I know her grandparents are going to have a conniption when they see this picture, it’s so sweet. 

And look what you get. My apologies to those of you on a slow connection. My blog is image-heavy these days because it hurts to type. And because I like images.

Anthills in the driveway. Important and interesting stuff if you’re a kid. Or me.

Enchiladas. We all need to remember this meal, so we took this picture. Yeah.

The view under Gannon’s bed. Those are his swim trunks. That he couldn’t find. Not sure what the other stuff is. Let’s not think about it.

Breakfast.

Bling.

Here’s Daddy, from an Acadia’s Eye View.

Not to be left out, here’s Mommy. And James, Jared, and Brian. But you really have to look hard to see them.

Metal waiting for the trash guy’s metal day. Glad we have this moment preserved.

We have a sword on the garage roof. What? Don’t you?

This is a radish we are growing. Gannon needed a photo.

Here’s the neighbor kid, Noah. This is usually the first view of him we see each day, when someone from our house bangs on his door, or vice versa. “Can you come out and play?”

I do not know this man. He appears at periodic intervals to mow a neighbor’s lawn. He cheesed for Gannon’s camera. We digitally captured his photons.

And my favorite so far, taken by one or both of the kids, is this picture. They love each other.

Some pictures showing the evidence of growth around here:

My first attempt at a perennial garden starts with these blooms.

Impatiens sit in the barrel in the front in the middle of the hostas.

I moved part of the hostas to a spot under the maple tree. I have no idea how it will fare.

Plants. The front yard.

The neighbors’ lilacs are beautiful.

This will be open before we know it. Isn’t it a cute little bud?

Hanging geraniums are awesome. And, see that greeny-shimmery pattern in the background? I learned that it’s called bokeh (boe-kay). I had fun today with the camera, looking for cool bokeh.

This picture: no bokeh, but the promise of green things to come. Even though the green sprig in question is only a weed, sucking the nutrients away from our herbs.

I took all these photos in and around the yard right before the downpour started this afternoon.

I took these photos an hour or so ago just before we went on a walk.  It’s a rainy day, giving us low, but photographically fun, light.  I didn’t get my tripod out (because of two factors: I am lazy and I am not sure where it is), so these came out less than tack sharp.  I still like them though.  I added a “gauzy glow” with Picasa.  Yes, okay, I use Picasa instead of Photoshop!  I don’t have time to learn these things!  I am too busy living my life, okay?  Get off my back already!

My Nikon D80 arrived yesterday. As soon as I opened the box, the camera jumped up and snapped this shot.

Then I took a few [hundred] photos, just to get the feel of it. How does it feel?

It feels good.

Except now you can really see how messy I let my kids’ faces get.

And their skinned knees.

My buddy Lisa and I are just giggling over this new toy.

The kids are playing something, happily together in some imaginary world.  It’s fun to listen, while pretending I’m not paying any attention.

Gannon: No no. First we pray, then we cut up the squid, then we each get part of it.

Acadia was rushing ahead, forgetting to thank God for the bountiful repast before them.  Her brother made sure she was reminded.

I pretty much agree with what this guy has to say on the subject. The link there is to the first of a series of posts on the topic of why he’s a photographer. Bill Walsh is director of international outreach at Desiring God Ministries, and the view through his lens is inspiring (and I don’t use that word much).

The above photos were taken by Bill Walsh.

I like to look at good photos.  I don’t have a succinct answer for “what makes a good photo”, except to say it’s one that makes me want to get out my camera and shoot, all the while praising God for His amazing creation.  Here are some blogs I read that frequently have such photos as that:

• barebaby
• Blue Candy Photography
• The Pioneer Woman
• Lena Hyde Photography
• The Sweet Life - Sugar Photography
• Trust and Believe - Lisa’s blog

These books are getting my son to read on his own. I love them for that.

Guess who is soon to follow?

If you haven’t read these books, you should go to your library and get one. They are fun. Plus, if you read them, you can be in on the inside jokes. Then you’ll be cool, like us.

We had some sunny days recently, enough to clear off the roadways of ice and snow, revealing the debris and sand that have been lying there for months. This drying out enabled the kids to ride their bicycles, finally! They both have new ones this year, and are pleased as punch (what does that MEAN, anyway?). Here’s a peek.

You will no doubt notice the massive piles of snow, evidence of the rather low temperatures, necessitating the winter coat and mittens. But how could a mother deny the obvious delight on the face of her beloved daughter?

And here’s The Bike and His Boy. He loves everything about this bicycle. It came from a boy he looks up to. It has handle brakes. It has gears. And, most impressively according to Gannon, it has a kickstand. Be still, my heart. His old bike is in the background, leaning up against the van because it has no kickstand. What will be the ultimate fate of this bike from a bygone era? Gannon suggested that we give it to one of the kids whose house burned this winter. I love this guy.

Yesterday my baby turned four!