This weekend.

Took a couple of much-needed days off this weekend and went to the beach.

Coley, Buster, Grandma Jo, Baby Brooke, Courtney Lee and Roscoe-T.

And a rare sighting of my lily-whites.

And a big thank you to Jenny-from-the-block for documenting the fact that I was actually on this trip (oh, and that's Josh's parents sweet, new RV).

Josh Downs & Jamey Downs.

Yannie's a big fan of strawberries.

Not sure what that is...I'm guessing it's a Metallica symbol though.

Tater-Tot.

Funny how when you're a mom, you're always 'base' for any kid who is being chased.

She was convinced that this deflated tube transformed her into a butterfly.

And this is all I saw while I tried to catch a nap in our tent.

Crabbing on the dock.  That's Annie's Great-Papa.

Courtney Lee measuring one of the crabs.

The crabs just stressed Yannie out, so she sat up on the table and relieved her stress by pinching her neck for a couple of hours.

And no trip would be complete without a little fighting.

This one cracks me up.

That's Josh Downs and Ross trying to stick crabs down eachother's shirts.

And someone turned two.

Camping makes for tired little girls.

I shot everything with my new Canon 24-70mm f2.8.  For the last few years, I've only shot with fixed lenses that don't zoom; primarily a Canon 50mm lens.  So switching over to a zoom lens has been a bit of a transition for me.  I'm loving it though.  It won't let me shoot in as low of light situations as I can with my 50mm, but for outdoor, everyday stuff I'm finding that the ability to zoom is really nice.

For over three years, the only lens I owned was a much cheaper version of my new  zoom lens (it was the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 - a little over 400 bucks - and loved it).

I'm temporarily hooked on a little heavier photo editing than normal too.  Just about every shot had the following combination of actions from Totally Rad Actions:  20% Oh Snap, 25% Boutwell's Magic Glasses, 20% Vignette & Blur and 15% Pross-Crossessed #2.

Comments

[Janna]

Hey glad you took some time off this weekend and really excited for this coming weekend when I will take you photography workshop Sunday!!! Hope it was a great trip for you thou love all the photos

[Erica Hettwer]

I just rented the Canon this weekend for a wedding that I was "volunteered" to shoot. I was scared to death so I rented it just as an additional safety net! It's a great lens but, I think my next purchase will be the Tamron. :D

[Deb Wisker]

Awesome pics! And thanks for the lens info too! I'm looking for a 50mm and also looking at a Tamron too.

[Jenn Gent]

Great photos as usual! I love the one with Annie being a butterfly!

I've been thinking about getting the Canon 24-70 but since I currently have the Tamron 28-75 I'm not sure if I just have a case of "L" envy or if it really would be a better lens. Do you notice a difference? Is it worth upgrading?

Thanks!

[jenny]

how much fun! this is totally my kind of get away. awesome shots - great memories! thanks for sharing your recipe with us too! :)

[tara pollard pakosta]

yuppers that lense SO ROCKS my every day!
i use it all the time and barely anything else since i bought it!
lOVE these fun shots!
tara

[Brooke - in Oregon]

Thanks for sharing your camping trip, felt like I had a nice little break looking at your photos! I forgot your little niece was born so close to Kaylie, they are less than a month apart.

I LOVE TRA, they are so much FUN!!

Miss seeing you at NBP :( Still totally bummed about that.

Doing a GNO on the 20th at my house, margaritas and snacks and catching up with friends if you are in the area. Lots of NBP gals will be there.

[Katie]

Awesome photos as always Karen!! I LOVE all the beach shots!!

[Laura Plunk]

Almost as good as being there, really need a beach break of my own.....

Thanks foe the awsome pics, as always.

Laura P

PS maybe see you at Brooke's ????

[kat-in-texas]

It's hard for me to imagine wearing sweaters or jackets in August living here in Texas. Karen, you better pack your thong bikini... it's gonna be in the 100's this weekend here in North Texas and Wichita Falls isn't that far away! ha. Love your photos. That lens takes awesome shots. Your angles (spelling doesn't look right, somehow) are incredible! Looks like a fun time. I admire you for being an outdoor(sie)-girl!

[=^..^=]

Looks like everyone had a wonderful time - and it's always good to just let the kids wear themselves out getting dirty. Glad you had such a nice time at the beach !

[Yoyo]

Yeah, Ross!!! Metallica ROCKS!!!! :-)

[Lan]

I love LOVE seeing all your photos!

[Ginny]

Love the pics! Thanks for including the info, I hate when people post really cool photos without giving out the secrets, lol :)

[anna]

loving all the photos, love your HS story, but this just cracks me up

"Funny how when you're a mom, you're always 'base' for any kid who is being chased"
i just sat here giggling, nodding my head, so so true!

have a lovely weekend xx

[Carrie Hasson]

thanks for sharing all of your photo info, this is a GREAT group of pics! i am shooting Canon and only have a 50mm 1.4 lens right now and have been considering the 24-70L as my next lens. I'm also dying to use the Totally Rad actions, but am only working in Lightroom and unfortunately they don't have anything for me yet...so either they develop some presets or I cough up the big dough for CS3 *cough *cough!

http://carriehasson.blogspot.com/

[Dawn]

I'm so inspired by your blog and photos and really want to start taking better photos - hoping to get into your next class! I'm considering getting the 50mm f/1.8 but alot of the reviews say that it breaks easily (wihtin a year). I don't know if I can spring for the 1.4 right now, but also don't want to waste my money. What do you think?