Monday, June 28, 2010

Please excuse

us from our busy lives of swimming and more swimming while we go on vacation.

And also, please excuse Drew's bleached bath towel turned pool towel.
(these were from their last day of lessons today...they had awesome teachers that helped em both a lot)

See you soon!

Picture Time

I've been taking an online photo class from Nicole Gerulat (aka "A Little Sussy") this last month.

I was introduced to her site through my cousin Cherisse. Nicole was so nice to take some pictures of their little Lucy who is fighting SMA.

I am liking the review of what I already know, the homework assignments, learning new stuff (especially about composition and lighting), and the instructor feedback (on homework and weekly online chats).

I am not liking the occasional application glitch and sometimes slow response to homework.

The above picture is from a recent homework assignment (about different head angles). I was so very happy to have some new models (meet Hannah and Mia). My family is about sick of me taking their picture.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Talented

Her newest skills include making this face, fake crying, and fake laughing.
How come the youngest kid is the most fun to take pictures of?

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Straightened


Sally's trying out a new look today.
It's kind of fun but I think there's a reason she was born with curly hair.

The June 23rd Edition


This is one of the pictures I took for friends of friends here.

And then just because it's so easy to get pictures printed I started submitting random ones of friends and family...that weren't even taken here. And yes, I have way too much time on my hands. And yes, I think I'm funny.
Here are Danna and Felicity.
I took some pictures of their family before Christmas in Monterey.


And this is from my family's visit to Monterey last Thanksgiving.
Briant & Max found a special little banana slug.

Karen (my sister) likes to make fun of me and my obsession w/getting pictures printed in this paper so I thought she might like to be in it. I was really hoping they'd print this one, though:

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Park Pool Pool Park




The 2 things our summer is made of.

The Park.
We're in the middle of a San Angelo park tour.
We go to a new one a few times a week after we drop Justin off to work
(before it gets too hot).
There are surprisingly a lot of parks here.
Some are awesome, like the one above that Owen is riding his bike across.
Some are lame, like this one:

Its only redeeming quality was this old merry-go-round.
Besides that it had one rusty slide and a swing-less swing set.
Oh and sometimes we go in pajamas.

The Pool.
We've been going a lot just for fun.
Now we go for swim lessons, too.

Monday, June 21, 2010

King of the Castle

Justin bought himself Legos for Father's Day.
You can make fun of him starting now.
Cause I know I've made fun of grown men for buying Legos before.

The "Dangerous Gas" card was hand-picked by Owen.
Inside it said, "Hope your Father's Day doesn't stink."
The yellow diamond on the card is a magnet. Aren't we lucky?

The Largest Army (from the Settlers of Catan game) shirt is from me.
I figured since it was already going to be a nerdy Father's Day
I could add to the nerdiness.

Now I'm going to defend the Legos a little.
I liked that it was something Justin could do with the kids.
And they were all so excited about it.

Almost done...but Sally was going to bed.

DONE!

He's a good father.

Friday, June 18, 2010

State Pride

Haven't put any iron lone stars on our house (like the rest of the neighborhood),
but this Texas state pride is kind of contagious.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Fishlessing



So what that they didn't catch anything!

Railway Museum




A 100-year-old railway depot here was turned into a museum.
It was so-so for me.
More so for them.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Canons are Loud (and other obvious statements)


Frontier Day at Fort Concho here in San Angelo


Sheep get sheared.


Helium balloons and teepees don't go together.


Ummm...and I just like this picture.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Blossoms and Curves

I have elephant garlic blossoms sitting on my table.

Should I be embarrassed?

What about the fact that I work out at Curves?

I like it except for one thing...9 out of the 10 trainers that work there are out of shape.
It's not motivating.
One girl was even eating McDonald's at the front desk!
At least I get to watch old women exercising in their Crocs, excessive jewelery, rayon button-up shirts, and Birkenstocks.

PS If you've seen Justin wearing this shirt, it's a joke. Our friend made it for him. There is no Curves in Iraq. The back of the shirt says, "STAFF." Justin has never never been employed as staff at Curves.
But maybe he should.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

In the Paper


Took some pictures here for a family we knew in Monterey...submitted this one and it was printed in today's mailer! Perfect timing cause they're moving tomorrow.

I realize there's not a lot of competition here, but hey this little paper goes to 33,000 homes and it's still exciting to get printed...even if I'm the only one that looks at those pictures.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Elephant Garlic

We went to our farmer's market today and it was so cute and little...like 6 vendors.
Everyone was way friendly and stuff was CHEAP.
And I learned how elephant garlic grows: bulbs in the ground, with long stalks, and flowers on top.
The flowers are cool looking but smell like...garlic :)

Thursday, June 03, 2010

My Missionary Grandpa




My Grandpa Martindale served his mission in Texas.

San Angelo was part of his mission!

This picture was taken in Houston, though.

I love it. Especially the hat.

While on his mission, Grandpa sent his girlfriend (my now grandma), a parakeet.

As in, he put the bird in a box and mailed it to her.

That story makes me really happy.

The end.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Cooldown


Our AC went out on Sunday.
A holiday weekend.
AC in Texas in the summer is very necessary.
But we found ways to cool off.


You can't see the ice cream they're eating.

It was a happy day yesterday when it got fixed.
Life is better with air conditioning.