SOOC Sunday: Sneaky Fall

Went out back for the first time in a week or so and instead of late summer I found:

What happened to Summer?

Sneaky Fall!


Linking up once more with Murrieta 365 for some SOOC show and share, where it's all straight-out-of-camera (SOOC).

                                                                 

SOOC Sunday: Waving at Summer

Scenes from the ranch, as we wave good bye and thank you to summer. The kids explored the creek, bounced like jumping beans together on the large trampoline, and used the zip line like a crew of stuntmen. Baths and early bedtime once we got home. And some really nice images as souvenirs:

Singing as they tumble along on the Austrian fire truck.

On safari.

Relaxing after all the fun.

Sundown and gold in the grass.

Beautiful mystery plant.

2012 was a really good summer. Au revior, mes amis.

Linking up once more with Murrieta 365 for some SOOC show and share, where it's all straight-out-of-camera (SOOC).

                                                                 

SOOC: Summer Lightbrellas

Just looking through some of recent photos and these umbrellas caught my eye. They seemed to be filled with light, as well as making shade for those of us below. It's a perfect way to capture summer for me, SOOC:

I just wish I'd had an umbrella for this:

Linking up once more with Murrieta 365 for some SOOC show and share, where it's all straight-out-of-camera (SOOC).

                                                                 

SOOC Sunday: Fair-well

Summer's wrapping up. James starts second grade this coming week. Yikes!!

I'd promised the kids another trip to the county fair, so they could try rides and games. It turned out 1 Ride for Sister and 2 Games for James. Plus exhibit looking for me. We went early this time, and I think that was a good call, as the day was HOT. Also crowded, because children got in free and adults could get $2 off with a food donation.

So while we had Discussions and Strategy for attending the fair, we had a good time. Here are some highlights, SOOC:

Oh, this is classic. I love my guy!

Amazing Walk on Water "ride" that costs more than regular admission! It looks like a ton of fun, too.

What's not to like about shooting a water gun?

No ride this time - James will not take this well.

Mmmmm, flowers!

Just like this hibiscus.

Eco-Recycled materials room: pure awesome fun for half an hour.

Linking up once more with Murrieta 365 for some SOOC show and share, where it's all straight-out-of-camera (SOOC).

                                                                 

SOOC Weekend: Illusionfish

I really like this photo I took of a fish on our recent trip to the UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab.

The reflections of light off the huge tanks and the entry hall behind me made it look like the fish was swimming from the water into the air, near the ceiling, and above the rolling hills outside.

Linking up again with Murrieta 365 for some SOOC show and share, where it's all straight-out-of-camera (SOOC).

                                                                 

SOOC Weekend: Ballooning

James and I got up to a glorious summer morning. We decided to go check out the annual hot air balloon festival in our town. I took over 200 photos and here is the best SOOC shot:

Looks like candy floss!

The other are 15 of our SOOC favourites:

View from our house

View from the town's man street, this morning.

Baseball Guy!!

From the playground, watching balloons fill up on the field.

Up, up, and awaaaaay ...

Our favourite Sushi balloon

Pepé LePew!!! Mon Cheri!

Through the trees, from the playground.

Fun to watch the balloons ascend and descend. Perfect weather too.

Meanwhile, James adored being able to play, first thing in the morning.

He gave just about everything here a workout.

"I'm here! Look, Mommy!"

Panda again

The Panda is giving rides!

This gives a pretty good perspective of how huge these things are.

Here's hoping that you're enjoying your summer!

Linking up again with Murrieta 365 for some SOOC show and share. I am bending the rules a bit with my words and multiple images, but otherwise it's all SOOC.

SOOC: Future Farmers of America

A local tradition starts off another summer! The Future Farmers of America Country Fair  kicked off this weekend with their twighlight parade through Healdsburg. James' big sister and I have traveled the parade route on floats twice and I have to tell you, it's a hoot. A real small-town, warm-hearted event that leaves you smiling the rest of the day.

Attending the fair and auction, however, took a while to build up to. Both James and his sister were very anxious and meltdown-prone if they were around outdoor heat, smelly smells, large animals, FLIES, and excessive noise. Yeah, try having a county fair without any of those. And it wasn't as if they hadn't been to Ag Day or our big County Fair ... yeesh! It wasn't until last year that I could get them out there. I promised James we could visit his aide from Kindergarten (whose son was in FFA), and I think that's what finally got his reluctant buy-in.

This year? One of those times I dreamed about for years (with pity party tears on my cheeks). No fuss. Both kids leaping and running to go to the fair, running around to look at all the animals, and enjoying a Saturday morning outdoors. James actually coming to get me, grabbing my hand and calling "Come on, Mommy! Can we go see the circus? I wanna see circus!"

Because they have one, and it's awesome. Hats off to Zippo and Hi-Top; these guys made something great for kids and families when they came up with the Swan Brothers Circus.

Enough with the words! Here are some images from this year's FFA, SOOC:

Decorations for this year's theme "Cowboy Boots & Country Roots!" hung over the pig pens.

Bunnies, in groups of three.

Chickens.

County Fair offices, just off the Livestock Auction area.

Off to see the circus!

Now James wants popcorn. Sassy kid! We got some on our way out.

I saw a lot of kids dancing with funny hats. Made me smile to see them so happy.

Finalist: Most precious smile ever!

With the help of Zippo and my camera's Magic Eye lens, this brave volunteer became a clown!
He had some killer dimples, too.

Trying something new this week by linking up with Murrieta 365 for some SOOC show and share. I am bending the rules a bit with my words and multiple images, but otherwise it's all SOOC.