Pictures and Reflections on a Dinner

Joi has become quite skilled at editing her pictures with Photoshop. What you may not know is that I too can edit pictures with Photoshop and decided to let you see what I've been working on. Any and all feedback is appreciated.

Here is Niko and Koty at a luau in Hawaii. Those 2 had quite a time over there. Unfortunately they felt uneasy when they saw an animal being roasted. I wonder why they are so sympathetic towards eating animals? I used a nice Vintage action on this one.

Here is a self-portrait of Joi and Niko. I always tell Niko not to tilt his head into the picture because it cuts the person next to him out. Some kids never learn. He really has grown hasn't he? Seems like only yesterday he could curl up right in my lap. I decided to use a Sepia-tone action on this one.

This is kind of a silly one those two took in the car. Like mother like son I guess. Since it was a silly picture I used a silly action: cartoon. I'm so funny!

For Connie's birthday we went to the Melting Pot to eat. Here is Niko and Joi enjoying their food. We didn't tell Niko that he was eating meat. We're so mean! If you look closely you can see how much of his adult teeth have come in. Really quite impressive. I decided to give this one a nice 70's feel. He probably won't like this because the 70's cuts a little too close to his anti-Elvis sentiment.


On an unrelated note, last night I got out of the house (Niko was sick of me) and I went out to eat to a dainty little tea room called Golden Gate in Granite City. I would feel less masculine for using the adjective "dainty" but I'm not sure there are any more manly words that could be used for a tea room. I went with mom, dad, sis, and her 2 friends Lynn and Debra. I just want to say that I've got a cool family and Em has 2 really good friends in those 2. We had quite little meal and then off for desert at Mr. Twist (or Twistie Mister or "It's a twista It's a twista" (you know, from "The Wizard of Oz")) which is a landmark in Granite City. I also learned 2 very important lessons last night: 1)Next time you go to a pharmacy and the person working there is a "tech" or "technician" don't ask them a question about what medicine to take because they are not allowed to answer questions like that and if they do they can get fired. 2)If you are making a citizen's arrest and you have tackled the culprit to the ground and he says he needs to pull his pants up after you chased him, don't let him because it is all just a ruse so he can escape.

3rd Year's A Charm

Today marks the third wedding anniversary for David and me! 3 years ago today we were off gallivanting in Hawaii and had just said "I Do." We were so blessed to have 31 of our closest family and friends there with us to share in our big day! Our wedding was so beautiful {I know, I'm biased} and so special. David and I wish we could move there for good, but with us both being teachers, we'd probably have to live in a hut somewhere and work 2 extra jobs just to survive. Oh yeah, and we definitely couldn't leave our sweet families...so we'll just have to make plans to visit again someday : ). I planned on uploading some pics from that day, but instead sweet-talked David into uploading our wedding video and slide show {we had it at the reception when we got back}.

The wedding video's kinda long because the whole ceremony is included, but the beginning and end song montages {starting around 20 minutes} are my favorite!


Also, here's our slide show that David and I made ourselves! We still watch it frequently and it definitely gets me all emotional! It starts off with me through the years, then David through the years, a special section with our dear friend Emily who passed away, us together, then our fun times in Hawaii. Enjoy!!!!!