the final porch update before the final reveal

So clearly there is still a lot to be done but look how far we (and by we I mean our contractor) has come with the porch!  I'm dying to see the final touches like the railings and light fixture and of course a nice fresh coat of white paint but I really like the structure of the porch.  

Oh and have you noticed our brand new path?  I am almost more excited for that path than the porch. Almost.

This is what it did look like and it was awful!

It was crumbling, dirty, uneven and unshovable (is this a new word?) in the winter.  Our poor, poor guests.

But look at it now.

So pretty.

We decided to tear out the flagstones in the center of the yard and grow grass.  That's an ongoing project of course.

So there you go, the final porch update before the big reveal.  Hopefully it won't be too long.

how do i use this camera?!?

I have had my camera now for over a month and I feel like it is time I actually learn how to use it - properly - like not in auto mode.  I have toyed with the idea of taking a photography class (and I still may) but for now I have been using the wonderful world-wide-web to learn so many great tips.  With all the talented people with amazing blogs and photography businesses it has really been very easy to find information, tutorials and tips.  It has been information overload for me and it has caused a severe case of ADD and impatience.  So instead of read and learn and grow I spent the weekend following my dogs around with my camera snapping away at their every movement.  I even stalked a few kids (don't worry they were my cousin's girls).  The lesson learned - Lightroom is saving my life right now.  I do want to get to the point soon where I don't ALWAYS need Lightroom to save my images.  So much to learn......must sit and study.  Have I mentioned that I am notoriously horrible at focusing and studying??  I just want to get out and do.....which doesn't always work.  Let me know if you guys have any great sites, tips or tutorials.

Here are my practice images.

Right now I am practicing taking photos in Aperture Priority Mode.  I'm learning how to adjust the aperture and ISO settings to capture the image I want. 

Then I realized I needed to up my ISO so I could get better clarity on the water.

So I think it is much better than the above photos but I there is still much to learn.   I'm still struggling with motion though.  I'm still shooting in aperture mode so I try upping my ISO and it sometimes works but with dogs and kids I have a lot of moving subjects and many of my images still come out VERY blurry.  Should I shoot in another setting?  Can I change something else?  Any tips?

Here are some of the photos (that turned our and weren't too blurry) from my time with the girls.  They are so cute and super super busy.  Thus great subjects to teach myself about clarity with motion.

reading:

running:

checking bugs:

sister hugs:

picking flowers:

and cherries:

So I know this is a lot of photos but I think they could all be better and that is where al of you people come in.....please help me.  These were the few non-blurry images among A LOT of images. 

The Big Man is Three

Happy Birthday Hudson!

I always give Lola a little birthday post but I just realized that I haven't done the same thing for Hudson.  I feel kind of bad, not that he knows or even cares.  I just like going through all the pictures of them and sharing them.  So here it goes.  Three years of Hudson.

I just love this boy!  He's so handsome and cuddly.

Happy Birthday Hud!