Trevor's Hobby

-Bird's eye view of the Red Deer River. -

Over the past few years Trevor has grown a love for photography, as many of you know. But it's only been since we've returned to Canada that he's begun to take his hobby seriously. With the nudging of a few photo-nut friends, the information of on-line tutorials and a ton of practice, Trev's photographic eye has matured. He is now winning challenges, competitions and has been asked to seriously consider shooting a wedding!

-Shadow work.-

I was amazed the other day at how much Trev's skills had grown when I took a trip back into the archives of our blog. What we used to cherish as the best shots, the crowning moments behind the lens, I now see as pictures that could have been greatly improved with just a little change in perspective, a better focal point or just the most basic photo-shopping. It's encouraging to see the transformation and I'm excited to see where this hobby takes Trev.

-Downtown Red Deer in the late evening.-

-Abstract shot looking down a kids slide on at a playground.-


-Wind Turbines in Southern Saskatchewan.-

-Another abstract shot this time of a stained glass lamp shade.-

Happy Canada Day!

-Bower Ponds Fireworks. Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.-

And, yet another wonderful Canada Day. Only this time we were lucky enough to be on home soil. This year we are fortunate enough to take a different spin on the typical Canada Day post. Instead of 'the 5 things we'd be most happy to return to' (2007 & 2008), we'll be posting on the...

'The Top 5 Things We're Happy to Have'
(not in any particular order)

1. Family: We're SO happy to be home and be around family again. And, although we don't see them all as much as we would like we're happy to have holidays together and be on the same side of the globe again.
   
   
2. Nature: Even after witnessing a tornado touch down in front of me this week we're still ecstatic to be home and reveling in the wide open spaces, enjoying the rain showers and soaking up the fresh air.
   
   
3. Communication: It's so refreshing to be able to speak the same language as the people that surround us on a day to day basis. We do greatly miss Korea and the inevitable learning curve that comes with living there but for now we are enjoying simple pleasures such as asking for directions or listening to the news.
   
   
4. Life Direction: Trev has recently been blessed with the opportunity to attend the university he wants to, in the program of his choice and has been granted two years towards this second degree! It is wonderful to know where we will be heading and to once again have a place to put down roots (only if it is for a few years).
   
   
5. Love: In returning home it is nice to have at least two constants in life: God's love & provision and each other. I know it sounds sappy but without the first of these, we'd be hopeless and without the later, we'd be out one best friend. It's great to know that God loves us the same in Canada as he did in Korea. And, it's also marvelous to have someone to share life's experiences with.
   

Vancouver By Night

-Sunset in the Stanley Park Harbour. Vancouver, Canada.-

The final night of my 'all girls' trip to the coast was spent in one of my all-time favorite locations in all of Canada, Stanley Park. It was after a divine meal of Shabu-shabu and some good old K-Pop that Beth and I took a leisurely tour around the park. From stunningly silent harbour settings to the evening rush of traffic, the park was captivating.

-Evening traffic over the Lion's Gate Bridge.-

Island Time

-Cold and wet this surfer calls it a day. Wickaninnish Beach, Vancouver Island.-

A few more shots from my time on the island. The weather was coastal to say the least but we did manage to squeeze a few hours of sunshine out of the evening. And, braving the chilly rain, mist and fog we spent a good portion of our day on the beach marveling at the fortitude of the surfers, examining countless sea stars and trying in vain to keep our feet dry.

-Stained Glass window of a church in the quaint town of Ucluelet. -

I wanted to share this window as I admire the simplicity of the glass work and the honesty of the timeworn frame. To me the signs of decay speckling the wall speak of hardship, forbearance and yet an overriding sense of endurance.

-Funky sea star (because apparently they are not fish).-

Feels Like Summer

-Dawson, Kimchi and I trying out the slide.-

One sunny afternoon in May we ventured out the the park to enjoy the mild weather, goof around and take a few shots of the boys. As usual we had a blast. Well most of us enjoyed our outing... Kimchi didn't seem terribly keen on the whole slide thing but other than that we all had a great time playing at the park, smelling the blossoms and basking in the warmth.

-Cooper showing off those two front teeth for uncle Trevor.-

-Water break. Running around is a hard job!-

-My favorite shot of the evening. Look at that excitement!-

-Running and goofing and running some more!-

-Coop may just be the next camera man in the family.-

The Island

-I swear he posed for me. Bald Eagle. Ucluelet.-

From the proud and majestic up in the trees, to the lowly crammed between the crevices in the rocks, the island was stunning.

-Mussels clinging to the rocks. Ucluelet.-

On the island I spent most of my time enjoying the ocean, wandering the beaches marveling at the wildlife and vegetation. Being there in the midst of God's creation was almost overwhelming. Our world, what we've been given, is such a precious, wonderful and awe-inspiring place.

-The beaches were strewn with Starfish. Wickaninnish Beach.-

-A small strawberry plant desperately trying to etch out a life in the rocks. Ucluelet.-

Long Beach

-Deserted ocean front. Long Beach, Vancouver Island, Canada.-

It's been a while since our last post and there are two good reasons for that. First, we're on dial-up (which I can't do anything about...ugh) and secondly, I was not home to post as I took a little road trip to the coast (many pictures to follow). So here I will post my formal apology for the long blogging silence. I'm sorry. And now for the first of the pictures from my trip.