Fancy Fathers

And while I'm getting all photographically fancy here, I decided to try another trick while photographing my Father Christmases. My Grandma (with Grandpa's help) made them for me and they are very special to me.
First image is a long exposure and the lighted garland has starburst but the Father Christmases are too dark to see any detail.

Now for the fancy stuff. Not perfect but good enough. Can you guess what I did on this 25 second exposure? Want me to tell you? Oh, ok, you don't have to beg! I shined a flashlight up and down the row of Father Christmases during the exposure to give them some front light. Probably could have done better muting the light a little or even focusing the beam more, but it's still a LOT more detail than in the original image.

Christmas Startburst

Ok, my photography friends have unknowingly issued a challenge. Make the Christmas lights in the tree show a starburst pattern. I'm pleased with the results. And if you're reading this on the day I posted it, please know I'm eventually going to go back and add the last four months worth of photos so don't give up on me. Just couldn't resist the Christmas challenge!
First attempt. Like the starburst but the ornaments aren't totally in focus. BTW, used manual focus and my new macro lens on these three shots.

Probably my favorite image.
But how do you resist Elmo? :-)

40th!

David and D'Ann threw me a suprise party for my 40th birthday. And boy was I surprised. Thought we were heading over for a casual Sunday evening swim, they even had me make ice cream so I wouldn't be suspicious, and instead had a wonderful night celebrating my 40th with family and friends. Isn't my cake beautiful?

Little Fisherman

With his favorite Dora fishing pole.

Dock Jumpers

Happy Paddler

The boys were dying to ride the paddleboat. Thomas peddled for about 5 seconds and then asked me to switch places with him. Love Jon's silly smiles.

Early Morning Swimmer

Thomas was alone swimming in the early morning, but had a ball.

Early Morning Ski

Boat Sunrise

Early the next morning, my cousin Jeremy and Bobby wanted to go skiing. Immediately after this shot, my camera fogged up from the humidity and didn't clear until after Jeremy had already skiied. Thomas wanted me to wake him up early so he could go out on the boat too. Jon was mad when we got back that I hadn't awakened him.

Doggy Paddle

Bobby and Patty's dog, Evie, loves being at the lake. I think she's so cute in her life jacket. :-)

Group Fun

Everyone had fun playing in the lake...even Evie, the puppy.

Thomas Jumping

I can't decide which of these two is my favorite.

The Flying Cross.
Or The Walking On Water.

Thomas and Bobby

had a lot of fun playing together. Bobby showed him how to do a watermelon dive.

Boat Nap

All that jumping wore Jonathan out. He lasted a long time but eventually the motion of the boat lulled him to sleep. Thanks to his "Uncle" Patty for comfortable spot to rest.

Jonathan Jumping, part 2

Love this jump. And I love Thomas' foot kicking his way back to the boat.
Jon jumping while Thomas and Dad wait their turn.

Jonathan Jumping, part 1

Love his silly grin.

Resilient Spider

The boys discovered a very tough spider who rode on the boat all day with us. No matter how fast we went, he never came off. Jonathan's checking it out in the first pic.

Thomas is pointing it out to Jonathan. Pretty amazing that even though it was riding on the front of the boat, the wind and water didn't seem to affect it.

Hell's Gate Jon

Love this pic!

Hell's Gate

Another shot I love that looks best with a water camera. Hell's Gate. We spent most of the first day on the boat driving around and swimming where we wanted. I'd never been to this part of the lake before. The story goes that Indians used to run buffalo off the edge of the cliff before the lake was created.

Bobby Toes

We had a fun two days at Possum Kingdom Lake with my folks and my aunt and uncle. Loved the angle of this shot of my uncle Bobby. Shots you can only get with a water camera! :-)

My 40th

My wonderful friends and family surprised me with an early party for my 40th birthday. And they custom ordered this delicious carrot cake from another friend of ours. Two of the things I love are on it: golf and my iPhone. :-) Had an awesome time!

Water Park Buddies

Three friends at Hawaiian Falls.

Lunch Buddies

Thomas, Dayton, and Jonathan having a picnic lunch at Hawaiian Falls.

Jonathan Underwater Smile

Taken at a small city waterpark.

Science Spectrum Shutter, part 2

Jonathan's turn on the ride.

Science Spectrum Shutter

Thought it might be fun to practice a slower shutter speed with my new Canon point and shoot. Didn't take my SLR into the museum with me. Thomas is on a spinning exhibit at the Science Spectrum in Lubbock.

Bird Food

In this shot, Jon's talking sweetly and quietly to the bird saying, "Here you go birdie. Yeah, you like that."

Chillin'

Turtle

Love this shot of the turtle swimming. Shot taken through glass at the MOMA at the zoo.

Wing Span

Jonathan Rides

Jonathan rode more rides than anyone else that day. Think I only rode 2. There was phantom lightning 20 miles away and the rides were shut down most of the day. Only a small shower in the park early in the morning but not a drop the rest of the day.

Swings
Love the expressions on both boys faces.

Mom and Jon on the trucks.

Faces

Here are a few pics of Jonathan waiting for the plane ride to start at Six Flags. These were all taken in the span of about 10 seconds. ;-)

My fav.