haralsons, hikes, hawks, hair-dos, and hoar-frost

Last week was very, very, very busy. On Thursday, we met April, Kyler, the Twins, and Randy to go apple picking. Can you believe it? This is the sixth year in a row that we've met April at this orchard and picked apples. We've been doing it since before Kyler was born. The first few years, it was just us girls. The Kyler came a long and so did husbands. For a couple of years, my parents have joined us too. 

This year, the five of us went into the orchard while Randy watched the wee ones. I didn't get any pictures of the babies(I am so sorry - they are cute - they look just like their big brother and dad) but I did get to hold Bennett! :)

After apple picking, we went to the biggest candy store in Minnesota. The kids bought candy (okay, okay, I bought some Maple Sugar Candy - it is a Little House on the Prairie thing and I can't help myself) and we all had root beer. It was fun and I am glad we did it. 

On Friday, we met some homeschool friends and  went on a nature walk at the Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi River. Mostly, the kids ran on ahead and the adults walked along behind visiting.

  

On Saturday, we went to a Raptor Release. The University of Minnesota has a special branch of their veterinary department called the Raptor Center that rehabilitates injured birds. Before the girls were born, Tim and I used to go to releases and now we are going again. :) (A funny thing happens, whenever, we go somewhere; the girls find the books and start reading.)

 

This hawk is a red-tailed hawk. Which one? Both the one above and below. There are sixty different morphs in red-tailed hawks. 

 

Below is a peregrine falcon. 

 

The guy above is Nero. He is a 36-year-old turkey vulture. He was part of the program to figure out how to help rehabilitate California Condors. He imprinted on humans so he could not be released.  Vultures are ugly but they have tremendous personality.

We saw three releases: a broad winged hawk, a peregrine falcon, and this eagle. 

 

They had lots of make-and-takes for the kids. 

On Sunday, the girls had Crazy Hair night for Awanas. C sports a bird's nest similar to one that K had last year. K has a pack rat's nest. I have to confess, it was fun designing K's hair. 

On Sunday morning, we woke to the first frost of the season. 

party at the park and a small treatise on photography

On Saturday, we spent the afternoon at Valley Fair, the local amusement park. We were able to go for free (there was even a meal provided) thanks to the incredible man you see below.

The incredible man is Tim's boss and a man who owns a small business. Dave is an incredible person who cares immensely for his employees and treats them well.

The incredible man is married to a remarkable woman. They are a blessing to our lives.

The woman hamming it up in the shot above is their oldest daughter Wendy. Wendy was a year behind me and attended the same college as Tim and I. Little did we know that someday, Tim would work for her Dad.

Dave's cousin is a funny man and works as a shop manager for the company. He talks with his hands and is always fun to photograph.

Dave's youngest son. His girls are great friends with our girls. When Tim started with Dave's company Evan was 16 and had hair. :)

We did buy a few drinks and one small pizza during the day. Here K gets a giant Icee. :)

As anyone who follows this blog for long soon realizes, I prefer black and white. I think that you can define what you are saying in a much more meaningful way in black and white when you aren't distracted by color. Sometimes I post images in color - because the image really is about color (such as certain flowers) or to show you something specific such as the fabric chosen for a dress. However, this shot is in color because the color makes the composition something beautiful. I don't typically find color beautiful in photography but here I do. :)

I am sorry, I've been nonexistent. School is going well but it is very busy. In addition, I've been trying to work up the shots from a fiftieth anniversary photo shoot. Here is a couple of candids of a grandchild that I really like.

puzzle postcard pieces

I made some fun mail art for my Mom. I mailed it to her in four separate installments and dropped them in the mail unwrapped. I wrote letters on the back of each that tied into the front theme.

There are many layers of paper, paint, and distressing of various kinds on these pieces (each piece is approximately 10.5 X 12.5 inches in size).

 

American Girl Store

 

Grammy came to us with 800 printed photos from our trip to California this summer. Can you imagine!! I love digital - I take many photos but I seldom print them!! 

 We had lunch at the American Girl Bistro. I must confess, the food at the bistro is excellent (but over-priced).

Our seat over-looked the theme park at the mall. C spent a lot of time during lunch watching the people in the park.

Service is slow at the bistro. We had a lot of time, just sitting and so I took lots of pictures of my girls. 

 

 

Check out Grammy's flags. The food came with toothpick flags. The girls put them to use.

After lunch, Grammy spent her allowance and then some on American Girl Merchandise for the girls. Do you see Tim running a napkin through the wee ringer washer so that Kira can see how it works? I love this shot!! It makes me smile to see him doing laundry.

It was a stressful visit to the American Girl Store, but at least, I have a good way to mitigate stress; I take pictures to distract myself and to entertain you.

Grammy leaves on Wednesday.