Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 Favorites–August

I am so enjoying this project of sharing my favorite 2011 pictures.  It has been so much fun to relive such wonderful memories of this past year.  And I’ve gotten a few sweet comments from those of you who are following along and are enjoying the process as well … so thank you!

August’s pictures were especially fun to go through because there were a lot of vacation pictures.  Of course, that just made choosing my favorites even more difficult.  I could’ve literally picked dozens!  Nevertheless, these were my final picks.  If you live in cold climate like we do right now, you can also join me in living vicariously through these warm, sunny, summer pics…

1.  I love pictures of paths!  Don’t these woods look so lush and inviting?  The woods surrounding our home are currently bare and drabby looking so I’m especially enjoying this picture today.  Paths represent a journey and isn’t much of life all about that journey?  I enjoy a good journey, especially since I never have to walk the path alone!  Praise God for his presence in the journey!

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2.  The picture is all about repeating patterns – something else that I really enjoy taking pictures of.  My eyes spot repeating patterns everywhere and I love how those patterns are captured with my camera.  This picture also represents another really fun vacation memory!

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3.  Ahh…my beloved, hat-wearing Matthew!  I just love this kid!  He’s still extremely into that hat and wears it almost everywhere.  I can’t wait to look back on these pictures someday and remember this wonderful stage in his life when he couldn’t bear to be away from his hat.  From a photography standpoint, I really like the colors in this picture as well as the off-center composition.

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4.  Some might say that the kite should be in focus in this next picture, however, what I love about it is the fact that the only thing that is in focus is a small section of string.  To me, that narrow depth of field makes the photo interesting.

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5.  I chose this next one because it represents one of my favorite vacation memories – kayaking down the Platte River with Joel in the early evening, when there was very little human activity anywhere on the river.  I remember being completely enthralled with the reflections on the water.  It was and still is stunning to me!

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6.  This picture is so precious to me – even if it was staged for the camera.  Being out in such a beautiful place, it’s hard not to praise the Creator of such beauty.  I love what those raised arms represent … surrender, praise, gratitude, awe!

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7.  Oh goodness … a gorgeous sunset over Lake Michigan … absolutely stunning!

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8.  This next one was taken on the first day of school … in the grocery store cafĂ© area.  Not only is it precious, but it’s a reminder that good light makes a huge difference (of course, it doesn’t hurt to have really cute subjects!).

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9.  I took a lot of pictures of my mums during the late summer and early fall months, but this one is, by far, my favorite.  I love the composition, the rainbow-like colors and the slight texture I added in the editing process.

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So there you have it … another month of favorites.  Thanks for hanging in there with me!  I’ll post my September favorites early next week.  Enjoy your weekend and have a safe and Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Building “Frosty”

No White Christmas for us this year.  But, we did get a few inches of snow a few days after.  And since Joel is off this work this week, the five of us headed out to play.  Well, actually four headed out to play with snow while one went out to play with her camera!  The snow players eventually sucked her into their fun, however, and the result was the biggest snowman we’ve ever built!

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Since we haven’t had a lot of snow yet this winter, we’re all hoping for much, much more (just not when I have to drive in it!).  That’s not too much to ask, is it?

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

2011 Favorites - July

Although I’m sure I’ve lost some of you along the way, I’m am truly enjoying the trip down memory lane, if you will, as I share my favorite pictures from 2011.  If for nothing else, I’m happy to have these favorites all in one place and I’m really loving the opportunity to reminisce about all of the fun times we had as a family this past year.  It makes me feel very blessed!  Here are the ones I chose for the month of July…

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Only five more months (and five posts to go)!  August’s pictures will be up later this week…

Monday, December 26, 2011

2011 Favorites - June

The month of June brought the end of another school year, more flowers to photograph, fun on the lake, an anniversary trip and lots of fun family memories.  And with each of those special events, there were more pictures to choose from.  Here are my June favorites…

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Friday, December 23, 2011

2011 Favorites - May

My May favorites center around flowers because, quite frankly, they are in abundance during the month of May and my kids.   Flowers and my kids – two of my favorite things!

1.  I love this first one because it reminds me of a painting.

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2.  I couldn’t decide on a favorite among the many shots I captured of my favorite dogwood tree so I decided to display them all in a collage!

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3 & 4.  I love the next two because they also combine two more of my favorite things:  God’s creation and his Word!

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5.  This one’s all about the color!

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6.  Joel captured this moment for me … four generations of women.

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7.  I love this snapshot of a special moment between brothers.

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8.  Another special moment captured … our first time to the lake for the season to check out the dock where our boat would spend its summer. [The kids are looking for fish in the water]

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9.  Mr. Long Legs all ready for his National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony.

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10.  Another special moment between brothers … “celebrating” the fact that they are now both in braces!

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We’re almost halfway through the year of favorites!  If you’re still with me, thanks for hanging in there!  I’ll post June’s pictures on Monday!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

2011 Favorites–April

Once again, I had a hard time choosing my favorites.  But after looking through the photos I had to choose from, these were my picks…

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I’m definitely noticing a pattern in the pictures I’m choosing as my favorite each month … do you know what that pattern is?

Stay tuned for May’s favorites [posted on Friday]!