Photos, Crops and Thoughts

This year for my birthday (31st...ouch!), Ross and my parents totally surprised me with a new camera!! I have been wanting one for quite sometime, but didn't see it on the horizon anytime soon. Well, my awesome husband did some research and with the help of dear ole' mom and dad, they all got me a new Canon Rebel. I was so so super excited! I hate that I'm just now blogging about it, but it was definitely worth talking about.
Of course I have high aspirations of taking beautiful "Pioneer Woman-esque" pictures, but for now, just look back over the past couple of months and you'll see what I've come up with. I have been using Picassa to edit them with, but that basically means I crop them, straighten if needed and maybe adjust the lighting a little. I'm pretty sure I want to get Photoshop Elements to really give them some punch and that pretty vibrant color you see in so many of the professionals photos.
In the meantime, I'm just practicing with my favorite subjects. Here's some shots from our neighborhood fall festival last weekend, which by the way was awesome. I can't believe we haven't got before, but they went all out with bounce houses, a train and catered BBQ. Top that with a beautiful fall evening and it doesn't get much better.

The view up here is always better.

"Look at all that fun!" (too bad we were a little hesitant about trying it all out...maybe next year)

Instead we spent the evening watching Luke play on his "waterfall" (aka, the hill)
"Did you just see that?!"
Sweet smiles from a sweet boy
Mama likes pics with her sunglasses on so you can't see the bags under her eyes. ;)
Time for a rest...Watching the last traces of daytime disappear
Dreamers
Not to be left out, Reid joins the fun.
I'm outta here
My handsome hubby - I get this look a lot
I loved this one so much, because I just see his little mind thinking and savoring the moment.

Thank you so much mom, dad and Ross for my gift and allowing me to capture the precious memories! Love you!