Happy Birthday Micah!

It looks like someone is very excited to be turning TWO today!  Happy Birthday little man!

Finished!

I'm finally completely done editing the last session of the summer... and I go back to work in a week.  Not much 'free' time.  Remind me to keep my summer open next year!

I know I said "no more newborn sessions", but somehow I succumbed to one more.  He was worth it.  Such a beautiful, sweet baby boy!

Oldies But Goodies

This has been a summer of going (almost) nowhere, so I find myself revisiting old picture files.  (If I've posted these before, I'm sorry.)

This picture was taken at Trumbull Lake when we camped there a couple of summers ago.  I woke up really early and took a little walk with my camera.  I kicked myself for not grabbing the tripod, because the light was really too dark to be hand holding a camera.  The light changes so quickly, I knew if I ran back to get it I would miss this picture.  It's a little blurry, but is still one of my favorites from that trip.

This is from the same trip, but a different early morning (I remembered my tripod).  There is a reason photographers like early morning and early evening.  The light.  If I took this same picture at noon it would have a completely different look.

Welcome Committee

These furry guys were just waiting for someone to come into their little country store.  It would have been impossible to walk past them without giving them a little 'hello' and a scratch behind their ears.

Hot Summer Days!

Two of my favorite boys... ice cold watermelon... hot summer day.  Sweet!

Oh Brother!

Yesterday I had the boys all day thinking it would give me a chance of getting a good picture of them together.  Silly me!  I got some adorable ones of them separate (will post some later), but every time I tried for that special 'brother' picture... well, here is a sample of what I got. 

I love them to death, but it was a good reminder to me why old people don't have kids!

"Collin, sit down."

"No."

"Collin, sit down.  Your head won't be in the picture."

"Yes it will."

"No it won't."

"Yes it will."

"No, it won't."

(Who won???) 

Beach Book

Yesterday I finished the Solari Beach Book.  It took me all day.  All day.   I love her idea of doing a book a year to see how much the grandchildren have changed.  Some day I will copy that idea!

I'll Shoot Lucy Instead!

After dinner I asked Kevin if he would walk to the park with me to check it out for light for an upcoming photo shoot.  (I have to have a subject for practice shots.)  So, with headphones blaring, he came with me.  He hates having his picture taken, and was absolutely no help. 

When we got back home I found a much more cooperative subject... Lucy.  Next time I guess I'll bring my cat! 

Yesterday was Jonah's funeral.  I guess I will never understand how an eleven year old child could feel such despair that he would end his life.  I know in my heart if he knew the suffering he has caused his parents and family, he would have never taken this path.  To see his team mates and classmates in tears broke my heart. 

Thank You Lori!

(Happy Birthday Linda!)

Lori, my Santa Fe friend was in Modesto on my birthday last month and met me for a martini.  Two of these martini glasses, the shaker and a nice bottle of gin were my birthday present from her... along with a birthday cake.  She made my day feel special!

Fourth of July

Happy 4th!  It is a perfect day for the beach, the pool, a hike, a parade, a barbeque... or whatever you did to celebrate. 

Helene & Alex in Santa Cruz

She might be sorry!

Shawna might be sorry that she told me I could do whatever I wanted with their yard!  We ripped out all but two of the original plants and replanted with hydrangeas, azaleas, impatiens and lobelia with a groundcover between some pavers.  Can't wait for the next project!

E.S. - Day 4

We were driving on a back road that paralleled Highway 395, and got stopped by a Mule Drive.  It was so cool!  Of course I jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop and ran up closer with my camera.  They had to stop traffic both ways on 395 until all the mules had crossed.  I think this is a typical occurrence in the Eastern Sierra where mules are very popular for back country pack trips.

I guess these two mules wanted to go to Bishop!

Some Good Luck, Some Bad Luck

Friday Kevin and I went to Men's Warehouse to get him a suit.  We've had great service there before, but for some reason Friday was different.  We finally left feeling really, really frustrated.  (We weren't just looking... we were ready to buy one.)

That evening, when I checked my e-mails, there happened to be one from Men's Warehouse that if I confirmed my e-mail address to continue receiving their ads, I could print a coupon for 50% off my entire purchase.  Can you believe that!  We went back the next day and purchased a suit, shirt, tie and belt... all for half price.  We saved a bundle!

In our excitement when we got back to our car... I backed out without looking and hit another car!  Crap!!


Today I am finally planting my zinnias.  Better late than never.

A zinnia from last year.

Same picture... just playing around with an overlay.

E.S. - Day 3

Saturday we hiked the Rock Creek Canyon into the Little Lakes Valley and to the top of Morgan Pass.  Our elevation at the trailhead was 10,255 feet and we hiked up, up, up from there.  The high elevation kicked my butt!

The first lake we came to.

The scenery was beautiful.

Another lake.  After a while you lose track of them!

People ahead of us making it to the top of Morgan Pass.  (You can barely see them.)

Gem Lakes was our final destination.

The top of the pass looking to the other side.  The people ahead of us kept going.

The first Gem Lake.

The second Gem Lake and our lunch spot.

On our way back Dave fished.  I was too tired to stand up to take his picture!

Almost back to our car.

Before going back to camp we soaked our feet and took a long rest.

Little Stinker

I'll continue with my E.S. trip pictures tomorrow, but couldn't resist posting this one first.  I watched Natalie yesterday, and actually she wasn't a Little Stinker... she was perfect for me.  I had her 'blankie' on my head to get her attention, and this is the reaction I got!

E.S. - Day 2

Friday we decided on a short hike to try to acclimate to the higher altitude.  We took "a journey through the oldest known living forest..." a four mile trail through the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.  I had read about this before, and thought it was just one ancient tree... big deal.  Well... it is a whole forest of trees that are well over 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000+ years old.  In fact, the oldest living tree was discovered here in 1957.... 4,600 years old!  (I felt very young here!!)  I could go on and on because the hike included a brochure with lots and lots of information (I've included a few tidbits in some of the captions), but I will stop and just post some pictures.

These trees, many of which are thousands of years old, have been sculpted by wind, ice and extreme exposure to the elements.  Their contorted shapes seem to defy nature.

Sorry for the sun flare, but I was looking straight into the sun for this picture.

A one inch thickness of growth on a Bristlecone may take a century to accomplish. 

Because bristlecones keep their needles for so long (30-40 years), very few are dropped to the ground each year.

The trail only had an 800 foot elevation gain, but since it started at an elevation of 9,600 feet, it seemed a lot harder.  (For me anyway!)

Bristlecone grow lateral roots, but no deep tap root.  They are shallow, usually found within the first foot or two of soil.

Yes... I actually let Dave use my camera to take a picture of me!

E.S. - Day 1

Perfect timing!  We left home Thursday morning at just the right time to make sure we were at the Whoa Nellie Dellie in Lee Vining for lunch.

Carnitas Tacos... great way to start a camping trip!

This label says it all.

So, so sad.

We came home today from a very nice trip to the Eastern Sierras.  When I checked my e-mail I got the so very sad news that one of our 6th graders ended his life.  His brother was killed last year.  I don't even want to imagine what his family is going through.

Missed You!

Eastern Sierra, I have missed you... but I will see you in about five hours!

Me at Work

You could sure tell who is the center of attention!  It was hard to get the cousins to look at me instead of Natalie, but I actually like this one better.