Saturday, brought to you by headbands

So, this morning I ended up taking photos at a charity fundraising 5K. I had volunteered because I thought it was a good cause (rescuing girls from sex trafficking - they're raising money to build a safe home here in StL), and when the coordinator mentioned she needed photographers, for some reason I volunteered myself for that. I say "for some reason" because I really don't know my way around my camera that well, despite the gobs of photos I take of the babe. But, I made it clear I was way amateur and they still wanted me, so I was up at the park bright and early this morning.

It was a lovely fall day - chilly but sunny and crisp, and they had a really nice turnout. I was really surprised at how different it was trying to shoot more "action" type, wide-view shots, as opposed to shooting a child close-up. I mean, this shouldn't have surprised me, but I picked up pretty quickly that I was going to have to change my approach. I didn't really end up with that many stellar photos, but I did what I could (and fortunately they had a few other, more professional-type photographers there too). And I learned A LOT. A lot. I wish I had tried to photograph a sporting event or something similar before hitting up this race, because I would have definitely done things differently today, but, eh, live and learn, right?

One of the other photographers there mentioned a local group that does one-time, evening photography seminars, so I think I'm going to look into that. I'm also starting to drool over some new lenses for Christmas, maybe. And I'm recommitting to learning more about my camera and using the manual settings more.

So, in a slightly related note, I'm also trying to recommit to blogging more. I know most people who read this are family who are interested in photos of Julia, but I'm getting sick of only posting photos. I could just get on Flickr instead or something. So I'll try to insert some bits of life, text-style.

And now, the completely unrelated note: headbands. These are Julia's latest obsession. She found a basket of my old headbands, and now we have headbands all over our house, many in places I'm not even aware of. But she pretty much tries to wear them constantly, and I think it's adorable how many different ways she can put on a headband wrong. Here's a smattering of headband photos from the last week or so:

She's constantly on the go lately, so it's almost impossible to get a shot of the front half of her.

"I know it works somehow like this..."

"I did it! I look awesome."

"Another can only help."

"Or maybe mess up the one I had on correctly."

"Whew. Looking this good is hard work."
(As an aside, we're teaching her to fall back onto pillows and go, "aaahhhh,"
and it's the cutest thing ever when she does it.)

Crawling away. These things go with her everywhere. Evidently, this includes the bathroom.

I love when she does this because she looks like she has little bug antennae.

Watching the rain.

Subscribing to magazines.

Princess-style.

Double princess-style.

Julia, a remote, and a doggie walk into a bar...

A typical evening in our household...

"Oh doggie, I know you love this remote because it has your teeth marks on it. Where aaaare you?"

"Ah hah! There you are. Would you like this yellow plastic knife?"
"Maybe she has something good for once..."

"No? Not tempting enough for you?"
"Make her go away."

"Alrighty then, what do you think of...."
"Make her go away. This is my cushion."

"Oh what's this? A remote? Would you be interested?"
"Um yes quite possibly."

"Just kidding! How about ME?"
"......"

"Hmmm."

"Secret evil plan in progress..."

"Oh doggie - look! A remote! And I'm sitting so very far away from it."

"Yeaaaaah that's what I'm talking about."

"And ME! I COME WITH IT! HOORAY!"

"I GOT YOU! DOGGIE!"
"Oh crap."

"DOGGIE DOGGIE DOGGIE!"
"!!!"

Photo dump

So I'm obviously SO behind on blogging. The photos and blog topics have been piling up and I think I have no choice but to declare blog bankruptcy and start with a fresh slate.

But, I'll do a photo dump to get some of these cute photos out there for my family.

Playing at the park.

I go out of my way to find new and exciting parks and she gets obsessed with a hole in the ground.

Very intent.

Won't even look at me for a photo. 

Except to say, "Mom! Dirt!"

"Dirt through my fingers..."

"Dirt on my leg..."
(She was equally obsessed with rubbing dirt on her leg this trip. Beats me.)

She's been loving her little blanket lately.
She walks around the house with it and it makes me think of Linus and laugh.

She also loves the sheer blinds we have. She'll play peek-a-boo through them and thinks it's hilarious.

Also loves the sippy cup and her water.

Not sure how much we'll get to use the fireplace this winter, with Ms. Puts My Hands On Everything.

But how could you be upset with that face?

From the redwood forests to the gulf stream waters....

Yeah until I just looked up those lyrics I kept humming to myself, "From the redwood forests, to the gulf stream mountains..." which I knew wasn't right but I couldn't get it out of my head!

Anyways, when in CA, we saw - surprise - the redwood forests  at Big Sur and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The redwoods were amazing; it's hard to tell you they looked bigger in person because they look HUGE in my photos. And the aquarium was a little underwhelming. It was nice and all, sure, but I thought it was a top-five-in-the-world type place, and the Dallas Aquarium and even the Chattanooga Aquarium are both on par. Either I've managed to hit the world's top aquariums or it just wasn't that great.

Not to complain, it was still really nice. And any place that has a play area for kiddos under 2 gets a thumbs-up in my book.

Here are the photos:

Big trees.

Really big trees.

Julia is awestruck.

You know what makes really big trees even more awesome? String cheese.

So awestruck she has to keep her eyes shut.

Dad is equally awestruck.

Sisters, husband and baby. I like how Sarah's pants blend in with the trees. That was good planning, Sarah.

Maybe things will be more interesting from a different point of view.

It was beautiful.

All I can think when I see places like this is, "I wish I had been an Indian."

Obligate "up-the-tree-trunk" shot.

Look how big that tree is!

And now we go to the "gulf stream waters..." 

Totally needed those sunglasses.

Julia loved these fish. I think it was like an awesome tv show for her.

Why I don't go in the ocean.

Again.

Oh no wait. THIS is why I don't go in the ocean. Could you possibly imagine an uglier creature? It looks like something out of a video game. Blech.

Lighthearted splashing is way better.

Bouncing on the waterbed.

Julia in the coral reef and Robert looking really creepy.

Riding the fish was not a hit.