A new toy

I know it has been a while.  I guess I have some updating to do.  Oh well.  Such is life. 
We move forward and get on with our lives.

Anyway, one of the things I love to do is photography.  For the last two or three years, I've immersed myself in the world of DSLR's.  Before this time, I loved taking photos of my children, but envied the pictures that others would taking using their fancy, expensive cameras.  I wanted to do something like that.  I wanted to learn more about how to take good photographs. 

About three years ago, I spent part of our tax refund on a Craigslist purchase.  It was a older Canon Rebel model.  It was only 5 or 6 megapixels, but it came with two back-up batteries, a telephoto lens, and a few memory cards, which was good since it used flash and not SD. 

I poured over blogs and photography websites.  I learned what I could while enjoying the new range of photos I was able to take. 

Today, I have a Canon Rebel T3i.  I stuck to what I was already familiar with and what was capable of using my existing lens.  It still hurt in my pocket, but not too bad.  We purchased it after my son had a bit of an accident with my starter DSLR.  I don't think I'm too heartbroken to have gotten a new one.  I absolutely love it. 

Since getting the new camera, I purchase an inexpensive, fixed lens.  It is a 50mm lens.  I cannot believe the pictures I've been able to capture with this thing!

Anyway, fast forward to today.  I ordered a Light Scoop and SteadePod from Photojojo.com and they arrived today!  I haven't tested the SteadePod, but I have tested out the Light Scoop.  And boy, oh, boy, is it great!  I hate using my flash.  I avoid it at all costs. 

Here's an example of what I would do in a low light situation.  The following picture is set at f1.8, ISO 1600, shutter speed 1/80.  I only cropped the photo, so no editing.  

 This next picture was taken with the flash.  I believe my ISO was set at 800, f1.8, and shutter speed 1/200.

 

 Now, here's a picture with the Light Scoop. Same settings with just the flash alone.  This time, the Light Scoop took that flash and bounced it up to the ceiling for a more natural look.  I love it!

 

Photojojo also sends over a little stow-away in the package.  A little plastic dinosaur.  They encourage customers to take a picture of their stow-away and submit the photo with a caption.  

My son is on his way to being a paleontologist.  He loves dinosaurs.  He knows many of the obscure ones.  And he knows many facts about them.  So, we had to introduce the new little dinosaur to his gang of dinosaurs.  Here are some of my favorite shots.  

 I can't wait to try it out some more!

My little paleontologists

One really cool investment we've made was an annual membership to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.  We must have gone at least a dozen times since first joining last year. 

Additionally, Tristan has taken a keen interest in dinosaurs, and other animals (especially the reptilian sort).   I am not just talking about "I love dinosaurs" phase.  This kid has studied dinosaurs and watched numerous documentaries on various dinosaurs.  And he's only six!

He can tell you the three periods of the Mesozoic era.  He knows what therapods are and what traits they typically have.  He can name numerous species of dinosaurs and tell you that a Dimetrodon is not a dinosaur (not commonly known, by the way). 

So, I don't mind calling him my little paleontologists.  In fact, we like to encourage his current passion by purchasing books and looking up videos on the internet. 

During our last visiting to the museum, we visited the gift shop.  It is hard to leave empty handed with two kids.  However, when we spotted these dig/excavate a dinosaur "fossil" kits, we just had to get one.  Well, then Melayna wanted one, too.  So, we purchased a smaller version for her.

We headed home and quickly went to work.  It was messy.  It was dusty.  It was fun....for about fifteen minutes.  Then it was a lot of work.  And it was taking too long.  Of course, Mom and Dad had to step in and help them out.  Before we had to step in, I couldn't help but take a few pics while they were concentrated on their work.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any after pics because everything was so dusty and dirty.  I didn't want that to get into my camera lens.

Soccer Buddies

Back in December, I took advantage of an online deal (I can't remember if it was Living Social, Groupon, or Deal of the Day).  It was for a company called Soccer Buddies.  It included a season's enrollment (once a week classes for approximately 12 weeks) and a t-shirt.  We decided to enroll Melayna in their classes. 

She's loved the experience.  She likes her coach.  She likes to do Red Light, Green Light. She likes to kick the balls around. She likes....you get the idea.  She just likes it all.  Unfortunately, her time is just about up and we cannot afford the full price to re-enroll her for the Spring.  :(

Here are a few fun moments we had at Soccer Buddies.

St. Patrick's Day hiking

My family and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather here in Colorado.  One nice, family friendly "hike" is Garden of the Gods.  It isn't a hike with respect to trails since a good portion of it the path is paved; however, it is a beautiful walk and one that isn't too hilly for the kids.  They loved it!  My dad came along, and having grandpa around, just makes things much more fun.  We meant to go to the parade, but between our hike and haircuts for the boys, we weren't able to make it on time.  Maybe next year. :D

Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

 

 

Snow Day

This winter has been fairly mild compared to the past number of years.  We've had very little snow with little accumulations.  So, when it snowed this past weekend and didn't melt by noon, the kids and I took advantage of our sloped backyard for some sledding fun. 

I also took the time to do some photo editing in PSE 8.  I had fun playing around with various actions.

At the gym

So, I'm currently on a treadmill at 24 Hour Fitness and I'm writing this post.  I am starting to come down with something so, today, I am taking it easy.  Plus the mayor is coming to my work at 3 and I would rather not be too sweaty when I return. 

Anywya, I am doing this to keep my mind occupied.  I am super stressed and I feel like a weight is holding me down.  I want to scream and breakdown.  I want to fall asleep.  I want to cry.  I feel so out of control, like nothing I do can move or shake this burden.

It is nearly every aspect of my life, too.  And I feel hopeless.  It seems as if I take one step forward and two steps back.  There are so many directions I want to go and no idea which path to take.  Such is life.  This is how it will always be. 

Well life goes on in the Hooper household.  We will celebrate my husbands 31st birthday this week.  My son is doing well in school.  My daughter is the crazy little daredevil she always is. 

Sorry for my rant.  My workout is almost over which means I must depart. 

Until next time...

Another year over....

2011 is quickly coming to a close and a new year will arrive in its place.  This year has gone by so quickly, I really just don't know how to take it all in.

Here are a few of my favorite moments...

Vacation in Lincoln to visit the girls on Spring Break

Our wedding

 

Summer fun with the kids!

Jacey turned 8!

 

Tristan started Kindergarten 

Melayna turned 3! 

 

 Target Practice

 

 Halloween!

 

Christmas time

Tristan's 6th Birthday