Fun with Photoshop

I usually don't play too much with Photoshop when it comes to my photos. I try to keep it pretty simple, only doing a few minor touches. The reality is, there are so many ways to mess with photos, and way to many possibilities, that it is easier to just shoot what you see, and like what you shoot. If only it was that easy. But I try to keep it simple, I really do. Here is one example of something different that I tried. I like both. Can you see the difference?

More from Easter weekend

Overall it was a pretty good weekend. I had a couple days off for spring break, but like I have said, it never seems like enough. We did have some fun traveling around like tourists. We went down south just a little bit, and ended up in Zions park. It is always beautiful there. The kids enjoy going and seeing, and hiking just a bit. I love the one of Mandy and the baby with the LongHorn. Pretty cool.

Easter weekend.

Mandy asked me several times to take pictures of the kids in cute Easter outfits. I think I said yes several times. but you know how that goes. We took them over to the park by our house, it was nice, but windy and a bit cold. The kids did a great job, but were not willing to be there for very long, at least not taking pictures. now if they were playing that would have been a much different story. I think they looked very adorable.

Thanks for visiting.

I once heard it said that weekends were supposed to be relaxing. Not sure if that will every be true in my life, but there is always that hope. This weekend proved to be quite busy and a bit crazy, with a trip to St. George, then back late only to wake up early the next morning for wrestling, then a long day, including a sick child. With all that going on, it was great to have a visitor with us. Thanks Grandma Lisa for coming and hanging out with us. Sunday morning after waking up an noticing that Grandma was not here, my second boy said, "I liked having Grandma here". Just like the signs always say, Visitors are always welcome.

Wrestling fun

My Oldest went to his first wrestling tournament. It was quite the experience for all of us. It is not everyday that you get to find out more about yourself, or have the opportunity to self reflect. The whole wrestling thing had done just that. The wrestling was the main point of the day, but lets just say there were plenty of side notes as well. Most importantly, he did as good as he could. He did not win, or wrestle that great, but it was great to see how he "put his game face on". He did a great job of being excited to be there, and willing to participate. he showed me and taught me how great of a kid he really is. He got beat, pretty bad, but got back up each time. He would get upset, and want to go for a walk, but after only a few short minutes he would be re focused and ready to go again. I was so proud of him. He got better with each match. there were three in total. And each time he improved. In the end there were two great things that happened. 1. The last kid that beat him, kind of hurt him, and he was pretty upset. But after, when he calmed down, we were looking at pictures, and said, "hey, there is my new friend". that was awesome. Then, 2. When I asked the all important question of if he wanted to do it again next year? he said, "yes I do". Like I said I am so proud of my sweet kid. I love you bud. Plus it was great to see how proud of himself he was, especially when he got his medal. As we were eating lunch, he said to me, "dad, I am special". YES you are.

Color or Black and white

I like color, I like black and white.... I like color, I like black and white. Sometimes I just like both. I don't do it very often at least not with the digital. I used to use black and white film with the old camera. In fact my preference is, if I want black and white photos, I shoot with black and white film. The reality is, when I know that is what I am shooting with, I really do look through the lens in a different way. I see things in a bit of a different light. But this picture was too cute to pass up. I know, I know, one of them is missing. But like I said, this was too cute to pass up. He is a proud brother. This was right in the middle of doing another shoot with some "other" kids. Both my kids wanted in on some of the action.

Buisness card

I am working on a business type card to hand out. It is still a work in progress. Tell me what you think?

Kids and sports

There is a certain reality that comes along with parenthood. As you sign your kids up for sports, you come face to face with the reality of what kind of parent you really are. Parenting philosophies come and go. Some feel you need to act one way, and some fell you need to act another. There is the question of how much involvement is too much? When do you get to yell, and scream versus when you just sit there and support? Then there is that thought sitting in the back of every parent's mind, of "At least I am not like THAT parent". I know I am not the only one who has that thought. Mandy and I have very different backgrounds in terms of sports involvement. She was an active participant, and highly competitive, while I was, well, a great spectator. However, when it comes to our kids we do agree, that we want our kids to be involved in something, anything. We want them to learn the valuable lessons, on winning and loosing, on being competitive both individually and as a group, and how to be good, and not so good at things. I must admit that so far, our oldest son has been quite a nice surprise. For me, he has done exactly what a five year old should do...ENJOY. He has seemed to genuinely enjoy the different variety of sports his parents have signed him up for. In fact, so often he seems just happy to be there, which makes me pretty proud. He wants to do well every time, but is okay if he is not. He has shown great patience, and a willingness to learn. Then there one of my favorite parts of his participation. HE PAYS ATTENTION. He really does. He follows directions, and pays attention. While other kids are off, goofing off, or looking at the pretty grass growing, or watching a bird fly around, or chasing a ball, on the other field, or running around the gym, there is my kid, waiting for the next set of instructions, or waiting for his teammates, or waiting for some kid to settle down and wrestle. I got to admit I am pretty proud of that part of my kid. It makes being a parent pretty joyful. Then there is the most important part. Yes I know it is important. He is having fun. Plus the hugs, and "I love yous" after wrestling practice are pretty great, I must admit.

trying to catch up

Happy birthday little buddy. I know it was a while ago. feb. and March have gone by way too quick as have the past three years. Your mom is so much better at writing these types of posts about memories. You are a pleasure to have as a part of our family. I love how much you adore your brother, and how much your little sister adores you. You are a bit mischievous, but dang it is adorable. Your crying drives me nuts, but secretly I love every chance I get to hold you and try to make everything all better. I love you buddy.

Oh, for the love of time

To blog or not to blog that is the question. Time is one of those things, that I know most of us are always chasing. I know that I am not the only one that sits down at the end of the night pondering the things left to be done, and knowing that the things you want to do, are not the things that are going to get done. I have pondered several times on things that I would love to write about, complain about, or even brag about. Like so many others, I agree that the act of typing brings a great opportunity for a sense of journal writing, and family communication. That being said, things that I have not written about, but hoped to:
Valentines day
Son's birthday
Getting a ticket
Son's wrestling practice
thoughts on winter camping (Josh Powell's alibi sucks)
Then there is the many pictures that I have taken, that I have not posted. SO many, so many.
So, if there are any people who actually read this, I would love to have any input on posts you would like to see. Suggestions happily taken. And I will continue my eternal quest for the oh so sought after little stitch of time. I know time does not grow on trees, I get that, but there has got to be a way to find just a bit more.