spring photos

The weather has been so gorgeous here the past few months.

The days and evening call us outdoors to play and ride bikes or take walks.

Last week I decided that we needed some photos of the kids now that they are 6 and 5.

The morning being gorgeous in our backyard lent itself well to these pics.

Henry Alexander: 6 years.

 Marcail Lynne: 6 years.

Naomi Paige: 5 years.

a sweet gift

James brought these beauts home to me this week.
It was a pleasant surprise!
We have been enjoying them quite a bit.

the intercoastal waterway

This is what I see:

Neon Lights
Rain-worn Roofs
Lofty Hotels
Expansive Ocean
Water Taxi
A multitude of Palm Trees
Rich Yachts

Fort Lauderdale Skyline
Million Dollar homes
Docking posts

shadow of the flag

southern beauty

The bold hibiscus draws

delighted smiles

upon my face.

Bushes for whom I have no name

lighten my countenance

with the beauty of their color.

hazel eyes. wispy hair.

views from the yard

snow day

On January 10th, it snowed!  

This was the best Birthday present Henry and Marcail could have asked for!

It was beautiful!

The kids LOVED it!

They became very acquainted with the snow.

They spent a lot of time rolling, eating, throwing, sweeping, scooping and burying themselves in it.

starkness

There's something really beautiful about the bare, stark landscape of Winter.  I don't think I ever noticed it when I lived in the Midwest.  It's after I have lived in the tropical climate of Florida that I began to notice the raw beauty.  Green is a very refreshing color to look at everyday outside but its comforting to see browns and whites in a mid western winter.

While visiting our family in Kansas the kids and I ventured to a nearby park just a few blocks away from my parent's house.  It was cold but not unbearable and it was nice to stretch our legs and breathe the crisp, fresh air.  The scenery caught my eye at the park and I was glad that I had brought my camera.

nighttime shots

Palm trees......at night.

On our way home.....at night.

griswolds and bokeh

In South Florida we can take a walk to look at Christmas lights without freezing our legs off. It's a rather enjoyable, refreshing thing to do as a family. The kid's favorite house is, of course, the most gawdy. Think Griswold's times 100 and there ya have it! The house looks so much better in bokeh.

This photo barely does this house justice. Do you see that they have christmas lights, red and green, cascading down the front of their house? Plus, probably about 6 blow-up decorations on their roof!

Our Christmas tree.

A Christmas Palm Tree.

I sure wish I knew more about how to take a decent, sharp photo without all the grain....I guess I should really try to find my camera manual.

sunday afternoon part 1

In an attempt to help my kids out of a bad attitude I let them take photos with my camera.  I gave them each a quick tutorial and let them at it.  I'm so impressed with their photo-taking skills.  

These are Marcail's, she took quite a bit!