Snow + Snowblower = Very Creative Video

Photography Attempts

Due to the snow, my photography class was cancelled last night (bummer!). Our instructor suggested attempting nighttime snow photography of our homes. Trey was my helper--we set the camera on the tripod and set out to navigate the ice covered sidewalk and snow covered street. The pictures are OK, but don't clearly define the ice coated trees as well as I would have liked. The final picture is taken of the tree by the front door--kind of cool. The snow and ice truly were beautiful. However, after shoveling for 2 hours yesterday (an inch of ice and 8 inches of snow takes a while to remove), with my neighbor's help, and learning that more snow will fall tomorrow AND another storm is predicted for early next week--I'm ready for 1) the boys to return to school (they've been home 2 days) and 2) the snow to disappear--we haven't seen the grass in 3+ weeks. Sure, the winter elements were beautiful initially, but enough's enough!! And, for all my Southern friends, I really, really wish there was some way to share the snow as I know y'all would like it snow much.

Wordless Winter Wednesday

Introducing the NEW "Michael Jackson"

Noah has been patiently waiting for the Talent Show to arrive since September! Finally, after many HOURS of practicing, Noah performed for his classmates Friday morning. Apparently, the buzz that Michael Jackson was in town spread throughout the 3rd grade class BEFORE his performance. As you'll hear, his friends were thrilled for him to take the stage! We're so proud of his courage, self-esteem and most of all ability to impersonate Michael Jackson. We hope you enjoy his performance as much as we did!! We wish you could have been there with us, but hope that the video will suffice! Noah we're VERY proud of you--AKA "Noah Jackson" as his friends are now affectionately calling him...

Not only does Noah dance, he sings too
Noah's signature move...he was fascinated by MJ's move when he watched him on the videos and knew, with much practice, that he could do the same

Learning more about Photography

Last night I had the pleasure of attending my second photography class. The instructor reviewed ISO (I think I finally "get that") as well as shutter speed and aperture (still reviewing these two factors). Once he felt we had an understanding of ISO (he'll continue to review the other two), he introduced flash and filtered flash. He gave each of us a cork to explore focusing with our "macro" setting. Then, he introduced white balance to us and made sure we were confident in changing white balance settings on our cameras. Below are the "experiments" I took during class (most were deleted; these were the "best").

"macro" setting with flash "macro" setting with filtered flash

The filtered flash "softens" the image and is appropriate for indoor lighting; especially portraits. AWB--auto white balance offers the most natural light setting
fluorescent setting creates an "orange/yellow" tinge to the imageCandescent or tungsten lighting creates a "green/blue" image

Coming soon:
This week's assignment-- "portrait photography"--my willing participant--Noah.

Sensational Snow Sledding

Last week, it snowed several times--the most being a 7 inch snowfall last Wednesday. Unfortunately, with the sub-zero temps, we weren't able to enjoy the snow until Sunday afternoon. Trey's parents were in town for Haiden's BDay party. They joined us at the sledding hill at Hoover Reservoir for a short time to watch the boys (Trey included). I normally join in on the sledding fun, but opted to stay relatively warm and take pictures instead. I'm confident there will be ample opportunity this winter season to sled!

Trey's parents and the boys complete with sleds and tubes

Trey--enjoying the snow rushing into his face as he flies down the hill

The boys take off from the top of the hill...

and reach the bottom at different times. If you'll notice Trey is AIRBOURNE! There was a slight "bump" at the bottom of the hill that created extra sledding excitement.

More snow in the face as Alexander tubes down the hill A VERY cold and snowy Noah

The boys had a blast sledding at Hoover and can't wait to return someday soon!

One Year Anniversary

One year ago today, our family welcomed the addition of Miss Sophie Grace Shadow to our family. We travelled, on a very cold, brisk Saturday, to Zanesville, Ohio to meet the breeder and bring Sophie home. Noah and I sat in the back seat with Sophie cuddled in her blanket. We were concerned that she might become car sick, but she peacefully slept the entire ride home. We confined her to the kitchen and kept her "happy place" (crate) in the kitchen as well. She was a tiny 7lb puppy when she came home, now she's a big girl weighing 55+ pounds. Our lives have changed dramatically over the past year. As I've mentioned before, Trey was raised with dogs, but for the boys and I adding a dog to the family was a new adventure. There have been times over the past year where I've seriously considered returning her to the breeder, but after watching "Marley and Me", Sophie is the BEST dog! Sure we've had some unnecessary decorating additions to the kitchen cabinets and molding, I've lost a plant although she left the leaves perfectly aligned on the floor, the deck is missing a few corners, but all in all the house remains in tact. I can't imagine not having Sophie in our lives--she definitely brings our family much joy!

A new chapter in our lives opens as we prepare for the drive home with Sophie

Instantly, Noah fell in love with his new puppy

Our family--complete with our 16+ year old cat, Oscar and Sophie last January, 2008

Landscape Photography

For Christmas, Trey surprised me by enrolling me in photography classes. I've been waiting and waiting for class to begin--it finally began during the snowstorm Wednesday evening. Suprisingly, class wasn't cancelled. Another suprise, one of my friends is also enrolled in the course. We had an amazing time Wednesday evening although I'll admit them I'm still a little confused on how to appropriately set aperture, shutter speed and ISO. For now, I remain using my "P" program where the aperture and shutter speed are predetermined and I set the ISO (800 for the below pictures as it was WAY too cold to experiment). Our optional assignment was landscape photography. The instructor recommended visiting Heritage Park, so today I braved the cold and took a few landscape pictures which are displayed below. Remember, this is my first assignment and I know I have much to learn. Although it was FREEZING cold (below zero--or very close) I had a great time attempting to have a creative eye and take pictures. Any and all constructive feedback is welcome!

Our instructor shared that when a light source, such as the sun, is in your photo (as above), it's best to focus on an element without the sun in focus. It's amazing what this technique provides...the above picture was taken with the sun while the below picture was taken after I focused on the ground without the sun in view and then returned to take the same shot as above...I know that's confusing--following?

The trees framing the pond in the background was completely accidental, but I love the symmetry it provides. (picture below)

The final picture is similar to the first photo, but taken from a different angle. This is my favorite picture of my first landscape photo session.
Thanks Trey--I thoroughly enjoyed my first class and can't wait to attend the next class this upcoming week!!

Nighttime Buddies

After the first of the year, Trey and I decided it was time for Sophie to forego spending the night in her "happy place" (aka her crate). Another huge milestone in our lives--allowing Sophie to spend the night wherever she chooses. Noah's been asking for Sophie to sleep with him for almost two weeks. I promised him that Sophie could sleep with him this weekend. Well, "this weekend" came a day early as a result of the frigid cold temps in Central Ohio. Due to the -25 degree windchill, school was cancelled yesterday afternoon for today, Friday. When I mentioned to the boys that school had been cancelled, Noah immediately asked if Sophie could sleep with him. Typically, Sophie is not allowed on the furniture, but Noah's bed is so low to the ground, that I guess she considers it a "huge step". Noah begged for her to stay and I reluctantly agreed. Honestly, they did look adorable together. This morning, Noah mentioned that he awoke during the night half on and half off the bed--he gently nudged Sophie and was able to reclaim his bed and slept the remainder of the night. They both appeared around 8:30am this morning after a restful night together. Guess Noah and Sophie are now "nighttime buddies"!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

We had a light dusting of snow on Tuesday evening. Sophie went outside and left a perfect paw print in the iridescent snowflakes.

Wednesday morning heavy snow started falling around 9:30am and continued throughout the day and into the late evening hours. For several hours the flakes were large and steady. The boys were released early from school and were eager to enjoy a little time braving the frigid temperatures.

Noah helped shovel the driveway and then...

sat in a snow pile to take a break while...

Alexander took over.

The pine tree in our backyard, all covered in snow,

was the perfect backdrop for a picture of the boys.

Noah's math teacher encouraged the class to make 2X3=6 snow angels

Noah made 1x1=1 snow angels as he decided it

was too cold to lay in the snow.

Sophie came out and enjoyed the fun. She created her own game of "keep away". She stole Noah's mitten, not once, not twice, but three times--right off of his hand. Sophie thoroughly enjoyed her game--Noah--not so much.

At long last, after having much fun in the snow, the cold temperatures finally

became apparent and it was time to go back inside. Shockingly, after receiving 7" of snow yesterday, the boys have school today; not even a morning delay to enjoy!

To all of our Northern friends--stay warm!!

Hitting the Ice

We joined our neighbors for their son's hockey game this past Sunday afternoon. Trey left early Sunday morning for Florida which left the boys and I "free". We thoroughly enjoyed watching Noah's friend on the ice. This is his first year skating on a team

and WOW--he's doing an amazing job!

We arrived early to the hockey arena, so we sat in the stands

and watched the current match

Before Noah's friend's team took the ice,

the zamboni (fun word to say) "cleaned" the ice

Passing the puckWe've only watched one hockey game prior to Sunday afternoon.

It's really a lot of fun to watch--as long as you're bundled well
Working the puck behind the goal--excellent defender