October is winding down and we just returned from Utah to celebrate Doug and Darci’s wedding.  I left on Monday the 18th and made my way over the next two days.  I picked Brian up at the airport on Wednesday afternoon.  Due to a misunderstanding, there was no one around when we arrived in Logan.  The weather was dripping wet and so we decided to visit grandpa Brower at Sunshine Terrace for a while.  We visited for about 45 min.  He was completely lucid and we had a really nice chat.  After that we headed to the cheap theater and watched Shrek 2.  It was SV’s first movie other than when she was an infant.  She liked it somewhat although Brian and I thought it was hilarious.  I guess we should see the first one too. 

We stayed with Julie and Jared while in Logan.  The wedding was nice and casual the way I like things.  We took pictures in the rain after the ceremony and then headed to the Maddox Lodge in Brigham city where we had dinner.  I was a fun day with the family even though we missed Serra A.

We spent Friday in Bear Lake.  Serra loved exploring the farm with her cousins and we got lots of pictures to prove it.  We headed back to Vegas on Saturday and spent a little time there before heading home.  We were on the road most of the week it seemed but it was good to see everyone even if for a short time.

And………Halloween pics are in. 

Worth every penny.  I tried out a backdrop in my living room today with a “sort of” willing subject and was overwhelmed with joy at the results. 

Yesterday (sunday) afternoon, Brian had a presidency meeting at our home.  Of course, I was to keep SV out of the way and as subdued as possible.  So before the meeting I made a cake and set up SV’s princess tea set.  We let the boys have some of the cake, but we had a bit ourselves with SV’s set.  Instead of tea, our drink of choice was milk.  Serra had a ball.  She thought this was just the thing and played milk and cake the rest of the evening, bringing us pretend samples on plates with a fork. 

Before the meeting was over however, we still had some time to kill.  After drawing pictures Serra was on my sewing table dancing and reading her Halloween card to me.  I couldn’t let the moment pass and so pictures were taken.  Here they are. 

Of course, there were beaters to be licked.  Look at that tongue.  Moments after the picture was taken, she stepped back and fell down the stairs and smeared chocolate all down the front of her.  She was more upset about being dirty than falling.  Milk and Cake party.

Dancing queen.  She gets these great moves from her mom.

And my personal favorite.

The first of the Halloween shots are in.  The rest will be on in 2 weeks.

Check it out.

Well, it came yesterday afternoon and I felt quite giddy all day as I played with my new toy.  There is so much to learn, especially with the computer programs.  I have figured out the basics and I am sure the rest will come with time and exposure. 

THIS CAMERA IS AWESOME!!!

I must have taken 100′s of pictures yesterday and then deleted them.  (Just getting a feel for all the settings.  The camera is similiar to the film canon I have only I can see what I have taken instantly.

As Julie says, taking photos is addictive.  Especially when it doesn’t cost anything to take them and erase them.  I don’t have my 1 GB flashcard yet so I have been using my 64 MB card.  It allows for about 15 shots to be taken.  (On the kodak it allows for 100)  The battery is still charged today and what a welcome change that is after all the agony my last rechargeable experience was. 

It came with a lens that is slightly wide angle. (18-55) It is a good thing I ended up going with that deal instead.  The lens I have that is close to it  (28-80) that I thought was compatable, is not.  It is a Quantaray which is compatable with my other camera, and was cheaper.  The canon lens (75-200) that I purchase when I got my original camera works fine with it.  So I will be fine until I can afford a new lens that closes that 20mm gap.

So here is Serra and I playing around with the Sepia setting yesterday.  Someone remind me to put makeup on next time I am taking close-ups of myself. 

Well, who wins the bet? How long did it take Pam to get a canon digital.  3 months.  Pretty good self control if you ask her. 

Actually I had an epiphany while watching conference (not spiritual in nature).  I realized that I already had two photo sessions tentatively before Christmas and if I advertised locally and in surrounding areas I might be able to start making some money toward China. I could make a lot more money if I were using digital, as I would not be bothered with any of the printing.  The thought of being able to take unlimited shots and choosing the best at no extra cost to me was just too tempting. Plus, why waste a perfect holiday season.  So with Brian’s vote of approval I just closed the deal.  I actually ordered it yesterday and then was told they were all out and it would be about 3 weeks before it came.  We would be out of town and the thought of having a pricey peice of equiptment sitting on our doorstep was not acceptable, so I paid a little extra through another company that had it in stock. I am paying extra because it includes a wide angle lens.  I also learned that although the lenses I have are compatable they are not as fast as the ones that are specifically made for the digital variety.  (Julie, that may be why you experience a little slower reaction than with your 35mm)  So, someday down the line I may invest in some new lenses. 

Either way, it is mine, all mine.  The Canon20D, Muahahahaha!

AND I HAVE A SITTING SCHEDULED THIS MONTH ALREADY!  I made up cards and dropped some off at the hair salon I went to on Friday and got a call almost immedietly.  Hopefully it will be this easy.