Pretty Flowers and Even Deer at Albertson's Park

The kids and I took a walk to Albertson's Park today. It is the most beautiful park in Boise. It has beautiful pathways lined with flowers and bushes. It is so incredibly gorgeous. I am posting a separate post of the flowers and animals. I will post some of the children later that I got.

Here is Madison and in the background here is the deer that came out of the grass.
There were actually three of them but the mommy didn't come out till later.

Love this camera and lens! Aren't these flowers gorgeous!

Week 32 - “Bubbles” Photo Challenge!

This week's photo contest at http://www.iheartfaces.com/ is all about bubbles. Click on their site to see some more amazing bubble entries!

I immediately had a photo in mind from the archives but I wanted to attempt something new... I ended up with my original choice! It was just a unique and lucky shot and I felt it couldn't be replaced this time around!

This was taken on the 4th of July. It is my nephew Bristol.

Just Hanging Out!

Today Jacob left for the coast with Grandma so Madison and Ryan and I got to spend some time together.

We took a walk and I watched them ride their bikes. I took some pictures of Madison hanging out on my bed today. She was being so silly. She got a new hat from her cousin and she was just having so much fun wearing it.

Tomorrow the kids and I are going to go to the zoo. Ryan wants to ride the merry go round. We have a fun filled day planned tomorrow and Ryan won't stop talking about it. The zoo, the candy store and then a community family fun day at the Civic Center. I can't wait to enjoy my day tomorrow with the kids! I wish Josh could go but he has to work all day.... :(

We took a walk to the movie store near our house and I got some pictures of Ryan goofing off. So silly!
Here is Madison! She was just so happy wearing this hat! Look at that smile!
She was playing peek a boo here.

She loves to play on my bed... especially after I make it in the mornings... I think she enjoys messing it up!

Fix-It Friday #24 - Hands-On Photo Editing Fun!

Today is fix it friday at http://www.iheartfaces.com/

I didn't participate last week as I was really busy and forgot about it! And today I am very busy again but took a few minutes to do a few quick edits. My son left with grandma for the coast today for 5 days and my husband also left out of town for work. So I am down two in the household... but lots of clean up from packing to get done!

Here are the few edits I did this morning. HAPPY FRIDAY!

Run down of what I did

1) Sharpened photo using CS4
2) Adjusted Brightness and Contrast Using CS4
3) Adjusted Color Using CS4
4) Brightened the eyes using CS4 put in separate layer to keep the selective coloring
5) Cloned the spots of her face (food and dry skin around lips) Using CS4
6) Used a Dynamic Skin Softner (Using Nik Software)
7) Used a Gold REflector Filter (Using Nik Software)
8) Used a White Neutralizer to adjust the coloring in the photo (Using Nik Software)
9) Used a Viginette Blur FIlter (Using Nik Software)
10) Used a paper Toner Filter for the B&W (Using Nik Software)


Same photo as above minus Step 9 & 10
Here is the original photo

ENJOY!

What's in my camera bag?

I have always been interested in knowing what people have in their camera bag... so please email me let me know if I haven't already asked! ... and in case you want to know what is in mine here you go!

Nikon D90 DSLR

Nikon D80 DSLR

Nikon SB600 Flash

Nikkor 50mm f1.8

Nikkor 28-70mm F2.8 Lens

Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 Lens

Nikkor 80-200mm F2.8 Lens ED AF

Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 AF Nikkor Zoom Lens

Tamrac camera bag

I LOVE THIS SOFTWARE! IT IS SOOOOO AMAZING!

I am still not cool enough to own CS 5

Babies, Water Slides and Hoses....

Here are a few photos from yesterday and today that I just downloaded.

Yesterday was extremely hot so I let the kids play on the water slide. They just love this thing! It was a great investment for our family.

Kylie even helped fill the water slide up with water...
actually she had more fun drinking the water... GROSS!
After the water slide Madison was all tuckered out. Look how cute she is sleeping! My sleeping beauty!
Today I while I was doing laundry I heard Madison in her room playing and talking to herself. This is what I saw.

She just loves her babies! For Christmas I already bought her the Rose Petal Cottage House and I need to now find some of the matching accessories. I know she will love this thing! I can't wait to have tea parties with her and play dress up! We have already been working on painting her toenails and finger nails... If only she will learn to sit still!

Just Monkeying Around!

Today I got my new SB-600 in the mail for my Nikon D80. I really missed having a flash that wasn't built into my camera (Those are always so crappy!)

But here are some photos of my little monkies happy to pose for me as long as they get to be silly. My house is old and the lighting is terrible so I am amazed at how well these pictures turned out. I didn't do any editing on these (Been to lazy to care... actually more like too busy) but this flash is amazing! I love it! I love that I can use a flash without getting to many shadows if you bounce off the ceiling...

Here is Ryan doing a back flip... or at least trying too!

Look at me! I did it!

Not sure what she was doing... maybe trying to lick the popsicle on her shirt!
Aren't they the cutest! They really are best friends!

Here is Kylie watching Baby Einstein videos... My kids LOVE them especially the animals ones... even Jacob still watches them!

Kisses for Kylie!
Kylie was so excited to see the dogs on TV! Look at that little face! So adorable!