A Fair Time

Eric was back in town this weekend, so we have to cram everything into three nights, and two days. Last night was the fair. Even though Eric got in late, we still packed up Carter and took him down to see the lights and sounds.

They had some little carnie games for the kids, guaranteed prizes. So we let Carter play.
All he had to do was pick a duck....I think the odds were in his favor!

{I LOVE this shot}

And the lady let him pick out his prize.....a monkey, of course!

Then we let him go on some rides.....first was the twizzler, or something like that. I can't go on those rides.....just watching them makes me ill.

So Eric did the honors.

And I went on the more tame rides, like the ferris wheel. I REALLY wish I had taken the camera with me because we were stopped at the very top three times and the view was amazing. Oh well!
Then we went over to the petting zoo so Carter could practice naming his animals. The sheep were very friendly - they just wanted to be pet, that's all. Simple as that.

The goats wanted food. And if you didn't have food, they wanted to eat your shirt. Or hand.

Then we got some shaved ice and wandered a bit before calling it a night. It was super fun! But that's about all I can tolerate of the fair. Until next year!

Peek-a-Boo!

Oh please, you knew it was coming! Ever photographer has done it!

Baby Steps

My first venture into this photography thing came yesterday. And of course my first shoot involved my two favorite subjects: my child and my husband. I am currently working on a permanent home for the photography stuff, and you all will be the first to know when it's up and running. In the meantime, here is a sneak peak from yesterday's shoot.

Again, this is my first attempt.......baby steps, and all that jazz.

Another Visit to the Happy Land

After Eric returned home from his camping trip last weekend, I told him all about this fantastic place I had discovered. Naturally, he wanted to go see it. So Monday, I had stayed home, feeling quite under the weather. So this visit, I was mostly able to just sit on the sidelines and take pictures. I got in once to play, and also went down the huge slide once. That was enough for me. But the boys had a fantastic time!

He LOVES that slide!


Quite the climber!

Showing Daddy how he can climb it all by himself.

Playing in the little house! Carter was quite insistent that no one else be allowed in the house. There were several other little kids that tried to come in and Carter held that door shut. I wasn't pleased, and told him we had to share, but he had already scared the other kids off. Oh well - guess that's something we'll be working on!

Then it was on to the jump houses. I think these are his favorite.

He loved smashing these pillars into Eric!

All that playing sure makes a little guy thirsty!

Then it was my turn to dive in with the boy.

We sure had a great time together!

This area sits along one of the walls - it's a three story jungle-themed obstacle course, so to speak. Eric took Carter all over it, clear up to the top, and back down. Carter did great and was able to maneuver it all on his own.

Weeeeee!

P.S. This marks the last of my photos from the Canon Powershot. It has now retired and all pictures from this point forward will be with the Rebel. Hope to see some improvements and can't wait to read your thoughts!

Embarrassing Myself for the Greater Good

So for those of you who don't know (and how could you NOT?!?!), today was the big day. The day I have been waiting for, for......hell, I don't know how long. A LONG time, let me just say that. Today was the day my new camera and all the goodies it came with arrived at my house. The big box sat, lonely, on my doorstep for about one whole hour before I arrived home. (I'm surprised my stalker didn't take it!!) Soon enough, I arrived home with the child (yes, I cared enough to stop and pick him up first....though I almost considered leaving him for another hour. I kid, I kid. Maybe. Seriously though, I did consider it.) and we tore into that box.

And let me just say, upon opening that box, the child and I were in heaven. Little known (or maybe not) fact about me? I LOVE bubble wrap. It brings me joy. I have no clue why. And the child also loves anything that makes loud POPPING noises. He's a 2 year old. He has an excuse. I don't have one. Spare me.

And I may have been a little excited. (Please Note: I had pressure from many, many people to take pictures while I was opening my slice of heaven. So these are beyond super cheesy....for a reason.

Yes, he is still alive. It's ok. I let him do certain things while we were opening.


Like take out a plastic covered bag. But that was it. Then I told him to go play. This was mommy's playtime.

But he seemed so happy that I was SO happy! He wanted to be in the pictures, too. HAM. I have no idea where he gets it.

So, let's take a stroll down inventory lane, shall we?

First up, the memory card reader.

Next up, the lens cleaning kit.

Then, the additional rechargeable battery.

Then the memory card wallet, which I will never use. So I made the picture blurry. I'm discriminating already.

Yes, he's still here and alive. Playing with the packing, pretending their are arm floaties, I guess.

Then we have the 8GB memory card.

Then the screen guard. I'm not sure I will use this, actually. Thoughts, anyone?

Then we have the carrying case for the tripod. It's Slik, clearly.

Then we have this DVD guide.....not sure if I'll watch it since there are upcoming classes I'm interested in.

Then we have the actual tripod, which Carter is now showing us.

Then we had the 55-250mm telephoto zoom lens. Oh yes. It's nice. Canon brand, just how I wanted it.

And now we enter the land of CHEESEBALL, as my husband so eloquently put it.

First thing out was the camera strap....I love it. My current camera has one too and I can't imagine having a camera without one.

Savoring the big moment!

Ta da!

Showing off the goods.

So here we have it: Canon Rebel XS with the 18-55mm lens on it.

Profile
And here we have the 55-250mm telephoto zoom lens on.

Fully zoomed.

And now? I have several manuals to read because I have no clue how to work this thing!!!