I was so excited to learn that my nephew’s traveling baseball team was coming to city ( more like a 4 way stop… but I digress) near me!!!  He plays for a select baseball team that has God at the center of their efforts and hearts, which is such a refreshing thing to see in these amazing young boys. Check out their sponsor and coaches’ organization which is inspiring and uplifting: Baseball His Way.  My apologies in advance for the number of pics of my fabulous nephew :)  I just could not narrow them down AND I NEVER shoot sports photography so I was having fun playing with my rented 70-200L IS (note: RENTED!!!!  I wish I could owned this bad boy but more on that later…) so on to the show….

AND WE CAN NOT HAVE A POST WITH OUT ELLA!!!!

Now for those who would like my thoughts on the  70-200 f/2.8 IS II:

1) Dislike: It was way slower than I am use to, however I am usually closer the my subject so my 5D MkII finds focus fast.  This lens “searched” a little too long for me to get the actions shots I expected, and 200 is probably the minimum focal length needed for this type of shooting.  The focal length is not the lens fault, but  having never shot b-ball… I had no clue 200 would be so limiting on shots.  But it was my first rodeo with this lens so I would give it another go-round before once again claiming prime is the only real way to shoot ;)

2) LOVE the natural vignetting this lens produces. Gorgeous.

Hoping to rent the 100-400 next time around when the Mission come this way again :)

It’s been too long since I posted pics of my favorite people… and they are growing up WAY too fast

And I must say I was SOOOO excited to show this one to Kim….And she was so excited she used it as her Christmas card pic :)

One of my 2010 resolutions is to run 500 miles this year… and today I completed mile 6.  :)  Happy Tuesday!

I headed out west this weekend for 30th birthday celebration / Thanksgiving 09 (Abilene Style) / The Nutcracker (staring Ms Ella as one of the little angels).  And fun was had by all :)  It was nice to spend some quality time with my cousin and sister on Friday ( till 3 A.M.  LOL), then Saturday was BUSY.  Cooking, eating, pictures, ballet, more eating… it was good times.  Ella was in the Nutcracker this year, and she was too cute!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Paramount in downtown Abilene.  It is like stepping back in time and is truly something you must experience if you are ever in Abilene.  It was a great weekend, and now on with the pictures…

Wishing all my favorite people a safe and happy Halloween :)

Those of you who have actually followed my blog since 2007 might remember this pic of my sister…

Well two years later ( almost to the date)… her oldest offspring… same window in my favorite alley :)

One of the fun things about taking pics of children whom I share similar DNA with is I can get a little more creative and artistic with the processing I do after a shoot.  I am use to shiny, happy babies.  Ethan on the other hand has a moodier side which I think accompanies his love of Guitar Hero perfectly…  Have I mentioned this kids has some Guitar Hero moves that amaze me.  

I think these are by far my fav pics this summer …. I just love the emotion and feeling of these :)

My first attempt at under water photography… I could use  a little practice… :)