Weekend Lens

One of my goals this summer is to pick up my camera and shoot away.

With this in mind, over the weekend, I toted my Nikon D-90 around with me everywhere and snapped as many pictures as I could.  (Thank goodness Brian was home, so he could carry the baby and I could carry my camera.)  

Here's a look at our weekend through the lens:

On Saturday morning, we attended our godson Tyler's baseball game.  In the photo above, Tyler is running to first base.  (To his left is his dad/coach, Steve, cheering him on!)

 And here's Tyler sprinting to second base.  Run, Tyler, run!

After the game, we had lunch and played games back at the Liotine's house.  Tyler taught me how to play a game called Garbage.    
 

Noah sported this shirt that says "I'm kind of a big deal," along with a newsboy cap (both from Old Navy).

Back at our house, Brian made dinner and then the three of us walked down to the mailbox.  On the mailbox next to ours, I spotted this spider and jumped.  I thought it was real.  Clearly, one of our neighbors has a sense of humor!

Coming back from the mailbox, I made another discovery:  The deer ate all of our miniature pink roses.  :-(  The next time we visit our local nursery, I want to find out what types of flowers are deer resistant.

On Sunday after church, Brian, Noah and I dined at Denny's.  Initially, I was planning to order a few slices of french toast--like I always do at breakfast joints.  That is, until I spotted these Strawberry Pancake Puppies with Cream Cheese Icing on the menu.  Think Hushpuppies with bits of strawberry goodness.  I'm so glad I changed my mind: These little puppies were scrumptious!   

And what goes great with pancake puppies?   Why, a Sweet Georgia Peach smoothie.

That afternoon, Brian and I sorted through our long-neglected camping gear, taking stock of what we have and what we need to buy.  We're excited to take Noah camping at Lake Antelope later this month.

For dinner, I made Salmon with Asparagus and Chive Butter Sauce from this cookbook.  

It's weekends like this that remind me how thankful I am for time with family and friends.  Time to laugh and play.  Time to cook and eat.  Time to plan and organize.  Time to click, click, click--capturing it all with my camera.


How was your weekend?

J

Abracadabra!

Over the past few months, I've been taking tons of pictures with my DSLR.

Most of the time, Noah is my subject, but I also love shooting parties.

In late March, friends of ours threw a magical birthday party for their boys, Tyler (age 6) and Chase (age 2).

Magician Howdy Do Dat? presented an exciting magic show, complete with audience participation, live animals, and amazing illusions.    

Just recently, I had a bit of free time to play in Lightroom, so I edited some of the photos from that special day.  

Here are my favorite shots:

It was fun for kids and adults alike!

J

Apple Hill 2011

 














Last Sunday, we spent the day in Apple Hill with the Liotine family.

It was a beautiful fall day replete with...

eating,

shopping,

laughing,

rolling (down grassy hills),

running,

giggling,

feeding (farm animals),

enjoying,

shooting (photos that is),

chatting,

exploring,

smiling,

and savoring.

Here are my favorite shots from the day:

I can't wait to go back again next fall.

J

Tyler Turns 3 Today!

Yesterday was our godson Tyler's B-I-G farm-themed birthday celebration!

Isn't this pig cake just darling?! Tyler's paternal grandmother, Carol, made it especially for him and it was delectable!

But before Tyler blew out the candles, it was off to the races...

Ready, set...


...GO!

Cousins Tyler, Kayla, Abby, and Cameron galloped toward the finish line!

Aren't their facial expressions priceless?! Sheer bliss...

And I love how Kayla is running alongside her horse instead of on its back!


After feasting on chili, cornbread, pigs in a blanket, and birthday cake, it was off to the living room to open presents. Tyler loved reading his birthday cards and opening his gifts. (Well, in typical kid-fashion, he wanted nothing to do with the clothes, but was really excited by all the cool books and toys!) And in keeping with the farm theme, many guests were wearing cowboy hats. Not only did Tyler wear a hat, but he was also sporting black cowboy boots!

{Yeehaw!}


This is the charming barn invitation that my friend, Nicole, created for Tyler's birthday party. (Isn't it just adorable?!) Nicole used her Cricut to cut out all the farm animals. (As you can see, the cow graced the front of the invitation, but inside there were a few more farm animals--a rooster, a pig, and my favorite, a goat!) And if that wasn't creative enough, check out the text inside the invitation.

The inside read:
Old McTyler had a farm
E-I-E-I-O
And on that farm we hope to see you
E-I-E-I-O

Join us for his 3rd birthday party
Sunday March 8th
11:00-2:00

The Liotine Ranch
{Address}

Yays and Neighs
{Phone number}

Tyler's cousins and daycare friends took home a little barn goodie bag, filled with plastic farm animals. What a cute idea!


And here's the card I made for Tyler.


I'll leave you with this little story...
__________________________________________________________________
Three of Tyler's daycare buddies, who are all about three years old, attended the party. One of them is also named Tyler and his last name begins with an "L," too. So, at the party yesterday, the three little kids weren't calling Tyler Liotine, "Tyler" or "Tyler L."

Instead, here's what I heard them calling him:
Ty Lio (pronounced Tie-Leo)
or
Ty Tine (pronounced Tie-Tee-knee)
or
Tyler Tine

It was so-o-o precious! :-)

(And as an aside, apparently lately Tyler has been referring to himself as Tyler Liotine Gregory.)
__________________________________________________________________
And one more little anecdote...

When I first arrived at Nicole & Steve's house, the person coming in the door behind me saw Tyler standing in the foyer and said, "Happy birthday, Tyler!" To which Tyler responded, "It's not my real birthday! Tomorrow is my real birthday!" There you have it...
__________________________________________________________________
Happy real birthday, Tyler Gregory! :-)