Sportsman's Show

Taking a break from the crowds

Hot dogs in the seats

Fishing for Arctic Char in the kid's pond

Nap Buddies

Charlie: Before and After

Kolorful Kincaid

More Photoshop Phun

I let Maren manipulate a photo with Photoshop and we each took a turn...

Maren's before...

...and after

My before...

and after.

Photo Phun

I took a Beginner Digital Photography class yesterday with Roy Corral www.roycorral.com. I enjoyed his presentation about telling the story of your subject matter. So often I focus on getting the perfect shot of that wildflower and now I realize there is so much more to "see." He shared some great tips on composition and exposure, how to anticipate a shot and he shared his obvious passion for what he does. He also gave some basic instruction on Photoshop and how you can use it to enhance and improve your photos. I spent some time this morning goofing around with some photos I took yesterday. It is amazing what a little exposure improvement, contrast work and cropping can do!

Photo phun!

The Cheerleader Inside Her

Today we saw the cheerleader emerge from deep, deep inside the three-year old. Now, this is the first time she has EVER had her hands on a pair of pom- poms, the first time she has ever heard cheerleader mix music and her first time in a cheering-like outfit. She is just a natural. I saw the fire in her eyes when we put the suit on and knew I had to ready the camera. She even threw a spontaneous tuck-n-roll in from gymnastics class. I was beside myself as you will soon see.

Charlie & Baby Charlie

My First Tote-y Tote

Known as the "Twenty-Minute Tote," it took me about 45, but I got her done.

Mush Maren, Mush!

Ya, ya, ya!

Gee, gee!

Mush, Mush!

Whoa!

(Good dog.)

Snugglepot & Cuddlepie

I picked up this book of fairy tales from Australia for Maren , thinking she would really like the story of baby fairies in the wilds of the Outback.

Little did I know both girls would become Snugglepot (Maren) and Cuddlepie
( Sadie) for the rest of the evening.

Maren, Backyard Bird P.I.

Northern Goshawk

Bohemian Waxwings

Maren investigates large bird in tree.

Our Little Leprechauns

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Go Nuts for Donuts!

Everything is better with sprinkles.

"Donuts taste good because they have sprinkles."

"Don't worry mom, donuts also have strongness inside them."

Out to the Ice

Charlie and I ran in South Anchorage this morning, towards the inlet, into the cold, windy nothingness.

Milk Flutes

Sadie has been asking for days to drink her milk out of a fancy glass. Today we found some plastic wine glasses and headed home to celebrate with a "fancy" lunch.

Well, maybe not so fancy.

Ski Buddies

Maren and Eric had a blast skiing together on Sunday.

Girl Ski

Maren and I had a fabulous alpine ski day at sunny Alyeska.

Scenes from Spring Break

Well, spring break came and went. It flew by. We had a fun week playing and making and enjoying the sun all week.

The girls made "gak" with glue and laundry detergent.

All aboard!

We did some baking (and licking.)

The kitties came by for milk.

The girls decorated our old Christmas tree and put it in the backyard fort.

Lots of playdates with buddies.

The sun was fabulous!

Sadie made soup.

And we got ALL the stuffies out.