Suggestions?

So, we're looking for a new camera. Because, while the video camera takes good video and is super handy, sometimes we'd like better resolution and a faster lens to cut out the redeye. And we'd like to keep the fast startup and quick response. So, since you're here, looking at our pics, do you have a (cheaper) point and shoot that you love?? Suggestions, please, because how can we miss our chance at this:

Or this (funnest diapers ever!):
"Hey, monkey, you come here often? I do... like 12 times a day!"

ps... I have to add my brother's caption here for anyone who doesn't check the comments:

"Me Tarzan. You change." (well done, Steve!)

Camera Phone: Eamon on the Go

After two posts linking to Jen's glorious pics, I will now go the other direction in picture quality-cameraphone pics - but these make me smile, so I thought I'd share. 

Ray has recently had an incredible ability to get good swag. He's won something at both of the last two Colorado Whitewater events, and this time he won a throw rope. Now he just needs a good rescue knife (never carry a rope without a knife!), but in the meantime, Eamon thinks it's super tummy time pillow. Or at least it kept him entertained for a few minutes while we finished dinner. And no, the camera phone is not fast enough for this.

And here are my two favorite men, heading into Costco. Eamon obviously enjoys riding in the Bjorn with Dad. How cute is this???

 

mr. e

Apparently I need to put *all* of Jen's blogs on RSS feed. I just thought to check her photography blog... and she did a cute post on Eamon:

Jen's photograpy blog

(enjoy the previous post on the twins while you're there ;) )

See the rest..(aka Jen is a Genius)

I think most everyone has gotten their announcements now (well, there is a second wave if I had to go searching for your address or you are part of one of the huge Catholic families, but I think most everyone **who bothers to read this** should have theirs now).

The announcements are the work of our friend Jen Lessinger, who is a genius as far as I'm concerned. She did a whole (okay two whole) photo session with Eamon (and us), and the pics are on her website. So, to see the rest of her genius, follow the directions below (this a direct quote from Jen's email so that I don't mess it up). And if you're up in the area and need kid or family pics, we strongly recommend Jen.

And no Eamon pics here, because hers are way better. If you want cute kid pics, check out the rest of her site, it's chock full.

Directions:

Your photos are available for viewing in the online gallery. Go to
jenlessingerphotography.com

Click "enter site". On the home page, you will click "clients" (on the bottom right side of the white bar).

Enter this case sensitive password: Grunzinger09

A slideshow of your photos will play. You can stop the slide show by clicking the "stop slideshow" button on the left side.

Anyone can order prints through the site. To place a photo in the shopping cart, click the bottom right corner (add to cart) of the photo. To check out, click the shopping cart icon at the bottom right side of the white bar.

The prices are in the pricing section, and can also be viewed in the shopping cart area.

Art and IKEA

For some reason, I'm feeling the need to hang a lot of photos lately. And I haven't framed a photo since about 2002 (my highly outdated "cool places I've been" collection bears witness to this). So, I've been on a hunt for an easy-to-change out photo system. Enter IKEA (of course) with a fun clothesline and hook system.

How fun is that?? Now if IKEA could just clean off the sideboard below that... Hmm. I bet they have some fun boxes... :)

And, what you really came here looking for: Eamon in tummy time, laughing at Ray.

Exhausting!

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Easter to everyone out there!

Eamon got all dressed up for children's mass (although Ray was frightened of the egg hunt afterwards - someone may go home with fewer children after that melee). And we hit breakfast afterwards, where Ray and Eamon got some good coffee.

Kidding about Eamon...

Eamon also got Easter gifts from all the grandparents, so he had to model (Thank you, he says.. burble burble...)
Hope you have a good Easter!

Car Show

Some of you out there will appreciate this (Denver auto show):(I like the scared M&M on the rear.. have you seen how those Nascar drivers drive??)
The big feature of the auto show was all the Ford truck with their extra steps and little bar to help you step up. I think the little bar looks like a cane. Jimmy demonstrated (you might need to click on the picture for the enlarged version, but note Ray and Eamon being "awed" by this innovation... hee).
The other highlight of the show was watching Jimmy measure all of the cars to see which ones could carry an 8' kayak inside. On that note.. I have fun videos of my roll if anyone is interested. :)

And if you're only interested in cute Eamon photos, well, I can pander to that, too. 

Eamon got a highchair via IKEA. We finally got it put together (a saga involving the fact that I probably left the requisite screws and allen wrench in the box in St. Cloud, but IKEA's customer service is actually more helpful than they pretend to be, and they sent me more), and while he's probably too small for it, he can hang out in it, and he was pretty content. Now, time for the gerber wieners (kidding!).

Taxes

Eamon helped Ray do taxes.

Seems about right. :)

And Eamon is discovering coordination, slowly. He invented the game "punch daddy in the face".  Ray decided that was it educational and he had to help his child develop..

Sacrifice.... :)

Trip Report, Part 2

I realized this trip gave both us and Eamon chances to find out new things. Eamon learned how to burp from the Lessinger twins (yay!), got pants, discovered the crib aquarium at Clarks...
...(note that he's talking to it)...

..and met lots of new people. We got to have dinner with Kristen and Dan, and Eamon found someone who not only wanted to hold him but was actually willing to change his diapers.
At the same time, Eamon brought a new theme to old things, particularly once we made it up to the Lessinger's.
Pretty much the same picture, just add a couple of infants. Hee. Bob and Ray managed to save some owls (or at least that's what we think they are) and Ray even used RockBand to keep the older siblings happy.
While we were with the Lessingers, Jen took some fantastic pictures of Eamon (link to come as soon as we get the announcements out!) And I got one that I love. Quinn likes to hold her brothers, and the twin in question here seems to be trying for freedom (and Jen is keeping it all contained), but I love her expression. So serious.
The trip home was interesting - it was nice and sunny in Iowa and we made it across Nebraska before entering a land of storm warnings and zero visibility. Somehow, it was warm in Minnesota, but we came back to 16" of snow!! Eamon's first real snowstorm (I don't count dustings... although this was too deep for him to try snow angels.)
All in all, a great trip, with much thanks to our hosts, the Clarks and the Lessingers. It was great to see everyone!!

Trip Report, Part 1

We're back home and getting resettled after shoveling much snow and laundry. The trip north was great, although I'm amused that I got to see the warmest day of the year (so far) in Minnesota and came back to our heaviest snowstorm of the season.

Although I found the sign on one of our first gas stops pretty accurate, the trip went well- Eamon traveled like a rock star.

We got to see lots of cranes. None came close enough to drop anything on our car, but we did enjoy watching them. 

We started off at Clark's, where a few friends got to greet Eamon and hang out.

Eamon took being passed about pretty well....

And Nick showed off his growing hockey skills. Note the team colors!

Eamon also got to visit his grandparents in the house-under-renovation... not the best grandparent-and-baby pic, but look at all that open space!  

To be continued...