NIKON D40 BABY!!!

Finally our new Nikon D40 arrived!

I took the first shot while Fix read up on the features. Susi had given me a tutorial before she left on her trip so I've got to teach Fix what I know.

Thus far we haven't ventured too far out of the automatic setting, but the pictures are already drastically improved! Look at the clarity on that banana!

Look at the depth of field! (And listen to me saying "depth of field!)

Look at the eyebrows raised in delight!

Look at the laying-on-the-floor-sweeping-technique! No, we don't understand it either.

Aunt Susi

Rock is very sad that his Aunt Susi is leaving for Seattle. We will ALL miss you while you are gone for a few months!

Traveling Salesman

Last week, a travelling salesman came to visit us.

He was selling Peter Rabbit books.

At first it wasn't going so well...

But eventually he got some customers (by 'customers' I mean his parents) to buy (by 'buy' I mean read) a book from him. This video also shows off one of Rock's best talents. Shaking hands.

NYD

On New Years Day, we headed to my parents annual Open House.

Fix made yet another 2009 cheeseball. Delicious.

Annie read the boys some books.
Which gave us the idea to do a compare-the-boys-photo-shoot.
They assumed their usual deer-in-the-headlights-faces as we caught them in a crossfire of two flashes.

When Aiden joined the party, Rock was out of there.

See any family resemblance?

We love the Hathaways.

NYE

Drewby came into town, so we had all his old Grove City College buds over for a low key New Years Eve celebration.

Fix made the obligatory Fix cheeseball. And you thought I was the only one with cheese shaping talent!

Apparently, in Spain they eat 12 grapes at midnight as a (silly) prediction of the year ahead. Each sweet grape represents a sweet month. Each sour grape represents a less-than-sweet month.

We copied Martha Stewart Living's idea and put them in our midnight champagne glasses.

Looks like everyone is going to have a sweet year...

...Except this kid.

This night marked 6 years of wedded bliss for me and the hubby. Happy Anniversary to us!

Allison and Marcus

The weekend after Christmas, I went to the wedding of my good friend Allison.

She (and her new hubby Marcus) put together a truly beautiful wedding. I wanted to take home all the decorations and stare at them for hours. But I didn't.

I think I snapped this just as Allison said "Could everyone who isn't in the wedding party please stay out of this room while we take pictures?" Oops. Sorry.

So I went and took a picture of the cake. It was beautiful AND delicious.

I was so happy that Dave and Bridget were there so we could catch up and Bridget and I could remind Dave how our high school (ERHS) was far superior to his (Bowie).

Oh and Allison's dress was FABULOUS!

The first dance and another shot of the beautiful decor. Did I mention that it was beautiful?

Sorry Marcus. This is the clearest picture I got. If only you had gotten married after my new camera arrived.

Here Allison and I demonstrated our crazy-eyed-pirate Raider cheer. See her closed fingers? Allison's technique has always been better than mine. Congrats again Marcus and Allison - I'm so thrilled for you both!

Brockman Christmas

The day after Christmas, we went to my parents house for dinner and gift-opening.

Rock got a toothbrush in his stocking from Rocket. It's a Brockman tradition.

He also got some awesome new balls to play with outside.

Not sure what this face means.

The only clear picture I got was of my two new pairs of shoes. But the good news is...
MY PARENTS GOT ME A NEW CAMERA (not pictured)!!!!!!!!!! WAHOO! Look for MUCH BETTER pictures in future posts.