CAUTION...I am doing some Spring Cleaning

SBBOOSTBrownsmeadeRRweb
Originally uploaded by pinkberrykay

As you all know I am not one to keep something the same for too log. As April nears to a quick end and May approaches I have decided to revamp my BLOG, change it up, and keep it exciting. I may even "Monetiz", this means I will allow Ads on my BlOG and try to make some money, yeah like that is really going to happen.

Over the next few days you may see some photos out of scale and images not available, be patient as I get things rearranged, cleaned up and BEAUTIFUL!!!


Thanks for all your support, encouraging words and compliments~

~Kari

Batting Cages

This is the first week since baseball started that we don't have a game. It seems we are running from one game to another all week long. This week the boys practiced at the Batting Cages, normally I do not go b/c of the baby and bordum factor but today I promised Drayke I would stay and watch for a few minutes.

I have been wanting to get pictures of Drayke practicing and this was a great opportunity. I was worried it was going to be too dark in the batting cages and since I do not use a flash in my photography I knew it would be a problem. I was surprised when we arrived that it was much lighter then I last remembered, maybe that is b/c it is much lighter out these days. :-)

I managed to get some great shots with my new 28-75mm f/2.8 lens. Since it is slow this week I am hoping to process some more photos and get them posted on my Blog.

Enjoy~

Kari

WOW, time flies..

I can't believe how fast time goes these days. Before I knew it, it had been over a week since my last post and just as long since I have pulled out my camera.

I did take a few pics that I hadn't posted yet. They are of my friend Katie and I baking. I found that baking from scratch is actually fun so I ran with it. This day Katie and I were trying a new recipe~red velvet cupcakes. I am trying different recipes to see which one I like the best. I found Wilton's Yellow Cake recipe is the best for cupcakes as well as their Butter Cream Icing.

Pig in a Pancake hosts Knappa baseball

It's Saturday, the sun is out the wind is light and it's time for baseball. Piggie hosted Knappa our home field in Astoria. Friends, Nick and Jessica came out to watch the game and cheer on Drayke. Drayke struck out both times up to bat. Knappa has some strong pitchers...twins who dominated the mound inning after inning. I am sure I don't have to say it but Pig in a Pancake gave it all they had but Knappa was just to tough for us and they won by "several" runs.

We have amazing coaches, the team said the Pledge of Allegiance before the game...little flag and all!!







the smiles before the strike out

Skylee Elizabeth is finally here...

nope she's not mine, but my dearest and long time friend Shane and his wife (my friend) Karen. Karen waited a longtime for Skylee to arrive. After 30 hours of labor an emergency c-section was needed. When all was said and done Skylee Elizabeth arrived into the world healthy and happy.





A loving mother...Karen


the Proud father...Shane

It's BASEBALL SEASON

Drayke has waited a year for Cal Ripken Baseball to start here in Astoria. After a 2 hour tryout, a day long baseball clinic and a DRAFT. Drayke was drafted to a team, Pig in a Pancake and 1 month later they played their first game.

The original game was rained out, what's new we live a the Pacific Northwest where is rain most of the year. So there was a make up game a few days later. This game was against the NATIONALS out of Illwaco, WA. Yep, it's a 25 minute drive from our home at 6:00 PM at night, the games are played for 2 L.O.N.G. hours and we return home well past bedtime.

Drayke had a great hit this game, but the catcher caught a lucky break and the ball went right into his glove.~LOL







Owen is Drayke BIGGEST FAN!!! You can hear him yelling "go dwayke" during the games.

Portraits of my men

These are my men I love them all, they are my rock, my dream, the reason I am who I am.

Smiles :-)

Kari

I have labeled this post as part of my Portfolio Building b/c I love the way the portraits turned out. I feel at this time Portraits are my strong point. Although there are a few things I need to work on I have "ALMOST mastered the beauty of Portrait photography. In time my Portfolio Building and practice shoots in natural light will turn out as sharp and impressive as these have to "my eyes".

A milestone for Colin J-E

Tonight my baby lost his 2nd tooth ever, his first front tooth. He now has a hole where he likes to stick his tongue thru. :-)

Smiles :_)

Kari

Easter Sunday 2009

Easter was so fun this year. Owen was a blast to watch as he ran around the house picking up Easter eggs. Of course, Drayke and Colin "raced" through the house to see who could get the most eggs the fastest. In the end they each ended up with a basket full of eggs, a pile full of goodies and a HUGE chocolate bunny.

After their bellies were full of chocolate and jelly beans, Dave took Drayke and Colin to see Race to Witch Mountain. They came home bellies full of soda, popcorn and more candy, can you say "tummy ache".

US Coast Guard Cutter FIR Homecoming

After 12 weeks in Bellingham, WA for Dry Dock the Cutter came home to a warm welcome from spouses and their children. We gathered at 17th Street Pier where the Fir is temporarily dock while their home port Pier is finishing up it's own repairs. We greeted the Fir with Red, White, Blue and Star balloons, handmade streamer pom poms and homemade cupcakes. We cheered at their arrival, waved our pom poms and were eager to see our husbands who stood aboard their ship tall and proud of her new beauty. W.A.I.T~~~~~~~~~~who am I kidding, there were anxious as hell to get off that ship and give their kids and spouses hugs and kisses. The remarks started to fly about the paint job, she looks great from afar but close up she could use a few touch-ups. All in all her rust is gone for now and will soon return upon her first venture out to sea

Self Portrait

I have been meaning to do a self portrait of my Canon and I and finally managed to get it done. I have to say this was much harder then I thought. The picture is a little blurry and the focus did not land on my eye where I wanted it to, but I will continue to work on the "PERFECT" self portrait and try again another day when my world is not spinning with so many other commitments.

Enjoy~
Kari

Muddy Puddles

I love to go to Estate Sales, Yard Sales and Rumage Sales. My friend Jess and I pile in the Yulon and head out with newspaper in hand, navigation system ready and a cup of my triple grande mocha extra hot with whip.

Thursday we headed out to Brownsmeade Grange, where the heck is Brownsmeade Grange you ask, yeah we asked ourselves that very question. After a few wrong turns and a drive which seemed like it went forever we managed to find the Grange only to walk out with out nothing.

B/C there is always a perfect time to grab a few shots I took these while Owen was playing in the mud puddles outside the Grange. He had a stick and everytime he touched the ground it would break, he thought that was the neatest thing.

Labdien~Now you know how to greet people in Latvian!

WOW, I cant beleive I it has been over been a week since I have posted. I like to post daily, but sometimes that is just not possible. I like to keep my Biggest Fans (you know who are are)happy and wanting to come back for more.

I did have a busy week, went out on several practice shoots and managed to visit new locations locally. Despite the terrible weather~cold, windy and rainy I was able to capture a few good shots.

My photography goal for this week and on is to "always" set a CWB (custom white balance), this ensures my exposure is right for my current shooting conditions.

BTW~you noticed my title right??? Flickr who is my photo host site always greets me daily with a new word in a different language. Today is LABDIEN, "good day" in Latvian

Enjoy~
Kari