Photoing...March...

"Almost"

A drive out near Red Mountain produced this pic. Isn't is so sad? This ancient saguaro cactus is just hanging on LITERALLY by a limb.

"Almost"

This poor little dove egg...almost made it.

"Lightning"

I had written down "lighting" but then read the blog and it said "lightning" (I guess after all that is was actually lighting)... so I had to cheat as AZ doesn't exactly produce lightning storms in March. So here is an old pic from the Coachella Music Fest from 2004 I believe- it was a cool lightning display.

"Sick"

Poor little Jovie has had to be on breathing treatments since being sick in December...

continuing until she gets all better. 

"Wings"

Went on a train ride on the Verde Canyon Rail Road and saw many birds- including this hawk. 

"Wings"

Also taken on my train ride- saw several bald eagles fairly close. So magnificent!

April Photo Club topics: hoof, everybody, occupation, winning

Photoing...February...

This months themes for photos in photo club- 

celebrity, cliche, road trip, vintage

"Celebrity"

He's a pretty famous bear. We weren't limiting this to people, 

were we? ;)

"Cliche"

 Shoe pics are rough. I can't decide if I hate it more because you 

want people to get phased off of your shoes or because it's the 

closest thing you can take of yourself that isn't a cliche 

"self-in-mirror" pic (don't get me wrong- I've taken them too!)

"Road Trip"

I like a little adventure, even if that includes sitting in the middle 

of the beeline highway on a beautiful spring day. Love those 

rolling roads.

"Vintage"

Found this beat up little gem on a private property in the 

desert. Let's just say I rolled down the window to my car, 

snapped a quick pic, and high-tailed it out of there. I didn't 

know what kind of weirdos were lingering.

Photoing...January...

I belong to a club...not sure why they let me in...maybe out of pity...or because I sometimes crack jokes...I don't know....but I like to take photos...I've really enjoyed taking pictures and now there is a purpose behind the madness.  

Objective: Each month there are 4 different topics (each member writes down 4 topics- 4 are chosen at random from a bowl) to photograph. Then, print out your favorite (or a few if you can't decide) and share it with everyone at the monthly get together. 

Here were the topics for January: Hands, Muscles, Jeff Guymon, Lost & Found

Barbie "Hands" 50 mm

'Diamond' Dallas Page "Hands" 50 mm

Vroom Vroom "Muscles" 50 mm

"Jeff Guymon" 50 mm 

(I don't know Jeff at all- Blake just said he is phased off of PCs- therefore, I had to hack)

"Lost & Found" iPhone pic

 I don't claim to be good...I just like having some sort of purpose for taking photos...sometimes those are the ones that feel the most inspired.

Busy days... and yet...

Wow...it's February already and I just barely feel like Christmas ended...maybe that's a good thing- I'm not sure yet. Since the beginning of 2010 I've been doing a lot of thinking...which tends to be interrupted thoughts...led to confusion...led to "did I already tell you this?" whenever I have conversations with anyone...and now I'm just feeling like my memory is failing me. Why? Why do I have to go through my days like this? Isn't there some kind of pill I can take? Well, regardless- I'm sorry to those of you who call me your friend and have to hear my constant brainlessness (Is that even a word? See what I mean?)

Anyways...on Dec 31 we decided to spontaneously get an iMac as my laptop was dying a slow death...a virus...H1N1, I think. Regardless, I am doing my very best to rid myself of my PC knowing ways and get used to being utterly confused...and then enlightened. Blake thought it would be a good idea to sign me up for 1-to-1 appointments at the Apple store- since I tend to listen better when someone is speaking to me-myself-and I (split personality, maybe). The biggest headache (that I've been just trying to convince myself isn't that big of a deal) is organizing my previously organized pictures from Windows. I'm not talking about 1000-2000 pics...I'm talking a DAUNTING task...about 26,000 pictures- which, when I put that number down on the screen makes my blood run cold. Ugh. I'm suffocating...Needless to say, picture (re-)organizing has taken the bulk of any free time I've had for the last month.

Jovie has resorted to playing in the newly organized pantry. (Thanks Sar...I NEVER would have gotten it done without your help! We miss you around these parts!) In Jovie's defense- why WOULDN'T you want to wreak havoc on something that is organized and beautiful?

In other news...ya know, I graduated last May with my degree in Education...yet, I was too overwhelmed to get all of the necessary paperwork together to bring to the dept of Ed to get my Teaching Certificate. One of my resolutions this year was to get my butt in gear and finish some things that were left undone. Hence- I spent an afternoon researching online (with little accomplished) then called the DoE to just verify all that I needed to get it done...and with luck I talked with a gal that was AMAZING- all I had to do was send in 3 documents and the rest was history. Two weeks later I had my CERT in hand!! Yippee!!

Another resolution was to get all of my pictures transferred from negative (yes, that's film people- it sounds so ancient!) to disc. I took in 40 rolls of film to Costco last week- and this next week I will probably bring another 50-60 in. Hopefully, this means I can share some great pics from a 35mm (hopefully you are sensing my sarcasm), however they are wonderful memories! P.S.- Costco charges $2.99/40 pictures that they combine and put on a DVD. This is THE best deal I've found- plus they even duplicated all pictures from high quality to email size as well. It is kind of a pain when sorting them, but it allows you to NOT have to shrink pics later if you are going to email them!

The talents of others...

Thanks Kays for making art out of us...we appreciate your eye and talent!

Yes, Jovie loves to rock & roll!

Blake has a grimace on his face- Jovie's got quite the pinchers!!

Squirmy little Jovester... she just wanted to climb up these steps!



Uh, yeah- the ivy is TOTALLY thorny. Ouch. But it does make a nice slanty background.

P.S.- Blake has lost 70 lbs since April- doesn't he look GREAT!! (And all by counting calories!)
I LOVE how hacked Jovie is in this picture...in fairness- I forgot her bottle and all of those steps are WAY too tempting to kiddos!


If I wasn't smiling in this picture (and replaced it with a look of terror) it might look like she is falling! Haha.

Our first official family pics. Overall a success. Even if the top button of my sweater was in the 2nd button hole. Yeah... starting new trends without even trying. Ha.

Christmas happenings...

Christmases in Mesa always kinda trip me out a little bit. I've lived here for 6 years now... but I don't know if it will ever really feel like a Christmas from Colorado or Utah...the nip in the air...icicles...or on a rare occasion- a WHITE Christmas. But the one thing that is consistant is to be able to spend it with family- which I so much cherish.

Mimi, Grandma and Pops with Jovie

All gifts were appreciated (of course) but this is the one I was so much hoping for! Thanks Blake!It will probably take me quite a while to learn to use this new lens, but I'm sure it'll be a blast!Jovie was posing in her little Bumbo chair and Christmas outfit. She was our VERY special gift this year! Who could honestly ask for a cuter, more sweet, chill and darling little girl!??I do believe in the spirit of Christmas!!Blake testing out the lens- and getting some sweet shots!Jaime and her family came out on Christmas day in the evening from San Diego to spend the holiday with us. Parker was being so cute about opening presents- I love that age!My nephew Jax looking so handsome with the lovely tree in the background. My mom-in-law Shauna is an amazing decorator. I only wish I had the EYE she has for decorating. Her home is quite the winter wonderland!Even little angels can get cranky on Christmas!! Haha- Jovie looks so 'sweet' with all that cupcake gear!

We made out like bandits this year. (This photo is just for insurance purposes)
I hope your Christmas was Merry and Bright and brought many smiles, hugs and love into your home! We are so grateful for the love of our Savior Jesus Christ and to celebrate his humble birth! Merry Christmas! Love the Kimballs

The Elements...Metal...Day Five

The final day of Elements week...this is actually really hard for me to finish. I've had so much fun with these pics...I think I need to do themes every now and again...it gets me to dig into my photo archive and I don't do that nearly enough. So...today I represent to you....metal. ENJOY.

One of the greatest inventions...oil...hence, oil rigging ships... Long Beach, CA

Cruise ships...truly a wonder...how can a floating city really float?? It makes one feel so small.

I know...you thought my metal theme was going to be all about ships...well, I got to thinking what is really important in life...and getting made fun of in public is one of those things...which is why DDR was invented...For those 'not with it'...it is Dance Dance Revolution. Bring a sweat cloth. It's THAT fun. Even if you're a crappy dancer.

And this thing is metal...whatever it is. It looks awesome...and the guy in front looks like a lightning bolt is going into his head...I hope he's ok. ;)

Jail bars are pretty sweet too!

Hope you've enjoyed the metal...I know I have. Anyone have an idea for another theme?

The Elements...Fire...Day Four

I can't help but to giggle when I hear "fire...fire"....isn't that some Beavis & Butthead line or something?? Why do I giggle? I am such a little kid. So, I just love fire, what can I say. Blake says that I say "fire" weird...like Mid-Western or something...well duh, I'm from the midwest!

This pic is a mix of fire/ice trying to warm ourselves under a heater during a snowstorm while at Sundance Film Festival- Park City, Utah.

Fireworks = oooh...awwww = love

This pic I didn't take (obviously) but fire rocks...so it couldn't be better represented.

The Elements...Air...Day Three

The Elements...Day 3. Sarah- I never gave you props for finding this game...so THANK YOU!! Look at my post from yesterday to explain the "elements". Here are some lovely airy-esque pics...These are hard to capture.

Windmills near Palm Springs, California

A windy deck on our Mexican Riviera cruise!

A beautiful Arizona sunset/moonrise- see the plane way up in the cloud?

More to come...Thursday=fire and Friday=metal.

The Elements...Earth...Day Two

So...I'm making up for lost time since I didn't start this until today...Please see previous post to explain what this is all about. Here are my elements of Earth- so many to choose from.

Wasatch Front-Utah

Bouganvilla flower- Arizona beauty

A squirrel enjoying a thorny nest on the ground- Tucson Arizona

Capitol Reef National Park- Utah