Tree Play -- Day 269

Today I took the girls to the park. We had a fun time playing hide and seek on the playground, climbing around and sliding down slides and fireman poles. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch of Quesadillas, chips, sour cream, grapes and Oreos. Here the girls were playing peekaboo around a little tree. :) 

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Dancing in the Flowers -- Day 261

This photo wasn't my favorite from today's photo shoot as far as quality goes, but I chose it for it's portrayal of the joys of childhood. Emelyn and Ellise were picking flowers and throwing them into the air. They were having so much fun and this is the only shot I got of their action. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

Dominoes --Day 219

I took Dominoes to work today. Ellise enjoyed matching them up and making designs. I was surprised how fast she caught on to looking for the matching ends. Here she was trying to find a place for the last two.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/60 sec, Aperture f/5.6, ISO 400, Focal Length 25.0 mm.

Drying Dishes -- Day 199

Yesterday, I decided Emelyn and Ellise were old enough to start learning some necessary house wife duties. :) Might as well start early. :D Today was Ellise's turn, to learn how to wash the dishes. She did a great job and surprised me by washing, rinsing, drying and putting them all away with very little help. I guess she's a natural. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/ sec, Aperture f/, ISO , Focal Length .0 mm.

A Splash of Summer -- Day 164

I've been spending a lot of time outside with the kids lately. Today I got the camera out with the long lens (to keep it as far from the pool as possible) to capture some of the fun. Ellise was having a great time jumping off the steps to the hot tub and into the blow-up wading pool. Splash! I love her expression and the frozen water. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/320 sec, Aperture f/6.3, ISO 100, Focal Length 114.0 mm.

Muddy Fingers -- Day 123 -- Winner of Viewer's Choice Poll

I've mentioned that my girls like to play in the mud, and today we played in the mud again. :) This time it was with rolling pins and cookie cutters on the driveway. Fun times!

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/250 sec, Aperture f/8, ISO 100, Focal Length 46.0 mm.

Muddy Buddies -- Day 86

I took the girls on a picnic down at "The Barren Lands" (an undeveloped part of their neighborhood)." We strategically made our way across the muddy valley where the rain waters flow and picnicked next to the "Swamp" as we listened to the frogs chirping their mating calls. After eating, the girls threw rocks into the water and both managed to be covered in mud by the time we headed home. This time I let them run to their hearts content through the muddy valley while I again strategically  made my way to the other side (If I'd had an extra pair of clothes and rubber shoes I'd have been in it with them in a heart beat. :)) Ellise took off across and soon found herself stuck in the mud to her ankles. She could have gotten out, but was worried about her Dora the Explorer shoes. I sent Emelyn across the mud to rescue her while I switched lens's on my camera, so I could get a closer shot. :) By the time I made it over there (after taking a few photos) both girls were stuck in the mud and I told them to not worry about their shoes. They pulled their feet out and then their shoes. They then enjoyed a barefoot romp and washed their shoes in the shallow puddles. :) Great fun was had by all and two little girls got a bath when we got home. :D

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/400 sec, Aperture f/7.1, ISO 100, Focal Length 135.0 mm.

Peekaballoon -- Day 77

Emelyn and Ellise turned three years old. Here is Ellise enjoying her birthday balloon. I think she thought the balloons were the best part of the party. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/125 sec, Aperture f/3.5, ISO 400, Focal Length 22.0 mm, Flash bounced with Lightscoop, Taken in RAW, Processed with Digital Photo Professional.

Springy Ellise -- Day 53

I hope no one is tired of seeing Emelyn and Ellise. This week has been really hard  in finding things to take pictures of, so naturally I've stuck to the cutest subjects I have. :) I'll be glad when spring arrives. Ellise is looking forward to spring in this photo. She is modeling an adorable homemade dress made by a friend of mine. If you agree that it is adorable check out Joyfully Sewn Designs for more of these cute dresses. :)

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/200 sec, Aperture f/5.6, ISO 400, Focal Length 52.0 mm, Taken in RAW, Processed with Digital Photo Professional.

Sister Dance -- Day 51

I wasn't planning for this to be my photo for today, but when I got home and uploaded my pictures, I really liked how it turned out. The girls were dancing on the bed to a song about shakin' hands. :) I grabbed the camera, put it on full auto and snapped 7 photos. This goes to show that Auto and a pop-up flash are worth using sometimes. I wish I hadn't cut off Ellise's foot, but I would have missed the shot if I'd been too concerned about composition. :D

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/60 sec, Aperture f/5.0, ISO 400, Focal Length 42.0 mm, Processed with Digital Photo Professional.

Two Cute -- Day 31

I dressed them in brown and teal and couldn't resist taking their photos. :) I set up my own studio in the play room using footstools and a fuzzy blanket and enlisted the "help" of a little brown, stuffed puppy to entertain them. I think this has been one of my favorite shoots with Emelyn and Ellise.

(Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/60 sec, Aperture f/5.6, ISO 100, Focal Length
49.0 mm, Taken in RAW, Processed with Digital Photo Professional.

Dreamy -- Day 24

Today I dressed the twins up, and tried to get them to co-operate for some posed photos. Ha! Not an easy task. They are so used to my camera, that they just like to be silly. I'm going to have to work on this with them. They are just too cute not to photograph. :D I liked how this one of Ellise turned out. She was intently looking at herself (for 3 seconds) in the full length mirror on  the closet door. I was ready and captured her gaze even though it was a fleeting moment.

Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, Exposure time 1/200 sec, Aperture f/4.0, ISO 400, Focal Length
70.0 mm, Flash bounced with Lightscoop, Taken in RAW, Processed with Digital Photo Professional and Neat Image (noise reduction).