Catch up

I haven't posted here in a few months, so I thought I'd post some photos from that time period.  In November I switched cameras once again.  I sold my Panasonic GH1 and bought a Panasonic GF3 on a Cyber Monday deal.  The GH1 is a fantastic camera, but I decided to downsize a little bit, and the GF3 still fits what I do quite nicely.  Plus it's a lot smaller and I can even pocket it on backpacking trips.

Sit back, relax, grab some hot chocolate, and enjoy the photos...there's quite a few.

Sipsey Wilderness Hike - September 2011
Backing trip in the Sipsey Wilderness.  We were supposed to have some of the young men from church come, but they all backed out.  The leaders still had fun though! :)

Surfing in Orange Beach, AL - Oct 2011
I was at a work conference and a great swell came in.  I surfed for a little bit, but was a little out of shape. I enjoyed taking photos and video though.

Thanksgiving 2011
Thanksgiving at my mom's house

A Few Pics of the Fam - December 2011
We tried to do a little self portrait action with the family.  We'll have to try again sometime.

Christmas Pics at Nonnie and Granpa's House - Christmas 2011
We spent three days at Nonnie and Grandpa's for Christmas with Aunt Sonnie and had a really nice time.

Sipsey Winter Hike - December 2011
Every New Year's we take the scouts and young men in our ward on a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip.  Normally we go to Tennessee, but this time we went to the Sipsey Wilderness about an hour southwest of us.  It's beautiful hiking.  A couple of friends have also gotten me into hammock camping...me gusta!

This waterfall was right next to our campsite the first night. Sa-weet!

Standing next to the largest tree in Alabama

My sleeping quarters

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Scaling the Mountain

Between General Conference sessions on Saturday afternoon, we took a family hike and scaled the majestic Rainbow Mountain.  With it's peak soaring up to a towering 1,100 feet in elevation, our heads were spinning, vision blurred, and we nearly collapsed due to a lack of life giving oxygen.  Somehow, someway, we all dug down deep within ourselves to find the steely resolve to conquer this grueling beast....

...ok, so maybe we drove up to the top in about 5 minutes, but we still had a nice hike.  Below are some photos.

Look how excited she is!

Defying death one step at a time

Spreading his wings to fly

Give me that camera

Happy times on the mountain

Although a little too much mountain air does mess with your mind

My hiking buddies

 

Perfect day for a hike

Surfing down the rock

This was a very over exposed photo that I messed with and converted to B&W

Such a poser

Lazy fall afternoon

HD is such a chick magnet

Here are my favorite people

It was a beautiful day to be outside

There was a hint of fall colors

6 Candles, 4 Candles, and a Few More

Last Friday we celebrated birthdays for Bimmer (6), Firebolt (4), and Grandma (more than the other two).  I kinda failed on my photographic responsibilities and didn't get many photos, but here are a few.  I took some video as well, but haven't had a chance to look at it yet.  Maybe one day I'll get some video posted...maybe.  :)

Birthday girl on the right

This was Firebolt's cake per request.  Nice job Mommy!

Bimmer's dinosaur fossil cake per request. Awesome job Q!

Laura and Aunt Sonnie

Bimmer with his best bud Chocolate George

With his new picture drawn by grandpa Jack.

Become as Little Children

OK, so I know this is my photo blog, but I've had something on my mind the past couple of days and I thought I'd share it.  And since this blog centers mainly around photos of my kids, I think it's appropriate here.  :)


I was recently reading a talk about one of the teachings of Jesus Christ.  The Savior was asked by His 

disciples who will be the greatest in the kingdom of God. In response Jesus said, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3)  The talk focuses on what it means to become as little children, and how having qualities like them can help us prepare to enter the kingdom of Heaven.  Below is a link to the talk.

http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/become-as-a-little-child?lang=eng

As I read this I thought about my children, and what attributes they have that I need to try and emulate more in my life.  I first thought about my oldest son, who will turn 6 in a few days.  Almost anytime I am home, he wants to be with me.  If he is drawing dinosaurs or volcanoes, he wants me to draw them with him.  If he's playing with his Hotwheels cars, he wants me to have some as well to play with him.  If I'm going out for a run, he wants to go running with me.  If I'm just going to the store, he wants to be with me.  

As I considered how much my son wants to be with me, I wondered: how much do I want to be spending time with my Heavenly Father?  Am I looking for enough opportunities to spend with him?  For instance, am I spending time in prayer everyday and also keeping a prayer in my heart throughout they day?  Am I reading and pondering the scriptures and how the application of the principles taught in them can bring me closer to Him?  Am I reading and pondering the words of the current prophet and apostles?  Am I serving His children and about doing good?  Or, am I more content to follow after more selfish and worldly pursuits and entertainment? 

Also, my daughter, who will be 4 in about two more weeks, wants to do things that make me happy and make me proud of her.  For example, she constantly shows love by giving hugs and kisses and saying that she loves me and that I'm her best friend (she also says that to her mom and brother).  When she remembers something she is supposed to do, like eating over her plate or getting her pajamas on, she is looking for me to notice that and beams whenever I do notice.  She wants so much for me to be pleased with her.

How much do I want to please my Heavenly Father?  Do I make decisions and do good to others that will help Him be happy with me?  Do I try and keep His commandments so that I can show Him that I love Him and so that He will be pleased with me?  Or again, am I too centered on myself by focusing on selfish desires and wants?  

Of course there are many applications of the admonition of the Savior to become as little children, but these are just some of my thoughts from reading the article mentioned above.  I hope that maybe they can be of benefit to anyone who reads this.  I'm grateful for the teachings of the Savior.  I know that as I try to incorporate these teaching in the way I live everyday that the Lord will bless me and my family and prepare us for eternal life with Him.  I also know that when I fall short of these teachings, He is ready and willing to help me get back up and try again.