Day 90 {Thrilled about Thursday}

Guess I've missed almost all my prompts for this week...oh well, I'll do better next week!  Today, I'm thrilled that we're still doing great with the potty.  Not ONE SINGLE accident today!!  Yay for her!  This is our daughter in her most treasured of all spots, her bedroom, playing babies.  There are times when I feel like a horrible parent because, although we heavily monitor her TV (only two shows a day), I can't even get her to watch one and give me a break from playing babies.  She's been trained well and it's great that she has more of an interest in playing make believe than zoning out in front of the TV, but I'm not sure how much more patting backs I can do in a 24 hour period!! ;)

(1/125s; f/3.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

**for Jaime:

Day 89

The man of the house (while the hubby is away)

Doesn't he look scary??!!

(1/125s; f/3.5; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

Top 5

I'm linking up with some ladies over at Click it Up a Notch to display our Top 5 shots for the first quarter (we sound so business like)!

Here are mine, in no particular order:

 

 

Okay, that was rough...it's hard to pick only 5.  I have to say, out of all of these, I still can't tell which one I like best, although our family one ranks pretty high (if only he didn't have that beard--just teasing, I'm over it!)   ;)

Day 88

'Hold my hands, Momma, I'm freezing'.  That was her quote for this picture...she's too much!

(1/125s; f/4.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--35mm)

Day 87

Today I decided that someone else surpassed the 'Monday Me' theme.  So, instead of getting a picture of me, I went with this one...and let me tell you why.  Our daughter, for some reason, never took to climbing out of her bed.  We did have it very low and it was pretty difficult to get in and out of, but still, she never attempted it.  So, we never converted it for her.  But, all along, we've told her that when she's a big girl, goes to the potty and wears big girl panties, we would 'open' her bed. 

This weekend, she blew me away.  She just decided for herself that the time was now.  She'll just be playing babies, announce, 'Oh, I have to go potty', run into the bathroom and go.  I'm shocked, surprised, and SO proud of my little girl.  And just as we promised, I opened her bed tonight.  She was thrilled beyond belief (but that also means that now I have to deal with her coming out of her room every 5 minutes).  There's always something, right?!  I just can't say enough of what a proud momma I am!!!  Here's to our big girl!

(1/125s; f/5.6; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--50mm)

Day 86

She did not lose focus until about half way through...then she was done!  Maybe too much chocolate, I suppose, or more fun going on behind her to continue to devour the cake.  Either way, she enjoyed this birthday party (I think we were some of the first to arrive and last to leave)!

(1/125s; f/4.0; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--23.1mm)

Day 85

This is what happens when my husband is out of town...I give in to my weaknesses.  He doesn't really like Papa Johns and our closest one is pick-up only.  In other words, we never get it.  However, today I made a special trip to Target to pick up a birthday gift for one of Siena's friends and lo and behold, what is across the street...you guessed it! ;)  No, I didn't plan that at all!

 (1/125s; f/4.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--35mm)

Day 84

Sometimes you just need a little help from a friend!  Sorry I haven't been making my rounds on your blogs the last couple of days...I promise to catch up this weekend!

(1/80s; f/4.0; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--26.3mm)

Day 83 {Thrilled about Thursday}

While I'm not so thrilled that it was cold enough to snow yesterday, I am thrilled that we have a bunch of wood to enjoy our fires outside this spring!!!

(1/320s; f/5.6; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--55mm)

Day 82

Very late night at work...at least I had their pictures to gaze at!

(1/125s; f/4.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--37.5mm)

Day 81 {True to Tuesday}

I was trying for one of those hazy, backlit shots...boy do I have a lot to learn!  Critiques are most definitely welcomed!! ;)

 
SOOC minus watermark addition
(1/250s; f/4.0; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--32.5mm)

Day 80 {Monday Me}

So, I decided to jump on the band wagon and try one of Elena's tutorials on self-portraits.  It turns out, it's a little harder than it looks.  I don't know how many shots I tried taking today to still be left with just an 'ehh' shot!  Oh, well, there are how many more days left??!! 

(1/160s; f/4.0; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--21.3mm)

Day 79

The help around here is always so nicely dressed...

(1/100s; f/4.0; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--28.1mm)

Day 78

Roasting marshmallows is just too much fun, particularly when you get to shove it all in your mouth at once!

(1/100s; f/4.0; ISO: 800; focal length: kit lens--32.5mm)

Day 77

Happy early Mother's Day to me!!  I've been waiting for this bag from Jo Totes to become available...and I just couldn't really wait until Mother's Day! ;)  It has interchangeable compartments inside, so I spent a good 45 min, arranging, the rearranging, etc.  So fun!!!!!

(1/100s; f/4.0; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--26.3mm)

Day 76 {Thrilled about Thursday}

It's funny to me how these trees are scattered amongst the woods with their bright, pale leaves making such an appearance against the drab browns and grays.  Makes me smile that there is something thrilling in the woods even when it's winter out!  (But not for much longer!!!)

(1/400s; f/4.5; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--40mm)

Day 75

I love olives...

(1/80s; f/3.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

Day 74 {True to Tuesday}

So, I'm totally cheating today.  I actually took this picture on Saturday while we were out enjoying the weather, but I had to post it today in celebration of my buddy's 7th birthday!  I can't believe just short of 7 years ago, we adopted Rocky.  He is my first dog, and gets spoiled as such.  I adore this guy and am so happy he's blessed us with his rambunctious spirit and lovable energy for 7 years!!

SOOC minus watermark

(1/500s; f/5.6; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--55mm)

Day 73 {Monday Me}

Today was just a stickers and shaving cream kind of a day!
**Please note, it is extremely difficult to play with shaving cream with your right hand and take a shot with your left.  That is why most nothing is properly focused.  In the end, I think I wound up with shaving cream on the shutter release and the ss/aperture dial  All in a day's work, right!! ;)

(1/200s; f/4.0; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--32.5mm)

Day 72

I was so excited to find these in our yard today...I think Spring is on it's way!  Was anyone else totally exhausted today from the time change--I don't know what's going on with me! ;)

(1/1600s; f/4.0; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

I know I took these in full sunlight, but I tried to wait until the sun was somewhat behind the clouds.  Would you have waited until dusk??

Day 71

On our hike today, we came across this ramshackled old gazebo.  It was too unique to pass up.

(1/250s; f/5.6; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--50mm)

Day 70

Sometimes it's fun to dress up in your old Halloween costumes!  I was able to make this costume myself last year...and I'm still proud of it!  ;)  Now, if I can just get my sewing machine fixed before this year creeps up on me too fast!

(1/100s; f/4.5; ISO: 3200; focal length: kit lens--37.5mm)

I learned...

I learned, you need to be ready at ALL times in case your little girl decides to sit in the most adorable pose, spontaneously!!

(1/125s; f/4.5; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--40mm)

Critiques are ALWAYS welcomed

Check out what other are learning over at...

Day 69 {Thrilled about Thursday}

I'm thrilled to be home, in our own house...and even more thrilled that I'll be hitting the sack as soon as I publish this post!  We're exhausted from a whole day of traveling.  But, I'm also thrilled to have spent some great time with family!  They even had blooms down in Texas!  I had to capture these beauties!!

(1/1000s; f/5.6; ISO: 400; focal length: kit lens--47.5mm)

Day 68

My grandmother passed away last June and my mom, aunt and uncle have worked hard to preserve all her memoirs, trinkets, etc. as they cleaned up her home.  They'll be closing on the house tomorrow, so we went over there for one last time.  It was hard to walk through her house without the little things that I remembered so well from my childhood.  I took pictures throughout, in hopes of capturing the sounds and smells of her house in a photograph.  This was one of my favorites, not because it's a good picture, but because this means so much to me.  My grandparents lived right next door to my great-grandmother.  Every time we'd come back to Texas to visit, I would dash through my grandparents house, out the back door, through this gate and into my great-grandmother's backyard.  I can't tell you how many times I threw open latch or how many of our grandkid hands passed over it. 

(1/200s; f/4.5; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--40mm)

Day 67 {True to Tuesday}

Typically she wears a straight face throughout any ride.  We can never really tell she's having fun, despite the fact that she asks to ride again.  Today on the carousel was a little different!

SOOC (minus watermark)--(1/40s; f/4.0; ISO: 200; focal length: 28.1mm)

I probably should have composed it differently, with her looking into open space...but I'm too slow! ;)

Day 66 {Monday Me}

Thanks to my sister's boyfriend who treated my mom, my sister and me to a pedicure at a fancy-schmancy hotel!  It was great!

(1/125s; f/4.0; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--30.6mm)

Day 65

I loved that my mom's steps are carpeted so I could sneak up on her to take a picture, but once the shutter went off...that was it for naptime!  Oh well!

(1/80s; f/4.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--37.5mm)

Day 64

Look what I found...I suppose that my photography sense is somewhat inherited!

 (1/125s; f/3.5; ISO: 1600; focal length: kit lens--18mm)

Note the lens on my Dad's camera (50mm 1.4) is the same one I've been pining for!! ;)

Day 63

We made it to Texas and enjoyed a great meal with fabulous company!  While I adore spending time with my husband, it's kinda fun to get back into the feel of my immediate family.  Our inside jokes, sideways glances, and special memories all mean so much to me.  I'm glad that I have such a good relationship with my parents and my sister and that my daughter can witness it as she grows!  Happy birthday to my mom (3/3) and to my dad (3/17)!!

 (1/80s; f/4.0; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--26.3mm)

I learned...

I learned two things:  that dead, brown grass makes a wonderful backdrop.  And, how to create a sunny glow in my images, thanks to a tutorial over at Everyday Elements.  Tell me what you think.  Are the colors too blah, does the background wash her out, is something off?  I can't decide if I dislike this shot, or I really like it!  Minus the strange face she's making! ;)  Also, how do you make the eyes pop in a backlit shot?  Just curious!!  Your critiques and comments are so much appreciated and always welcomed.  You all have helped me grow immensely!!

(1/320s; f/4.5; ISO: 200; focal length: kit lens--28.1mm)

Also, check out what the others have learned over at...

Day 62 {Thrilled about Thursday}

We're thrilled because Siena and I are hopping on a plane (or two) tomorrow to head back to Texas.  I'm off on Spring Break, it's the week in between my parents birthdays, it's been 6 months since we've seen them and about 9 months since we've seen the rest of our family.  So, I figured it was time for us to head home!!  I apologize in advance for most likely being light on the commenting while we're visiting.  I do hope to continue to post a picture a day, but if I don't, I'll bombard you when we get back!! 

A girl's gotta pack her favorite shoes, right?!

(1/60s; f/4.0; ISO: 6400; focal length: kit lens--20mm)

Day 61

So, first off, let me just say, I'm very happy today...just one of those great, feel good days!  This is particularly interesting after what happened tonight, which I'll share with you in a few moments. 

However, this shot makes me happy.  Simply because, I love that my husband was encouraging and supportive when we decided to use cloth diapers, that the hospital we gave birth in ONLY used cloth diapers (it's a Boulder, CO thing) and that they look so darn cute on our clothes line! 

(1/250s; f/3.5; ISO: 200; focal length--kit lens 18mm)

The other thing that makes me happy when I look at this shot, is that they're clean...I just happened to come home from the gym tonight to find my husband resting on the couch (which he's completely entitled to after a long day at work).  Little did he know, our dog essentially licked a poor mouse to death.  And who found the mouse lying in the middle of our living room floor?!  Yep, you guessed it.  Not to mention, that same person was also greeted with a nice little kiss from the dog in question upon returning home from the gym!  Let's just say, that shower had my name written all over it!!!  I'm still slightly grossed out! ;)  So, it's nice to think of fresh, clean, diapers hanging on the line outside in the sunlight!

Day 60 {True to Tuesday}

I found myself a little lost today without a prompt.  Maybe I used it as a crutch, some way to motivate myself.  Now, I'm switching gears a little and I'm going to do my best to focus on getting proper exposure and work on natural lighting.  I'm so ready for spring and the shift of my schedule, so I'll be able to get home before dark!  Teaching labs is fun, but a bummer when they run late.  So, here's to beautiful days (and skies) to look forward to! 

(1/500s; f/4.5; ISO: 200; focal length--kit lens 42.5mm)

I'm back on my self-imposed weekly challenges so this is SOOC (minus the watermark addition)!