Coyote Point Museum

I'm the co-leader of my daughters Girl Scout Brownie Troop and this past weekend we took the troop on their last field trip of the school year—Coyote Point Museum.

What a fantastic little gem. If you have not been to this place and you live in the Bay Area I highly recommend it. You could easily make a day of it. You could even do a mini vacation or a staycation. Spend the night in a hotel and the next day tour around San Francisco.

Well, now that I've planned your vacation...let's continue with my post. Not only am I co-leader, but (big surprise) I'm Troop Photographer. The girls are fun and this field trip I got some great shots. Here area few of my favorites.

Kauai

We spend Easter break on Kauai. We never go away for the holidays, but had the opportunity to go and took it.

We had never been to Kauai. Both my husband and I have been to other Hawaiian Islands, but neither of us to Kauai. Our girls had never been at all. It was the best vacation we have ever taken. The weather was beautiful and it was so relaxing. Just what we all needed. We did not want to come back home. Which explains why I have been absent from my blog.

I, of course, took my camera. It took up half my suitcase. You don't need much when traveling to Kauai. I took hundreds of photographs. Here are just a few of my very favorites.

Sneak Peak

This is what being parents and having a family is all about. Truly enjoying one another and having fun. This family is all that and more.

The kids were not sure about me at first. I know they were thinking who is this lady following us around with a big 'ol camera? They did warm up and we had a fun morning.

Amgen Tour of California 2009

I just realized I never posted these images! 

My family and I are bike race fans. We watch many of the races on TV. It's been a tradition to watch the Tour de France every Summer. Some of our favorite to watch are Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer. Even my daughters (ages 6 and 7) get into the races.

We were very excited to be able to watch these wonderful athletes ride through our city in the Amgen Tour of California 2008 race. I posted some images I took when I started my blog. Last year it was a beautiful sunny day. At times the sun hid behind the clouds, but the weather was nice and when the racers approached the finish line the sun was on their backs.

This year was a different story. It rained. I wish I had someone to take my picture. I was by myself this year. It would have been nice to have a third hand to hold an umbrella, but I had my jacket hood on instead. I, of course, wanted to protect my camera from the rain, so I jimmy rigged a protective rain cover. It was made of a heavy plastic bag and duck tape. Good old duck tape. What would we do with out it. It worked perfect. My camera stayed dry.

I was excited at the thought of being able to see Lance Armstrong race again. As you may know, he came out of retirement and plans to race in the Tour de France this year.

You can see Lance Armstrong and the rest of the Astana team in this first image. Lance is near the front of  the peloton on the right side of the image. Look for his Livestrong yellow jersey. I'm sure Levi Leipheimer is there as well, but you can't tell which one he is.

I had a great time standing out in the rain with my gear waiting for these amazing athletes and taking pictures like crazy as they raced by. I hope you enjoy my images.

Congratulations to Levi Leipheimer for winning

his third straight Amgen Tour of California!

Morning Dew

In my rush to get inside to start some work, after dropping off my daughters at school, I was stopped by the most beautiful morning dew I have ever seen. Perfect tiny glass balls attached to each point of each leaf of my rose bushes.

I couldn't stop looking at it. I rushed inside to grab my camera. I was hoping it would last, but of course after a few hours, it evaporated. I am so glad I took the time to stop and enjoy nature before it was gone.

What To Do With Beautiful Babies....

take their photograph, of course!

Especially if you get a funny face!

Happy New Year!