Memories, Dreams and Reflections

It's taken me forever.

But, it's finally finished!!

I even found all new never-posted-before pictures for each category.  Woot!



Memories, Dreams and Reflections of 2011.



1. Me!

It's me and my mini-me! :) I think one of the things I'm most proud of that's photography related, is that I've switched to shooting totally in RAW.  I don't know why I was so afraid to go RAW... I love it!  And love the control it gives me in editing.

Now I need to figure out CWB/Kelvin. ;)



2.  I Love You

My five kids.  (This is what happens when the toddler is NOT in the mood for pictures.  Even when her mommy begs, pleads, promises treats, etc.)  



3.  Still Laughing...

I have like 100 pictures of her on the trampoline.  She was making so many faces, it killed me!  :D



4. Winter Wonderland


So, we got some snow at the end of November... which melted.  We had a green Christmas.  (Boo!)  It's actually snowing today - Jan. 2 - but it's supposed to melt yet again.  So much for snowy winter in Canada!  ;)



5. Birthday - share a birthday picture (your own or someone you love).

My oldest on his 12th birthday.  He is totally not listening to me, and continuing to get older.

He will enter "the teen years" on the 18th.


I'm not ready.



6. Friends

They're only two... but they're best friends.  :)



7.  I Was Inspired...

 I've seen so many amazing pictures on various blogs/sites/pinterest, and I've been inspired to look for different composition/focus.



8. Spring Fever

What says "Spring" more than a box of baby chicks??  :D



9. Travel

My two dancers were invited to perform at the Roger's Centre in Toronto at the exhibition game before the Bills/Redskins NFL game.  The Roger's Centre is right beside the CN Tower.  It's over a three hour drive away, so I think it counts as "Travel", right?  ;)



10.  Summer Days

Kids jumping into a pool.  Totally summer.  :)



11. Day In My Life - a picture of a typical day in your life.

4 calves x 3 feedings a day = lots of huge baby bottles.  We've actually pail-trained one, so we're down to three bottles per feeding.  :)



12. All Smiles

Okay, this one needs some backstory.  My brother in law, Tyler, plays a "game" with my children that he has named... Earmuffs.  Basically... if he is anywhere near one of them, he'll randomly yell "Earmuffs!" and if they don't put their hands over their ears (earmuffs, get it?) he gives them a wet willie.

Classy, I know.  ;)

But one day, while sitting around the campfire, I happened to snap this picture.  Like I literally just happened to catch it.



It was hilariously awesome payback perfection.

Just as I snapped the shutter, she yelled "EARMUFFS!!" and got him.  Right in his ear.  Epic.



13. Autumn

"All of these leaves are MINE!!"



14. Family or Home

This says home.  Kids by the barn, someone carrying a cat.  Regular occurrence here.  :)



15. Celebrate!

Fireworks at the beach for Canada Day.  Gotta love it.  :D



16. Let's Do It Again...

As I sit here with very cold toes... I wish I could be sitting by a campfire.  Just a few more months, and camping season starts again.  :D



17. I Miss You

My father in law passed away in 2011.  So, we had our first Christmas without Grandpa.  It was a little weird.  Missed his laugh, and his joking around.



18. Beautiful

My first girl.  She's definitely beautiful - inside and out.  :)



19. Dress Up

My sister has the best costumes for Hallowe'en.  It's so much fun every year to see what she comes up with.



20. Macro or Close Up

 There were a lot of huge, kinda creepy caterpillars at the campground last year...






21. Holidays

You knew it had to be Christmas. ;)

Right at the top of our tree, hangs an angel ornament.  In memory of our baby girl.



22. My Favourite

I think you all know what picture is my favourite of 2011.

So, for something different... I thought I'd show you My Favourite: The Other Side.  :)

23. Don't Ever Change

I hope they'll always be really great friends.



24. Just Because...So There!

Just because... she loved her Dora trike. And because I love the grin she is giving her brother.



25. Hopes and Dreams

Let's see... for this year, I would like to:

1. Rock my camera. I want to know it inside and out. I've signed up for a course to hopefully help with that.

2. Make each shot count. I enjoyed doing the 365... but definitely had some days that I picked up the camera just to complete the shot for the day... without putting much thought into settings/wb/composition/etc.

3. Do less editing. I do need to resize for the web, but I really want to get my settings right in camera, so I can spend less time in Photoshop, and more time with my kids.

4. Continue my daily Bible reading plan. Day 7, and haven't missed so far! Woot! :D

5. Meet up with a local photography group/person. I don't even know if there is any such thing around me, but I can't be the only person in my area interested in photography! ;)


And there you have it!  My Memories, Dreams and Reflections from 2011.


Linking up with Ashley.