Quarterly Favorites

Looking back at the first quarter of 2011 ... picking out some favorite photos of my kids ... not an easy task.  But I managed, so without further ado, here are my 5 favorites from January through March (in no particular order) ...

Honey, our golden retriever, has only been a part of our family for just over 2 years, but she is a wonderful addition.  She loves us just as much as we love her!  And in this photo, she is loving all the snow that we got back in January.

Nicholas with his game face on ... awaiting the Super Bowl to start.  As you know, our beloved Steelers succumbed to the Green Bay Packers this year.  :(

A rare moment with Alex.  He stood like this for a few minutes and allowed me to photograph him.  He's usually so busy getting into trouble exploring.  :)

Once upon a time, Keira was the subject in almost every photo I took.  Now she is the one who gets the least amount of photos taken of her.  She's so busy with school and homework and extra curricular activities that we don't usually get too many moments to slow down and enjoy life.  This day we made a point of photographing her (to the dismay of Nicholas who was completely convinced that I liked Keira more).  She is exactly 12 1/2 in this photo.  Growing up way too fast!

Another rare moment around here.  All 3 kids getting along!  They were making kid sandwiches.  :)

2011-03-31

ISO 800, f/11, 1/20s, D3100 w/18-55mm lens

On Tuesday I received a scrapbook collection in the mail that I won from Echo Park Paper Co.  All I did was follow their blog and my name was picked!  I got to choose any collection and I chose For the Record.  I love it!  Hoping I can find time to actually use it soon!

Paint the Moon's Timeworn texture added to photo at about 50% opacity.  I thought it appropriate since I usually "muddy up" my scrapbook pages with some ink around the edges.  :)

2011-03-30

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/160s, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

This poor Robin is probably wondering what in the world is going on lately.  What were once warm, sunny days just last week have become frigid and now snowy days this week.  Where are you Spring?!  Come back!  We love you!  :)


Linking up with the new Watchful Wednesdays ... since Winter returned for a day.  Or more.  :)

2011-03-29

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/40s, D3100 w/18-55mm lens

We had an Easter party this morning at my moms/preschoolers group (realizing it is early, but this is when it fit into our schedule).  One of the ladies brought her bunny, Hossenfeffer, so we could take pictures of the kids with the "Easter Bunny".  The kids loved him!  He wasn't so sure about them, although he did very well during his photo shoot.  :)

2011-03-28

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/30s, D3100 w/18-105mm lens

This lovely daffodil greeted me first thing this morning.  It is one of the potted flowers I bought last week.  It was a lovely sight to see on a Monday morning!

I followed Ashley Sisk's tutorial from a few weeks back to add some sun flare and pump up the yellow ... just for fun.  :)

2011-03-27

ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/80s, white balance auto, D3100 w/18-55mm lens

My hyacinths are starting to bloom!  I didn't want to post this photo today because I took it for tomorrow's Shoot & Edit challenge, but the other photos I took today didn't turn out like I'd hoped, so this is it.  If you follow both of my blogs, then, sorry but you've now already seen one of my edits.  :)

Week 12 Summary

20 - First day of spring!

21 - Keira at 12 1/2.

22 - My husband, Doug, who had a birthday on March 21.  He's hard to get a photo of, so I wasn't able to photograph him ON his birthday, but I managed to get a few today.  I told him he had to let me.  :)

23 - Got some new vitamins for the boys.  Photo inspired by Ashley Sisk.

24 - Bought a pot of hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips.  Can't wait for them to bloom!

25 - Alex's Wood-U-Race car.  Doug made him a train.  (Alex LOVES trains!)

26 - Keira won a 4th place trophy in last night's race.  Who would have thought a lipstick car could go so fast?!  :)

Linking up with ...

          

2011-03-26

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/80s, white balance manual, D3100 w/18-55mm lens

Keira won a 4th place trophy in last night's Wood-U-Race (aka pine derby race) at our church.  Her lipstick car was surprisingly fast!  Yay, Keira!


Linking up with Live Every Moment's Different View/Perspective challenge.

2011-03-25

ISO 400, f/5.0/ 1/60s, white balance auto, D3100 w/18-55mm lens

Remember a while back I posted this pic of a race car kit that my boys bought for our church's Wood-U-Race?  (otherwise known as Pine Derby)  Well, here's Alex's finished product.  My husband made this for him.  Alex picked the design though, and we were not at all surprised when he wanted a train.  He didn't win any trophies tonight, but he did come in first in a couple of the races.  It was a good time!

2011-03-24

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/40s, white balance auto, D3100 w/18-55mm lens
Since I am impatiently waiting for spring flowers to bloom, I decided to buy a pot of flowers from Lowe's the other day.  In this pot are violet hyacinths, red tulips, and yellow daffodils.  (Those are the actual names on the tags ... so technical, I know).  :)  We brought the pot in because it got cold the past couple days and I swear the daffodils have grown 4 inches since being moved inside!  The hyacinths and tulips have grown also, but not as much.  Hoping they bloom soon!  I really need some color in my world.

Linking up with Texture Thursday ... the hyacinths have a really cool texture to them, don'tcha think?  :)

2011-03-23

ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1/100s, white balance auto, D3100 w/18-105mm lens

Trying a new "vitamin" for the boys.  Nick was diagnosed with ADHD a few years back, but we chose not to medicate him.  He does okay, but could use some help.  Alex is showing the same impulsive tendencies as Nicholas, so after doing some research and getting a few suggestions, I decided to try Focus Factor for Kids.  They came today.  Alex was very excited, so I handed them out right away.  Apparently they taste good so it shouldn't be a battle to get them to eat them daily.  Here's hoping they have a positive effect.

This photo inspired by Ashley Sisk.  :)

2011-03-22

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/50s, white balance auto, D3100 w/18-105mm lens

Now here's something you don't see every day.  I talked my husband, Doug, into letting me take his photo today.  Yesterday was his birthday.  He is 43 now.  (The same number as Troy Polamalu's jersey ... according to Nick).  I converted the photo to sepia and cloned out the glare from his glasses.  It isn't perfect, but not too bad either.

2011-03-21

ISO 400, f/8.0, 1/800s, white balance auto, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

In keeping with my personal challenge to photograph my children each month on the anniversary of their birthday, today is Keira's turn.  Today she is 12 1/2.  Yes, she will be a teenager in just 6 short months!  

I took this photo while we were taking another walk through our neighbors' woods.  Hence the cut off capris and boots.  :)  It was warm enough for capris and I insisted on the boots because of all the mud I knew we would encounter.  And we did.  Lots of it.  The dog will be getting a bath tomorrow.  :)

On a side note, today is also my husband's birthday.  I was hoping to photograph him as well, but I only saw him briefly this morning before leaving for the gym and him leaving for a 12-hour work day.  I will try to pin him down tomorrow.  :)

2011-03-20

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/80s, white balance auto, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

I figured since today is the first day of spring, I should photograph something spring-like.  No flowers/trees have blossomed yet, but my daffodils are getting ready to bloom.

Happy first day of Spring!  Yay!  It's finally here!

Week 11 Summary

13 - I decided to try my best to take a photo of each of my kids on the anniversary of their birthday.  Nicholas will be 8 on April 13!

14 - A Robin in our soon-to-be-garden.

15 - Alex and I played with a bouncy ball and a flash light.

16 - I was finally able to get a decent shot of the moon.

17 - Lake Arthur.

18 - Saw a small rainbow ... found out it is called a sun dog.  Thanks, Laura!

19 - Alex's last soccer game.  The kids all got a medal before the game.

My photo for March 13 was chosen as one of Faith's Top 5!  Thanks, Faith!

2011-03-19

ISO 3200, f/5.6, 1/200s, white balance auto, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

Alex had his last soccer game this morning.  There was a little award ceremony beforehand where all the kids got recognized and received a medal.  His team lost their game, but it was a good one.  And I think Alex played his best game of the season.

2011-03-18

ISO 400, f/10, 1/4000s, white balance cloudy, D3100 w/18-105mm lens

Today was such a glorious day weather wise.  66 degrees with beautiful sunshine.  While Keira was at basketball practice this evening, we stayed at the school so the boys could play at the playground.  While there we noticed this small rainbow that only lasted a few moments.  It wasn't raining where we were, but it must have been raining somewhere.

2011-03-17

ISO 400 (not sure why - forgot to change it back to 100?), f/11, 1/1000s, white balance direct sunlight, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

Alex and I stopped at Moraine on our way home from shopping at the Outlets.  Everything is still dead and the ground is very soggy.  We ended up coming home with mud all over our jeans/shoes, but we got to enjoy the warmer temps and beautiful sunshine.  It certainly feels like spring today!

2011-03-16

ISO 100, f/11, 1/125s, D3100 w/55-200mm lens - using tripod and self-timer

I realize this isn't a fabulous photo of the moon, since I've seen better, but this is the best one I have taken so far.  I followed the advice from this website.  I really had to crop a lot away since my zoom only goes to 200.  I'm saving up for a stronger zoom and growing more impatient.  :)

2011-03-15

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/200s, white balance auto, D3100 w/18-55mm lens

Alex and I played this evening with a bouncy ball and a flashlight.  Cool, huh?  :)

2011-03-14

ISO 400, f/10, 1/320s, white balance sunny, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

I finally captured a photo of a Robin.  They've been around in our yard, but none close enough to get a decent photo.  This photo isn't great, but they can't all be great, right?  :)

2011-03-13

ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/100s, white balance cloudy, D3100 w/18-55mm lens

I have decided to try really hard to take a photo of each of my children on the anniversary of their birthday each month.  As long as they will let me.  :)

Nicholas will be turning 8 years old on April 13, one month from today.  Where did the time go?!


Entering this in Faith's Macro photo challenge.  I don't actually have a macro lens, but I hope a close up counts too.  :)

How cool is that?!  Thanks, Faith!

Week 10 Summary

6 - Alex changing my planned POTD by interrupting me with all his cuteness.  :)

7 - Attended Kindergarten Orientation and brought home lots of homework (ie. papers to fill out).

8 - Went for a nature walk at a local park and managed to get Alex to pause long enough to photograph him.

9 - Vintage car that is actually a pencil sharpener.

10 - Cheating day - photo from Tuesday's nature walk.

11 - Cedar Waxwings all lined up in a row - we came across them on a walk through the snowy woods.

12 - Dreaming ... some day.

         

      

2011-03-12

ISO 400, f/4.5, 1/80s, white balance auto

 I've always wanted to go and this makes me want to go even more.  Still dreaming.  Some day.

2011-03-11

ISO 200, f/10, 1/500s, white balance preset, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

We got about 6 inches of heavy, wet snow overnight last night.  I guess winter isn't over yet.  :)  The kids had a 2-hour school delay, so I decided to be lazy and keep Alex home from preschool.  And hour and a half of school is pretty much a waste of gas for me.  Instead we shoveled out the driveway some, then went for a walk through our neighbor's woods, down to their pond, and then made a snowman.  Along the walk we came across these birds.  They are Cedar Waxwings (yes, I looked them up).  Aren't they beautiful?  I love how they all lined up ... just for me.  :)

2011-03-10

ISO 400, f/5.0, 1/1250s, white balance auto, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

I'm cheating today because this photo was taken Tuesday when Alex and I went to Jennings.  It is so icky and rainy today.  I did take a few photos but nothing that I am all that excited about.  

In the background of this is a small waterfall.  I added The Paper Mama's Bokeh texture (turned down the opacity) just for fun.

2011-03-09

ISO 1600, f/22, 1/4s, white balance cloudy

This 1917 Model A car is actually a pencil sharpener.  My husband found it in a can of nails that his grandfather had.  The boys think it is pretty cool.  I do too.  :)

I used Pioneer Woman's Vintage and Edge Burn effects on this photo.  I'm pleased with how it turned out.

2011-03-08

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/125s, white balance auto, D3100 w/55-200mm lens

Alex and I went for a walk through a local nature reserve this afternoon.  The weather was chilly but very sunny and I didn't want to waste the day by staying indoors.  We walked and explored and paused for pictures.  It was a bit more stressful than I would have liked ... having a little boy who isn't very patient with his mom who likes to take pictures :) ... but overall we had a good time.  I can't wait to go back this spring/summer and see all the beautiful colors.