Monday, June 29, 2009

BSM: Back in the US

Breezed back into town yesterday...well, really, I flew thousands of miles and countless hours, but "breezy " ought to do it. James continued on to Portland (he actually has to work today -- groan), but I'm in CA soaking in lots of hugs from the boys.

I won't have any Australia pics up for a few days. I have to get home first and maybe do some grocery shopping. But I did snap one gem before I left for OZ:

a walk

Some of you might remember a similar photo I took last summer, with Harrison walking solo along this path. This year I got both of them in the shot.

I won't tell you what I had to do to get them to hold hands...

Monday, June 22, 2009

BSM: G'day!

Here's what I saw yesterday:

baby crocs

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Australia Update

We arrived in Cairns yesterday after a very long (almost 24 hour) journey. We haven't been able to hook up to the internet from our room, and I couldn't even get on the free WiFi at a local hotspot, so I'm afraid there will be no photos (and possibly not many posts) until we return.

A few things I've noticed in the 24 hours we've been here:

1. Lots of Americans here. I hear American accents everywhere...and they just aren't as lilting and lovely as the Aussie ones.

2. Prices are very high. Even with the exchange rate (which is favorable to the US dollar), the cost of everything makes James have to remind me, "we're on vacation."

3. So many choices for our Great Barrier Reef trip. Am stressing about choosing the wrong one!

4. Did anyone else know that they have Target in Australia -- who knew?

5. Yes, I DID go into the Target...I just couldn't resist.

Monday, June 15, 2009

BSM: Party Boys

Now I know that the number "SIX" doesn't sound like a lot. Just half a dozen -- that's barely enough eggs for anyone, right? But six boys at a birthday party? Six seems like a lot more with a bunch of nine-year-olds (and a five-year-old brother who thinks he's nine).

We kept them busy with an "amazing race" adventure involving bikes and basketballs, rocket balloons and water balloons. Somehow, when boys are all in a bunch, it seems that the energy they generate expands exponentially.

Therefore, my BSM for the week captures the single moment they were still: when I lined them up execution-style, against the wall...

firing squad cropped


Notice the targets on the wall? The red detritus on the ground? Left over from water balloon target practice...ah, the joys of childhood.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Ninth Birthday Party

Balloon rockets, marshmallow guns, and water balloons, oh my!

9th bday party

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Theme Thursday: Sunny

Thanks, Amy Jo, for ruining our weeks of good weather by announcing a theme like "sunny." No chance of taking a sunny photo here today, so I'm digging into the archives. I'm posting one of my favorite photos from a couple of years ago when I was just getting to know my camera. We were staying at the coast for spring break, and one evening we had the most glorious, golden sunset. It was fun to revisit this series; I like them just as much now as I did then. And I don't say that about a lot of pictures.


golden glow


I'm hoping to post a lot of "sunny" pictures in the coming weeks: we are going to Australia! I won't be posting for Theme Thursday next week (we'll be on the airplane), but I'm going to try to post SOOC photos from Cairns while we're there.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

I Lied

I said there would be no more baseball. I lied. Harrison pitched yesterday, so I had to post a couple of photos. The other time he pitched this season, the darkest clouds rolled in and I got horrible, grainy shots with my zoom. This time I came prepared with my low-light prime, so that I could get shots even if the skies went the color of mud. He looked so cute out there...although I'm pretty sure that's not what you say to a pitcher ;).

the pitch

the pitcher

Sunday, June 7, 2009

BSM: The Last of Baseball

Baseball is almost over. Technically, it IS over. But the league thought it would be nice for Harrison's team to make up the games it missed due to weather issues. That means seven games in twelve days. The last game was supposed to be this past Saturday. Instead, we have three games in a row this week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I tried to make the best of it on Saturday by taking some (slightly) more creative shots at the game.


hanging


the dugout


hat hiding

Yeah, this last one sums up how I feel about baseball, too.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Theme Thursday: Family

Happy 9th birthday, Harrison!

h and josie 2002

Harrison & Josie, Summer 2002


nine

June 4, 2009

I always try to grab a few shots of the kids the mornings of their birthdays. Some years are more successful than others :). This was the best of the bunch this morning...and it's tie-dye day at school! Hope it's a great one, sweetie!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Time and Relativity

Owen: I can't WAIT for my birthday!

Me: Well, you have a little while to wait, honey, it's not till the end of the summer.

Owen: But I can't wait!

Me: When we're really looking forward to something, time seems to pass slowly, doesn't it?

Pause...

Owen: I CAN wait till my birthday.

Me: What?

Owen: I'm not looking forward to my birthday anymore.

Me: What do you mean?

Pause....

Owen: Is time passing faster now?