Souris Valley Photography Club: March

A great turnout for this months photography club.

Our fearless leader, Jason, did a terrific job of teaching the last half of the basics class.

Photo assignment for March was pets, here are my three submissions:

2011|3|25

Had a chance to workout on my lunch hour with my sister...gosh I need to do this more often!

2011|3|24

On the way home from a photoshoot tonight I stopped to snap a few shots of this drilling rig...a very common sight around this oil country.

2011|3|23

Scarlett painting her nails...practice makes perfect.

She is getting so good at this!

2011|3|22

These three kiddos spent some time with Nana this afternoon.

2011|3|21

"No one has time, we have to make time"

- Jim Rohn - 

2011|3|20

Another Sunday...starting the day by feeding this baby girl.

2011|3|19

My Mom was so 'handy' (tee hee) in helping out with these stock photos I've been wanting to create for a long time.  I have always been a lover of coffee and want to produce a series of prints that capture all things coffee.

Had fun playing with this image in photoshop, antiquing it a bit.  Used 'coffee' and 'sign of aging' (one of my faves) textures from Shadowhouse Creations in soft light mode to create this effect. 

2011|3|18

Coco - 6.5 months

{enjoying a Mum Mum}

2011|3|17

Made homemade baby food for Coco, carrots & peas (for St. Patrick's Day).

We had some funny faces when she tried them, she wasn't sure what to think.

2011|3|16

It was a wonderful sight to see all of these eager students lined up for the first day of classes in the new school!

Oxbow Prairie Horizons School

The big day is here, the wait is over...the move into our new K-12 school.

Our family is SO EXCITED for this dream to become a reality!

We had a chance to take Ace to his new classroom this evening to unpack his supplies and take a tour of the new facility with our family.

Have fun taking a look at Oxbow Prairie Horizons School...

2011|3|15

Life is too short not to jump in puddles!

2011|3|14

My friend Christy & I took our daughters to Justin Bieber: Never Say Never movie tonight.  I thought the movie was well done...told a story about a boy who became a superstar.  How special for him to be able to look back on all those memories his Mom kept and see the progression in photos and home video.  Made me feel proud to be preserving my own children's memories for them to look back on when they're older.

It was so cute to hear these two giggle (just like Christy & I did as kids).  Scarlett turned to me in the movie and said...'all those girls want to marry Justin Bieber Mom'.  I can see the obsession with superstar boys beginning...oh boy!  

2011|3|13

A great weekend...lots of creative time, catching up with my friend Kim, girlie movies, great music with a touch of dancing, yummy food, angel card readings.  I always go home missing my little family, a bit tired from staying up till 3am and feel good about being productive.

2011|3|12

Having a great RETREAT with Kim...I so needed this!

It's a treat to myself every 6 months.

 Lots of creative time, down time, friend time and me time.

 So great to see my bff Kim and have some fun!
We've been going on retreats like this for 7 years now.

 Quick digital layout capturing this retreat...and all the good things here.

 Fun group shot!

Do you go on retreats?  I'd love to hear about them...by leaving a comment.

2011|3|11

After a freak snowstorm, I made it safely to the scrapbook retreat in Kenossee.

Felt great to be there with my bff Kim who travelled from Calgary.

Settling in was fast and easy to get right into creating!

2011|3|10

Ace skipping down the halls of his {old} school one last time, so bittersweet.  

Over the weekend everything will be moved to the brand new school facility for K-12 students, very exciting for our community.

Last Day at OES

Last day of classes at Oxbow Elementary School.  It was so special to walk thru this facility one last time to capture it's wonderfulness.  Many local children have celebrated their first day of school here...including me AND our son.  Thanks for all the memories OES!

Last Day at OPHS

I took the opportunity to visit the Oxbow Prairie Heights School facility during the final moments in the old building before it's moved over to the New School on the weekend.  It was a bit sentimental walking thru the old hallways where I spent my highschool career.  Here's a look at the last day of classes...

So long old building, there's many memories we'll hold dear from this great place!  If you have a memory from this old school, please share by leaving a comment.

2011|3|10

Ace skipping down the halls of his {old} school one last time, gives me a bittersweet feeling.  

Over the weekend everything will be moved to the brand new school facility for K-12 students.

2011|3|9

We woke up this morning to find our small town had been sprinkled with a dusting of glittery snow...it was beautiful.  Couldn't decide between these two pics for my POTD.  Which one do you like better (top or bottom)?

2011|3|8

This morning I stumbled across these two when I came back in the kitchen...awww.

2011|3|7

Fresh cinnamon buns...Mmmm!

I picked these up from a nearby bakery this morning and am having one for a little treat this afternoon.

What is something you treated yourself to today (leave a comment below)?

2011|3|6

Another cold day on the prairies...but you have to love the breathtaking scenery, especially when steam is rising up from the Souris River.  

I love to capture sun-bursts on bright days like today.  To achieve this, these are the camera settings I used:

Lens: 15-85mm

Mode: M (manual)

ISO: 100

Aperture: f/18

Shutter: 1/400

2011|3|6

It was our son's final hockey game of the season today...and Cory's last game to coach.  We are so proud of Ace for going out and skating his little heart out this year, all-the-while having fun.  His favorite position is Goalie!  The team came away with a win and this group of 6 & unders were pretty pumped up.  It was so nice to hear a few parents come up to Cory and acknowledge what a great volunteer job he did with coaching this year.

Go Huskys Go!

2011|3|4

Coco played with one of my childhood dolls {very vintage} today when we visited my parents.  I think it's pretty cool that my Mom kept special items like this all these years later.  {love that in this photo you can see my Dad's hands holding his Grandaughter}  It's so amazing to see connections to our past!

2011 Fitness Challenge: 8 week journey

Feeling great about completing the local 8 week fitness challenge.  Here are my stats:

BMI -1.7

Weight -1 lb

Body Fat -1.3%

Heart Rate (was 98) 57bpm

Hips -1.5"

Waist -1.5"

Thigh -.5"

I plan on continuing with eating smarter and moving more mostly because I'm feeling GOOD and to me, that's what it's all about!

I would love to hear about your journey to a healthier 'YOU' (by leaving a comment)...because it's always nice to know, you're not in this alone.  Thanks for stopping by & keep up the awesomeness!

2011|3|3

Cory is nearing the end of another great construction project.

2011|3|2

Yes, that's our crazy character, Ace.

2011|3|1

Gave Scarlett a fun hairstyle today.