Megan's teeth

So as if I don't have one hundred ways to see that the kids are growing fast, I had a reminder recently.  Megan is losing her teeth and lost not one, but TWO teeth in one day.  It was late in the evening and we were watching a little television before bed.   While watching, she was playing with the loose tooth that she had and was surprised how easy it was to get out.  So, after the excitement of a tooth coming out, she went to bed.  While laying in bed thinking about the tooth fairy, she started to work on the other tooth that was loose and what do you know...that came out too!  Two teeth in one day.

I told her to stop growing so fast but she refuses!  She just turned 10...oh wait, that was in November.

Vinyl Record Album

Ok, so I have been pre-occupied with a number of different things the last two weeks or so.  Between the business, the kids playing sports, etc., life is on >>>fast forward>>>>>!!
Last month I was able to take on day for myself (I know, I know...how selfish of me!).   I went to watch a concert at the SnoCasino (a cool venue by the way!). 
The Robert Cray Band was playing in support of the "This Time" CD released in July.  As usual I was in a row near the front but this time there was some dude with a HUGE HEAD sitting right in front of me and Treena (my reluctant escort for the evening...like every other time I see the band).  I had to lean around the side just to see center stage!
Also this time I purchased something from the souvineer shop at the concert, something I have not done in about 10 years...a vinyl record!  Can you believe it, I didn't know they even made these any more!  The sucky thing is that I have a record player but when I went to use it, I found it to be not working.  Probably a victim of children in the house!
Any way, here are a  few photos I took late that night:

It is signed by the man himself!  **Side note:  No, I didn't get to have him sign it... I would have been a blubbering idiot!!  (yes, more then I already am!)

Last of January

So, as the days slip by (and my blog posts don't get done!) I feel myself getting older by the minute!  We have had a pretty busy week-plus.

As many of you know, Megan is playing fastpitch with an organization in Auburn called the "Acers".  Well, one of the player's dad is the pitching coach for the University of WA husky fastpitch softball team.   He invited a few of the players to attend practice his UW team last weekend and here are a few photos:

The UW players and coaches really did a GREAT job of welcoming in the girls, showing them skills and being hosts.  Any chance you get to attend a camp at the UW for fastpitch, it is a MUST!

Oh, and did I mention they are not only the coolest group of people...they are the defending NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!!!

The end of the month is also bringing in a few team/individual photo sessions.  Here is a great photo of the goofy girls that Sumner:

Like a lot of girls sports, these took longer then they needed to take, but they were all very nice girls and that makes it all OK.

It is also action photo time.  As we get towards the end of the winter sports season, the high school teams hire me to take action photos for various reasons.  So, these days I am watching/shooting a lot of basketball

Side note: Sumner HS band is not only the best sounding, but also the most entertaining of all school bands I see/hear when I go to all of the local high schools!!

I was also at gymnastics meets this week and it was "Senior Night":

And, we also had the CAP basketball photos.  26 teams all on one day, spaced 10 minutes apart, grades 1-6.  It is fast-paced craziness, but it is fun...and helps pay the bills :-)

We also received our waiting list sign up sheet for the Seattle Wedding Show.  We have been on the waiting list for years and it looks like we may finally make the show next Jan!!  Here is a look at our last booth at the Bride's Club Wedding Expo in Seattle Sept.'08.  That dude sitting in the booth is Jeff Cowart, the videographer friend from Coastline Productions.

Whew.  There are other things that have been going on, but this is probably enough of an update....if anyone is even reading!!!

Old time photos and Grandpa

So this last few weeks I have  been trying to do some stuff that I keep putting off.  Here are some photos that I have played around with.  They are all from my Grandma.  They are prints (about 4x4 or 5x5 in size).

This first one is my Grandpa (far right) and his brothers.  Grandma's handwriting on the back says it is from Memorial Day weekend 1958.  Look at how tall Grandpa was!  I must have my height from Grandma's side!!

Here is an image of my dad and his brothers.  (my dad is appropriately "in the middle")  After scanning these images, I tried my hand at a little restoration.  Photoshop is pretty cool and very powerful...I just don't know much about restoration!

Here is another.  It is Grandpa and two of his kids (my uncles) from June of 1963:

Here is one with Grandpa and my uncle Gary.  I turned one black and white to  mess with it:

Here is one of Grandpa from a trip around the Olympic Peninsula in 1947!  I miss Grandpa!  He was my favorite person in the whole world and he passed away almost 5 years ago.

Here are a few photos of Grandpa the summer he passed away.  He was playing with Rob in the back yard other wise he would have never let me take these photos:

ONE PENNY SALE

Alright, it has been about a week or so since I have posted anything.  Not for any real good reason...and none of my readers (all 7) have said anything so I am guessing that even they are not reading! 

Any way, a few times per year we try to purchase frames from Aaron Brothers.  They offer a sale where you buy a frame you get one for a penny!  And that sale is going on NOW (until the 24th).   If you need frames now is your chance!

Check them out! 

http://www.aaronbrothers.com/

Friday night basketball

My Alma Mater is Auburn High School.  It is also the high school where I used to teach.  About half of the school's population (or more) went through the middle school and some of the students were in my class or played sports on teams I coached. 
Tonight after taking gymnastics photos at Cascade, I went to AR vs AHS (alma mater).  Boys played first and girls after.  I take photos of BOTH AR teams but none at AHS, but because of the fact that I know kids at AHS, it was a great night to watch basketball! 
In game one the boys played to a PACKED house at AR and the AHS team won by 4 in a close one.


In game two, the girls played. And, like with the boys I take the AR photos, but I know the girls at AHS from teaching and coaching. Three of the girls on the AHS team were in my class as 7th graders and a few others were not in my class but I still know.

McKenna and Heather were two of my favorite students.  It is cool to see them growing up and playing sports.  They didn't want to talk to me during the game, but I understand.  (Heather at least said "Hi Mr. Vandegrift"...but it was while she was standing on the block during a free-throw...what a goof ball!)

I did take photos of AR, they were the reason I was there.  I was working on something for the girls coach.   AR won pretty easily...they are the number one team in the state after all!

Seeing former students (in the stands too!), makes me want to go back to teaching!!  I miss the relationships that I have with the kids...and the steady day job!  Although it is pretty cool to be at a basketball game as my scheduled work for the day!

New pricing structure!

With the turn of the calendar, we are getting ready for taxes, evaluating our business practices, etc...
Like Treena and I, our clients have busy lives and we understand that.  However we have found over the years, that when clients are not pressed for purchasing photos, they will go weeks, months...and if you can believe it...YEARS without ordering the prints from their session.  It happens in weddings, portraits...just about all areas.  We have even had a bride a groom get a divorce before they picked up any photos from the wedding!  Crazy stuff!
Well, in an effort to keep current, we are going to change our pricing structure to address the issue of slow orders.  In our wedding contracts we have in place a "do it or we'll do it for you" clause and it had worked wonders.  So, in out portrait and sports side we are going to add an incentive to order. 
Here are the basics:
Prices for all prints are going to remain at current levels for orders placed two weeks from the session.  If you do not order prints within two weeks from the session the prices are higher.  That is to accomodate the extra work involved.  Example:  Current price for 8x10 is $35.   Under the new structure, the current price is good for two weeks, then the price goest to $80.    That way you can take as long as you like to order your prints, it will just cost you more if you take longer.

This new pricing structure will be in place shortly. 

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

School, sports, etc...

So, it is the new year and winter break is over.  The kids had to go back to school today and I had to start working again.  A long time family friend came over to view her grandkid's photos from November (when she was back east).  She also told me how I NEEDED to be on Facebook. Jonathan and Abraham with grandpa at the park: 

Sports are starting back up again.  Megan and I had fastpitch practice tonight.  The team had taken off a few weeks for the holidays but are now back to two days per week for the season.  Sheesh, I would have given my left...ahem (you get the idea)... for the ability to play baseball all year long!!  When I was 18 we played our school ball season (18 games) then played 20-some games in the summer. 

website address:  http://www.acersfastpitch.org/

Check out the team when you get a chance!  They are 10 years old, but they are still pretty impressive!

As if that is not enough, Robbie's basketball team practices two days per week and starts playing games next week or two.  Not to mention that Megan is playing basketball too!   Luckily the business is pretty slow this month. 


Lastly, there is less then two weeks until Robert Cray!!  http://www.robertcray.com/ or http://www.snocasino.com/ to get your tickets.  Don't plan on talking to me if you go though.  I slip into a music enduced coma while at the shows!