Foto Story Friday #102-- Robby's field day

Today was the 4th and 5th grades field day.  Robby was SO excited to finally be old enough for field day.  He worried for a week about packing his lunch and having enough water.  I assured him that I knew how the drill went, I've been to enough that I would make sure he ate and stayed hydrated!  We arrived at 8:50 (ten minutes to spare) and of course all the kids are ready to go and excited to spend the day in the sun.
Robby's first event was the 800m run.  I tried to explain to him how this race should be run, after-all I use to run track and even ran this race, but he is 10 and he knows more than me.  He is the one in the bright green shirt.  He took off fast...

And was leading the pack for most of that first lap....

But as it came round to that last straight stretch he was slowing down and ended up placing 3rd.

Next event was the football throw.  This is such a funny picture, not the best but it makes me smile!  He threw the football 72 feet, but it wasn't far enough to place.

Then he teamed up for the 3-leg race.  They were so funny the next photo I took they were laying on the ground laughing cause they tripped and fell.  Robby and his buddy got up and finally crossed the finish line with big smiles.

They did a Surprise relay... the surprise was the kids didn't know what they would be doing.  In teams of four they made 4 passes doing different activities: 1) each guy crawled under the legs, stood up and then the next guy went- repeat all the way to the finish line, 2) they laid on the ground and the last guy hops over everyone and then lays down and the next guy goes till they reach the start line, 3) they leaped frogged their way down to the line and then sprint back to the start, 4) one at a time they had to run down grab the bat and spin around 6 times run back and tag the next guy in line.  it was fun to watch. Robby's team got 3rd.

After lunch Robby had 2 running events to go.  First up was the 4x100 relay race.  Robby got the first leg and lane 1.

The hand off, they are doing well and in first. His team maintained the lead and took 1st!

They barely finished this race and they called the next one the 400m dash.    He is stretching and waiting for lane assignments. He was totally leading the pack and feeling good when he noticed his buddy coming up on him fast....

The crowd was yelling and cheering him on, he looked over and growled and kicked it in.  these two were battling it out (and I was too busy screaming er cheering him on to take another picture of the battle) they crossed the line only a fraction of a second apart and Robby came in 2nd. (1:18:02 and 1:18:01)  It was the best race of the day!  His face is priceless {you know you want to click on it and see that expression! :) }

He looks a little tired after that run!  All in all it was a great day and I think he really enjoyed his 1st field day!  Who knows, we might have a little track star on our hands!!





Hosted by Cecilyand Mom24

Foto Story Friday #89-- Milestones

We have passed another milestone here:
This is the cupboard above the sink in the bathroom. It has recently had an addition to it. What you might ask? Well, another stick of deodorant was placed on the shelf. Top shelf holds Troy's and mine, bottom shelf holds Shantel and Savanna's and the middle shelf is home to the boys, Cody and Robby. Yep that's right Robby, my 4th grader, has joined the ranks of deodorant wearers.
This is his. Gotta keep them all straight, everyone has their own flavor and brand, so there are no mix-ups.
Now, I really need to tell the story of how we came to this point. A few weeks back, Robby was getting ready to attend a city council meeting with his Grandpa and Cody where they were going to recognize the 100th year of scouting. All the boys, both cubs and boy scouts, were to attend in uniform, present the colors and receive the recognition. Robby was putting his scout shirt on,, in the dining room of all places and as he was buttoning up, he said: "Wow! my armpits stink!" After the fits of laughter passed through the house, I told him it was about time we got him some deodorant ..... next time we got paid. It was all he could talk about and he just didn't understand why I couldn't take him right then to the store after some. Every so often, he would ask about going to get some but was having trouble remembering what it was called and would say: "Mom, when are we going to go get me some detergent?" Which, of course, would send the house into fits of laughter again. Finally, I was able to fulfill his wishes and Sunday morning after his shower he got to apply his first layer of deodorant! Oh wait, let me back up a bit, Saturday night he asked when you put it on and how much to use. I told him after his shower and a few swipes should do him. So, Sunday morning rolls around and he goes in to shower only to come out of the bathroom in a bit of a panic cause he can't find his deodorant. I calmly explained that it was above the sink and all was well.
After 3 hours of church we came home to change clothes and head over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner and he proudly announced to anyone within hearing that his armpits still smelled good! Guess he's sure!


Hosted by Cecily

Foto Story Friday #85-- January Birthdays

The beginning of January brought Shantel's birthday.
We only have a couple of shaped cake pans, and I'm not cool enough to just create an awesome cake. Shantel decided she would have a PoohBear cake for her 14th birthday. We made the frosting and Cody, Shantel and I chose a color and decorated it all together. It was fun. I'll let you guess who did which color.
After dinner and Grandma and Grandpa's we had cake and now she awaits her gifts. She designed a pair of Chuck Taylors which should be arriving any day.
2 weeks later it was Robby's turn to pick a cake pan. He went for the Mickey Mouse one. While he did his dishes, I frosted and decorated the cake.
Not too bad considering we used the left over frosting from Shantels and attempted to get acceptable colors.
Make a wish, Robby! He awaits his gifts as well. He designed a pair of custom Etnies. They will take 6-8 weeks to arrive.
Next birthday is in May!
P.S. Look what just arrived:
Shantel is one happy custom sky-top owning girl!


Hosted by Cecily

Foto Story Friday #80-- Activities

Recent activities around here:
Savanna played some basketball............. lots of learning the basics and then 2 nights of intramurals.
We have been working on some puzzles.
This is the first one we finished and we are on to another.
Tuesday the twins had a Christmas program. Of course it would be too easy to put them, next to each other, they were separated by one little girl. Thankfully the teacher stepped in the middle.... well she might not appreciate this shot of her, but it effectively blocks the girl!
Last Thursday, Robby had his Christmas program. They did a great job and Robby was one of the few who could be heard and understood in his speaking part.
My oldest decided this year to go out for the wrestling team. He is having a good time learning all the basics and putting them into practice. Problem is, that his first home meet was the same night as Robby's concert :( I was not able to watch his 2 matches, I was VERY bummed. Troy and Grandpa both got to see them. This week he has his only other home meet and we will miss it...... Shantel also has her Christmas choir concert this week, same night as the wrestling meet :(
Why do they make me choose? This week we are choosing to not attend either (we are sending the kids and grandparents, as we have to be elsewhere.)

Hosted by Cecily and Honey Mommy

Foto Story Friday # 79-- decorating the tree and lighting is my boon!

It's that time of year again when we get out all our pretty things and celebrate the birth of Christ. We normally tend to put off all the decorating, but our children are all excited and Scott started to ask if the tree could go up last Saturday. On Monday, we went in search of Christmas decor and located everything except the tree (yeah, I know we just use a fake one, we're lame). Having promised Scott that we would put up the tree I was obligated to go purchase another. We remembered that last year the tree broke and we threw it out (it lasted us about 12 years- not bad for the Kmart special!) Finally, after dinner, we opened the box and set to work.
Scott could hardly wait for the lights to be tossed on before he placed the first ornament.
EmmaLece was right behind him placing hers on.
Robby too was thrilled to be decorating with his ornaments.
BahHumbug, aka Savanna, placed hers in the very back and vowed to not put another one on. (I forced her to place 5 ornaments and she put them all in the back away from sight.
Shantel still enjoys decorating the tree and put several of hers on.
Cody, decked out in his wrestling sweats, happily placed a few as well.
The finished product. Really, I have such a hard time getting the right settings for capturing the right amount of light for the desired effect. While the tree is clear and crisp, you can not tell that the lights are on and you loose something in my opinion.
So I turned off the lights and the flash and got the tripod. Still not exactly what I was hoping for but you can see the lights!
Wishing you all the the Merriest of Christmases and may the Peace of the Babe born in a stable settle in your hearts at this time and throughout the year to come.

Hosted by Cecily and Rachael

Foto Story Friday #76 -- Desire for greatness

I think we all have a desire for greatness inside us. I look at others and see their greatness, but it is much harder to see the greatness in ourselves.
I desire to make great pictures.
What exactly makes a great picture: Clarity? Beautiful subject matter? Seriousness or humorous? Knowledge of lighting and proper use of equipment?
Photography is a form of art. Beauty in the eye of the composer of each shot. Sometimes we can convey our perception of beauty to others and sometimes it falls flat.
Here are a few examples of the way I see my surroundings, what inspires me and things that contain beauty. (Of course, my kids are beautiful and inspiring!) I love a good showing of colors in the sky but sometimes I try and look elsewhere for the beauty and inspiration that surrounds me.
Humorous:
From the recent construction on my street, which thankfully is complete, I was inspired and humored to find this port-a-pot........... the first I's seen on a single trailer like this. It is truly a portable potty!
Beautiful/ Curiosity:
I like to improve on capturing my human subjects. Robby gave me that mischievous grin and this turned out to be a favorite photo of him taken at a volleyball game.
Beautiful/Growing up:
The fleeting tween years and the ever changing portrait of childhood fades. ANd maybe I need to look with my eye before I look with my camera....... how could I miss the strand of hair?!
Humorous:
Typical kid doing dishes, listening to the iPod and chewing gum..... bigger and bigger until it pops! Which it did all over his face!
Beautiful:
Photo night put on by the young men and young women at church. Props can help a person to loosen up. Learning lighting..... need lighting!
Dreaming/Inspiring:
Old time photos taken at Kmart........ shooting from the hip. The photographer was not well pleased to see that I had a camera hanging from my neck. She grumpily informed me that I could NOT take pictures of her backdrop they are protected! Well you can see that it is located in a store and they are stetting up and I didn't even try to conceal that is was a photo shoot. Props. Yeah could sure use some cool props.
Beautiful/ Sneaky:
In my ever growing attempts to take good people shots, I do have 6 mostly willing subjects. Everything worked that time!
Thoughtful/Beautiful:
Mostly this child doesn't stop moving and trying to get and acceptable photo of her proves to very difficult. She was busy looking off into space and I got my chance.
Inspiring/Thought provoking/Beautiful:
Patiently awaiting his turn and wishing his mother would not point that camera at his face, I got lucky to look up and see this glimpse at teen life. What was he thinking? Was he wondering if he could ride the rails on his board? or was he simply wishing the "photo shoot" were over?

So what inspires you? what is beautiful to you?

Hosted by Cecily and Sue

Foto Story Friday #70-- Missoula Children's Theater

A few weeks ago, The Missoula Children's Theater (MCT) was in town. All the local kids that were interested arrived at the high school for try-outs. This year thankfully we had a small number and everyone got a part. It is no fun when you get cut ----- trust me I've been there, done that. When I was in grade school, the MCT came to town every year and I would always try out. I once got the assistant manger part, I was SO excited! When practice was over, my big brother, Brandon, came to pick me up, because my parents were out of town. He was chewing gum and I really REALLY wanted some.... well, if you have a big brother or are a big brother, you can probably guess that he didn't just hand it over. He ran up the wall and placed it on the back of the basketball hoop and said: "If you can reach it, you can have it." Not wanting to let a challenge pass, I tried and tried to get that stick of gum. Brandon eventually had to lift me up to reach it. The trouble started here.... he let go of me thinking..... who knows what... I, of course, was not holding on to anything and came crashing down, landing strangely and broke my ankle. Guess what? If you have a broken ankle, you can't be in the play! That was the one and only time I ever got picked for a part in the play. Robby has also experienced the getting cut, so we were all happy when no one was cut this year. My kids have been much more fortunate and have all gotten the opportunity to be in one or more MCT productions. The girls didn't try out this year because they are in volleyball. Cody is too old now that he is in High School. So that left the 3 youngest to give it a whirl.
The play was Robinson Caruso. After 5 evenings and one day of intense rehearsals, they performed to a near full house.
Robby was a member of the Very Hairy Frownie Face Tribe. They were cute and Robby was SO loud! We had NO problem hearing him.
After many years of having a child in the play, I stayed and watched the try-outs. It was way fun to watch them saying lines and trying to be loud.... which they have no problem with at home! Scott and Em were chameleons and they were too cute up there on stage singing and dancing.

The little guys are always my favorite, cause they are almost always off step in their dancing or just plain doing their own thing and it makes me smile!


Hosted by Cecily and Angie