Get the picture?

I'm somewhat of a reluctant photographer. You wouldn't think so...I have my camera in my hands a good bit. It's a 2 year old Panasonic Lumix DMC-series. It's got a 10x zoom wide-angle lens. And it's really an ideal camera for travel. It's light and small enough to put in my bag or pocket, with good image stabilization, an easy auto-setting and an excellent battery life, and it came with an extra battery.

I almost always get better photos outdoors. Indoor shots are dicey, like these I took at the library when Alahna was having fun at the Smart Table.

I haven't read the instruction manual for my camera and certainly haven't played with many alternate settings. I just pick it up and shoot. It's the way I roll.

Still, sometimes I surprise myself with what I can do.

Here's Keith....he looks good. And yes, I did take that. ;)

But there is a big difference between what I can do on auto and what you can do with a better camera. These pictures were taken by Missy Morris. She has a Canon Rebel.

Justin shoots a Nikon D90, here's just a couple he took of Kirra. (She likes to pose...like you couldn't guess that.)

Pretty. Sometimes I consider buying a camera with more power. But...would I really use it? I like pretty pictures but I also like a compact camera. And then of course, if I got one - I'd definitely have to read the instruction manual. Or take lessons. And learn editing.

Or not.

So, until then.

It's point and shoot.

Rollin' on the river ~

(cue Bayou Rock...)

A couple of days ago we were invited to go out to Zack & Andrea's camp on the river. Jason and the girls were all for it, so heck yeah we'll come.

Yep, it was hot. But we had a ball anyway. We ate pulled pork and sloppy joes and grilled sausage, boudin and onions. Watermelon and smores were popular too. I brought a box of Jo's Party House cupcakes. They're necessary. ;)

So. Much. Fun.

Lily showed Alahna & Kirra the right way to swing on a rope and jump in the water. They took it all in, and Alahna just went for it! Kirra kept thinking about it. We know this because she told us at least 20 times. :) She did jump off the dock even if the rope swing didn't happen.

Jason and his girls.

Emma was a big help with the little girls, she's a sweetheart.

Evan takes the wheel. This boat pulled the wakeboarders and skiers.

Zack pulled the kids with his pontoon boat. He can really maneuver that thing.

Jason's pretty good at wakeboarding, he's a natural.

Don was happy his grandgirls were having a ball.

Alahna had the best time. All smiles.

And Kirra was beside herself. She said this was the "best show" she ever saw! (maybe she thought we were on a reality show?)


Thumbs up for FASTER. Girls just wanna have fun...they feel the need, the need for speed.

Whether it's hunting or diagnosing the sound the boat motor is making, Don and Zack are talkers.

Our evening ended with a bit of drama. After darkness fell, while everyone was making smores around the fire, someone heard a voice calling for help across the water. Turns out a guy was over there and said his dog had a broken leg and he needed help to get him to the dock. A bit suspicious maybe, but nevertheless the guys decided to help. Zack, Taylor and Jason jumped in the boat and went to pick him up. Kirra was yelling out across the water, "We're coming to get you!! We're coming to help!" It was a large dog, a Bullmastiff. We hope the dog made it. Kirra would be proud.

Such an awesome night. Good friends, good times. We love all the Zack's and we're tickled that the grandgirls got the full camp experience. Thanks for the invite!

Left a good job in the city
Workin' for the Man every night and day
And I never lost one minute of sleepin'
Worryin' about the way things might have been

Big wheel keep on turnin'
Proud Mary keep on burnin'
Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the river

Happy Birthday, America!

You know what today is...

I love my country!! I love everything about the 4th of July - the fireworks, the music (can't wait for The Boston Pops) and always, a reminder of how grateful I am to be an American.

And I love, love, love flag-inspired decor. So I was geared up to make this Tin Can Windsock. It was so much fun and it's a craft that kids would like too.



It was easy...I painted an old can with dark blue acrylic, glued on some ribbon streamers and some wooden stars that I had painted white. Don strung some white roping on it and hung it from our crepe myrtle tree. Jennifer made one for her porch, too.

Maybe I'll make another one for our patio (I'm on a roll). I got the idea and instructions here:

Patriotic Tin Can Windsock

Happy Birthday, America!!!