Courtney turned seven yesterday (a perfect excuse to have a BBQ at the new, old house).
Totally lucked out with good weather (it was supposed to rain throughout the day but ended up raining early in the day and again later in the day but was beautiful for most of the BBQ).
I know it looks like the weather is always beautiful around here, but a common saying amongst Oregonians is; "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes, it'll change." In fact, today it rained, hailed, snowed and was sunny.
Still having a love/hate relationship with the neighbors buses.
That's Baby Brooke (who's really not a baby at all, she's five) and Tater Tot.
Courtney putting buttercups in between her toes.
A little bit of football (thanks Mom for taking over with the camera).
Me & Ross.
That's what he gets for being a ball-hog.
Annie blowing bubbles.
The neighbor with all the buses told us it's a plum tree.
Waiting for the birthday cake (it was getting chilly by this time).
It got so windy that we couldn't keep the candles lit.
Opening presents.
A badminton set.
Annie and Grandma Bev.
A new bike helmet.
Some new school stuff.
And a new bike.
And then the rain put an end to the party.
Happy Birthday Courtney Lee.
Looks like a really fun day!!!
We have the same saying in Texas about our weather....
Posted by: Mary Austin Cox | March 22, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Love the pics as usual, Karen! I need info. about the girls clothes! Where did you get Annie's sweater and Courtney Lee's dress? I love the aqua color for spring:)
Posted by: Steph Connor | March 22, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Oh she looks like she had a good party and fun too. Looks like you had fun playing too, he he. I love Courtney Lee's turquoise dress. That color is my latest addiction, I can't seem to get enough.
Our weather in North Carolina has been crazy too. One min. its in the low 50's and less then 24 hours we are back up in the 70's its nuts!
Posted by: Melanie C. | March 22, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Too Funny! My son that just turned seven on March 4th got a new bike, and helmet too! Maybe we could be related some day, far far away;-) I know who would photograph the wedding. Love it. I can't get over the colors in the pics they are so amazing. Is this with the Nikon or Canon? Do you get the colors from editing or is that true to the photo? 7 days till class!!!
Posted by: Monica | March 22, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Beautiful photos.
Beautiful family.
Beautiful life.
:)
Posted by: April | March 22, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Karen, I'm dying to know what you're thoughts are so far on the whole canon vs nikon thing. What is your post processing on the nikon shots? Can't wait to hear!!! By the way, FABULOUS photos. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Me | March 23, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Hi Karen,
I just wanted to let you know that I have been reading you blog for a long time now and I find your photos so inspiring. I just love the normalness of the photos but with beautiful composition, colour saturation and clarity. I want to be like you when I grow up! I have just purchased a Canon 50D, a big step up from my 300D. I am so excited to explore and learn more.
Sue.
Posted by: Suzanne | March 23, 2009 at 02:59 AM
Hey! Why isn't that girl wearing her helmet? ;)
Wonderful captures! I agree love/hate the buses. But then, I don't have to live next door to them.
That tree is wonderful!
Posted by: sharon | March 23, 2009 at 03:44 AM
a common saying amongst Oregonians is; "If you don't like the weather,
wait five minutes, it'll change."ower
that's funny, i thought that saying just applied to MICHIGAN. however, we would never be able to wear sweaters and flip flops consistently at this time of the year around here....great pics.
cindy
Posted by: Cindy Mandernach | March 23, 2009 at 04:02 AM
yay...
Happy Birthday Courtney Lee!
Posted by: aja | March 23, 2009 at 07:27 AM
oh! what a fun little party! happy birthday courtney! i love her birthday dress! all of these pictures are amazing - the color just POPS.
did i mention how jealous i am that you have green grass right now?
Posted by: jenny | March 23, 2009 at 08:29 AM
How fun! That plum tree looks great in the background. I love Courtney Lee's dress.
Posted by: Ashley S. | March 23, 2009 at 09:17 AM
All so gorgeous, my ds is now 7 1/2 - where has my baby gone?
I adore your photographs, wish I had an artistic eye!
Posted by: Sara | March 23, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Happy Birthday! Great pics.
I believe those are dandelions. ;)
Posted by: Helena | March 23, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Love the tree. Courtney beautiful... love her hair and her dress.
Posted by: Eh | March 23, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Love the tree. Courtney is beautiful... love her dress and her hair.
Posted by: Eh | March 23, 2009 at 12:43 PM
man oh man the ideas i have of your family with that tree in the background....SOOOO beautiful!!! courtney looks absolutely beautiful in her birthday dress and i LOVE annie's little leg warmers :)
Posted by: tanyawebster | March 23, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Karen,
Thanks for mentioning the weather, because EVERY time I see your photos, I think it must always be warm there. I live in Iowa and I am always jealous of your weather.
Posted by: dmatthews | March 23, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Love the photos! Would you mind letting me know what lens you have on for these shots?
Posted by: Julie | March 23, 2009 at 01:27 PM
I'm glad Courtney had such a nice day!! Love her dress! She looks like a princess. The shot of Annie blowing bubbles with the flowering tree behind her...did you take that with a wide angle lens? Also, I love the pictures of you and Ross!!! Good job Mom!
Posted by: Tracy | March 23, 2009 at 01:45 PM
I love the photo of Courtney Lee with her cake looking at you! They are all great! And I agree with the other person, those are dandelions.
Posted by: Kelli | March 23, 2009 at 02:40 PM
great shots as always! i'll have to check your syllabus for your class. i'm curious if you cover post-processing. i have made the switch to RAW but have not done nearly enough playing around with my photos as of yet!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 23, 2009 at 04:28 PM
she looks so grown up. I love the opening presents photo with Annie looking like she hit the jackpot! so great!
Posted by: Amy | March 23, 2009 at 06:47 PM
Wondering what you shot with? Did you use the Nikon? I love Annie's face in the photo of Courtney opening the book. So cute.
Posted by: Melanie | March 23, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Hey Karen
you can tell that you used the Nikon in these pics...they just have a different feel than your usual photos.
Not better or worse necessarily, but different.
I like them.
but I love Canons :)
Posted by: Elizabeth Bunney | March 24, 2009 at 02:49 PM