Seeing Rainbows Wordless Wednesday 6/5/13 #WW

Link up!

Best Buy Helps You Capture Memories #Sponsored

Best Buy wants to help YOU capture the photo worthy memories this spring.  From Mother's Day to Prom and Graduations, spring is filled with moments you'll want to remember.  If you're not ready for these frameable moments, head to Best Buy for help choosing what you need from their wide assortment of the latest cameras, including DSLR cameras, action camcorders, and compact cameras with long zoom, low light and wi-fi.  And with Best Buy’s low price guarantee, you’ll get the latest technology at the best price.  You can also trade in your old camera at Best Buy or get FREE shipping at BestBuy.com.  To learn more about cameras from Best Buy check them out online here.

So now you've got the camera, you've captured the memories beautifully...now what?  If you find that you've got more frame worthy photos than you have wall space, consider a digital picture frame.  Digital frames are a great way to show off your memories easily and inexpensively.   They also make fabulous Mother's Day gifts, just be sure to get mom started with some great photos in her frame to start her off.

Save an additional 25% off select Digital Photo Frames

Quantities Limited  Offer only available online at www.bestbuy.com valid 5/5/2013 through 6/22/13

I have been compensated for this post, however all opinions expressed are my own.
 


 

Flooding Wordless Wednesday 4-24-13 #WW

This was our yard last week.  Thankfully we got almost no water inside our house.  But many weren't so lucky.  Roads in my hometown (and other Chicago suburbs) are still shut down thanks to massive flooding of the Des Plaines River.

Please link up so I can stop by and check out your Wordless Wednesday post:

Just Bryan Being Bryan

My kid is a goofball.  That is all!

Cat Nap Wordless Wednesday w/Linky #WW

Don't forget to link up!

Kitty Love Wordless Wednesday w/Linky 1-9-13 #WW

Lucky

cuddles

Bryan with Rocky

Rocky

Timmy with Rocky

Be sure to link up so I can stop by your Wordless Wednesday!

Christmas Fun w/Linky Wordless Wednesday #WW

We had a great Christmas with lots of gifts and time with family!

The boys got COAL (technically it was chocolate) and that's really what they deserved after their behavior the last week.

But they still got all this too...

Timmy is IN LOVE with his Kindle Fire!!

Everyone (young and not so young) loved the Perplexus(es) the boys got!  

(I didn't even know there are three different ones now)

And they each got a super soft and squishy stuffed animal.  Bryan's is almost as big as he is.

Bryan and I piled the stuffed animals together and snuggled. Until I brought out the phone for some photos...then it got all goofy....

 Hope you had a great Christmas too!!!

Link up below so I can stop by and visit!

Coolpix S01 is Easy to Carry and Easy to Afford.

You know any camera can make THIS face look good.  But the Nikon Coolpix S01 can give you cute pics like that AND fit in the tiny pocket of your jeans.  No, really, I didn't believe it would, so I checked...

and it really did fit.  It's so tiny and light you can take it anywhere. 

We took it to see Santa...

And we were surprised to find a few other friends while we were out too...

It was super dark in Kringle's Kingdom and with so much to see it was super hard to get anyone to sit still for even a second.  But we had a great time and I thought this lil camera was pretty impressive when put the challenge of my kids!

There aren't a ton of setting options and unless I'm missing something it seems to revert back to default setting each time it goes to sleep so you'll want to keep an eye on that (especially with flash).  But I did play with it some with my Christmas tree which isn't all to interesting this year for the safety of our furballs (and my sanity).  But in a more controlled environment I was actually impressed with the quality of the photos. 

Other things to note, I'm not used to a touch screen capture.  This means if you tap the screen it will take a photo.  You can turn it off but it wasn't hurting anything so I have left it on but I DO have a lot of photos of the floor, ceiling and my hands. 
Also this camera features only built in memory, great in that I can't show up to an event and realize I have a camera and no memory card.  But you'll want to be sure to monitor how much room you have left.  With 7+G you're good for awhile but is just something to note if its different than what you're used to.  It also charges via USB.  A plus weight wise that you don't have a bulky battery but it doesn't give you the option to have back up batteries.  I have gotten used to just plugging it in regularly like I would my cell phone and haven't had it die on me yet.  (Being out for about an hour with pretty constant shooting, it barely shows battery draining.)

Final thoughts, I think this is great camera and at it's current sale price ($99) it is a STEAL.  I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a new point and shoot this holiday!

More info on the Coolpix S01 from BestBuy.com:
The smallest Coolpix camera ever delivers stunning photos thanks to a versatile 3x Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens and the EXPEED C2 processing engine. With a vibrant touch-screen display and built-in intelligence that optimizes the camera for you, the stylish Coolpix S01 helps you capture images with ease. Plus capture high-definition 720p movies with sound.

Product Features

10.1-megapixel 1/2.9" CCD sensor
Captures high-resolution images up to 3648 x 2736 pixels.

3x optical zoom/4x digital zoom/20x total zoom
Through a Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens for precise zooming and accuracy.

EXPEED C2 image processor
Provides fast operation, onboard intelligence and creative in-camera effects.

2.5" TFT-LCD touch-screen monitor
With antireflection coating. Easily swipe through photos and watch videos, adjust camera settings, add creative effects and more.

HD movie mode
Lets you record high-definition video clips in 720p with sound.

Electronic VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization
Helps prevent blurry photos and promotes sharp, clear pictures and videos.

Ultracompact design
Easily slips into a pocket or purse for incredible portability.

Scene modes
Include back light, close up, landscape, night landscape, night portrait, portrait and scene auto selector.

In-camera image editing options
Include color options, filter effects, fisheye, miniature effect and toy camera.

7.3GB internal memory
For convenient storage of images and video.

 

I received this Nikon from Best Buy as part of their Blogging Board. All opinions are my own honest personal feedback.

Nikon Coolpix S800c available at Best Buy

The Coolpix S800c has all the imaging power of a Nikon camera, including a 16.0MP CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, and full 1080p HD video recording. But it also has the endless possibilities of the Android OS and Wi-Fi connectivity. Create exceptional photos and videos, then edit, style and share them easier and faster than ever before. 

Thanks to the fabulous people at Best Buy, I have been testing out the Nikon Coolpix S800c.  First of all, I may have wept simply at the thought of using a Nikon.  I have a DSLR camera and I will be the first to tell you that cameras don't get full credit for quality photos.  But a poor camera can ruin your chances of getting a good photo.  I actually have a small collection of point and shoot cameras.  Because I have an expensive dslr I can never justify spending too much on a point and shoot.  And therefore I end up with small cameras that I HATE.  These cameras have a range of issues from horrible shutter lag (the time it takes from when you push the button until it actually takes the photo)  to misc focus issues.  Most cameras can handle taking a good photo in perfect conditions, but the real test of a camera is what it can do in less ideal conditions.

For me these less than ideal conditions are typically where I don't want to be toting my DSLR.  For instance when we're going to the circus, this year I took the three boys on my own.  It's stressful enough to make sure I don't lose anyone in the sea of people but I can't handle worrying about my camera too.  So this year I brought the Coolpix S800c.  If you're familiar with photography, you'll know that the circus is not the optimal photo spot. The lighting is crazy and everything is always moving.  Now mind you, I took a lot of photos that didn't turn out at all but given the circumstances I was thrilled with what I got!!  Much better quality than I would have gotten with my cell phone and still able to carry the camera in my pocket.

And then of course there's the Android features.  To me this is simply just a super fun bonus.  With smart phones and tablets I'm not sure I'd NEED this feature but it cool feature.  It does however make my 10 year old think that this should be HIS camera.  I'm thinking....not!  

I did have a slight issue initially with some blurriness but after playing with it for a few minutes I really thought it did well.  And I've heard from other's who've been testing it that they couldn't find an easy way to load the photos from the camera to their computer.  I didn't even try this as I plopped in my Eye-Fi card right away which uploads my photos automatically.  

Check out what other bloggers are saying about the Coolpix S800c and see their photos:
BeingAlison
SurvivingaTeachersSalary.com

Coolpix S800c Features

16.0-megapixel 1/2.3" CMOS sensorCaptures high-resolution images up to 4806 x 3456 pixels.

Android operating system
View, edit and share photos and videos, check e-mail and Facebook, browse the Web, stream music and more. Plus access thousands of Android apps on Google Play.

3.5" high-resolution OLED touch-screen monitor
With antireflection coating. Easily swipe through photos and watch videos, adjust camera settings, use mobile apps, and more.

Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
Wirelessly share photos and videos via social media, e-mail and more. Back up photos and videos or offload memory card contents and keep shooting.

Full HD movie mode
Lets you record high-definition video clips in 1080p with stereo sound.

Optical VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization
Helps prevent blurry photos and promotes sharp, clear pictures and videos.

9-point autofocus
Features face priority and center options for clear photos. Subject tracking allows you to focus on and follow a moving subject.

Built-in GPS
Records locations of photos and videos, allowing you to share that info when posting images to social media sites. Integrate geotagged photos and movies with Nikon's myPicturetown sharing site, Google Earth and Nikon ViewNX 2.

Smart Portrait System
Optimizes camera settings, identifies and focuses on faces, adds subtle skin softening and more to ensure everyone looks their best.

In-camera effects and apps
Explore black and white photography, selectively highlight one color within a composition, create wide fisheye shots or use a nostalgic sepia. Plus, access thousands of popular Android photo and video apps.

1.7GB internal memory
For convenient storage of images, video and apps.

SD card slot
Supports Secure Digital and Secure Digital High Capacity memory cards.

For TONS more detailed info 

on the Coolpix 800c visit BestBuy.com.

 
I received Nikon Coolpix S800c courtesy of BestBuy as a member of the Offical Best Buy Blogging Board.

Get In The Picture Already

Have you all seen this piece? The Mom Stays in the Picture  Its been going around Facebook for at least a week and I still see friends posting today.  If you haven't read it feel free.  

I wanted to share this photo of me from 2008.  Hair looking horrible, , no make up at all and 155+ pounds over weight in shapeless sweatshirt. I hate this photo of myself.  No seriously, I HATE the way I look here. But it will serve as a reminder of a great evening spent with my family.  This was the me my family saw everyday, so why hide it?  I spent years avoiding photos because I hated seeing the reality.  But here's the deal your family sees it, strangers see it...it is what it is.  

The night this photo was taken I had my dslr camera, I took some gorgeous shots of an old church, and photos of the boys in the cool doorway.  But this in the only photo I was in and only because my aunt INSISTED that she needed a photo of all of us.  We had a GREAT night, at at a place called El Pollo Loco (which ironically felt like a Greek place to me but sounded Spanish??) and took in the awesome scenery of Cedarburg Wisconsin.  Why wouldn't I want my kids to remember this night and that I was there WITH them.

When it comes to getting front of the camera, you have three choices:

1. You can try to avoid reality by avoiding the camera lens. You can rob your family of the visual reminders of the time spent with you once you've left this earth.
2. You can change the reality.  You can take the time to make physical changes if there are real issues there. Or you can get counseling if you have body images issues.
3. You can forget all about your issues, know that your family loves you regardless and remember to snap some photos that include you the next time you're at a family gathering, one of your kids sporting events or just playing around the house.

No matter which you chose, life will go on.  But it won't go on forever.  Someday people who love you, a whole lot, will be left here with only your memories.  Do you really think they'll look at a photo of you and think "Wow, she really took awhile to lose that baby weight?" or "Think she could have slapped on some make up before she took a photo once in a while?"
I really doubt it.  They may however, laugh at the style of the day...I can tell you sure do when I look at the photos of my mom and my grandma.  But as far as they are concerned, I see the amazing, beautiful women who meant everything to me, I see no physical imperfections at all.

So if you've read Allison Tate's piece and you still aren't jumping in front of the camera, please take a moment and find a friend who's lost a parent.  Ask them how much the photos they have mean to them.  And then go out and take some photos with your kids no matter how old they are.

One of my only regrets from my mom's last month is that I thought enough to take some great shots of her with my boys but I didn't have anyone take any of her and I.  I promise you'll never regret the photos you DO take, but you may regret the ones you don't!!

Colors of Fall Wordless Wednesday 10-10-12 #WW

I absolutely LOVE the colors of fall!

Link up YOUR Wordless Wednesday post!

Eye Fi from Best Buy

Have you heard of Eye-Fi - Wireless PRO X2 8GB Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card? I saw them quite some time ago and thought the idea sounded good but I never actually took the time to check it out.  I didn't think it could be as easy as it sounded.  But it totally is.  The initial set up does take some time. It's not complicated but it just take a little time.  But once you have it set up it's pretty much like magic.  Take a photo and as soon as you're by the wi-fi set up computer it's automatically uploaded.  You can also have it loaded via wi-fi to your mobile devices such as an iPad.  Typically I wouldn't chose to do this as it would just take up too much space on my iPad but it would come in very handy when I'm traveling and want to upload photos to my blog.  

My only issue with the Eye-Fi:

My good camera doesn't take this style of memory card.  So now I really want Eye-Fi to get busy making this for my big camera!!!  I don't use my small point and shoot often but if I had this technology in the Compact Flash memory card style...well I'd be in heaven.  I'd also probably need a bigger hard drive!!

Check out the Product Features of the Eye-Fi - Wireless PRO X2 8GB Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card to learn more:

• Compatible exclusively with digital cameras, camcorders and computers that support Secure Digital High Capacity memory cards; Note: legacy Secure Digital devices are not compatible.
• 8GB storage capacity
  Stores up to 4,000 photos or three hours of video.
• Built-in wireless 802.11b/g/n
  For wirelessly transferring photos and videos from your digital camera or camcorder to your computer.
• Share on the go
  Includes 1 year of free HotSpot access.
• Endless memory
  Frees space for you after pictures are safely delivered.
• Photo location captured
  Each photo you shoot will also contain the location of the shot, so you'll never forget where your pictures were taken.
• Multiple photo formats supported
  Including RAW and JPEG images; upload RAW files, giving you the option of editing your photos like a pro.
• Ad hoc transfers
  Lets you transfer directly to your computer without a router or Internet connection thanks to ad hoc capabilities. No cables for effortless use.

Find this and other Eye-Fi products in Best Buy stores or online at BestBuy.com.

I received Eye Fi courtesy of BestBuy as a member of the Offical Best Buy Blogging Board.

Haircuts

The boys have been politely declining hair cuts for a couple weeks. But since the younger two aren't too into keeping clean and combed and the oldest one...well he just simply doesn't have hair that works in a long 'do, it was TIME. But as things often go, a whole family of haircuts wasn't in the budget this week. So a homegrown buzz cut for every one it was. Some tears were shed, some bribes were made, but in the end everyone looked oh so much cuter. Don't ya think?

Before:

After:

Bryan, 4                                                 Johnny, 8                                           Timmy, 9