A Long Overdue Explanation . . .

 This picture is VERY important.

Why?
Oh, it's just the last picture I took before my camera got up close and personal with the concrete sidewalk ... Yeah... In my defense, it was a VERY cold day out. And I was putting on my gloves. And cold hands just don't respond very quick. And I was already bending down and it only dropped about a foot...Unfortunately though, while I was optimistic that no damage had been done (I have, erm, *experience* in dropping cameras it seems...) I couldn't help but notice that when I tried to take a picture the next minute, my viewfinder was all blurry. . . and the auto focus motor just kept spinning in and out . . . and when it finally did take the picture, it focused on somewhere entirely different than I'd planned!

I tried using Manual focus and that worked fine . . .

But manual focus is a little slow when you're photographing moving subjects . . .

So, I begrudgingly had to accept reality and send My Precious off to Nikon's repair center, where it stayed for a long month. Then Christmas and cooking and family coming in happened, and I just did't get back into the swing of posting my pictures once my camera came back! That being said- I have a LOT of pictures to share from the last three+ months! :D

Meanwhile, enjoy these pictures that were taken *before* my camera dropped. ;)

Through His Grace,

                                   ~Jenny

Father - Daughter Poetry Night // Group event

The Father - Daughter poetry night is an annual event that a family from our church started a while back, just a fun time, where you can bring your favorite poem to share, or one you've written!
 And while formal attire is required, the atmosphere is anything but stuffy and boring. Some poems are sweet, some just plain goofy, and some the kind that make you think.

This is the third year my dad, sister, and I have attended, but this is the first time I've taken the pictures. It was also the first time using my new flash, which I can direct the angle up or down, and I was quite pleased with the results!

Hope you enjoy these!

~ Our gracious hosts ~

~ And all the attendees ~

The formal pictures out of the way, the poetry began!

Heehee, I was reading a very expressive poem.  ;)

The poetry part then being finished, as tradition dictates, we played a couple rounds of  Four On a Couch. (The red cups being used to differentiate between the two teams... ;)) {Photo creds to my sister}

Hehe, this one is just for grins and giggles...partly because of the girl flying past in the bottom right corner, and partly cause it looks like the girl in the middle just got picked to be  "The Chosen One". ;D Candid shots are fun.. ^-^

~ Group picture ~

Through His Grace,

                          ~ Jenny