Taking a trip with big kids is one thing. They are self-sufficient, reliable, helpful, and rarin' to go. When considering the days activities, the schedule is pretty flexible~big kids are ready to go and do all the time. Traveling with a little one requires more planning and thinking...or at least it did when all the kids were little. Now that we have only one little one and everyone else is big, we have so many helping hands, we can still go anywhere and do most anything with just a little foresight.
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Kezia and Tirzah got new cameras for their mission trip.
I had a great time experimenting with the different options.
I will let you know in the captions what option was used for that particular photo.
Digital Camera Option: Program |
Gracia had a great time exploring the Cottage. Finding her familiar items from home in this new space was exciting for her, and fun for us to remember the simple joy of discovery. Everything is interesting and different when you are a baby. There is so much to explore and see and learn.So much fun for all of us.
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| Digital Camera Option: Program |
The beauty of having a little one discovering new things is that the older kids want to help in that process. Playing with her. Holding her. Reading to her. Sharing with her. Sword fighting with her. Good times. Good memories. By the time Gracia starts Kindergarten, four of our kids will be graduated from high school, two will be in high school, and the last two will be in middle school. With that huge of age difference, making memeories while everyone is still around is important to me. Giving them time to build strong relationships in a concentrated amounts is critical to keeping our family close even as everyone grows up and away.
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| Digital Camera Option: Color Effect |
Gracia enjoyed moving furniture around. Seeing what she could manipulate as she learned to pull up and walk around. While the owners lamented the lack of updates to the cottage, as a family of 11, we were more than happy to have a retreat with lived in feel. We did not have to spend our time worrying about ruining something. We just lived there.
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Digital Camera Option: Beach
Taken down at the private beach |
Gracia did NOT want to get her feet in the water. She has incredibly strong abs. She would hold her legs straight out to keep from getting in the water at the beginning of the week. We got a big kick out of this!
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Digital Camera Option: Color Effect
Taken at Cornucopia beach |
As the week went on, Gracia became more comfortable around the sand and water. She didn't venture into the water yet but she would play in the sand. Gracia is a very content baby and spent a lot of time watching the kids play, observing their crazy behavior, and simply relishing the uninterrupted time with everyone.
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Digital Camera Option: Kids
Taken Hiking the falls trails in Michigan |
The area around Lake Superior contains wooded hills and beautiful lookouts that require a hike to get to. The hikes, while challenging, were doable with so many willing shoulders to carry Gracia. She spent the hikes in the backpack traipsing through the hills and trails with one of her siblings carrying her close. They fought over the priviledge...a memory I will treasure.
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Digital Camera Option: Monochrome
Black River Harbor was the perfect beach for monochrome photos
the color variants were fantastic~water, black rock, sand, and sky |
Gracia became braver and more adventurous each day we were on retreat. Each beach held new things to search out, taste, touch, and explore. She took it all in relishing the many rocks to collect and try to eat!
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| Digital Camera Option: Toy Camera effect |
The Viks had a picnic waiting for us and we enjoyed being outdoors. Tirzah took lots of photos as she too is a camera enthusiast. Some of the pictures i really liked (above) and others (below) not so much! :}
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Digital Camera Option: Fish Eye
This is the kids absolute, hands down favorite picture to take.
The photos are completely ridiculous and the kids love that! :) |
Gracia sat on the ground and played with the hoola hoop for ages. She once again found much to explore...and eat in the Viks backyard.
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Digital Camera Option: Color Effect
Taken at Friendly Valley Beach~the kids absolute favorite |
Friendly Valley Beach was a hit with everyone. I don't know if it was the nearness to our cottage or the wonderful sand and shallow lake area. Or simply the hours spent relaxing with friends and family.
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| Digital Camera Option: Posterize |
The gazebo with the fun green and white lawn furniture made a great foile for pictures of Gracie. She liked pulling herself up on the chairs and poles and I enjoyed photographing her. I was thankful she did not have a grass fetish like some of my kids and refuse to be in the grass. She embraces all textures...once she's carefully tested them! :)
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| Digital Camera Option:Toy Camera effect |
Gracia stood so well by this log and the background was so beautiful I snapped several shots in different camera modes. She will have the fattest baby book ever thanks to digital photography and the ability to take tons of great photos in a very short span of time.
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| Digital Camera Option: Beach |
Gracia enjoyed playing on the sand. She loved not wearing shoes and hammin it up for the camera. What a great model for the a camera happy momma!
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| Digital Camera Option: Posterize |
Like I said, I took a lot of shots. When you have willing subject...you just keep shooting!
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| Digital Camera Option: Miniature |
The bucket offered just another prop, um, distraction to keep Gracia entertained as I took her photo. Unfortunately, she didn't realize I was trying to take her photo...or she didn't care...and refused to look up. She just studied the bucket.
Reflecting on the grace given us as we live, love, and laugh,
Lori
My Family from WiddlyTinks.com
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