Picture This

I know, I know...I was horrible with keeping up with the dad gum elf.  I promise I did move it every night and take a picture.  I just didn't post the pictures on the blog like I told everyone I did.  I honestly thought I was saving my Facebook friends from the annoyance of seeing "the elf picture" each day, but I was scolded by so many people for not keeping it up - even my mom!  So, I promise that I will eventually post the rest of the pictures here.

Speaking of pictures...

My husband blew me away with my Christmas gift this year.  For real.  I wasn't expecting it - I don't deserve it - I still can't believe he got it.  Amazement.  That's the only word I can use for it.  :)

This might not excite most of you (you know, my like five readers), but that sweet man bought me a new camera.  Not just any new camera - but a Canon 5D Mark III.  He knows how much I love photography and wanted me to become better.  Now, I do not claim to be a professional by any means, other than in the teaching world that is, but I do love photography and it is my number 1 hobby.  I have SO SO SO much to learn, but I love that I do because it keeps me on my toes.  I felt like I had just become comfortable with my old camera and most of the lens I have, but now I have a new challenge to tackle and even if I'm frustrated, I'm loving it!

Side note: I HATE when people say, "That camera takes great pictures!"  Yes, sometimes the right tools help, but you never hear someone say, "Wow.  That pot makes the best dinners ever!"  It all takes practice and learning, and for me lots of it!  I've taken a photography class at the local university here, and I've read several books, visited websites for tutorials, but I'm still not a pro and don't claim to be.  But it still irks me when people think that a picture I take is good because of my camera.  I promise that just handing my camera off to someone usually results in unfocused pictures of myself and family.  Not that I haven't done that on my own before, but my point is it's not as easy as simply buying a better camera.  Better cameras do take better pictures, but only if used correctly.

I'm still learning.  :)

But now I get to learn with a better tool thanks to my awesome, supportive husband.

I've been thinking about resolutions...I've never been too great at keeping them, but I've always thought it is important to set goals for yourself.  A new year just lends itself to new goals.  So one of my goals is to take more pictures.  That's hard to believe if you know me on Facebook.  Obviously I want to learn to take better pictures, but I also want to take more pictures of our everyday life.  I don't want to just take pictures on holidays or other special occasions.  I want to capture K's growing up in other ways.

I love looking at old pictures of my brother and I growing up.  Some of the best pictures to me are the ones for day to day things like us playing in our room or on the couch with our grandparents.  Sure the Christmas ones or birthday ones are great, but I want to remember the in between times as well.

So are the first few "in between pictures" using my new camera.  :)

This was K "relaxing" on the couch as she called it.  Darcy loves K's soft blanket.  K was pretending to be annoyed with Darcy, but she loves when Darcy is laying on her.  

This one I caught with my zoom lens from the hallway outside of K's room.  She's playing her LeapPad and very intensely at that!  Yes, her bed is unmade, and yes, she is wearing a dance costume.  ;)

K and Cody both got haircuts today.  This was when Cody first came home from work.  They were checking out each other's haircuts, and obviously K was more involved with the task!

Cody left to go hunting for the last time this season, so it was a girls' night for us tonight.  We ordered dinner from La Madeleine and picked up Sonic drinks on the way home.  I wanted to take this picture because these two things are two of K's very favorite right now - a cherry slush and a French vanilla fruit parfait.