LU Athletics Step Up

Today we went bowling with the Lawrence University Fastpitch, Football and Volleyball Teams. Our Daughter has been adopted by the Fastpitch team through Friends of Jacklyn. The Foot ball Team Adopted a boy named Luke who also has a Brain Tumor. The Volleyball Team adopted Luke's sister Emily because they could and they didn't want her left out. Luke's Parents along with us organized a get together for all the teams and the families to go bowling. We reserved several lanes at a local bowling alley, where we had lunch and several games of bowling. Nothing too serious as we just wanted to get together and have some fun. Emma took to the boys on the football team as well as entertain the Softball Team. We even celebrated a birthday.

With Emma's recent news of starting yet another round of cheme the LU Athletics stepped up to the plate again and made her/our day.

Returning From MRI

This one evokes a bit of emotion for me as, Emma just returned from an MRI. The MRI was moved up from it's normal schedule after an eye exam showed that she lost vision in her left eye. About an hour after this picture was taken we found out that the tumor grew, resulting in changing chemotherapies. Now we start yet another trail on our long journey.

Laney

When I bought this camera I was told to get better pics of the kids that the old point and shoot could do. So I sit around the house getting them used to this big lens staring at them. Not sure if this pic is what she wants, but I will continue to work at them.

Game Over!

Remember back to our days as a child when playing ball and it was hit or kicked out of bounds/ over the fence? Nothing could be done until another ball could be found. When I saw this shot I grinned and thought about the movie "The Sandlot" still makes me smile.

No Picture!

Yesterday I did not get a picture posted due to having another setback in my daughters health. She had an eye exam and it was determined that her vision in her left eye is totally gone. She did not even respond to light. Now we are waiting for a rescheduled MRI and the tumor board to determine if/when we need to switch to another chemo plan. Did I ever mention that Brain Tumors Suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well they do.

Morning Rain

While I was looking at the rain this morning I thought to myself. I don't want to get my camera wet. But look at the ripples in the puddle. Out I went onto the porch, sheltered from the rain and popped a few off of the puddle. With a little work I came up with this.

Fox River Mills

Probably one of the more photographed buildings in the Fox Valley. But it was my turn to do so, because I hadn't yet and wanted to capture some moving water. The colors came out pretty good, but a tip from another area photographer may lead me to better color in the future.

Reading Time

Tonight I went in a different direction. I prefer to do landscapes and close ups in nature. However tonight I didn't feel like leaving the house and saw an opportunity right in front of me. Amie and Emma were doing some reading on the couch. God bless them for allowing me to snap a few shots as I learn the exposure levels.

My Favorite Rose

It seems that I keep taking pictures of this rose. Once in a bud, another with full bloom. Evenone when it had color and frost on a fall morning. But here seems to be it's final appearance as winter has taken a toll on him.

Old Paper Mill

Luckily we have a lot of paper history in this area. This give me the opportunity to get plenty of good pictures of old buildings on the water, or in this case ice. Another night shot as It is dark when I go to work and dark when I get home.

This picture seems to capture the cold of the evening, and the blowing of the wind.

Vulcan Dam

Here is another one I took over the weekend. I took a short walk from home to get pictures of the frost. When I took the initial picture and saw it on the computer I was a little disappointed.  But after a little tweaking with Gimp I was able to make into something I would hang on the wall.

New Camera

2 days ago I purchased a Canon Rebel XSi. I have been patiently waiting on this purchase since October when I had the opportunity to use my Mother In Laws. While most of my pictures were not all that good as I was unfamiliar with the controls and spent too much time using a point and shoot. I am now a bit inspired to post some pictures. I am not going to promise that I will post one every day but I will give it a good shot. Here is one I took the first night with the camera. I took my old tripod out of the closet and dusted it off. Armed with my new weapon the dusty tripod and a cup of hot chocolate my daughter and I headed into the cold night air to capture a few pics.

After this shot I thought another angle would be pretty cool. So I headed over to the side of the bridge and took this one.

I hope you enjoy my journey through learning how to use this camera.