Graduation 2012

Congrat's Elizabeth!

Congrat's Victoria!

So very proud of all these girls!

An amazing day!

Graduation Party

 

Family, friends, and food! Everything you need for a great party!!

Happy Graduation Liz and Tori!!

Bass & Pro

2nd Flickr Group-52 Weeks: The 2012 Edition

Topic:Monochrome

 

This weeks topic was Monochrome or black and white. So I adjusted my camera to monochrome and set out to take some pictures. Jim and I headed down to the East Peoria river front so I could capture the bridge, then over to the new Bass and Pro store. That was the first time I had ever been in there, so much to look at!! But the fish tank, way cool! and the little boy and his excitement, even cooler!!

Here fishy, fishy...

Here's the bridge

Peace and Plenty

Topic: Something Old

My mom stitched this sampler back in 1964. She made it for her Grandmother, (my Great Grandmother or Granny as we called her)It hung in Granny's kitchen for many, many moons and now it hangs in mine. 

When I think of Granny, the first two things that come to mind are slippers and Red Hots.

We could always count on Granny for new pair of knitted slippers for Christmas. They were amazing and everyone in the family wore them. I remember that Grandfather had a pair (or two,I'm sure) that had duct tape on the bottom, presumably to cover a hole or two. That's what we did, we wore 'em til we wore 'em out! I still have a few odd ones around the house that she made, makes me wish I would've taken better care of things like that.

And then there's the Red Hots. Granny had a small cart in her small kitchen that had a jar on it full of Red Hots. I can remember reaching in getting a handful or two. Oh sweet memories! 

Dark Dragon

2nd Flickr Group-52 Weeks: The 2012 Edition

Topic:The Dark Side

The dark side of the Dragon! Our very own sea monster in the Mineral Springs Park Lagoon!!!

A little fuzzy family, awwwww

Peaceful Night

Topic:Night Photography

Down at Pekin's Riverfront on a beautiful night.

Of course the sun had to go down before I could get to those flags. 

If only those trees would move over, for just a minute, so I can get a clearer shot of that sun going down! :)

Me

2nd Flickr Group-52 Weeks: The 2012 Edition

Topic:Who Am I

5 Fun Facts about me, Melissa...
1. I always take a bad picture,somehow, someway... always!
2. I am the proud mama of a 2012 High School Graduate
3.I am always on the look-out for smiley faces.
4. I like peanut butter and ketchup on my hotdogs
5. I am the joke telling girl at work (corny jokes of course)

              Q:What did the Zero say to the Eight? 
   A:Nice belt!

  Heehee

I Am also...

5 Other Facts about me, Melissa

1.I have a very sensitive soul

2.I get lonely when I am alone

3.I cry when I am happy, when I am mad, when I am sad

4.I worry too much

5.Still worrying....

Perspective

Topic: The View from a Window

From one window to another...

Sometimes all you need to do is change your perspective and you may find that there was something wonderful there all along.

Focusing in, not out.

Vintage

2nd Flickr Group-52 Weeks: The 2012 Edition

Topic:Vintage

 

Little Tori, sweet as can be :)

 

Vintage: You can create a vintage feel by processing the shot to have that vintage look – adjust color and saturation, tone down contrast, add light bleed, water spots, etc.

Make a Wish

Topic: Silhouettes

Miss Elizabeth here, just days away from graduation...

Alexandra came along to lend a "hand" and make a heart!!

Alexandra's turn for a profile

Hooray!

2nd Flickr Group-52 Weeks: The 2012 Edition

Topic:Jump

 

 

This little girl is jumping for joy because she finally got her drivers license! Hooray!!!

The Birds

Topic: Birds

We went to Wildlife Prairie Park the other day and I thought "Yeah" there I can get some cool bird pictures. Unfortunately there was a lot of reconstruction going on and it seemed the animals were a bit scarce. We finally found the birds in the Snake Hut, lol!

The owls and the vultures were in the classroom they use for presentations. I took this picture through a glass door. The room was dark, so I got mostly dark grainy pictures. I tweaked this one a bit and decided I liked it. Owls are such amazing creatures!!

Topic: Birds

The Peoria Heights Tower. You can go up in a glass elevator and see all of Peoria and beyond! On the tower is a Woodpecker, or a Peckerwood. That is what this adorable 3 year old girl told me it was, a Peckerwood. She was just too darn cute to tell her otherwise!

Prom 2012

Prom 2012

Liz & Tori

So pretty!

Silly Girls :)

Taylor, Shaylyn, Alexandra, Juliana, Victoria, Elizabeth and Jade

Beautiful Girls

Sister's

My Beautiful Girl!

The Ole' Stink Eye

2nd Flickr Group-52 Weeks: The 2012 Edition

Topic:Moodiness

 

 

Oh No! It's the Ole' Stink Eye! 

I finally get him to pose for a picture and what do I get??!! The Ole' Stink Eye!!!

He does it very well doesn't he! heehee

Life is Good

Topic: Smoke

Enjoying a beautiful night, watching the lighting bugs, 

admiring a bright moon and the stars in the sky.

Life is good.

Smokin'!

Rainbow?

2nd Flickr Group-52 Weeks: The 2012 Edition

Topic: Contre-Jour

*Contre-Jour, which translates roughly to 'against daylight', and is also referred to as backlit or backlighting.

My idea was to make a rainbow. Wouldn't that work for "against daylight"? I didn't work though. I think the sun was already too low in the sky, so, no rainbow? But I liked this too.
There is a rainbow out there somewhere and some day I'm going to find it. Never gonna stop looking for those rainbows.

I've Got the Music in Me

Topic: Music

I can't imagine how different life would be if Elizabeth didn't have music. We have attended many band concerts, parades, Solo & Ensemble contests, more band concerts, marching band performances, auditions and more band concerts! It has all been so amazing! I can't wait to see what college brings because she does have the music in her!

Isn't she the sweetest little bear! Grandmother made her stylin' musical outfit.

Jump Frog Jump!

2nd Flickr Group-52 Weeks: The 2012 Edition

Topic: Get Framed

It must be time to weed the weeds...

Another shot of framing. Oh Dolly!

Good Morning, Morning

Topic: Bokeh

 *Bokeh describes the appearance, or "feel," of out-of-focus areas.

 

I captured this flower first thing this morning with the rising sun. Good Morning, Morning!

Here is one of my favorite bokeh pictures from my 365 Day Project

Bradley Honor Band

Elizabeth, was chosen from her school to participate in the Bradley Honor Band at Bradley University. There were 45 participating schools and around 90 students who were chosen to participate. The program was held in Dingeldine Music Center.

As usual, but she loves me :)

Can you believe that! No pictures! Ha!

Well I snuck one in there but you can't see Elizabeth anyway, so I gave up.

I did get to talk with Dr Vroman, the Bradley Band Director, after the concert. I reminded him how I called him 3 1/2 years ago to ask for information on a Bassoon teacher and he gave me Ed's name. I said look at her now! He didn't remember, but he was excited to see a bassoon player and excited to hear that she would be coming to Bradley in the fall!

The kids had been there rehearsing all day long. She was tired and thirsty and not really in the mood for pictures.

Dingeldine Music Center