Summer ball season

Wow...time really does pass by quickly.  I kept telling myself I needed to post on my blog...little did I realize it had been about 5 weeks since my last post - so long that I had almost forgot my password.  School is out and baseball and softball are going strong.  There are so many things that have kept us busy that I could ahve posted about but we won't bore you all with that now.  The ball park is pretty much where we spend our Monday-Thursday every week - at least for a few more weeks.  Posted in this blog are some pictures of the kiddos in action - of course, with Mackenzie being a lefty I always seem to be on the wrong side when I try to catch her in action.  Happy Summer All!

Sweet Baby Ella

Even with all the rain, more rain and even more rain this weekend - it was a great 3 day break.  We braved another yard sale weekend in Crothersville and got rid of some much needed clutter.  We enjoyed our day Friday with some family that stopped in and visited for awhile.  While they were here, I had the opportunity to capture some impromptu pictures of their grand-daughter Ella, who is 10 months old.  Note - these were impromptu so please overlook the formula on her chin that we didn't see until after I snapped a few shots - planning to take some more of her later in the month.

More Unedited Pictures From Today - Picture Heavy

Sophie and Liam Sneak Peek

Stay tuned....there are so many good ones....many more to come...

Great things in the community

Something great for those in need in Crothersville is about to get even better....kuddos to those who have been spending countless hours donating their time and efforts to make this happen.  To Be Continued....

CJHS Track

This past Thursday was the first junior high track meet of the season.  I toted my camera along - but after trying to take a few pictures of field events - I gave up - it was way too cold to be taking pictures - my fingers were numb.  We thought we dressed warm enough - but even I was wrong about that.  We needed earmuffs and winter coats. If the weatherman is right, this coming week is going to be gorgeous and maybe I can get some pictures of all of the kids then.  For now, this will have to do.

CES Cookie Eating Contest

Each year th CES PTO has a Market Day cookie contest. Top sellers in each classroom get to participate in a cookie eating contest.  Lots of fun was had by all and it was so fun to see all of their classmates cheering them on.  This year a girl from 5th grade won.  Carson reprsented Mrs. Kelly's 2nd grade classroom well.

When all else fails.....

Caputre them in pictures when they have no idea you have the camera out....these were both taken between family gatherings on Easter Day - in between lunch and supper we had about an two hours to enjoy the beautiful day.

Soaking up the sun while reading a book.

Carson's flip flop feet - loving the warm weather, but not necessarily the dirty toes that come along with the flip flops - but I will take it.

Happy Easter

It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon - after the 10:00 am rain - that started at the same time as the annual Crothersville Easter Egg Hunt.  As quickly as the 6-8 year old age group started, they were done - yet again, not many pictures of Carson.  However, I did get a few shots of some friends babies in the 0-2 year old age group - since they don't move quite as fast.  None the less, the kids didn't let a little drizzle dampen their spirts for hunting the eggs and gathering their prizes.

(Carson's basket of eggs and goodies)

Thanks to Cassie and Krystal for letting me capture your precious little ones.  Happy Easter.

Maybe there is still hope

After countless hours (no, I am not willing to admit how many) I finally figured out how to download some free actions into PS8 to use.  I also figured out how the texture thing works too - just need to figure out how to get more of those "freebies" too.  This is called a seventies action - quite appropriate to go along with the huge sunglasses.  Now, if I can just remember how to do it again next time....

Spring Break Photo Gallery

Cades Cove was closed - what???? Yes, for the first time in 30 years they decided to pave the entire loop and close the park.  Carson was very disappointed and we were too - we drove all the way out there to find it closed - had we read the newspaper we picked up at the visitors center on our way into the Smoky Mountains we wouldn't have found ourselves in that predicament - but we never claimed to be too smart!  Our Smoky Mountain drive was fun, though.

Carson checking out the stream in the Smoky Mountains - the water was very, very cold.

Trying to not slip and fall in.

We stopped at the top look out and both kids had their electronic gadets with them - so different than when I was a kid.

Obviously my settings didn't get changed when I tried to capture the snow in the mountains - but I actaully thought it turned out very different and unique so it is a keeper.

Carson isn't the bravest kid in the world (unlike his sister who will try anything) - so when he asked if he could ride the bull in Cherokee, NC, we knew the answer had to be yes.  He started off slow but we finally convinced him to go faster - until he fell off :)

Sometimes the best pictures are the ones when the subject has no idea you are snapping away.

The story behind this one....someone was goofing off while we explored the streams in the Smoky Mountains and took a big chunk off of her big toe when jumping off a log...the first aid kit in the car was finally put to good use.  She was more worried about the polish on her toes.

Icesicles coming off the mountains.

One of our first stops on Saturday  morning was to the Coach store - someone had money to burn and it wasn't me - a certain 13 year old now owns 3 real Coach purses and her mother doesn't have a single one.

Carson playing outside of our cabin.

Some of the best pictures come from simple things in nature...I guess this is moss...growing in the woods outside of our cabin.  It is really unique and it doesn't complain when I take a picture of it.