New Years Eve

Chances are you're reading this next year -- so Happy New Year! Tonight we had Annette's family over for dinner to welcome in 2007. Some random quotes from the evening particularly stick out:

Gina - Now I'll have to wait until August before I'm interested in football again.
(After watching the Bengals lose to the Steelers)

Adam - Just get in the car! It doesn't matter where we go!
(Said to Mark, Gina and Annette after the grandparents and Uncle Kevin offered to watch the little guys for two hours allowing the parents to go out and party --- at Starbucks)

Annette - My kidney's hurt!
(Not sure about that one, but I hear it has something to do with pre-natal kickboxing)

Katie had the camera at the dinner table. Below are a few of her shots:

Christmas Morning

A couple photos from this morning's events. Santa brought a new playhouse for the kiddo this year. Immediately he took a book inside his new place and began to "read." He has also found it good for playing peekaboo.

Elmo Christmas

We had a blessed and wonderful Christmas morning watching the kiddo open gifts, but a sign of the times could not be escaped. After the Christmas loot was sorted, we discovered Elmo was everywhere. He was in the books, in the tape measure, and even in a shrunken head known as a giggle ball. Oh yeah - and don't forget the 3 DVD's featuring Elmo. At least he wasn't in any underwear this year. We're sure that's coming down the pike but Santa is waiting another year or two.

Jingle Bust

Jingle Bugs is no longer with us. After a late night surgical procedure, poor Jingle Bugs didn't make it.

R.I.P.

Jingle Bugs

Christmas 2004 - Christmas 2006

Jingle Bugs

We have a book here called "Jingle Bugs." It's a pop-up book with a musical Christmas Tree at the end. Unfortunately the switch for the battery operated Christmas Tree recently got permanently stuck in the "on" position. This means the book, whether open or closed, plays Jingle Bells continuously. This wasn't a problem until Annette had had enough and told me to do something. So, I shoved the book between two mattresses in the spare bedroom and left it to die. That was 7 days ago and as of this afternoon, it was still going.

Traditions begin at Kroger

After great debates over the merits of artificial vs. 'live' Christmas trees, we decided to take a nap... which is why, after other holiday festivities and obligations, we were only left with the time for a quick run to the supermarket to procure our first 'live' holiday Tannenbaum. It was a comedy of errors including excess luggage in our trunk, a lack of twine and a screaming child who did not understand the significance of his parents fumbling their way towards creating new 'traditions'.

After less debate--and more laughter--we've resolved in future years to leave ourselves at least half a day--not just 20 minutes--to hunt down our tree in hopes it will be a bit more respectable 'tradition'.

After all was said and done, the kiddo was head over heels for the new addition to our decor -- declaring the lights "preedy" while quickly clearing off the ornaments from the bottom half of the tree.

Trip to Springfield

Today we went on a visit to Springfield for the Washington County Christmas Parade and craft show at the old Opera House. Below are a few photographic observations from the day. As they say, "Ya ain't from around here, are ya?"

I had to walk down in front of this store twice to take the photo above. Annette just couldn't get over a Tuxedo Rental and Family Bookstore business-combo. The first time I walked down the street to snap a quick one, there was a family sitting in the green van shown in the photo. I try not to freak people out too much with my photography so I declined to take the photo until after they left. Hence the reason for a second trip.

Who would pay 50 cents for packing peanuts in a Snowman bag with the title Snowman Poop? I guess everybody has to make a living... even the snowmen poopers.

Why does this guy look like he's about to trip over his own two feet shortly before the Dodge Neon runs him over? Perhaps because he's an Elvis impersonator showing off in front of the local newspaper's photographer. What would a Christmas parade be without Elvis?

We left the parade and ate at a local restaurant in downtown. After finishing our meal, Santa came in and was greeting the children. So, using less than my best fatherly judgment, I handed my son to a complete stranger (who for all I know could be a psycho-path) dressed in a Santa outfit just to see what would happen. Let's just say the little one wanted nothing to do with the strange bearded man. He didn't freak out or even cry, but he sure was confused. After leaving the restaurant and getting into our car, I noticed Santa leaving also. Coincidentally, in case anyone asks you, when he's not runnin' around with Rudolph, Santa drives a white Toyota Avalon. He followed us on the way to Bardstown. Seeing Santa in the rear view mirror was a strange experience and we're glad the little one wasn't any older otherwise we'd have alot of explaining to do.

Other photos from the day

Toddlers Falling from the Sky!

Christmas Tree hunt

Another photo from the Christmas Tree hunt last Saturday.

Christmas Tree Hunt

Family photo from today's Christmas Tree Hunt

Cookie Day

Sampling the dough...

Best Muppet impression award goes to...

Inspecting the goods...

Elf sighting

I wonder if Santa is missing an elf ...

Waiting for the 'rents

After helping him put on his socks, shoes, coat and hat, the little one decided to wait patiently for us at the door. I was able to snap this shot off before he got up again.

Birthday #2

Happy Birthday to Uncle Butch!

Pops' Birthday

A few photos from last night's birthday celebration and poker game.

Oh Deer ...

Got my first deer this morning. Some have told me I am officially ruined now... notice it's a 10 point buck. I guess three years of deer hunting finally paid off. This was the same buck I saw last Sunday out in the field but this time he wasn't chasing a doe. Harry is now making appearances in a freezer near you. Many thanks to Dave & Crystal Noem of Noem's Wildlife Artistry for helping process the deer. Also, many thanks to Paul for his patience and assistance in this endeavor.

Belated pumpkins

Some pumpkin photos I meant to post a long time ago...

Family portrait ... sort of

Went to a local garden center where the Christmas display was up recently. Took this snapshot in the reflection.

Pretzels

Okay, it's not a photo of the little one, but I figured you may find this curious also. I was eating a delicious dinner of soup, sandwich and pretzels when something caught my attention. Check out the second photo and explain to me why on a "Snyder's of Hanover" pretzel bag they would include "We are not connected with Snyder of Berlin" notation. See it at the bottom of the bag.

Busy

Been too busy to post anything lately. In the meanwhile, check out http://jeffandrebecca.blogspot.com as they have an update from this past Tuesday.

Also, you may want to checkout Kentucky Photo File. It's a fun website with interesting photographs from all across Kentucky.

More photos will begin trickling in again soon...

It's not easy being green...

This Halloween costume of Kermit the Frog was handmade by Annette.

Fleming Family Photo

The little guy was an angel through this ceremony in Fleming County. One of the state photographers with whom I've struck up a friendship snapped this photo of us.

Advertising

If you really want to communicate a message, why not spray paint it on the side of a car out in the middle of a field?

Caption contest

Go ahead - have fun with this one ...

Carter Caves

Here's a photo from our visit today to Carter Caves State Park in Carter County. We were going to take a self guided tour of the cave but our better sense got the best of us. Let's just say our flash light didn't have any batteries, our shoes didn't have any tread, and our gumption left us once we were staring into the mouth of the cave. The little one is laughing in the photo because he just saw his poppa take a flying leap off the embankment the camera is standing on and almost landing in the creek beyond.

Wool Fest 2006

Ducks in the free petting zoo at the Wool Fest 2006.

Landscape

I usually don't take landscape photos, but this morning the moon was still up at 7:30 a.m. when I was visiting St. Timothy's. I took three shots and this was the best. The first is the original and the second is after some work in Photoshop. Any comments?

Funny

howarac (7:42:39 PM): your cell phone is with "George" at the Knights of Columbus Hall in BG
Amadeo681 (7:42:45 PM): are you kidding me?
howarac (7:42:50 PM): he just called here, for whatever reason, and said he's gettin' ready to play bingo
howarac (7:42:56 PM): and you need to go out there to get it.
Amadeo681 (7:43:03 PM): where is the knights of columbus hall?
howarac (7:43:25 PM): i don't have a clue - but you'll figure it out after you call "George" and tell him who you are and then ask for directions
howarac (7:43:34 PM): I gave him your name
howarac (7:43:41 PM): he's expecting your call
Amadeo681 (7:44:12 PM): should i call my cell?
howarac (7:44:40 PM): yes
Amadeo681 (7:45:05 PM): k, i'll do that asap
howarac (7:45:34 PM): get on it boy
Amadeo681 (7:45:35 PM): going to go catch abs and see if she can give me a hand
Amadeo681 (7:45:36 PM): later

Playing outside

He must have been having fun because he has mud on his legs. This happened before it turned slightly colder outside.

Photos on the road

These are a few photos from my travels today. Question: What's the structure in the first photo used for?

Spot metering and posing

The first photo looks like he was posing. We all know he doesn't sit still for that long. It was just plain luck. The second was taken using spot metering. I metered the light from the side nearer the window and that changed the exposure enough for the second image.