FALL FAMILY TRADITION 2 (I)

Caiden had big plans for his pumpkin this year, but big plans dont always turn out. He found that his paint had too much water in it, and all of his "spider webs" ended up running down the sides giving his pumpkin a more streaked look. He was a bit disappointed, but it was a good learning experience for him. He will know what to do better when he gives it another try this weekend.

Ceana also had big plans for her pumpkin. Both the girls' pumpkins ended up weighing 16 lbs, so they had lots of space to fill up with creative ideas. Ceana's 2 favorite university logos were emblazoned on each side of her pumpkin. She got especially creative with her OSU side - adding "Beaver Believer" with alphabet stamps and silver paint. She really went into alot of detail and it was fun to watch her work on a fun, creative project with so much energy and delight

FALL FAMILY TRADITION 2 (II)

Colton spent most of his time mixing all the water colors in the tray and then applying it to his and Kels' pumpkins. I think for him this year it was the process, not the final product that really was where the energy went. He did his best, and enjoyed the whole night very much.

Both the girls spent time browsing the internet for the perfect Halloween stencils to use for their pumpkins this year. They really are growing up! Kaeli chose to find smaller, individual pictures to add to her pumpkin. She cut out, traced, and then painted every picture. Turned out pretty awesome!

FALL FAMILY TRADITION 2 (III)

Here are some of the finished pumpkins - now proudly on display on the front porch. The kids really did a great job on them this year. It is fun to see how much more detail they can add as they get older.

1 DOWN, 3 TO GO

Well, last night was my first photography class for the older scouts. I was so nervous, and spent most of 2 days pouring over my work, doing research, and making hand-outs. I am feeling so unqualified to teach someone else something I am still learning myself.

I was able to teach a good group of young men, and unexpected leaders who decided to "drop in" on my class. The YM were great though. They asked really great questions and seemed very interested in the discussion and presentation. I felt like I rushed through things - only having an hour to cover lots of material. I got "rave" reviews though and everyone seemed pleased with what we accomplished.

It seemed to me that at least 1 of the YM is VERY interested in photography and already has some good experience behind him. I am hoping I can do more to help.

I got the fun class out of the way first. The other 3 classes are going to be on the technical side of photography - technology has always been my weak subject. I think I have enough info, knowledge and experience now that the class about using light should be ok. The other technical stuff is going to be harder, though, and I am glad I am going to have a month to prepare.

I am learning alot in this experience though. The more research I do, the more I am learning too. I think I may come away learning much more than I started with. It seems photography really is a never ending genre of learning. The more I learn, the more I find out there is still MORE to learn. What a fun adventure to know I have found something I love, and that will never get boring - because I will NEVER know it all, there will always be something new and different to experience.

Anything you fellow photographers want to chip in, feel free, I know there is way more out there than I can teach in an hour, but the best tidbits I can share will be great. Wish me luck!

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH

This weekend we got the chance to go on a family outing to one of our favorite places - Setniker Pumpkin Patch! We have missed going the last couple of years since they moved, it was worth the wait!
We got a little more adventure than we bargained for though. As we were driving I made a comment that the sky to the East of us looked great, but the sky to the West looked like it was going to explode within minutes - little did I know how right I would be.
As we got out of the van in the parking lot of the barn, it started to rain, and then within seconds it was torrential - the whole sky just opened up and let down HUGE raindrops. We just grabbed things and ran - including the 4 umbrellas we had brought "just in case" - we never even got the chance to get them open!
Shortly after we arrived we tried to shake off the rain, and dry everyone as best as we could (never knew a person could get SO wet in such a little bit of time)We were in for MORE adventure - LOUD, rumbling thunder and lightning! We were thankful for the covering of the barn and large shed overhang. We just dont usually get weather like that in the valley, but it is becoming more common. We just hung out and played in the barn, and of course took tons of picts (also see more on my photo blog)while we were waiting for the rain to slack off (which it didnt do for a very long time)
We all had a really great time, and it was so nice to just have time as a family - that time just doesnt come as often as we would like. We are looking forward to going back to Setniker Farm again in December - they are going to have the barn open for more play and fun AND have real Christmas trees available this year. We havent had a real tree since the first Christmas after we got married. It should make for another wonderful family day to look forward to!

Preston decided to steal the camera and take picts of me which I profusely objected to. Lucky for him, one kind of turned out. All is fair in love and photography though, so I had to post the great one I got of him coming down and out the bottom of the huge slide inside the barn

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH I

Since most of these are horizontal I am going to go ahead and leave them small - otherwise they will get cut off on the one side....still trying to get that figured out...
BOYS! Need I say more?

This is so fun of the girls. I had to keep sneaking in and tickling Kels to get her to laugh and then jump back to try to catch the pict before she stopped...the work I go through to get cute picts sometimes!

I had a couple of previous photo clients also come to the pumpkin patch while we were there, and one of them was nice enough to take our pict so we could all be in one together

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH II

The kids had a great time on the hay ride. Ky & Kels esp liked the monster tractor they had pull the trailer through all the rain and mud
We discovered this awesome puddle at the bottom of the huge hay bales tower. The bales were so tall the kids could get a good flying leap off of it right into the puddle. The kids got some great splashes going on (see my photo blog of Kels/Colton) The kids were all thoroughly soaked and filthy by the time we left, but they loved every minute of just being able to PLAY!

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH III

This is our little mud rat. She loved that puddle and threw a major hissy fit when it was time to go. She played and splashed and got totally soaked, and loved every minute of it!
The rain finally decided to let up for a bit by the time we went out to the field. I was able to get some great picts of the kids, without having to worry about the camera staying safe.

The safest place for Kels out in the field was in the wheelbarrow. She thought it was great fun and we knew where she was!

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH IV

It took 2 wheelbarrows AND a wagon to transport kiddos and prized pumpkins back to the barn to be weighed. Our largest pumpkin this year was 16lbs. Our family rule is that you have to be able to carry it to take it home. Our pumpkins ranged from very large to itty bitty (ky & Kels) FHE this week will find us fulfilling another family tradition - painting and drawing on pumpkins vs carving them. It gives a great outlet for the kids' creativity and is ALOT less mess...

SETNIKER PUMPKIN PATCH V

Ahh, so many pumpkins, so little time....