Rich's Water Hyacinth
Rich's Water Lily
Dahlia
Dahlia
Zinnia
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
New Macro Lens
I have always been fascinated with macro photography. I love the detail that can be obtained. My favorite subject is nature, especially flowers. I have been reading books about macro photography and dreaming about getting a macro lens. I was surprised and excited when Rich said he was going to get me a lens for my birthday. It was a dream come true. After some research I chose a Tamron 90mm macro lens. It arrived in the mail just in time for my birthday and I have been practicing with in ever since.
Rich's Water Lily
Dahlia
Dahlia
Zinnia
Rich's Water LilyDahliaDahliaZinnia
Sunday, September 18, 2011
My Birthday
My birthday was on a Tuesday this year, so I didn't think it would be that exciting. Ava woke me up 45 minutes earlier than usual, so I started out grumpy. We lounged on the couch and watched a few PBS Kids shows. Once Sesame Street was over we played, but I was still tired and a little grumpy from my early wake-up call. Around noon Rich called and asked if he could bring me lunch. I thought that would be nice and was excited he was thinking about me. I was even more happy and surprised when I found out he had taken a half day off work to be with me on my birthday. If you know Rich (the procrastinator) the fact that he thought about it and made arrangements a head of time was a giant gesture of love. Having him come home early made my day and made me feel special. It changed my whole mood and he truly made it a happy birthday.
Since Rich got home early we went out to an early dinner. I chose to eat at one of our favorite restaurants, Il Forno Classico. It was quiet and not too busy...just the way I like it. Rich decided since it was my birthday I could order for both of us, so that way I could try something new but still eat my favorite dish. I ordered for him classic spaghetti and meatballs and for me I got the portobello mushroom raviolis. We also ordered spaghetti for Ava. All of the food was delicious, but I still think the raviolis are the best.
After dinner we came home and relaxed. I opened my presents which made me happy. Rich sort of surprised me with a new macro lens for my camera (He told me about the surprise a month ago, so I could pick out the one I wanted). Ava followed the photography theme and gave me a remote control for my camera and an extra battery. Rich also gave me a cookie dough scooper that I talked about wanting awhile ago (good memory).
This year my birthday was a great one. I know I am getting older, but I don't mind. I had a wonderful day with my family and they made me feel special. I appreciate all the thought Rich put into the day because it reminded me how loved I am.
Since Rich got home early we went out to an early dinner. I chose to eat at one of our favorite restaurants, Il Forno Classico. It was quiet and not too busy...just the way I like it. Rich decided since it was my birthday I could order for both of us, so that way I could try something new but still eat my favorite dish. I ordered for him classic spaghetti and meatballs and for me I got the portobello mushroom raviolis. We also ordered spaghetti for Ava. All of the food was delicious, but I still think the raviolis are the best.
After dinner we came home and relaxed. I opened my presents which made me happy. Rich sort of surprised me with a new macro lens for my camera (He told me about the surprise a month ago, so I could pick out the one I wanted). Ava followed the photography theme and gave me a remote control for my camera and an extra battery. Rich also gave me a cookie dough scooper that I talked about wanting awhile ago (good memory).
This year my birthday was a great one. I know I am getting older, but I don't mind. I had a wonderful day with my family and they made me feel special. I appreciate all the thought Rich put into the day because it reminded me how loved I am.
Lisa's Portola Redwood Pictures
I love the texture and different colors of tree bark.
"Stand Tall"I love the perspective of this picture.
"Stand Tall" - Enhanced in Photoshop
Tiptoe Falls
Tiptoe FallsI love the look of the water in this picture. I'm glad we bought a new tripod because I wouldn't have been able to achieve that effect without it.
"Butterfly Drinking"If you enlarge the picture or look closely you can see the orange proboscis of the butterfly. It is getting moisture from the soil.
My Birthday in Livermore
The Saturday before my birthday we went to visit my parents. I wanted to go hiking and take some pictures, so my parents watched Ava while Rich and I went to the Portola Redwoods State Park. We had a lovely afternoon hiking the trail that led to Tiptoe Falls. We were able to go slow and take as many pictures as we wanted. We each had our own camera which made it more enjoyable for both of us (I didn't have to share the camera and Rich wasn't bored watching me take pictures). The trees and tiny waterfall were beautiful and we had a wonderful time.
After the hike we headed back to Livermore to have dinner with my family. We went to Cattleman's and had a nice time. Unfortunately, Ava decided the waiters needed to sing to me, so my family arranged the serenade. I did not enjoy that part of the meal!
Ava is probably the only one that can get away with this.
After the hike we headed back to Livermore to have dinner with my family. We went to Cattleman's and had a nice time. Unfortunately, Ava decided the waiters needed to sing to me, so my family arranged the serenade. I did not enjoy that part of the meal!Back at my parents' house we prepared for cake. My mom makes the best cake and I eagerly await my birthday each year so she will make me a checkerboard cake. I love it so much that I am pretty stingy about sharing it. Every year each family member gets a piece and then I take the rest home. I share a little more with Rich and Ava, but I eat the majority of it myself. I know that sounds bad, but it is just that good.
Ava is probably the only one that can get away with this.
3 x Gridley = Family Fun
Since we have been having trouble with our computer I'm behind on blogging. In an attempt to get caught up I'm going to cram our last 3 trips to Gridley into one post.
Our first trip was at the end of August to celebrate Doug, Bruce, and Grandpa Bowling's birthdays.
Rich, Ava, and Grandpa Bowling.
Someone is a little paranoid and it's not me. Ava asked to have her life jacket and floaties on. Then I guess she still didn't feel secure (even with Rich right there) that she wanted to sit in the inner tube. What a silly girl!
Our first trip was at the end of August to celebrate Doug, Bruce, and Grandpa Bowling's birthdays.
Rich, Ava, and Grandpa Bowling.
Someone is a little paranoid and it's not me. Ava asked to have her life jacket and floaties on. Then I guess she still didn't feel secure (even with Rich right there) that she wanted to sit in the inner tube. What a silly girl!
Cheesy Cheetos face.
Our 2nd trip up to Gridley was to visit with the McDowell family. Unfortunately I was lazy that day and didn't get any pictures of them. I don't know what I was thinking. We had fun seeing them, especially baby Abby.This time Ava was feeling more comfortable in the pool and just wore floaties. At one point Rich and I were concerned the floaties were giving her a false sense of security because she didn't want help and was swimming all over the pool.
Bella holding a butterfly.
Our last trip to Gridley was to celebrate Nathan's birthday. This year he turned 11 and got a new camera.
Ava and Eli feeding Nona's koi.
Ava and Lily playing with sidewalk chalk. Thank goodness for Nona Alicia because I don't like chalk and won't buy it for Ava. I'm glad she got to be creative and play with chalk with her cousin.
Lily and Ava got the chalk wet and made a big mess....a big, FUN, mess! I'm glad it made Ava happy.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Tiramisu
I wanted to do something nice for Lisa and I was at Corti Bros (Italian Market) and was inspired to make a virgin tiramisu (no coffee or alcohol). I probably paid too much for the mascarpone but it is nice to support the local market. Since I didn't use coffee I had to find a replacement. I asked Lisa to find some dark hot chocolate and she found 2 different kinds. Ava and I had a taste test to decide which one to use in the recipe. We both chose the same hot chocolate which was from World Market. Ava liked it so much she wouldn't share it with me.
It had been awhile since I made tiramisu, so it was a slow process. I think the final product was delicious and worth the effort. Ava and Lisa agree and appreciated the thought.
Ava enjoying her first tiramisu.
It had been awhile since I made tiramisu, so it was a slow process. I think the final product was delicious and worth the effort. Ava and Lisa agree and appreciated the thought.
Ava and I doing the hot chocolate taste test. 
Ava LOVED the dark chocolate from the World Market. She got just as much on her as in her.
The final product.
Ava LOVED the dark chocolate from the World Market. She got just as much on her as in her.
The final product.
Ava enjoying her first tiramisu.
Incredible John's Pizza...Not So Incredible
Last week we took Ava to Incredible John's Pizza for the first time. It is basically a better version of Chuck E. Cheese. We met Rich's brother and his family there thinking Ava would have a blast. Unfortunately she hated it.
At first she was excited and couldn't wait to go to the ride/arcade area. Of course we made her eat first. We sat in the cartoon room which got her attention. She was glued to the TV and Rich and to feed her, so she would eat something. Ava didn't complain about the food, but we weren't impressed. It was nice to have a buffet with a selection, but the choices weren't great (bad pizza or bad pasta).
After eating we headed to the games. Ava's cousin Ezra was loving it and had a great time with his parents. Ava hated it and wanted to go home the whole time. The games were obnoxiously loud and Ava was overwhelmed. We felt bad and tried to comfort her but nothing worked. She didn't even want to throw the balls for the skee ball game.
It only got worse when Ezra won a big stuffed alligator. It was awesome to see him so excited. We thought we would give the same game a try for fun, but that was a mistake. When we didn't win Ava got upset had a hard time understanding not everybody wins a stuffed animal. Then we tried a smaller version of the claw game but didn't win at that either. By this point Ava was crying and done with the place. We only calmed her by getting plastic dinosaurs with our tickets and then eating ice cream as we headed out the door.
It was a great learning experience for us. We have always known Ava is easily overwhelmed, but this made us realize just how sensitive she is. When we go to Disneyland in a few months we will be better prepared to ease her into the situation and hopefully help her enjoy the experience.
Bob and Ezra having a good time with the dance game.
Rich trying to get Ava to play Skee Ball with no luck.
Ava plugged her ears most of the time we were there and kept saying "too loud".
At first she was excited and couldn't wait to go to the ride/arcade area. Of course we made her eat first. We sat in the cartoon room which got her attention. She was glued to the TV and Rich and to feed her, so she would eat something. Ava didn't complain about the food, but we weren't impressed. It was nice to have a buffet with a selection, but the choices weren't great (bad pizza or bad pasta).
After eating we headed to the games. Ava's cousin Ezra was loving it and had a great time with his parents. Ava hated it and wanted to go home the whole time. The games were obnoxiously loud and Ava was overwhelmed. We felt bad and tried to comfort her but nothing worked. She didn't even want to throw the balls for the skee ball game.
It only got worse when Ezra won a big stuffed alligator. It was awesome to see him so excited. We thought we would give the same game a try for fun, but that was a mistake. When we didn't win Ava got upset had a hard time understanding not everybody wins a stuffed animal. Then we tried a smaller version of the claw game but didn't win at that either. By this point Ava was crying and done with the place. We only calmed her by getting plastic dinosaurs with our tickets and then eating ice cream as we headed out the door.
It was a great learning experience for us. We have always known Ava is easily overwhelmed, but this made us realize just how sensitive she is. When we go to Disneyland in a few months we will be better prepared to ease her into the situation and hopefully help her enjoy the experience.
Ava starring at the T.V.
Bob and Ezra having a good time with the dance game.
Rich trying to get Ava to play Skee Ball with no luck.
Ava plugged her ears most of the time we were there and kept saying "too loud".
Ava's Favorite Game
Lately Ava loves to dance around our home. She loves to have music playing and will make us dance around with her. Since she loves to dance her favorite game is Dance Central for the Xbox. Everyday she asks to play "the dance game". Her favorite songs to dance to are by Lady Gaga. Ava tries to follow the moves and does pretty well for a 2 1/2 year old. Sometimes she likes us to dance with her and sometimes she likes to dance by herself. When she is tired of dancing she makes us dance, so she can watch. This game has been great for family time. It provides tons of entertainment (especially when Rich dances) and is a great workout.
Rich and Ava dancing to Lady Gaga. Rich is such a good sport and daddy. He is willing to play whatever Ava wants and is not embarrassed to wear her pink hat if she wants him to.
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