Love Day

Valentine's Day. Such a wonderful day! Even when I was single I loved Valentine's Day. Tuesday was awesome. I woke up, dropped Sophia off with our friend to go to dance, had a fantastic work out (I hadn't been to the gym in a few days due to ANOTHER bout of strep throat), went to the grocery store, the dollar store, and Wal-Mart. Sophia and I made a fun lunch together after dance class. I prepped one of our favorite meals: lasagna for dinner. When Ellie came home from school we made a fun candy card for Daddy, made his favorite cherry chocolate cake (his mom's recipe) and looked forward to his arrival home. Ellie also had dance that night and she loved making a card for her dance teacher. Both the girls had parties at school, and brought home a bounty of cards and sweets. The girls got treats and balloons and all kinds of goodness from Chris and I. 

Fun day. I have a new present that Chris gave me, it's pretty awesome. It's gonna make editing photos so much faster and better. Now if I can just convince him to get me a new camera... ;). 

We had a great day. Hope you did too!

Night Shooting

Twelve Days of Christmas photos,day two. I have a nasty cold. Boo. But my cold allowed me to run to the store last night by myself and grab some medicine. I took my camera with me, I was hoping to find some fun lights on the way to shoot a couple of photos for today's post. I have decided that posting one photo per day may not be enough. =) The photo above is from the parking lot at the grocery store, the color Christmas lights are from my neighbor's yard, and that fun golden ball is from our tree. Our neighbor has a lovely light display and I couldn't resist sneaking up to their house and taking a few shots. I realized that the best way to get bokeh is to turn off the AF setting on my camera and go totally manual with the focus. I already shoot in manual mode about 98% of the time, but turning off the manual focus was new. I loved it! So fun. I want to go out night shooting again. Hopefully this time with a tripod and work with some crazy long shutter speeds. I think since I am home sick today I will also try making a filter for the bokeh and experiment with different shapes. =)

Twelve Days

Of Christmas in photos! I am going to give myself a goal to shoot something Christmas-y everyday until Christmas. Here is today's photo, took it the day we put the tree up. I am obsessed with bokeh right now. This photo is one of my first attempts. I love these little red bird ornaments. My camera is not super great in low light, a frustrating thing for me, but this one is pretty considering the light and settings. I didn't have the best lens on the camera for bokeh, this was taken with my 28-135mm, ISO 800, f/4.5  at 1/25. I took some of Sophia that are better, and the orbs are pretty. I will get those up tomorrow.

Also, we are counting down the 12 days of Christmas with the kids.  We are going to talk about the life of Christ, and his miracles, and the gifts of the gospel. I got the idea from here. We will read from the scriptures and talk about how each gift is important to us. I think it will be a great way to help the kids remember the real meaning of the season.

Christmas is coming, what are you doing with your family? Are you taking any pretty pictures? Merry Christmas!

California Trip, Chapter 2

Going to California is always a treat. I love going home. I love spending time with my family, I love seeing old friends. This time was much the same. We had a fantastic time. On Monday June 13th we drove from San Diego to Fresno where my parents live. The girls were ridiculously excited to arrive. Both girls had been talking about Grandma's pool and Grandma's toys, and Grandma's garden, and making cookies and well the list goes on. Grandma's house is a big favorite. Once we arrived the girls suited up for the pool and Grandpa served them a plate of cookies. All was as it should be.

The next few days were much like this, in the next morning Sophia appeared in our room bright and early dressed in swim gear. This child LOVES to swim. By the time we left California she had no need for the swim vest. =)

During the week I was content to sleep when I could and enjoy a slower pace. Wednesday we drove Hanford where Chris' brother Dan, and his family live. Dan is also in the Navy and flies Hornets like Chris did once upon a time. Dan and his wife Kelly have three kids almost the same ages as ours, so of course we all get along well.

Zoe, Ellie and Sophia

Zoe, Ellie and Mason Cochran

Time with the Hanford Cochrans was complete with pool time and smoked brisket. YUM. Thursday we spent with my family and invited Dan and his family up to our house for dinner and more swimming.

Chris with his brother Dan, and his daughter Penny

Ellie and Zoe

Friday my brother David and his cute family arrived just in time for the weekend fun and for our Disneyland trip starting the next Monday.

Trina and David Enns

Saturday was a very special day, the day of the long anticipated U2 concert, which will get it's very own post. =) Chris' folks also flew into LAX on Saturday, with plans to spend time with us and the other branches of the Cochran clan. They helped out with Dan and Kelly's kids while we were in Anaheim for the U2 concert. We drove back up to Fresno on the morning of Father's Day after the concert. Chris took Ellie and Gradon to church and I stayed home with Sophia who had a nasty fever.

Father's Day dinner was so fun. My dad 'the grill master' grilled about 5 tri tip roasts, mom made various sides and treats and we all feasted heartily. Gifts were exchanged to all the dads and it was fantastic having both of the Grandpas together with our kids for Father's Day. The girls painted ceramics for Chris and for their grandads. I was so pleased to have everyone together. It was a great day of celebrating our fathers. 

Eating dinner, Zoe Cochran on the left and Hailee Enns on the right.

Charlene Cochran, my mom, and our dear friend Paulie Hutchings

Hailee Enns, my Dad and Mason

Deford Cochran with a few of his grandkids