Someone put up a ton of bird feeders at work which may seem odd for most, however, working for a institution, specifically one that is the 'guardian and recorder of the biological resources of Illinois', we have many bird-watchers.
Since putting up these feeders, there are birds galore outside and evidently, not just the typical bird, but some rare birds, not typically found outside our windows. Freqently these days, people can be found standing at the window, binoculars in one hand and birder's guide in the other.

I have no idea what birds these happen to be, but thought I'd try to catch a photo or two. I didn't have the correct lens to get a great close-up, but thought I'd try & see what I could get. Better luck next time!

This is supposed to be my year in pictures, but so far I'm not doing a very good job at keeping up with the year! Hang in there...I'll try to do better.

This is a close-up of Aubrey's engagement ring. Right after Thanksgiving she and Gabe got engaged and then January 11th Gabe left for Language School in Guatemala for four months. Congrats Aubrey & Gabe!

I got a tripod a while back and am just now using it along with the timer on my camera. Adam & I had fun trying it out. If nothing else, we each got a new Facebook profile pic! =)

After only working half a day in the last week, today, I must return to work. This is one of my favorite roads as I turn on campus...even if it is the road that leads me work! (same street, different views)
ISO200 f/3.5 1/400

Muncher, this one's for you!

Do not mess with the boy before his coffee! Kidding, Kidding. Although Kabe does appreciate the taste of coffee, we only give him decaf and then, only once in a while....

Just a lazy morning. Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch and cartoons. (technically, this was taken on Sunday morning....)

Ever notice that once you get all the Christmas decorations packed and put away in the attic you find one more thing that was missed? Do you climb up there to put it away properly digging through the containers to find the one that had enough space for it to fit or do you find some closet for it to hang out the rest of the year until that time when you'll put it to use again? As for me and this particular item, I intend for it to be put up in the attic.
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Snow Day! And what better way to spend it than playing in it outside!
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We finally got some snow! Probably only 3-4", but it's enough to play in and blow around a little....and it does make it sure is nicer to have for winter than the gray blah weather we've been having!
ISO200 f/2.8 1/500

My favorite bugaboo!

Those of you who know me know I *heart* Illini sports....especially Men's Basketball. Today's seats were amazing....row 8, right behind the team. Are the best pics ever. Unfortunately, no. No detachable lenses allowed, so these were taken with my little Fugi Finepix. I really wanted my 40D in house! Any game in these seats is good, but a game where we can cream Indiana is GrrrrRRRREATTT!

Tonight at small group we began a new 13-week study on The Truth Project. Tonight's lesson discussed John 18:37
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

This is a picture of my bible, open to the above passage, which you can tell if you click on it. It's not a very good picture, but I really liked tonight's study and can't wait to see what's in store!
ISO 400 f/1.8 1/80

Today I couldn't pick only one photo. Yesterday Kabe came home from school excited that his class has started working on cursive writing. He wanted to know if we (I) could find him some writing sheets to practice. Of course, he has a workbook at school, but all year he's been adding curly-Q's to different letters trying to figure out how to make his writing 'cursive'.
Tonight, I brought home some practice sheets from a website I found. He was more excited when I gave them to him than if I'd brought home a Droid....okay well, not that excited, ;) but he did squeal and set to work immediately finishing all I had printed. I even printed four more and he finished all those too! Who knew cursive writing was so exciting!
(Hint, if you click on the picture [family member] you can even see his writing up close!)
ISO 640 f/4 1/50
ISO 800 f/3.5 1/60

I made steak for dinner and had intended to take a really great photo to post....but then forgot. This is what's left....sorry! Enjoy the morsel!
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I'm not so fond of cats, but Kabe loves them and this one captivated him for hours today as we watched the Illini take on Michigan (and LOSE! ) today. Max was a good companion, even if I don't like him. (Just kidding Judy T. He's a nice cat as far as cats go!).
ISO 1000 f/1.8 1/60

Kabe got tabletop Foosball for Christmas and today was spent getting to know the game quite well. These guys aren't very cute are they?
ISO 1000 f/1.8 1/160

Kabe and I were leaving Target on Friday and saw the most gorgeous sunset. Of course, this skyline wasn't the best, but it was the best I could do that day and by the time we were leaving it was gone. I don't think my settings were close to right as it isn't nearly as good as the naked eye....but here it is:
ISO 1000 f/1.8 1/160

This photo was actually taken on the eve of my first day...mere hours before the first day actually, but it's such a nice photo I decided to use it....plus, I'm off to a rather slow start.
ISO 1000 f/5.0 1/160