Melarky

Mark makes me laugh. He always has, but why does he have to do it when I’m trying to take a picture?

I was trying to practice taking some night time shots (obviously). I was using the slowest shutter speed to see what it would do…I was taking an awfully long time doing it, so from the car behind me Mark was yelling things at me.

I had watched the entire series of Travels to the Edge, a show about a National Geographic photographer (who mostly does wildlife photography) and in one episode he said that sometimes to get that PERFECT shot he’d lay in waiting for hours, sometimes he couldn’t move so he’d have to urinate on himself. I heard Mark say something about taking my time and I might have to urinate on myself…and I started laughing.

I think next time I’ll bring my tripod and leave Mark at home. Just teasing, it was so fun have Mark come along with me, he usually doesn’t get to. Mark was very willing to drive me back and forth between the University and the Temple to get some fun sunset then night time photos.

While out the other day searching for barns to photograph, we found some pretty cool looking old trucks in Paradise, Utah. Here is one of the blue ones we found close by the Cracker Barrel. Welly was willing to be my model because that meant he could get out of the car for a minute. Too bad there was so much shade on his face (I don’t always think about that stuff).

This old dump truck looked pretty rusty so I didn’t think Welly should get on it without a tetanus shot first. This one was near a fish hatchery in Paradise Utah.

…when the sun shines.

…in nature.

…in the details.

…watching him grow.

…when I see his smiling face.

…when we’re together.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial day! Hilyard had some fun at the cemetery, thanks to Grandma Farmer swinging him in the basket she brought the flowers in.

Sorry Grandma Skiby, Hilyard also had fun walking and sitting on your headstone. He used it like a chair.

I love spending time with family on Memorial Day. Although, this year I’m trying to not be around people. My Mom was brave enough to meet me at the cemetery today so that I could get out of the house for a minute. I’ve been cooped up in the house for over a week, I don’t being in the house all day but on days like today, it kills me.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CEMETERY FUN

Thinking I might cut down my links…now the question is, who to offend and alienate?

We were at the skate park with family the other day. The kids were happily playing in the sand at the volleyball court while we talked. Cousin Holden at one point put his face down in the sand, we were watching from the pic-nic table wondering what in the world he was doing, later his little sister Isobel, not to be left out, did the same thing. What a goofy girl. She was so sandy and didn’t care in the slightest. I think most kids would have cried, but she just went on playing.

On a different note I downloaded a preset/action for photoshop that rounds the corners of my pictures for me. No tutorial needed.

Mother nature has been tricking us. Toying with us. It’s spring, just kidding it’s not. I love snow, winter, the cold, but I’m getting kinda sick of it. I’m looking forward to warm weather, sandles, capris…

I’m hoping that it’s really spring now and not just a trick. It’s raining today, I don’t mind that too much, just snow, stay away!

Ready to snarf birthday cake!

I had a great birthday. It started off with grumpy kids and laundry, but picked up with lots of Facebook birthday wishes and family calling me and even cookies from my V.T.. I took my time getting ready for the day, shower, make-up, I even ironed my pants (un-heard of!).

We visited Mark at work for lunch and had Ranchartios Super Nachos, which really are Super! Mark let me open one present at work. He had a few that he bought on-line and had them sent to work so I wouldn’t peek. So while I was there I opened one.

I was surprised to open four sets of Knorks! I think Mark’s co-workers thought it was strange he was giving me silverware, but these Knorks are incredible people! I was so surprised and stoked to get these.

I took the kids to the park and my Dad visited us there. He lives pretty close to that particular park so we headed there afterwards, cause he was excited to give me his present to me. I was excited to, cause I’ve been hinting I wanted an original painting of his for a while. My Dad is a great artist, and I’ve only been able to get some sketches from him so far. So I was so happy when I opened it to find a painting of a barn he did. It was framed beautifully and came with the photo he took the actual barn. I’ll get a picture up of the painting after I hang it. Thanks Dad!

I had to hurry home after that so that I could get kidnapped from my sis Barb. My Mom watched my boys and Barb took me for a surprise shopping trip to the Distribution center. She had a different plan on what she was going to get me but we had to change it, but I think positivity, and in the end Barbara and my Mom went in on a new Temple dress for me. I was so surprised and so excited to get a new dress. The one I had was a few years old and pre-kids, and WAY didn’t fit me anymore, so I was in need of a new one. Thanks Barb and Mom!

I had told Mark that I wanted a nice meal at home for my bday dinner. He made my favorite, Stroganuff and canned corn. Also served, french bread, my favorite Sarsaparilla and top it all off an incredibly awesome cake for dessert. This cake is to die for! And Mark did a great job. Mark started cooking as soon as he got home from work and he made dinner in his work clothes, a white shirt, tie and slacks. He rolled his white shirt sleeves up and put an apron on, it was super cute, I wished I would have gotten a picture (there’s nothing sexier than a man in the kitchen)!

Mark gave me some sweet presents this year! I was so surprised (which is hard to do sometimes) to get some lens filters for my camera, a 16 gig Class 10 memory card! That is huge! and the best of all a new lens! It’s a fish eye lens, that can do some cool effects, like this…

or this…

It also does macro and wide angle. I love it. I was so excited to get out and try it, so we walked around downtown so I could test out the lens. Thanks Mark I love it all! And I love you! Duh!

Thanks for a great birthday everyone! I can’t believe I’m almost 30, I don’t feel like it. In my head I still think I’m younger.

Shoulder pads.
Scrunchies.
Broaches (no I wasn’t 80 years old).
Naming my plants.
Pearl necklaces (un-cool when you are in 7th grade).
Country Dancing.
Writing on my shoes.
My favorite pair of earrings that one side was a dog and the other side was a fire hydrant.

I tried to find a picture of me doing something “un-cool”, but it was really hard! (wink, wink) So here is a picture of me doing something really COOL-playing Top Skater. And, cough, cough…yes, that is me, about 40 lbs ago.

Is there something you used to wear or do that you thought was cool, but now you know better?