Playing with my new toy

These are some 'just because' pictures that I took for no real reason other than I wanted to play with some of the settings on my new camera.

Have I told you lately that I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new toy?

I had so much fun playing with the camera, that it wasn't until I was looking through the pictures later that I realized how 'growny' both of the kids suddenly look!

So, I still have a lot of work to do in figuring out settings and lighting and such, but in the meantime, I sure had a good time with my models.

I love it how Micah just has to let his personality shine through in at least one picture.

What a ham!

Trophy Time

Okay, this REALLY is going to be the last football post.

I promise!

I just had to get a snapshot to remember their cutie patootie trophies from cheer and football.

We were all a little disappointed to discover Micah's was NOT actually made of chocolate despite it's delicious brown choclately appearance.

Seriously, maybe we are half blind or maybe we were starving, but that thing really looked like it was made from chocolate from across the banquet room.

Did anyone else see the news report last week that said chocolate would be more expensive than caviar in the year 2030?!?

gasp!

In case you've lost count, that's only 20 years people!!!

Time to stock up and fill the deep freeze!

Fans of Fall

You know, I spent so much time documenting and photographing what was happening on the field, I nearly forgot to ever take any pictures of what was happening off the field!

It wasn't until the last game that I thought about all the fun memories we made in the stands and under the pop up tent with all our football buddies that I wanted to capture as well!

Here's to all our fellow football fans that braved the weather, drove great distances, and gave up every Saturday for months to come and root for our kids!

And for all of you crazy so called friends who keep trying to peer pressure me into camping, I want you to know that this is the closest you will ever come to seeing me set up camp.

We had a tent, braved the elements, we shared creative meals, we spent lots of quality time with family and loved ones, the kids made memories, ....

I think that about covers all the highlights of camping ~ minus the sleeping outside!

OUR boys of fall

Here's the last few pictures from our 'boys of fall ball' collection.

I love the team shot ~ look closely on the back row for Micah standing second from the left.

Getting some water and advice from the sidelines

Here's some action shots of Micah running the ball! Go #68!

Roots of my Raisin'

After breakfast at the fish pond with Brian's family, we stopped by the old family homestead.
Brian's grandparents raised 17 wonderful children in this sweet home that one of his cousins now lives in.

The kids couldn't resist the playing on the tire swing in the front yard, and I couldn't resist taking a few gazillion pictures!

Looking at the size and age of this tree, it suddenly occurred to me that it is very likely one of the trees that Brian's mom, aunts, and uncles once climbed and played in when they were children.
Somehow, that makes these pictures so much more special!

The roots of my raisin' run deep
I come back for the strength that I need
And hope comes no matter how far down I sink
The roots of my raisin' run deep.