Sugar-White Sand Beaches

Speaking of white sand beaches....here along the Gulf Coast, I'm afraid we might be losing our beautiful white sand beaches to the huge oil spill in the Gulf. When I found these adorable photos of my grandson, Jacob, I knew I wanted to scrap them right away. I'm also glad that we have these great photos of the "white" sand, before it is gunked up with oil!

I used the new Seaside collection from Websters Pages....and BIG surprise!!! This layout was chosen as the banner of the week at Websters Pages Ning site!!! YAY! Okay...I get excited easily! LOL!

The background paper is shaped with a postage stamp edge. I cut the luggage and the hot air balloon from another piece of Websters Pages and attached them to the layout with pop dots for added dimension. The title letters (exploring) are thickers, and the red letters are Websters Pages sticker letters. I also added a little doodling. There are coordinating stickers between the top photos and on the pull out journaling tab. Photos were taken at Pensacola Beach in 2005.

Thanks for stopping by.....until next time...

Hugs!!

Christmas 2009

We finally got the tree up last night. Don't know if all the other Christmas decorations will make it out this year, but the tree is done.

Here's a few photos that I took after we were finished. Jacob was my little helper. He thought climbing the ladder was what he needed to do, but we finally convinced him that his Grandpa would be hanging the ornaments at the top of the tree.

I still don't have my lighting right, but I'm always ready to practice. This is my daughter with Jacob. Not sure why they look grainy to me...hmmmm...need to get the book out and read a bit more about photography.

I love this shot. Jacob was so intent on staightening the ornaments that he didn't notice I was taking his photo.

This one is cute because he was looking at his reflection in one of the ornaments and making faces at himself! LOL!

Just need to move this one just a little bit more.....

Ahhhhh...the tree is finished. Let's just sit here for a minute and look at all the pretty lights and ornaments.

Thanks so much for stopping by. My wish for you this season is that you will have a joyous and peace-filled Christmas with your family and friends. I know my family will spend time together at Christmas, and I hope you get to spend time with your family too.

Merry Christmas!

Hugs!

Time for Photography Practice

As usual, last weekend was jam-packed with activities! We had some of the kids over for dinner Saturday, and then on Sunday, we had a visit from our dear friends, Tim and Terri with their beautiful kids! The skies were clear, there was a nip of fall in the air, and the lighting was perfect for some outdoor photos.

Jacob loves to pose for the camera. It's amazing how fast the kids grow!

Traci and Jacob just clowning around. I love it when I get a funny-face photo!

Allen and Helen Grace peeking out of the window of the "fort" on the gym-set.

My son, Matthew, and his wife, Nichole, and of course, my beautiful little grandchildren, Allen and Helen Grace.

Matthew took this photo of Butch and me. I must admit . . . this is me. I just can't understand why I looks so OLD in pictures! I never look that old when I'm looking in the mirror. Come to think of it, I don't look this heavy in the mirror either...hmmmmm...maybe I should send my camera back and get a new "youthful" lens since it seems that mine is malfunctioning! LOL!!

Then I took some pictures of Tim and his family. They are such a photogenic family...and why wouldn't they be? Tim is one of the best photographers that I know! Whenever we get together, I follow him around with my camera, just hoping that I can absorb some of his awesome photography skills!

I had so much fun on Sunday! After we finished taking photos, we visited for a while, then headed off to Cici's pizza. Excellent day...good memories!

Thanks for stopping by...and until next time...

Hugs!

Check it out!

Last weekend, my daughter and her family came down for the weekend. She had arranged with out friend(and family photographer), Tim Ludvigsen, to have family photos taken out at Pensacola Beach. Of course, I trailed along with my trusty Rebel XTi in hand, hoping to gain a little more practice and lots more advice from Tim! It should come a no surprise to anyone, but Tim's pics are so incredibly awesome...while mine are...ummmm...okay. Take a minute and check out Tim's awesome blog (and he posted some of his pics of my gorgeous grandchildren!) Tim Ludvigsen's Photography http://timl.bigfolioblog.com/month/mar09 And...for your viewing pleasure, here's a few of the photos I snagged.

Katie is just so photogenic! I love that I caught her in midair! Ah....the sweet innocence of this handsome young man! The surf was absolutely gorgeous on Saturday....and the kids REALLY wanted to get in the water! 100% pure handsome, adorable boy! I think my flash wasn't set properly for this shot....I'm working on it!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Love to hear your comments...at least stop and say hello! LOL!

Hugs!!

Susan

Practice, Practice, Practice.....

I've had my Canon Rebel XTi for over a year now, and I'm STILL trying to learn how to use it. I know, I know...I've been told all my life that "practice makes perfect"....well, just for the record, that is not technically true. There are quite a few things that I've practiced ad nauseam and STILL have not mastered - anywhere NEAR PERFECT! But I digress...

I have been practicing with my camera...every chance I get. Here are some of my more recent efforts. Two of my children and their children met me down at Bertram Park in Pensacola for a late afternoon photo shoot. Luckily for me, our friend, Tim Ludvigsen (who is a professional photographer) joined us. He gave me several quick lessons on my camera...and I think these are come of the best pics I've taken for a while. Acutally, Tim was the REAL photographer there, I just came along to get in a little practice with my camera AND all the help I could get from Tim. THANKS Tim!!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon! Hugs!

Susan

I've Been Tagged!

I don't get tagged often, but this week I've been tagged and received a "blog award" from a couple of my friends. So here goes..... The tag from Vel... Here are the rules: 1. Go to the section of your computer where you store all of your photos. 2. Select the 6th folder. 3. Select the 6th photo from that folder. 4. Post and explain about that picture. 5. Tag 6 other peopleHere are the rules: The date on the sixth folder in my pictures was September 14, 2006. This is a photo of our great grandson Nolan when he was about 2 weeks old. Perhaps I should scrap it! LOL! I will tag Sharon, Julie, Jane, Nicole, Amy, and Patti +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I also received a Fabulous Blog award from Julie and Jane

For some reason, in order to accept this Fabulous Award, I need to list five of my addictions. In no particular order, my addictions:

1. Diet Coke

2. Scrapbooking

3. Reading

4. Chocolate

5. Chocolate....sorry but it really IS an addiction!! LOL!

And in order to pass it forward, I'm nominating the following individuals for the Fabulous Award:

1. Pam

2. Sharon

3. Nicole

4. Amy

5. Patti