What We Did On Our Family Vacation

I started this blog to document Ian's life. And then I let other things take over and post un-Ian related posts. Those posts are certain to foster an email from my mom who says, "what about my grandson? I haven't seen his photos in days..."

So this is for my mom :) Finally, a little about a boy.

He was so excited to travel to Seattle! We counted down sleeps and FINALLY he was able to "blast off" to the great Pacific North West.

He was absolutely OBSESSED with the Safety Information Card. Literally 30 minutes spent examining it.

We arrived in Seattle in the morning and after saying hello to Aunt E , Cousin K and meeting "my new baby cousin L" we were on our first adventure. Aunt E is not one to waste any time! We headed out for the Ballard Locks where Ian instantly found leaves to hide behind. He's not very cooperative lately!

It was cold but not rainy which made for good fun exploring the waves,

viewing the one fish in the ladder,

and watching the locks and bridge work.

Home for the evening and then off to class for me for the next two days. While I was in class I've heard there was all sorts of merriment being had, pizza being eaten, football games watched, aquarium viewing, library exploring and some rain. Sunday night they picked me up. We had a quiet evening with Aunt E and Uncle A before an early night.

Monday, our last day in Seattle we headed out to the Children's Museum. Our friend Charleen had said good things about it, so I really wanted to see it. Oh, I should probably mention that was after the one handed photo shoot I tried to conduct alone with a 5 month old little girl. I tried to sneak it in while her mom was in the shower. I really should have asked for help. Not easy to pose, focus, and watch that she doesn't tumble! Can't show you the photos though, it will spoil the Christmas gift :)

The Children's Museum was great. Dark and bad for photos. But great. Ian loved it!

The journey through the digestive track, ending in poop.

The mucus machine.

The jumping.

The obstacle course

The mini Taco Time and "mini" market

and of course the construction site where he referred to himself as Bob and did a lot of supervising his staff!

And then we saw this photo in the market. I have NO DOUBT that is Leo!!

Then it was off to the airport for out flight home. Not nearly as exciting for him as the trip there. In fact, he proclaimed to the entire plane on more than one occasion, "we are not moving." Hard to explain speed to a little guy who could only see clouds out of his window! I'm sure it was much more comforting to those around us compared to his asking, "when do we use the parachutes?" on our first leg of the trip!

And there you have it. That's what we did on our weekend in Seattle! Love you Mom! And thanks for reminding who this blog is really about!

Seattle Confidence Workshop

Me Ra Koh's Confidence Workshop was wonderful! I loved confirming so much of what I know and adding to my bag of techniques. I loved most getting to shoot this precious little boy. He was so sleepy. What a tiny beautiful miracle he is!

And yes, Mom, I'll post photos of your grandson soon! He says, "happy birthday."

Stopping By For the Evening

Every fall they arrive in town. Usually downtown. They are loud but not too loud. They are fascinating to watch as they flit between trees, fly off in all directions. Sometimes seem to have a purpose and sometimes none at all. Last night they landed in our trees. For at least an hour they flew around, landed, and repeated.

We stood in the alley, the direction of the best light and just watched. And listened. Ian recorded with the video camera. I photographed them. And Shea gave direction. It was his idea to get them in flight. No easy task as they are quick. But I caught them. It wasn't until I sat at my computer that I saw just how amazing the photos could be. I typically don't do so much processing. These just called for it.

You can see a larger image on flickr.

One Year Ago Today

It seems my subject doesn't change much, he just grows!

Marshmallows and Camping

At 4 years old Ian clearly understands what Thanksgiving is all about!

And just in case you can't see it, it reads...

My Legos

Circus Show (a game they play at school as he's never been to a real circus)

Roasting Marshmallows (he's done that ONE time!)

Camping (twice)

Did you notice Ju-Ju's answers? What a suck up!

It Has Love In It

What does a mom need for her birthday? Stickers. Sentiment. Glitter. Delivered by a little man who claims, "mom it has LOVE in it!"

Capturing The Perfect Imperfect Holiday Photo

It's time!

Holiday cards and the family photo. Does that make you cringe? The attempt at clean shirts, clean faces, good moods, good light, great location. All at the same time! Is that even possible?

This year I say embrace the imperfect! Let your family be who they are. Let them wear what they want to wear. Let them make the faces they want to make! Most families are relaxed fun loving people right? Let your holiday cards show that!

Want the best photo? Plan a couple of things keeping FUN in mind!

• Find good light: An hour or so before sunset gives beautiful even non direct light. Check here for your sunset times.

I shot this around 430PM and the light was stunning! I really gave them no direction, they are just that cute!

• Go somewhere fun! A park, a playground, out for ice cream, or any favorite family spot! I'd say find a great alley or wall, but that will also require bribing your subjects with a little something after.

• Shoot quickly and get it over with! No one wants to watch you fiddle with your settings or examine your histogram over and over and over. Shoot in a mode you are comfortable with and watch your shutter speed (keep it above at least 1/125). Shoot at eye level with your dear ones, they'll look better. And don't fear getting close! Watch your backgrounds, clutter, trash cans, random stuff aren't so much fun.

• Lighten up! Tell jokes, say silly things, ask them to tell their stories, let them just be. Make noises. Ask them to do silly things. Shoot!

Nothing like admitting to who really is the boss in our house! The self timer worked for this one. Flash bounced off my bedroom ceiling.

• Give yourself a break! Family shoots are difficult. Don't worry about everyone looking at the camera or being perfect. Show everyone your real family!

Boys! While little girls tend to smile too big, boys tend to show every goofy face imaginable! Go with it!

Do you want to avoid the entire headache? Grab a favorite photo from the year! Last year I snapped this photo the day after Thanksgiving and knew INSTANTLY it was destined for a card!

I kept it simple with word art from Ali Edwards

Once you've got the photo you can try out a quick (and fun) Shutterfly card, make your own using some of the beautiful products at Designer Digitals, or print it for the super duper easy stick it in the card approach. I'll spend the next few weeks deciding if I'm just emailing my card this year. (I have this discussion with myself every year!)

Any other ideas to add?

Link us up to your favorite holiday card photos! I can't wait to see what you create!

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Thanks to the two gorgeous families who willingly listened to my jokes and did the crazy clown dance! And Ian, Santa is watching!

Thoughts On Leaving 40 Behind

Credits at Designer Digitals

I Heart Faces Week 43 "Balloons" Photo Challenge

I thought I had nothing for this week's challenge and then I remembered this photo! What a fun day, fun moment it was! I was able to put my novice balloon tying skills to work and he wanted to play along!

And because out takes are just as fun as the best!

Click on the layout for credits at Designer Digitals.

Sneak Feet Peek!

I'm an everyday photographer. I carry my camera with me everywhere. I shoot what inspires me. What catches my eye. What I feel like shooting in the moment. Every now and then someone will ask me to take photos because they really get me. They understand that I'm not a posy posy matchy matcherson kind of person. They may not understand I'm going to make their kids say silly things, run, jump and do other craziness, but they get me.

Today I got to spend time with two families who just get me! We've known them for several years and just adore them! I knew too that they are dear friends so we planned for a little family overlap. I love the photos of the two families together. I think the kids just shined with their friends!

So here's just a tiny peek at them! Okay, more like a little tease ;) I'll post more soon!

Happy Halloween!

I hope you have a spooky great day!

Fix It Friday #34

Thought I'd have a little fun with I Heart Photo's Fix It Friday. I often download the photo with the intent of playing, but then life gets in the way. Today I'm trying to Just Say Yes with the little one in my house and amazingly I had time to edit and upload! Yes is working well! More Yes in the house, perhaps more No to those outside?

Here is my take. I seem to be really drawn to black and white lately. Those who've visited my house are probably thinking, "lately?" It just draws me. I love the clean feeling it gives me as well as the emotion invoked. I believe that's what photos are all about.

For this photo I:

• Adjusted it a bit in Lightroom 2
• Added a black and white preset
• Adjusted brightness, blacks, and contrast
• Imported into CS4
• In CS4 a little healing on her bruises
• Brightened her eyes just a tad
• Saved

And here we have it! I tried to keep my adjustments to less than 5 minutes.

Obsessed

Credits at Designer Digitals.

If you know Ian you know his obsession. The kid loves Halloween! He told me last week it was too spooky for him this year so he wanted to skip the holiday. The moment quickly passed and he is ready to go! He's got his costumes at the ready. Yes, costumes. We'll see which one wins! Thanks to Mom and her sewing talents and his ability to wear things from two years ago, he is well stocked for the "Holiday."

Shooting Your Kids This Halloween!

So much great information for Halloween photos this year. Here is a round up of some of my favorites found around the web.

Halloween Photography Tips from Digital Photography School

How To Take Great Halloween Photos from New York Institute of Photography

Tricks & Treats for Taking Great Halloween Photography from Shutterfly

20 Tips from Scrapbooks Etc.

Spooky Photo Tips by the Fabulous Me Ra Koh

And of course, my favorite tips:

• Shoot at your child's eye level
• Shoot from slightly below to make them appear larger than life!
• Grab the from behind shot as they head toward doors for trick or treating
• Turn your flash off and your ISO up
• Capture the details - pumpkins, candy, feet
• Don't say cheese, keep it real, even if they make faces!
• Enjoy!

Have fun and be safe!

Click on the layouts for credits!

One More Reason I Carry My Camera Everywhere

I would miss the tongue tricks without it!

Reason Why I Carry My Camera Everywhere

Without it this face at this moment wouldn't be captured for all time.

Blog Action Day - What Scares You?

Once upon a time there was a little boy. He had to listen to his parents talk since he couldn't talk much himself. One day he heard his momma say, "that really scares me." He worked really hard, struggling a bit to find the words and asked,"what scares you momma?"

She paused for a long time. Because he was a little boy.

"Global warming," she said.

And he understood. Even though he was little he understood wasting and driving the car too much and not putting things in the recycle bin made global warming bigger.

And he understood if global warming got bigger some things wouldn't be the same anymore. The parks. The playground. The backyard. The air he breathed. The world he lived in.

So he was happy to ride behind his mom's bike to school. He was happy to wear clothes someone else had used. He was happy to help in the garden, well most of the time anyway. He was happy to be a vegetarian, even if he wasn't quite sure what that meant. He was happy to use a cloth napkin and didn't even know what a paper towel was.

Because he knew. He knew he was making global warming smaller. In his small way. Because he was small.

And for the big people he thought they should do more. Because one day he would be big. And he knew he had lots of things to do in the world. And he didn't want Global Warming to be the only thing he thought about. He understood though. He understood doing things differently is hard. He understood habits, even if he was only little.

His momma said, maybe if the big people understood more. Maybe they'd do something different. So she showed her friends this video:

And she pointed them toward information. And they hoped. They hoped people would do their small part too.

31 Simple Pleasures

“That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.” - Henry David Thoreau

I love following ZenFamilyHabits blog. Today Leo posted 31 simple pleasures you can enjoy as a family given the right mindset. It made me happy to see how many from his list we've shared together just this week. What's on your list?

1. Take a walk and have a nice talk.
2. Pack a simple picnic and go outdoors.
3. Get outside and toss around a ball or Frisbee.
4. Ride bikes or jog.
5. Rent a movie (or get out one of your old DVDs) and make some popcorn.
6. Bake cookies.
7. Play boardgames.
8. Make tents out of blankets.
9. Read a book together.
10. Tell stories.
11. Look for bugs outside.
12. Make paper airplanes.
13. Go to the library.
14. Take a hike.
15. Camp in your backyard.
16. Go to the beach or a lake or river.
17. Take a stroll in the park or go to a playground.
18. Read a book of tongue twisters and make up your own.
19. Play loud music and dance.
20. Just snuggle.
21. Hide, and go seek.
22. Thumb wrestle.
23. Watch a sunrise.
24. Count the stars and find constellations (or make up your own).
25. Have a good hug.
26. Eat chocolate. Slowly.
27. Banana split.
28. Root beer float.
29. Make pancakes for dinner.
30. Tell jokes.
31. Be lazy together.

and my 32. Eat icecream

Looking Up

We made the choice for Ian to only go to school two days a week this year. It was based on many things but my underlying desire was to capture time with him before he heads off to kindergarden next year! Yes, kindergarden. I'm overwhelmed by that!

There are moments and days I worry about our choice because, well, I worry about everything! Is he getting enough time with friends? Will he be able to meet all the kinder readiness points? Am I working too little? Can we pay the mortgage? You know, small things!

Yesterday we ventured out together for coffee and PVS (petite vanilla scones). Together we decided an outing around the Capitol and down K Street was needed. I love just being with him. Watching him play and discover the world. Noticing details only a four year old can point out. I could take one less "why" question, but that is part of enjoying him!

Seeing everyone hustle about in their business suits and uncomfortable shoes I realized how lucky I am. How lucky to just spend time with him. Could I be doing other things? Yes. Could I be in endless meetings trying to change the world? Yes.

Then he said, "momma, the building is really big." And I stopped. Looked up. And he was right.

I was in the best meeting, changing the world in the most important way.

My Favorite Things

One of my favorite sites asked for a posting of a few of my favorite things. I realized I'd captured this last month! So here it is again. A few of my favorite things!!

Dreams

Our morning routine:

Me: Good morning Ian.

Ian: Good morning!

Me: Did you sleep well?

Ian: A little bit.

Me: Did you have good dreams?

Ian: Yes.

Me: What did you dream about?

Ian: You.

That is sweet enough to just kill me. But today he added:

Ian: Momma, what did you dream about?

Me: (stunned in disbelief) You.

Home Body Blasts Off

Ian is a homebody. Truly. If you ask him what he'd like to do or where he'd like to go it always ends in some combination of home and play. Or more correctly, play at home.

Mondays are our home days. No work for me. Time with just him. We may watch movies. We may play games. We read. We draw. And we repeat all of those. I enjoy it after the craziness of our weekends and it makes him happy!

Today he wanted scones. He would have been happy making breakfast at home but I piled him into the trailer and away we rode for PV Scones and a little coffee. While there I asked if he wanted to go to the Art Beast - the children's art/play studio nearby. He said yes. A real yes. Not a Monday I want to go home whimper in him.

I had no idea! 3 1/2 hours later we biked home for lunch. 30 minutes later he said, can we go back? And since it's not cheap and we had stamps to return...1 1/2 hours later Dad showed up and Ian said "hi" and well, didn't want to go yet. So we staid 1 more hour. Yes, that is 7 hours in one spot. I was not prepared and my phone got no service! So it was old Martha and BHG magazines for me while the wild child played. So what had him mesmerized that long? Just this ultra cool...rocket!

He's just asked Dad to build one for his room. Do you think that means 7 hours of play at home?

I doubt it!

I Want To Ride My Bicycle!

A year and a half ago I reluctantly said okay to the purchase of a cruiser. Since then it has become my primary mode of transportation. We go everywhere on them! We had an I LOVE my bike and I LOVE my neighborhood weekends. We rode everywhere! Ian loves to be in the trailer and often yells, go faster!!

It started out for the new Thursday Night Music Walk. We rode there and then walked our bikes!

Friday Shea got a SERIOUS no patching it flat so we walked to dinner.

Saturday we got in the car (gas...p) to get a new tube. (okay it was less than a 2 mile drive, should have walked!) And then Saturday night we headed out on our bikes for date night.

Sunday back on the bikes to head to the Cowtown Marathon and cheer for friends! We rode all over the course, to breakfast and then home.

There is something so freeing, so simple, so childlike. So perfect! I love my bike!