Award-winning photos here!

Just wanted to post these incredible shots I took at my brother Joseph's state cross-country meet yesterday. For all those who are wondering how on earth I managed to "capture the moment" so skillfully while balancing an overloaded diaper bag and squirming baby on my hip (and when I couldn't even see my camera screen!), I'd be happy to share my secrets. Just give me a call some time. 1-800-IMA-CLUTZ or visit my website at www.crappysnapshots.com.

We're going in ascending order of quality here to save the best for last. I mean, obviously this shot isn't great. That little orange speck on the far left is Joseph, the intended focus of the photo. I was trying to get him right as he passed, but I must've clicked too early. But don't worry! I get my act together as the race progresses.

Ahh, see there, now! It's clear that the blurry orange guy is the focus of this picture.

Now here I pull out a really complicated and advanced camera move. I won't dizzy you with the details, but do you really think you could have timed your shot at precisely the moment Joseph decided to jump out of sight behind Red Shorts? I mean, it's like I had a sixth sense or something.

I'm not even gonna try to explain this one. I don't expect any of you to appreciate the genius.

Meet the amazing photographer! (no, not the girl on the left)

That's one cool mohawk, dude.

Joseph with his Parkview teammates and their matching mohawks.

I'll just take a minute here to brag about my little bro. Joseph is a sophomore and has had an incredible season. A mere few months ago, he cracked his kidney in a water-tubing accident and had to take it easy for a while. As mind-boggling as it sounds to most of us, several weeks of being forced to put his feet up and relax while other siblings did his chores and cute girls from church brought him cookies was pure torture for Joseph. He literally ached to run. (I wish my body ached before I ran, instead of after...)

When his doctor did finally give him permission to start running again, he endured another several weeks of torture not being able to run as fast as he wanted to and was used to. BUT, despite all that, he not only recovered from his injury but he also set new personal records for himself--including at the region meet last week, where he finished in the top ten with a time of 16:30!

Joseph didn't do as well in the state meet as he had hoped (Abigail and I were still impressed, though!), but we are so proud of his hard work and incredible progress this season. I know he learned some valuable lessons about patience and perspective during his recuperation time, and I'm proud of the young man he has become.

All I can say is......watch out next year, GA 5A boys!

These videos are mainly for the viewing pleasure of my older brother Caleb who likes to relive the glory of his high school CC days vicariously through Joseph. The first video is of the boys at the starting lineup. Unfortunately, the megaphone man kinda drones on for a bit, but it's pretty cool when they finally shoot the gun. The boys just look like a swarm of ants going up the hill. There were a lot of boys.

The second one I have named "Legs." I don't know why I decided to drop the camera halfway through and chop off all the boys heads.....but I did. At least you get to see Joseph for a few seconds at the very end, though. (didn't I mention that I couldn't see my camera screen?) I guess I could always blame it on Abigail....

Residency Interview #1!

Erik had his first interview for residency yesterday in Augusta at the Medical College of Georgia. We drove down Sunday after church and stayed with my brother Michael and his wife, Brittany. (Michael is doing his orthodontic residency at MCG right now.) They are always terrific hosts, and we had a wonderful visit with them. Unfortunately, Abigail had a fever the whole time we were there (I know, aren't we such considerate guests? We kick them out of their bed for a night AND try to infect their daughter!), but she had a great time playing with cousin Clara as long as the Motrin was working.

Erik had a great experience at MCG. He enjoyed interacting with the staff and residents and was very favorably impressed with their family-friendly attitude. Enough of that boring stuff, though. Abigail and I had much more fun hanging out with Brittany and Clara the whole day!

I had been really looking forward to this trip. My sister-in-law ranks at the top of my list of Impressive-People-I-Want-to-Become-Like-Someday. I was hoping to learn all her secrets to getting so much done and being so well-balanced, but it was too much to learn in one day! I had a great time talking with her, though, and picking her brain about all kinds of things. She even taught me some cool things I can do on our blog, and as a result, I have now subjected all my readers to some of my favorite music! Thanks, Brittany!

Clara showed Abigail all the fun things you can do with playdough! (She did not show her that it can go in your mouth, but Abigail figured that out all by herself. Apparently Brittany's homemade playdough tastes pretty good even after being stored away for two months!)

Here's Michael dancing with the girls. Isn't my big bro such a great dad/uncle?

I can't get enough of Clara's infectious laugh! (Doesn't Abigail look charming without her hair clip in all these pictures?)

Ok, so apparently the picture-taking didn't begin until the guys got home....I guess I was enjoying hanging out with Brittany so much that I didn't think about taking pictures with her! Or maybe Michael's just a camera hog! Sorry Brittany!
Abigail is only cuddly when she has a high fever.

Before we left Monday night, we joined the Weilers for Family Home Evening. Brittany gave a wonderful lesson on expressing gratitude in our prayers. The girls were both very good listeners, and at the end, Brittany let them each take items out of a bag that represented things we can thank Heavenly Father for. Abigail pulled out a Book of Mormon and immediately began turning pages. Then, while the rest of us adjourned to the kitchen for root beer floats, Abigail continued to "read" the book, occasionally lifting it up until her nose was pressed against the pages, an expression of almost painful concentration on her face. She didn't even look up when I got the camera out and started taking pictures, and that is extremely unusual. I love this shot--that little bare foot just gets me.

Thanks again M & B for a wonderful time!