Let's Keep the Celebration Going!

Well, what could be more fun than celebrating a kids birthday?  Celebrating it twice!  We really enjoyed John's birthday party this past weekend, and when his actually birthday rolled around on Wednesday, Shellie and her family invited us along for some fun at the zoo.  Once again, we had beautiful weather.  We spent the morning at the zoo, where the kids enjoyed the animals, the wildlife carousel, and the playground.

John's 2nd Birthday Party!

We love to celebrate birthdays and Brenna has a very dear friend thats turning 2 this week.  You see John's picture on here often, as we've been blessed to get to know both his parents and his grandparents.  Brenna had been anxiously awaiting John's party all week.  Shellie did a wonderful job with the party and the kids had a blast.  We had perfect weather for some outdoor fun and the kids got creative while decorating birthday cake shaped sugar cookies.  Here's a few shots from the day!

Jodi, your photo banner idea continues on in Texas.  Who knows, by the end of 2011 we may just pass it all the way around the world (or at least the U.S.)!

The Houston Rodeo and Live Stock Show - Part 1

Ok, so technically this post isn't about the Houston Rodeo, just yet.  It's about the World's Championship BBQ Cook-Off that kicks off the Houston Rodeo.  Along with the cook-off the carnival opens up the weekend ahead of the Rodeo.  So this weekend we decided to cash in on half-off carnival tickets (a special they run on opening weekend) and some beautiful weather and spend an afternoon at the carnival.  This makes everyone happy;  Brenna loves the rides and Mom and Dad love the food!  Let me just say, if you haven't eaten a fried snicker coated in powdered sugar and covered in chocolate, then you really haven't lived.

Our afternoon included the fun house, pizza, the fun house, turkey legs, the fun house, a corn dog, the fun house, a fried snicker.  I'm sure you can see what's happening here.  By the time we ran out of tickets, Brenna could find her way through the house of mirrors blindfolded.  We squeezed in some other rides too.  But what we didn't get was BBQ!  Can you believe it? Here's the things, this isn't like the fair where you wander from food stand to food stand picking your treat and paying as you go.  You have to purchase arm bands specific to the "Pavilion" that you want to go to, before you can even step foot into the tent.  Now these "Pavilions" are actually mini-Honky Tonks complete with sound systems, dance floors, strobe lights, and bar.  Apparently these cowboys know how to have a good time!  Only one pavilion was open to the public, but since we couldn't see a BBQ plate in sight and all its patrons were beer laden, we decided to stick to the mid-way.

The End - Photography Class Lesson 7

Well, my photography class has come to a close.  It is with some relief.  While I enjoyed the class overall (despite the wanderings of our instructor), Tuesday's were just about more than I could carry.  Brenna and I would hit the ground on Tuesday morning for Bible Study at church at 9:30 AM; we'd get home just in time for lunch and a nap.  After naptime, we were up and moving again for Brenna's dance class.  Following dance, we had just enough time to swing by somewhere and pick up something to eat, have a quick dinner with daddy, and then it was off to Photography Class until 9:30 PM for me.

The first couple of classes I had to explain to Brenna that she couldn't come with me (which is a rare event).  I told her that Mommy was learning to take pretty pictures of Brenna.  By the 3rd session, Brenna asked "But how can you learn to take pictures without Brenna?"

I did get a nice surprise on my last night of class.  I won one of the prizes for the La Centerra photo shot.  And for all my efforts, I received a whopping $10 gift card!  My instructor told me the only thing I could buy from La Centerra for $10 was a $20 glass of wine during half off happy hour!  Anyway, he said they may be in contact to use some of the photos on their new website. Here's the winner!

The Houston Zoo

We've made several trips to the Houston Zoo over the last few years.  It's really is beautiful and it never ceases to amaze me that all of that along with Herman Park is packed into downtown Houston.  A new section open recently that's themed as an African Safari.  So, the good weather lead us to the zoo one afternoon to check out the new exhibits and enjoy some of the old favorites.

La Centerra - Photography Class Lesson 6

We were all surprised to hear we had extra incentive during our photo shoot on Tuesday night.  Our teacher had spoken with the manager of La Centerra to inform him that the class would be shooting there that night and the manager offered 2 gift cards to the best two photos from the group, including an entry to a $1000 shopping spree raffle to be held later in the spring, and the potential for your photograph to be included in future advertisements for La Centerra.

So, the whole class trudged out to the square, set up tripods, and got busy.  It was fun trying new techniques.  I've never shot at night before and let me just tell you, its alot harder than shooting during the day.  It took me several tries before I could even get a focused imagine and then several more before I could include enough light to make it visible.

When it was all done and I downloaded the pictures back at home, I was fairly impressed with myself.  I was able to capture two different images with a couple of new techniques that I learned in class.  We each get to submit 2 photos for review.  While I don't think I'll be winning any photo contests with these pictures (the composition is not as creative as I would have liked them to be) I'm just satisfied that I successfully mastered the techniques.  Here's what I got.

Water in motion technique                                              Light painting w/water in motion and starlights

A Warm Day at Last!

Thank goodness, we finally had some warm weather Saturday afternoon.  So after being cooped up in the house for so long, the kids migrated outside to enjoy the sun.  All parents involved were thankful, or at least I was.  Brenna was started to bounce off the walls.  Here's a few pictures of their fun in the sun!

Now I'm Having Fun - Photography Class Lesson 5

For this lesson we met on Saturday morning so we could get some daytime practice in.  I really enjoyed it.  It's the first time I've actually tried to focus on the composition of a picture without someone distracting me (no names mentioned.....)  I think I got a couple of good shots.  It was fun justing looking around at the things you see everyday and finding a new and interesting way to capture them through the lens.  We shot inside a history class room, in the barn, in the barn yard, and around the pond.  There was plenty of stuff to see.  Here's a few shots from the day.

I just liked the look of the old boots.  They were hanging from the ceiling of the history classroom.  Those and the coffee grinder were really the only two things that caught my attention in all those historic pieces.  Being from south Mississippi, there was really nothing I'd never seen before.  I could see most all those old pieces of farm equipment in my Pappaw's storage shed back home.  I took the picture of the coffee grinder just for Ms. Doris.  I think you should get one of these for your kitchen and make Marcus grind you fresh coffee every morning.
There were chickens, but they really didn't want to cooperate.  Actually, there was an ugly incident with another photographer that made it clear that the chickens were in no kind of picture taking mood.

Its Raining! Its Raining!

Brenna talked her Daddy into buying her an umbrella of her very own a few weeks ago.  Since that time, there's been a new game at our house called "Its Raining!"  At random times through out the day dark clouds form inside the house and it begins to rain.  Luckily, Brenna is there to save the day with her trusty umbrella.  And so, she shelters herself, or me, or daddy, or the cats, or blankie, or whatever unlucky soul is the one getting wet (apparently the clouds are very selective at who they rain on......)

"Do you feel rain?"                                                                                      "Look it's raining!"           

Hey! What's the Big Idea?

Imagination Movers are Music to Your Ears!

Ok, if you don't watch the show, you won't get it.  But, we went to see the Disney's Imagination Movers live at the Verizon Center in downtown Houston.  For those of you who don't know, the Imagination Movers are a rock band for preschoolers!  You read it right.  The band is originally from New Orleans and focuses on teaching preschools to use their brain to solve problems.  Pretty nifty idea, if you ask me.  Disney picked the group up a couple of years ago and they've had their own show on Disney Channel ever since.  The tour was call "In a Big Warehouse".  In the tv show, the Movers work out of a warehouse where they specialize in "Idea Emergencies."  If you've got a problem, they'll "Brainstorm" to come up with a solution.

Like in all major concerts, we had a warm-up act, which was none other than the Disney Channels' Choo-Choo Soul! The singing conductor and break-dancing train engineer got the kids up on their feet and ready to jam with the Movers!

I Got a New Toy!

My wonderful husband bought me a brand new lens for Valentines!  He was even sweet enough to give it to me on Friday so I would have all weekend to practice with it.  (including our Saturday morning Photography class, which I'll have pictures coming soon).  This will most likely be the last addition to my photography arsenal.  But I'm so excited over my new lens!  While  I still need alittle more work with it to get really good at it, but its already by far surpassed all of my other lens in indoor picture taking capabilities.  This was the primary reason I've coveted this lens since first getting my camera.  Here's a few shots from my "opening weekend" with my new lens!

It's C-O-L-D!! - The Continuation

I saw this posted on a friends facebook page and just had to bring it over.  As I mentioned earlier, we southeast Texans aren't equipped to deal with this cold weather.

This picture was taken this week on a highway between San Antonio and Austin.  The unfortunate thing is, this statement pretty much summed up the general reaction of the south Texas population.  It's good to know that someone involved with Texas highway management still has a sense of humor.

Ahh, Now We're Getting Somewhere - Photography Class Lesson 4

At last, a chance to put our learnings into action.  It seems that our talk is finally dwindling and a time for action has ensued!  Ok, maybe that last line was alittle dramatic, but I was so happy to finally put my camera into action with what I considered a worthy opponent (i.e. not the three sisters, as our teacher so lovely refers to them).  At last nights photography class we had an opportunity to photograph the Cinco Ranch High School Orchestra performing on stage at the Performing Arts Center.  In general, these low light, stage lit scenes are some of the hardest to capture.  This gave me an opportunity to put into practice some of the things I've learning in class, as well as exercise my equipment capabilities.  God bless my telephoto lens (and my dear husband, for buying it for me!).

Here's a few of the shots I came away with.  Admittedly, I would have preferred them to be alittle more crisp in some places, but I thought overall the lighting worked out well.  Practice makes perfect and I'm glad I had this opportunity, as Brenna's dance recital is coming up in May, and I know I'll be facing the same conditions.

It's C-O-L-D!!

Well, at least by Southeast Texas standards it cold.  Last night I placed my camera on the table and went to bed with hopes of snowmen, snow angels, and a cute 3-year old all bundled up with hat and mittens.  We were cheated out of our snow and faced the 3rd day of below freezing temperatures.  Only today, things weren't just cold, they were cold and icy.

Still Not Sure - Photography Class Lesson 3

Well, I've just completed session 3 of my photography class and I'm still not sure whether this was a worthy investment.  The jogging pants and t-shirt is the staple attire for my instructor, and he continues to wander aimlessly over less than informative topics.  Example, we spent nearly 20 minutes discussing the error of a Japanese tourist would died of a antelope attack shortly after photographing the animal with flash photography at short range.  Hmmm, what can be learned from this experience?  Don't use flash photography within 50 feet of an animal weighing more than 300 pounds or can run faster than you.  How long did that take?  15 secs, 30 max!  Need I say more.  How long should you kick a dead horse.  20 minutes is alot to lose in just a 2 hour class.

Still, I can't say that I haven't learned anything.  I did enjoy his rundown on lenses and lens capabilities.  This was with mix emotion through, as it dawned on me during this lecture that I should shorten my expectations of my own photography.  Not due to lack of skill (oh, I never doubt my own abilities, I call it confidence, but I know some of you would say arrogance.....) but due to equipment.  Eventually I have to face the facts that this is indeed only a hobby and determine at what point the cost of this "hobby" out weighs the benefits.  I enjoy photographing Brenna and our friends and family.  It makes me happy to capture images that make me smile or remember.  That's what I want to get out of this.  So, with the exception of one more lens purchase later down the road, I think I've hit my equipment limitation.  So from here on out, it's just honing my skills with said equipment.

I am including a few shots from our last class.  I prefer not to elaborate on the pictures, as they seemed a lost cause from the beginning.  If fact, just by the pictures I've post so far from my photography class, it would seem I'm getting worse instead of better.  Here's the pics.  I'll let your mind wander.....