Weekend at the Ranch

Daniel and I drove to Caldwell last weekend to meet up with his sister Jennifer and her family.



It was a fantastic weekend for the ranch.  Really nice weather, and at this time of year the grass there is so green!  Lucy did pretty well in the car.

 

Like I posted the other day, I could. not. wait to try out the black backdrop.  I bought it on our way out of town (5 yards of 60" black stretch velvet), and we set it up within an hour of arriving at the ranch.



I had hoped that the setting sun would cast gentle light across Lucy's face, but for many of the photos the light was too harsh.



Still, there were a few I really liked.

 

During much of Saturday we sat outside and played on a blanket.

 

It was really sweet to spend some time with my nephew and niece, whom I rarely see.



Abby calls me, "Aunt Kommy."  It's very cute.

 

It's just amazing how much they change between visits.   

 

Jonathan is more articulate than ever, and his work ethic, when it comes to construction sites, is remarkable.

 

Pepper dog was so patient as Lucy tugged and tugged on his hair.

 

Jennifer is also into photography, so it was fun to compare notes on tips we've picked up and our general preferences for how to shoot such-and-such type of photo.

 

Before dinner we tried to do a black backdrop cousin shoot.

 

I say "tried" b/c the effort was sort of ridiculous.



Besides the fact that the lighting was terrible, causing flares on almost all the photos, getting all three cousins to look the same direction with a grin on their faces proved impossible.

 

I'm not sure what the solution to that would be... except to have a really animated person with you, whose sole job is to entertain the kids.  I like this photo though.

Saturday evening we enjoyed a fire in the fireplace and a competitive game of Settlers of Catan - sort of a combination of Risk and Monopoly. 

There's nothing like that kind of game to bring out the unredeemed, old nature of a born-again follower of Christ.


I've played many games of Risk in the past, and for me "competitive," in this context, is a euphemism for self-concerned, resentful, and vindictive -- and while that phrase, "it's just a game" would seem to justify all actions, it simultaneously invalidates any feelings of hurt you might experience during such "competitiveness".  That said, Jenn and Dave were excellent teachers, and I'd enjoy playing Settlers again some time. 



Thanks for a fun time at the ranch, Jenn and Dave!  And thanks for letting Lucy give Pepper some kisses and some loving, in the form of fur-tugging.