Jaren's Baptism

So last Sunday was Jaren's baptism. I had mu "stuff" ready at the front door to go, specifically my camera. I head out the door without it so didn't get any pictures of the event or brunch afterwards at Centro.

That afternoon Jaren's grandparents, parents, Aunt Carrie and Uncle David along with cousins Cailey, Mia, and Luke went to Summerset Winery. I remembered to bring my camera to this. Here are a few pictures I took that day. More can be found on my Flickr account.

Badlands, kids and prairie dogs

More SD Vacation Layouts

To continue the saga of our recent Black Hills vacation, Day 2 we left Kimball and enroute to the Badlands. The girls were watching Annie (which they watched 2 1/2 times that day). We found out we had no cell phone service and tried to find a calling card to buy. Just couldn't find any.

On our way to the Badlands and Wall Drug, we stopped at the 1880 town. This town also had movie props and a horse from Dances with Wolves. Cailey had to stop by the display again on our way out. She also took her sketch diary in with her and while we enjoyed a drink in the saloon, drew a picture of the bar. We didn't have a chance to see it all but did enjoy what we did see.

We next drove through the Badlands and got out to climb. Cailey fell, hurting her elbow while running. Mia was a little leery of the the heights so we didn't spend too much time climbing. We saw elk and prairie dogs.

At Wall Drug there was lots of things to look at and want. We ate lunch there and let the girls play in the water for awhile, and posed with the cheesy cutouts for pictures before heading out to our hotel in Custer. We drove through Custer Park to get to our hotel. Beautiful park. Once we got to the hotel, the first thing we did was go swimming.

Vacation continued

Here are highlights of day 1 of our Black Hills Vacation. The journaling is hard to read. It says: "First stop after leaving Des Moines was The Falls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There was lots of rocks for the girls to climb on. The girls are becoming quite independent and wanted to run on ahead of us. After spending a little time looking around and having ice cream, we continued on towards the Black Hills, stopping for the night in Kimball, South Dakota. The hotel did not have a swimming pool, but the girls loved it anyway. They asked if we could stay there all week."

Black Hills Vacation with Granddaughters

Last week we took Cailey and Mia on vacation with us to the Black Hills. We left on Saturday morning and it about broke our heart as we left the house--Carrie was fighting back tears and Luke was quite upset wanting to go too. The girls started the trip out watching the Camp Rock video and then listed to the CD. The girls got out their journals and were busy working on them.

We stopped in Sioux Falls at Falls Park. This was a very nice park and the girls really enjoyed climbing on all the rocks. Mia fell while running on the rocks--no injuries thank goodness. I tried to keep them on a "tighter leash" to try and prevent injury. Today was only the beginning of my use of the phrase "please stay with us."

Stayed in Kimball at a Super 8. It did not have a pool but the girls loved it anyway--they asked if we could stay there all week.

Using Actions

Here's a landscape photo I took last month I've been playing around with tonight using different actions.

Jaren and parents

Here is a picture I took of Baby Jaren and Mom and Dad SOOC and after processing.

Family Photos

Had dinner with the kids and grandkids tonight. Sarah's sister was in town and joined us for dinner. After dinner we went out to take our family photo--a tradition I want to continue to try and do each July. Sarah's sister, who is a photographer, took the pictures for us so I didn't have to use the tripod. We got some really great photos. I also received my July ScrapSimple club yesterday and used it to created a layout for the group photo taken at Aunt Evie's 90th birthday celebration. Below is the layout and a couple pictures taken tonight. The pictures are SOOC--no retouching has been done.

Zoo Visit with Carrie and grandchildren

I've visited the zoo twice this month. The first visit was on July 2 with Carrie and Cailey, Mia, and Luke. We spent the day there visiting the animals, riding the train, playing on the playground equipment and seeing the elephant show. There was two special visitors, two Asian elephants, Rosie and JP. In the afternoon there was a program showcasing the elephants. Luke fell asleep during the show and when we were in the van on our way home, he started crying. He didn't want to leave the zoo; he didn't get to see the elephant show. Grandpa and I took just Luke on Saturday and I'll get those pictures scrapped and posted soon.

Catching up with the Jorgensons

I haven't posted in awhile--no reason really other than busy doing other things. Friday night went with my daughter and granddaughters for a "girls night out" to see Kit Kittredge and have dinners. They picked me up and the girls asked their mother to select a song on the CD that was playing--Girls night out and then asked to have it turned up. Went to dinner at Fazolis and then the movie. Saturday Grandpa and I took Luke to the zoo. I had been to the zoo with daughter and grandchildren on July 2. We have a traveling elephant exhibit and they put on a show. Unfortunately Luke fell asleep during the show on July 2 and cried about it all the way home. So Grandpa, Luke and I spent the day at the zoo yesterday. I've got to get the pictures loaded on my camera and get some layouts done for both zoo visits.

Last night I finalized these two layouts I've been working on.

Another Jaren Brag Book photo

Here were his first "non-family" visitors--Tyler Fischer and his girlfriend and Ashleah, Dan, and Carter. Ashleah and Tyler grew up next door to us and are as close as family.

I also have ready a "first bath" layout, I just need photos. I'm hoping I can borrow some from Sarah's camera when I go up today.

I've got to get back to finishing up my "Month of Memories" assignments. I'm behind a few days. Here is my layout for day Jun 27 (I just noticed I have the wrong month on it so will need to fix it). Day 27 was exploration or discovery.

Welcome Jaren Jorgenson

Today Jaren Jorgenson entered the world at 7:42 a.m. weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces, 18 inches long.

 

Month of Memories Update

The assignment was to turn a picture into black and white (I did sepia print). This farm is along Scotch Ridge Road between Carlisle and Hwy 65-69.

The assignment was to scrap an accomplishment or something I've done that I'm proud of...need I say more?

This assignment was to photograph something to do with power, strength or conviction. Went up to the capitol to photograph the war monuments for conviction, but ended up using this picture of our beautiful state capitol and where I worked for 16 years.

My latest layouts

It is Sunday morning and I've been working on a layout for Jeremy's birthday. Supplies used include

Styles: Christy Skaggs: Blue
Actions: Pioneer Woman Action set 1 on photos
Papers and elements are from Doreen Stolz Kit: Rustic Fields

Month of Memories Update

Day 18 was a landscape. I am really pleased with how this turned out.Today was a group shot so I took a picture of my favorite group.
The assignment for day 16 was changing your point of view.
Day 15 was honoring the Fathers.

Day 14--What color are you

Saturday's assignment was to take three pictures of the same color family. This is my pictures and layout. I did a two-page layout for this one.

Father's Day

Spent a nice quiet Father's Day at home with Roger. Met the kids and their families for lunch at Famous Dave's--always a favorite with the men. I meant to get a group picture of the guys and kids, but forgot to do it beforehand and then Jeremy and Sarah left a few minutes before us. I have pictures of everyone except Sarah--she was in the bathroom when I was taking pictures. When we came home Roger laid down for a nice long nap, sleeping until almost 10 p.m. Of course he has to go to work while I sleep.

I took one car load of equipment and files down to the office and unloaded this afternoon while Roger slept. I've also been scrapping. Today's assignment was honoring fathers. Here is my layout I did for this assignment. I did the first one and then later decided to add the name badge to the layout. Not sure which one I like best.



I also scrapped a couple larger layouts--one honoring the Fathers and the other one of me and Luke. I don't scrap many pictures of myself and decided I should be in the albums too.

Friday, the 13th

Today's assignment for my Month of Memories was to take a picture of my house and scrap it.

Jeremy's Birthday Celebration--You're a Winner

To celebrate Jeremy's 29th birthday, we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner followed by bowling afterwards. These are a few of the pictures I took.

Month of Memories Update

Here are my days 11 and 12 of my Month of Memories class. Day 11, which was Jeremy's birthday, was creativity. I think it was a pretty lame creativity photo, but had to work with what I had. Day 12 was called Peaceful Easy Feeling or what brings me tranquility.

I'll post in a bit some pictures from Jeremy's birthday.

Day 10: Action Photo

Today's assignment was an action photo. Since I had been up since 2 (my mind wouldn't shut down coming up with plans of action in case our office would flood), I went out before work down by Sec Taylor Stadium (for us stubborn people who refuse to call it Principal Park) to take some action photos of the river and perhaps catch some sandbagging. When I got to work we had an Email from our management company saying because of the improvements implemented after the 500 year flood in 1993, we were in no danger. Went to lunch at noon and when I returned at 1 learned that we needed to move everything out or at least six feel off the floor. I ran out to buy as many boxes as I could get my hands on. The Health Department asked for 12 volunteers to come assist us--they were a lifesaver. Luckily I had my camera with me and took a few seconds to catch some real action shots.

Hey, Good Lickin'

Today's assignment for my Month of Memories class was take a picture of an animal. Took several of all the dogs this morning, using treats. Then tonight I took Molly out in the front yard since she is the only one I can tell drop and she will do it. Max wants to investigate the camera and gets right in your face; Maddie, well Maddie is Maddie. I took several pictures, playing around with Manual mode versus automatic mode. The picture in this layout came as quite a shock to me when I looked at them. I was in rapid shoot mode--just kept shooting--and this picture was one of them I caught. Quite a tongue she has.