July 4th

July 4th brings the chance at food, family, and - of course - fireworks!  This year, I was excited at the opportunity to practice some of the things I've learned when it comes to my camera and fireworks.  While I had a few fun ones, and the practice was perfect, I learned that I still have plenty more to go.  =)

Missouri Botanical Gardens

The Meetup Group I am a part of went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens this morning to try and catch the last of the blooming lotus flowers.  With a temperature high of 105 today, the time from 7-10 was hotter than most mid-afternoons, but there was plenty of water, shade, and breaks.

Nashville

Jason recently had work outside Nashville and Aaron and I were lucky enough to tag along.  We saw some cool things, including a place called The Factory - a mall that had been created inside an old factory building, leaving most of the original infrastructure behind.

Aaron having fun at the Science Center

Amazing countryside

The Factory

Old conveyor belt

Nashville at dusk

Pedestrian bridge

Bat building

Summer Movies: Chesterfield Amphitheatre

Summer brings our family the wonderful chance at free movies in the park.  They are free outdoor movies, (typically out on DVD) that are projected onto huge blow-up screens placed in the midst of an open field, park, etc.  Friday, we hit the city of Chesterfield, where beautiful waterfalls and fields surrounded us.  I loved the scenery as much as I did the opportunity to practice some slow shutter speed shots on the waterfalls.

Memorial Day 2012

Today, we spent a portion of our day at two different memorial sites in the area.  And even though I know that freedom comes at a very steep price, on a day like Memorial Day, when I visit a place like Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis, the sheer number of grave markers of military men and women stops me in my tracks.  To see hill after hill of graves, mile after mile, it really makes me stop and be more thankful for the sacrifice of so many men and women that gave it all.