BSM: "Diggin'" the Christmas Jammies

I promise this will be the last holiday photo I post...until the next holiday, of course :).  But I just couldn't resist this one.  I must have taken a dozen snaps of my boys in their new jammies on Christmas Eve, and wouldn't you know it...the best one is Exhibit A: Owen with his finger up his nose...on purpose, I might add.  In none of the other pics do they look so natural...I'm not sure what this says about my boys or me as a parent...let's leave that one alone for now, shall we?

Now for a question for all you BSMers: Does anyone have any good Photoshop for newbies books to recommend?  I finally upgraded my computer so I that I could install a better editing program, but now I find that I have NO IDEA what I am doing!  Layers????  Thanks in advance for the advice.

Snaps of Christmas

This is a few days late, but I wanted to share a few shots of our lovely Christmas Day.  After an early start and lots of gifts, we had a relaxing day and a wonderful meal (cooked by chef James, of course).  My dad is modeling the "bling" from the Christmas crackers we opened after dinner...

Theme Thursday: Family

As you can see, I did not get myself in the family photo for this week's theme; I used up that chance with last week's BSM!  However, I do love this picture: my dad and my two boys reading together.  My parents are both great readers, and my two love to hear them read stories.  Owen can hardly keep his eyes off the book; his finger is apparently helping him concentrate...

A White Christmas

My post title should more accurately read, "A Slushy, Sort-of-White Christmas Afternoon."  Nevertheless, it was fun while it lasted!

Theme Thursday: Window

Well, well, if this theme didn't just happen to coincide with my first psuedo-photo shoot (read last Friday's post if you're not up to date on this happening).  On a cold, wet day, I had nothing but window (and garage) light to shoot these two.  I used upstairs windows, downstairs windows, and the garage, which I realize isn't exactly a window.  However, it can be a great natural light studio.

Shooting a 15-year-old boy and an 18-month-old girl was definitely a challenge.  Particularly since the young man announced, "I don't smile," at the outset.  Just what every photographer wants to hear.  Needless to say, I learned a lot.  

Fortunately, the mom was happy with the results (wipe sweat from brow), and I have my contribution for Stacy's very first week hosting Theme Thursday  -- Thanks Stacy!