Spring is here!

I have NEVER been so excited for Spring! I'm usually lamenting how little snow we had and praying for another month of cold just for the chance at some decent snowfall. Well, this year, there was NO shortage of snow and I am loving being able to be outside and enjoy flowers, gentle breezes, and of course, wearing flip flops. Ella has graduated to "big girl" flip flops with not strap on the back and we're both rather impressed with her. Here are some pics of us enjoying the new season!


checking out her shadow


she wanted to make a "sun angel" :-)


pretending to lick the dog toy she picked out for Raleigh while trying to teach her to fetch (even with peanut butter on it, that dog will not pick up a toy and bring it to you!)


Digging!




When we explored the garden for the first time post-snow there was actually broccoli growing!!


And this, is what a tomato looks like after 3 blizzards :-)

Photo Class-Assignment #4

I am SO behind on blogging and even looking at pictures I've taken but I'll catch up at some point...sigh.

Anyway, I just realized I have 2 hrs to get my photo assignment in for Amy's online class so thought I'd post a few pics :-) The assignement this week was about aperture which is actually my favorite thing to play around with in having an SLR camera. So, here ya go.

This is not a great pic but it's the only one with a bigger depth of field-all of the kids are in focus as opposed to just one

Taken with a Canon Rebel T1i
Focal Length: 50mm
Shutter Speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 400


Taken with a Canon Rebel T1i
Focal Length: 50mm
Shutter Speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 400


Taken with a Canon Rebel T1i
Focal Length: 50mm
Shutter Speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/2.2
ISO: 800


Taken with a Canon Rebel T1i
Focal Length: 50mm
Shutter Speed: 1/500
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 100

We're Looney...just the way I like it

Random recent pics that I couldn't pass up posting...


Ella got her face painted recently at a birthday party and insisted that we take her picture before she washed it off. FIRST TIME EVER she's asked to have her picture taken! And Chris took about 30 pictures!

Chris and Ella were in a silly mood and I had to run and get the camera...


...then Ella started acting out emotions as we named them until we were all laughing hysterically...I LOVE my family

Excited!


Scared


Happy


Mad

We're a looney little group and I wouldn't have it any other way :-)

Photo Class-Assignement #3

I missed an assignment in Amy's Photo Class but here's the one for this week!

We're supposed to work on taking pics without clutter-making sure the subject can truly be identified as such instead of "fighting" with the things in the background. So, here are a few that I think came out pretty well.


This one is "what not to do" with that random guy's head in the corner

not perfect but better with only random guy's shoulder :-)

Both taken with a Canon Rebel T1i
Focal Length: 50mm
Shutter Speed: 1/400
Aperture: f/2.0
ISO: 3200


I like this one because 1) my husband is hot and 2)he's so sharply in focus and the things in the background (though only about 2 feet away) are so blurry you can't tell what they are

Taken with a Canon Rebel T1i
Focal Length: 50mm
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 3200


My nephew Silas-so up close, there's no room for clutter!

Taken with a Canon Rebel T1i
Focal Length: 50mm
Shutter Speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 400

Stinky Cheese Party!

My SIL recently hosted a super-fun, crazy-tasty Raclette/Fondue party. Basically it involved lots of heating elements on two long tables, lots of cook-or-dip-your-own food choices and a ton of siblings, cousins, and kids chowing down. SO GOOD.


My husband's family is KNOWN for their deep love of cheese :-)





Chris' cousins we don't get to see very often made it extra fun!


Let the Fonduing begin!


The Raclette in full swing


Beer & Cheddar Fondue. Mmmmmmm.





Dessert Prep


Yum!