Photo Contest Winners

Well, the photos are in!  There were 18 entries from six people.  I downloaded the pictures and randomly organized them in a folder so I did not know who submitted each.  Then I simply chose my three favorite.  Below are the three winners, followed by three honorable mentions from the remaining three people.  Great job everyone!!!

Sierra Adams
First Place
This photo has so many wonderful qualities.  The contrast in colors and the asymmetry give it depth and interest.  I also love the stark contrast between 1) the hard lines and geometry of the engineering and 2) the soft clouds of God's natural beauty.  Of course, the best thing about it is that it displays in a creative way the most recognizable of all San Francisco landmarks.


Bethany Beer
Second Place
A number of things make this an amazing photo.  First and foremost, it displays the struggle that an aging bridge faces with the harsh conditions of the Golden Gate Strait.  Fog, wind, and salty air make rust a constant problem for the bridge.  This photo also has immense depth to it with the blurred bay in the background.


Isabel Fernandez
Third Place
This photo really captures a scene that an average San Franciscan might see on a daily basis.  The Lillian Coit Tower can be seen from almost every point in the city.  Another great thing about the city (and this photo) is that due to its many large hills, San Francisco's streets can seem very long and straight.  


Honorable Mentions

Noelle Michael

Cable Car

Matt Beer

The Palace of Fine Arts

Joey Keller

Alcatraz Island

Check Back Soon!

Thanks for following our blog!  But if you thought we were done, think again!!!  Like last year, we will be having a photo contest to see who took the best picture in the Bay area.  I will post the top three photos along with any honorable mentions next week.

San Francisco!!!

I guess I really am a slacker!  It's been two days since we got back and I still haven't posted anything.  Well, our trip ended with two awesome days in the Bay area.  But not before our final worship service at St. Peter.  We thank the Cortrights and all the members of St. Peter Lutheran Church for making it such an enjoyable week!

After church, it was on to San Francisco.  We went straight to Lombard Street, the crookedest street in America.  Then we drove to the Golden Gate Bridge, which we walked across and back.  On the way back, we brought some cheer to the motorists stuck in traffic by smiling, waving, and yelling our greetings.  Surprisingly, we got a positive response from most people.

We ended the day at the Palace of Fine Arts before heading to our hotel in Oakland.

We hung out in the Fisherman's Warf area most of the day on Monday.  Highlights included an awesome acrobatic show (with the craziest laugh I have ever heard), a tour of Alcatraz, and a visit to the saltwater taffy store.  Zach and Tor got to play along with a couple street musicians as well.

Then it was on to the airport and back to DC.  It was a redeye flight, but we only had a couple hours of darkness since our flight was delayed a while.  The captain told us, "We need to replace the brakes.  I think you'll want us to have those when we land at Dulles."  Um, YEAH, we really do!

Amazing Yosemite Journey

Levi is getting a well deserved break (a.k.a. slacking) from writing the blog.  Today we drove to Yosemite and enjoyed taking photos of the breathtaking picturesque scenery despite the fact all of the waterfalls were dried up.  

The short hike we planned was cancelled when the road was closed because so many people visiting the National Park.  

 The 3 Brothers

We're lucky the brakes didn't go out this time on the van or we might've been flatter than a pancake on Christmas morning.  (Joey)

We love Moby!

Levi got some quality time with his new best friend, the steering wheel.  

VBS Day 5 - Amazing VBS Finale

Alrighty then. Well Levi's slackin again and the blog needs to get done, so...

Today, we concluded our Amazing Desert Journey.™Many of us felt stranded along the way, but somehow we pulled through and reached our destination! Afterwards, there was a grande fiesta (big party if you are not bilingual. (bilingual means you speak more than one language(If I have to explain language...))) Anywho, there were hotdogs, ice cream, una (a) pinata and an awesome balloon bro there named Steve. Check out his website.

After el party we went nuts! Well actually, we went to see the Modesto Minor league team, the Nuts. Before the game we tailgated in the parking lot with some members from St. Peter. And fun was had by all!

VBS Day 4 - Amazing Boomers Excursion

Well, VBS day 4 has come and gone.  We are still having so much fun, but it's getting very tiring doing "Father Abraham" 4 to 5 times every morning (Levi and Zach).  Here is Sierra helping her class with crafts and Isabel helping her class with games.

After a wonderful lasagna lunch, we headed to Boomers amusement park.  We spent quite a bit of time there enjoying the go karts, mini golf, rock climbing, bumper boats, and "Flamethrower."  A good time was had by all!

Zach and Torsten

Isabel, Matt, and Joey

Noelle

After Boomers, we made a pit stop at Del Taco to satisfy Levi's week-long craving, then to ColdStone Creamery to satisfy everyone else's cravings.  It was a very fun but exhausting day.  We are looking forward to a great conclusion to VBS tomorrow!!!

VBS Day 3 - Amazing Paint Undertaking

Day three was a day of mostly work, but a lot of fun too.  VBS has been so much fun and the kids have been really enjoying themselves almost as much as we enjoy helping out.

In the afternoon, we finished the painting project we began on Monday.  One of the teens from Modesto said it's like walking into a big mint chocolate chip ice cream.  Yummy!

After an awesome spaghetti dinner, it was VA v. CA in an epic capture the flag match.  VA came out victorious!!!  All the teens switched hosts in the evening, so most of the girls are now at the Cortright's home.  We enjoy hanging out with the coolest boy on this side of the Mississippi, Ollie Cortright!

Many of us made it an early night to bed since we've been working (and playing) so hard.  I, though, have a sickness: the Olympics.  It's like some weird compulsion; once I start watching, I can't turn off the TV.  I was up until Midnight watching the Americans get more hardware.  Go Team USA!!!