Ice in the Fog

Sorry for the bland title today. The only other thing I could think of was "Ice, Ice, Baby" and I think you will all thank me that you didn't have to see that title on your Google Reader (or whatever you use to keep up on blogs.)

We've had some hazy, foggy days here. When my girls pointed out these huge icicles they intrigued me--haze and fog or not. I like how they turned out.

Fresh Snow and Morning Light

I took these photos early yesterday morning. We woke up to several inches of new snow and the bright morning sunshine made the snow sparkle. I have tried several times to capture that "snow sparkle." But I have never had any success. The camera still doesn't do it justice.






I hope your New Year is sparkly and bright!!

Happy December--Cutting Christmas Trees

Happy December, everyone!! To start this month off right, I thought I would post some snowy winter images from our Christmas tree cutting expedition to Idaho last Friday. I think the mountains are so beautiful when they are covered in snow and the same goes for the pine trees.



We bundled everyone up warm. The babies were not sure what was up with all the snow gear and snow. It sure made walking hard for them.



They still had a great time--especially with their playful aunt!



After quite a bit of looking, everyone found their trees!




A cute picture of the girls!


On the way back to the vehicles, the big kids decided to use the small pink sled that we brought for the babies to be towed behind my brother's truck.

Room for one more?




Happy Winter!!

Red Leaves

I've passed these a bunch of times and because of that--missed their prime color. I finally stopped yesterday.

Few Fall

Fall is quickly coming to an end. I see snow in the forecast for the end of the week and those snowflakes are likely to start falling more frequently. However, one of the trees in my yard is still in full color and I decided to take a few before it's branches are loaded with snow.



And believe it or not, the lavender is back in bloom. I couldn't resist.


Hope you are enjoying the last nice days of fall!

Half of a Sunflower

Out Amongst the Fall

Last weekend, during the kids' Fall Break (BTW, when is Mom's Fall Break?), we headed up to Park City for a few days to relax and enjoy the fall. The first night we were there, while the kids were watching an endless amount of Disney Channel on a VERY LARGE SCREEN TV (apparently it is better when bigger than 28"), I decided to walk outside with my camera. There was only about 30 minutes left of light, but it was that magical light right before sunset. All the leaves that were left were on fire. These are a few of my favorites.









My local Macey's grocery store is having a little "Colors of Fall" Photo Contest. I think I might enter one of these photos. Which one do you think I should enter?

Apples

We spent yesterday at my Grandma's house picking apples. It is an annual tradition for as many relations as can to gather and pick the apples from my Grandma's many apple trees. It has been a few years since we were able to go. It was a beautiful day to be up in the trees loading up buckets of apples. Here are the fruits of our labors!




And within the next few weeks, whatever apples have not been eaten by my fruit-loving children, will be made into homemade applesauce!!

Hello Fall

Goodbye summer!



Hello FALL!

Closer Still

As promised, I tried out my macro on the flowers from Monday's post. It was fun to have my macro lens back on my camera and a reason to use it waiting at the table. I never use a tripod when taking these macro shots (a real macro photographer would probably gasp in horror at that confession) and if you look closely you can probably tell. However, I am pleased with them and since I am the "client" in this case--that is all that matters.

My Flowers Are Back

BYU had their first home football game this last weekend. Guess what that means? My flowers are back. By MY flowers, I mean the flowers that my husband brings home after each football game is over. These were all taken with my 50 mm 1.8. It is the lens that has been on my camera for a while. I didn't have much time today to take these photos so I didn't switch to the macro lens, but if the flowers look good tomorrow I will probably just have to break it out. Enjoy!

Here Comes the Sun {flowers}

The LOVE the sunflower weeds that are so in bloom right now. I have passed this little field of sunflowers twice now without taking a single picture. Let's just say that I was in no condition to take pictures the previous times (one of those times included a broken tooth and cut lip--it has been a rough week.) Today, I knew I would be passing by and I came prepared with my camera. All were taken at f/2.2 (because of this challenge) except for this first one.