Some Exciting News!

I mentioned earlier this week that two of my photos were selected as finalists for Pioneer Women's photography challenge...Well I was so excited and shocked and amazed and honoured this morning to discover that one of my photos actually won!!!!  Wow... little ole me?  really?  I never win anything.. Wow.  And if that wasn't enough, my screaming fans (literally...they were screaming when I got home..) greeted me at the door tonight with a beautiful surprise...  Actually it was my loving other half who brought them home to me.. he was my biggest fan even before I became famous. Fame, flowers and the love of adoring fans....Life is pretty good today....

Rain boots, chickens and pumpkins...oh my!

It's that time of year again.  Fall always brings at least one trip to the farm.  Every year one of the kids, if not both, gets the chance to visit Oldfield Orchards to learn about local farming, see the chickens, pick some apples and pumpkins and taste some local treats.  I think I've been on this trip at least 6 or 7 times with the kids but it's always fun. This past week I joined C's kindy class for the morning.  I think I might have mentioned once or twice on here how much I love fall.  There's something about kids in gum boots and rosy cheeks running through the pumpkin patch.. it's just so awesome to see the excitement as they choose the perfect pumkin.  I never get tired of getting out to the "country" at this time of year.  It was a perfect morning. 

Here are some of the highlights

OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!!

Pioneer Woman is one of my favourite bloggers of all time.  She's a blogger icon in the world of photography.  Recently she started a photography group on flickr where she chooses a weekly assignment and members post their photos to the group and then she features her favs on her blog.  Well I just about fell out of my chair tonight when I discovered she had selected not one but TWO of my pictures for her blog!  OMG!  I've been following her blog for years and to actually be featured on it is a dream come true especially when I look at the other photos she chose. Wow. I'm so honoured that she thought I was worthy to be in the same league with some of those other photogs.  The first photo she selected was taken just last week as part of my 365 day project.  I snapped the other pic last spring in Beacon Hill park.  Check out her blog and see for yourself!  And since they're on her blog I'd better post them on mine too!

Day 8

Project 365 is proving to be more difficult that I thought.  Especially since it is getting dark so much earlier these days and my D80 has not so great performance in low light...so here is day 8.  Some fall foliage.  Have I mentioned I love fall?

Determination

My eight year old has it.. alot of it.  She's such a quiet, reserved kid but if there's a competition, she tranforms into a totally different child... a fighter.  Today she participated in the all schools cross country meet.  She's been top girl in her grade for her school through all the meets this season and today was no different.  But today she had a hard race. The route was longer, with lots of hills and she struggled.  But she didn't give up.. she came tearing down that last hill, tears streaming down her face, crying as she crossed the finish line... but she didn't stop. She finished. It's not the ribbon that thrills me.. it's her spirit, that determination, that amazes me more than anything.

Fog horns

Finally some rain yesterday.  It poured.  I love those days when you wake up to the rain pounding on the roof and soccer is cancelled so you just lay in bed all morning snuggling and sipping coffee.  It's the perfect Saturday morning.

And then later in the day the rain stopped and the fog rolled in...the fog horns started up in the distance.  I seriously love this time of year.

Project 365

I'm feeling less than inspired lately with my photography.  I can't possibly take any more pictures of my kids at the park..no one needs to see that.  So I've decided to embark on a Project 365.  I've been considering it for a while as a way to kick start my creativity..hoping to force myself to look for opportunities outside my comfort zone.  So here it is, 1/365.  It was a rainy day at home with one sick kid and one really grouchy one.  This was just sitting in my fridge, mocking me every time I opened the door... I had to do something...

Marathon Man

This past weekend the man accomplished his goal of running his first half-marathon before the age of 40.  Inspired by daddy and recent victories at the school cross-country meets, my girl decided to sign up for the fun run. And not to be outdone by his sister, the youngest family member insisted on joining in as well.  Team Wray made a great showing...next year it's my turn.