New Google+ Photo Settings

I have been on Google+ for a long time and have never really used it a whole lot.  OK I use it about as much as I use any social media which isn't a whole lot.  But I started using Picasa Web a long time ago for backing up my pictures. Recently they moved Picasa Web to Google+ Photos which wasn't that big of a deal as it works pretty much the same.

However, today I uploaded some images from our cameras and found a new feature.  Apparently Google+ analyzes the images and tries to find images that are similar and then it uses those to create collages of images or even animated GIFs.  I originally shared this on Google+ but I don't have that many friends there.  So then I tried to share it on Facebook which it turns out doesn't support animated GIFs.  So I thought I would try to post it here.  So here it goes.

Chloe trying out her new Sit and Spin

Another picture of the Sit and Spin

We have been having a lot of fun jumping off the couch.

Not only can it do animated GIFs but it also tries to create nice collages.  We had one really nice one that popped up.

Yes she likes to pose

Strike a Pose

There was another one that would be nice but it selected some out of focus pictures.

So the only complains I have so far are 

1. It is a royal pain to share pictures from Google+ photos to anything else (Facebook, twitter, etc...)
2. The desktop version of Picasa doesn't support animated GIFs which means it doesn't even try to download them

We also took some pictures of our Neighborhood Memorial Day Parade that Google animated for us.

Our cub scout/boy scout color guard

Some of the local kids in the parade

A Bunny From Target

OK So I have not done so well at getting the family blog going again but that is just life.  This morning we had a new Chloe Quip of the Day.

All of our children love technology.  Whether it is a tablet, a computer, a phone or something else.  It is interesting to see how that has changed in the last 7 years or so.  I remember when our oldest first started playing on the computer.  This was before tablets and before we had smart phones.  She would sit there and play and love it.  Our oldest has now graduated to tablets and loves using tablets and phones.

Interestingly enough our 3rd child, since she is no longer the youngest started with tablets and phones and has now decided she wants to play on the computer.  Unfortunately the computers that we use for the kids are old laptops.  The first thing I noticed is having the screen right there did create some confusion.  Chloe kept touching the screen like it was a tablet and got very frustrated that it didn't work.  So I showed her how to use the trackpad but it just didn't click.  So this morning I told her I would have to go to target to get her a mouse.  Once I convinced her that I would do that she calmed done and decided that she could wait.

Then as I was preparing to walk out the door to work she runs in the room and announces "Are you going to Target to get me a bunny?"  It took both of us a minute to realize what she was talking about.  Then we had to explain that we were not getting her a mouse that is an animal but rather something you can connect to a computer and use.

So the Chloe Quip of the Day is

"Are you going to Target to get me a bunny [for my computer]?"

And what we learn from this is that although you can find a mouse to connect to your computer at Target I think it will be very difficult to find a bunny.  If you do happen to find a bunny I don't recommend trying to plug it into your computer.  Not only will the furry cotton tail not be good for your computer but I don't think the bunny will appreciate it much either.

Trying to blog again

OK it has been a very long time since we made a post on the blog.  The kids have grown a ton so I am going to try to get this going again.

For those of you that don't know my family, our youngest is 2 years old and her name is Chloe.  She says and does the funniest things.  I see people post little comments about the funny things kids do and say so I thought I would start the Chloe Quip of the Day.  It may not make it every day but we will try.

This morning as I was walking her down the stairs she says to me "Porcupines are yum."  Now as many of you know 2 year olds aren't always completely intelligible so I repeated back to her the statement and she confirmed that apparently "Porcupines are yum".

So there you have it.  The Chloe Quip of the Day is

Porcupines are yum

FHE: The Round Table Troubadours

Tonight for Family Home Evening (FHE) we went to the Orem Public Library (http://lib.orem.org/) to see Resonance Story Theater's "Kind Arthur and the Troubadours". It was a fun filled evening that kept both of us and our 6 year old and our 4 year old entertained.  The kids were sad when it ended and they really had a great time.  I would recommend this to anyone in the area.  They are doing the show again at the Orem library on October 11, 2010.  It is free and a fun opportunity. 

One funny moment from the evening was about half way through both Jo and Bella needed to go to the restroom as we left the theater area Jo said to me "Dad we can't pause this can we."  Apparently she has become accustomed to the DVR and being able to pause things when you have to get up.

Jocelyn's First Short Hair Cut

So to make a long story short we got tired of asking Jocelyn to brush her hair every day.  My solution (this is Marc by the way) was to shave her head but she didn't like that idea.  So I agreed that short hair would do and Jocelyn was excited to have short hair.  So here it is:

So far it has worked great.  She really likes it and told is several times yesterday that as soon as it grows out even a little bit we have to take her to get her hair cut.  She even called me at work to tell me that so I think it is a hit.

Kohl's Cares

Kohl's is sponsoring a contest where schools have a chance to win some money.  Part of the process is having ideas for your school but another part is getting votes.  Each individual is given 20 votes and they can give 5 to each school.  So please go to http://bit.ly/dopQUD and give the girls school a few of your votes.  I am working on some ideas for the contest.

Mud + Kids= Heaven

We have a little area of dirt under one of the tree swings and it is almost magic...you add a lot of water and well....

Landon was a little more "clean" about the whole experience.

So, I suppose playing in the mud is enjoyable for the kids but I think the hosing down part is certainly more enjoyable for the moms!