#1-Jan 1st

Happy New Year 2011!

Believe it or not I started this year out waking up bright and early to get Trent’s friend, Shawn, to the train station to head back home.  We ended up bringing him right back home with us because the last snow storm a few days ago in Montana has left over 70 freight trains stuck in various locations on the tracks and Burlington Northern (who owns the tracks) won’t let Amtrak past because there isn’t enough room in places.  So we ended up picking up donuts and heading back home.  We will try again tomorrow morning and if it is still jammed then we will look into sending him back by bus or us maybe driving back part way and meeting his parents.  

The afternoon has been overly laid back.  The kids have been just vegging out playing games and watching movies, and I have spent the day reading and watching the guys snow plow our block from the latest snow storm a few days ago.

  

This is one of their huge snow blower tractors that they use to remove the snow from the streets on base.   The first image is to show the machine from the back side as it throws the snow out of the way.  The other two are the pair of tractors that work together with the snow blower machine.  It definitely makes a white out mess in the process of cleaning the streets.

  

Snow, snow, and more snow….

It seems that Winter is here to stay.  Tomorrow we have a high of a whopping NEGATIVE five degrees!  Yikes!  Needless to say I will be taking a lot more cold and snow photos.  Here are some from my assignment in class last week.

 

 

Somber Isolation in Minot

  

  

I had to shoot images that all had one theme and mood throughout.  Since I am extremely bummed at what might be the last time I will be able to shoot a lot outside for the next few months or so I figured this was fitting.  It is so sad to think that so many of these resting places will be buried themselves and unable to be viewed until spring. 

Back to school, back to school…

I am done with my last two classes, yeah no more English classes.  This term I am in two classes I am very excited about.  My Electronic Design class sounds like a ton of work, but also a ton of fun.  I even have an assignment due tomorrow to create a dozen different sketches!  (Any of my fellow scrapbookers will know how much this is right up my alley!)

My photography class this term is my Printing class.  The teacher seems to have a great philosophy and is quite inspiring.  I am excited that all of my assignments are literally to just shoot what I want!  I am looking forward to the challenge of trying to get some of the shots I have been wanting to try. 

I took Kati out Sunday afternoon so the two of us can shoot.  We had a blast.  She said we should do it every week. Sounds good to me.

 

      

Two more classes done…

I am officially now into my Sophomore year in my degree.  Also I finished my last English class.  I can’t wait until I have all of the basic courses totally done.  I also just finished my Color Management class.  I learned a ton and really enjoyed it.  Now if only I could get more time to get out to shoot.

Here are a few from this class final though:

          

Trains in downtown Minot

Cole and I spent this afternoon watching the trains in downtown Minot.  He loved them until the one right under us started its engine and blew on its horn.  He told me it was “Too Loud.”

Minot High Homecoming Parade

Blake and Trent both marched in the Homecoming parade tonight.  It was Blake’s first time in the marching band.  He was pretty excited to get to participate and Dan was thrilled that they played the Air Force song. 

 

Trent did a great job, and he just impresses me everyday how much better he is getting with his tuba, or in this case, the sousaphone.  I am always shocked at how he can carry that heavy thing around!!! {I mean seriously it wraps all around him and just looks like a neck pain!}

 

Cole and Kati were just thrilled with all the candy that got handed out. {He only looks cute and innocent.}