4th of July and Cooler Stuff

I am love, love, LOVIN’,  my camera phone.  Just having it with me all the time and being able to take pictures of whatever is soooo fun!  My girls tell me, “Mom, that’s so random.”  It doesn’t matter.  I totally fascinate myself.  For instance, I found a butt chair at a thrift shop.  Who could resist a picture like this?

Then I found some aliens outside of a gift shop.  I think they have been married for a long time.  Aren’t they sweet?

Seriously though, I am just having fun documenting our family during day to day life.  Abbey and Amber finished two weeks of dance camp.  I think my baby Amber looks so grown up in this picture it makes me want to hyperventilate.

All three girls finished their golf clinic with Kyoko…..the most fabulous coach!

We had great 4^th of July…..complete with patriotic crackle nails.

Amber and Allie each entered a contest that had them building boats out of cardboard and racing across the pool.  Amber and her friend Audrey, made it safely across!

Allie’s team…. didn't fare quiet as well!

Brian and I took Abbey to the golf course for some Goofy golf…

You could only use two clubs and had to tee off with only a putter.   I think we all know who was the goofiest.

We ended the day with a fun barbeque with friends and fireworks.  We love that we can celebrate America even though we are so far away!  Amber said it best and wrote it on her cardboard boat….. “God bless America the beautiful!”

Fourth of July Photography

I have signed up for a photography class in August.  I am pretty excited and obviously in desperate need of some schooling.  At least there are cool photo editing programs out there to play around with, before my pictures can stand alone. 

Enter in, my Fourth of July photograph editing extravaganza!  (Using Pixlr, Picnik, & Photoshop.)

PHOTO #1

Abbey and Allie ran AND finished the Firecracker 5k with me.  Abbey gave this pic a little patriotic flair.

Photo #2

I also had USA spirit with my red, white, and blue scrunchie!

Photo #3

Taken by my husband.  Of himself.  If you have read my blog at all, you already have a glimpse into the strange man I married. 

Photo #4

This picture actually turned out great.  My youngest daughter Amber (age 8), dating a younger man (age 2).  He’s such a cutie.

Photo #5

The best part of any 4^th of July Celebration.  Why would I take a picture of this?

Photo #6

I always get so annoyed when people try and take pictures of the fireworks.  Like they are going to turn out better than the real thing or something?  So why did I think that any amount of Photoshopping could actually make this picture look good?  Nice telephone poles Lynnie.

Photo #7

Last but not least, my favorite photo.  I love the opportunity that our Air Force life has given me, so that I am able to enjoy the beautiful country of Japan.  I look at these flags and am reminded how fortunate and blessed I am!

Oooops……I almost forgot.  Picture #8.

 My husband riding my daughter’s tiny bike home after the fireworks.  He’s so fast.

Some Gave All

"We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies."

...~Moina Michael, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae (1915)…….where the tradition of wearing a red poppy to honor the war dead began.