Playing With Sparklers

I wanted to try my hand at taking pictures of my kids playing with sparklers. I was hoping to be able to capture some letters or words. Honestly, I had no clue what I was doing and it didn't work well. I still thought it was fun - even if these are some of my more poorly taken pictures!

Fun in the Sprinkler!

When it gets so hot and humid in the summer, the kids love playing in water! This year, we bought an oscillating sprinkler, and the kids loved jumping through it over and over again!

Contrary to the way it looks, Paige was not upset or crying. I'm not sure why she was making this face though! 

Park Hopping: Rolater Park

Back in July Bethany and I went on first long park day trip (that ended up being the only long one). We headed up to Rolater Park in Cave Spring, Georgia. It looked like a neat little place with a cave and a creek. We weren't sure what to really expect, but headed there anyway! When we first pulled up, we saw a very neat natural swimming pool. It was fed by the creek that came from the spring. I wished we had brought our swimming things to do that as well! Anyway, we stopped and ate our lunch at the pavilion before meeting up with another friend from church who lives nearby. 

The fresh spring water. We all filled up our water bottles, but my kids and I didn't care for the sulfur taste that usually accompanies spring water.

Shelby and Kyle feeding the fish in one section of the creek. This area was directly below the fresh spring and was off limits for getting in. There were a ton of fish in it and food to feed them!

The crew before heading into the cave. 

Inside the cave - everyone was trying not to get muddy (surprisingly enough)!

Sophia, Shelby, and Paige in the cave.

The crew in the water. They had fun splashing up and down from one end to the other!

Cheyenne and Keira eyeing everyone else's antics.

Kyle, Paige, and Sophia figuring out how best to jump in from the little bridge.

Mercy Rose on the bridge.

Having fun for a group picture!

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Click here to see Bethany's post on this trip!

July 4th Fireworks!

Georgia legalized the "bigger" fireworks this year, so the kids were super excited to get to shoot some when the time came. Clayton was thrilled to be allowed to light them (and yes, he was under close supervision, and was very careful)! I had fun playing with the settings on my camera, although I'll be the first to admit I was just playing around, I didn't really know what I was doing! 

This is one of my absolutely favorite shots! I love how the silhouette turned out (this is not edited except to crop it a little bit)!

365 in 2015 - End of Week 27

Wow, I can't believe it's been over half the year since I started my 365 project! I'm still just beginning though, as I don't know nearly as much as I wish I did. It's been fun at times, but also gets frustrating not knowing how to change things up to get excited about photography some more. Well, before July started, Bethany asked me if I wanted to do a challenge for this month - WORDS. I wasn't sure about the idea, but told her that'd be fine and I'd do what I could. So I started on that this week, and have actually enjoyed the idea!

Jon was cooking something super messy and asked to wear my apron to keep from getting his clothes so dirty. Cheyenne already had hers on, ready to help, so of course I had to snap a picture! 

We met Bethany at Lawrenceville Lawn thinking it'd be a cooler morning on Monday. We were terribly mistaken, but the kids had a great time anyway! 

Clayton found a hickory nut in our yard! 

My word challenge began Wednesday. I kept passing this old cemetery, taking Clayton to basketball camp, so I decided to stop and get a picture or two. While I wish I had done better with this shot in general I thought the words were nice! 

While hanging out at Jon's dad's house during Clayton's basketball camp, I spotted this old camera on the book case. Faye said it was her family's camera and had been used to take pictures of her as a child!

Clayton at basketball camp Friday. He really had a wonderful time and learned so much!

I actually took this one earlier in the week, but wanted to use it as my fourth of July picture!

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Click here to see Bethany's 365 project featuring the beginning of the word challenge.

Basketball Camp

During the week of June 29 - July 3, Clayton attended a basketball camp at Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church. We had seen the flyer for the camp while visiting there with Jon's dad and stepmom. Clayton has always been interested in basketball, even though we don't participate in any full time sports. So we jumped at the opportunity to let him do this camp and learn a few things. He had a great time and really learned a good bit by the end of the week! My pictures aren't so good though; my battery was dying for some of them (which makes capturing movement harder), plus I don't exactly know the best way to capture action shots. I still wanted to post these, as they give a glimpse into his time at camp.

Cheyenne and Shelby watching Clayton.

Cheyenne took advantage of one of the boys' breaks to shoot some hoops herself! 

Fascination with Patrick

At Mom and Dad's house on July 3rd, everyone was fascinated with baby Patrick!

Sweet boy! 

Shelby got a chance to hold Patrick (with a little help).

Paige loved holding Patrick (and asks regularly now if she can)!

Cheyenne holding Patrick.

Mercy wanted to take Patrick's picture just like everyone else was doing!