The Keene Family

Jim and I both had Friday off this week, which was really fun. I got up and ran Friday morning, which was my first long run of the season. It feels great to be back in my running shoes. So far, I don't even mind the early alarm clock. Then the kids and I did the shopping and got home in time to eat lunch and take the boat to the lake for an afternoon ski in the sunshine. I had fun taking pictures in manual mode . Sunbathing on the  back deck! Hiding in the nap cubby Then we got ready for Grandpa and Grandma Keene to come over for dinner, because they are finally back from their winter home in Arizona. And then... the Keene men went camping and fishing at the Lake Wilderness fishing derby! The ladies went out to frozen yogurt. In the morning, the men were up at 5:30 AM to eat breakfast and then get fishing. After JT caught his fish, he had it measured and got a prize. The men came home and I made waffles with blueberry syrup...

In January , Jim took JT to see Monster Trucks at the Tacoma Dome with our friends Christian and Gracie. I just found these pictures when I was uploading the photos from the fishing derby from the other camera!

I promise not to keep making a big deal out of manual mode, but I'm just so excited. :) I am slowly figuring out how to quickly get pictures that don't require a flash inside (ugly shadows). Morning "computer" time Peeling oranges I am SOOOO glad God gave me a daughter. This is how she went grocery shopping yesterday.   This is his "helpfully correcting my sister" face.

Last weekend we were super busy. Saturday morning we went to workout, and then I made a quick dash to Tukwila for a photography workshop. I spent four hours learning more about white balance, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and exposure. I now feel good about using manual mode on my camera, and that's super exciting! I haven't taken a picture any other way since. I'm getting good practice and some good shots. This is the only picture we got from the very rainy kickball jamboree. JT and Haley and I watched some from the truck. We took our friend Katie and her friend Diana out boating so Diana could try to ski. She did great. We can't believe her perseverance in the icy water. A little bit tired Then we had a great dinner and poker party for Katie's birthday!

There isn't a whole lot going on this week. I'm back to work and teaching two evening classes, so things have been pretty busy. Jim had a long work week too, so we're really looking forward to our fun weekend plans. Today the kids built guns out of Trio blocks. They were busy shooting at me when I took this picture. JT also built an assault rifle. In our house, we have no problem with that. He told me how he put safeties on each gun so that if someone else aimed at something "that they didn't intend to shoot," it would be fine. He added that he would never do such a thing. Jim has trained him well. This is his "looking tough" face. Today JT and I made a clock that I saw on Pinterest during Haley's nap. You write the minute hand numbers underneath the hour hand numbers and color code the hands. So far he loves it and it makes perfect sense. He has been able to tell time on the hour and half hour for a long time, but hasn't made t...