a better view. Night was quickly approaching and we still had a few hours of driving ahead of us.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It sort of looks miniature in the photo but it was so big!
Mud pits.
On Saturday after a lazy morning in the cabin, we spent some time wandering Jackson. Saturday evening we went on a chuck wagon ride.
Kayla ended up being part of the show.
Sunday, I flew home just after breakfast.
I'd caught a cold and was definitely ready to head home. Although after looking at these photos and being in perfect health, I'm ready to head right back with the same girls, maybe more.
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