Andrew and Heather Rozell » Our Lives

Christmas celebration at my mom’s was, as always, a rambunctious day with all the nephews! I enjoy the time I get to spend with my nephews. Here are some of the pictures that I think sum up the day!

Abe, as well as his brothers and cousins, got cowboy get-up: Hat, holster, 6 shooter, rifle and bandanna. The last of these 3 shots are Abe roundin’ up his herd.

Rev got a very unique gift that will sure provide him hours of fun. It was a magnetic body with different outfits with his head! He also got one with Abe and Bo’s head to they all three can play. . . even while apart!

Rev loved his cowboy get-up too. He also liked his chainsaw.

Little Jones looking not so little.

Rev really wanted a John Deer Gator; he ask for it by name. Though not full size, he got a Gator. The cousins took time driving, though Rev used it to haul things and do work.

I met Tommy in 4th grade, 15 years ago. We were both new to a school and naturally paired up. After our 5th grade year, Tommy invited me to his family’s cabin in Red River, New Mexico. Since then Tommy and his family have had a standing offer for me to join them each summer. Through school, and probably more impactful through Red River, Tommy continued to grow as my best friend. We summited Wheeler (a long time goal of ours) the summer after graduating high school. He was the best man in my wedding.

Fast forward. 3 weeks ago Tommy said he was making a trip out to the cabin and could be the last time since the cabin is now for sell. I had to take him up on the offer has I closely associated Red River with my childhood. I had never been in the winter, it was beautiful.

Though I struggled a bit with altitude sickness my first night there, we collectively decided to trek part of Wheeler Mountain, namely Middle Fork Lake, my second day there. The hike, which I have done several times, is a 1500 foot vertical hike over 2.5 miles to a small lake nestled in the foothills. The hike is generally quite easy, but this time an added 8 inches of fresh snow made the hike treacherous. The next four pictures are from the hike.

On the way up we had good sunlight, but we took turn “cutting” tracks into the snow.

This is usually a flowing waterfall and river. We had to cross a log to get over. It was quite nerve-racking.

This pictures attempts to show the depth of the snow we went through.

My first and probably only time to walk on Middle Fork Lake. My head was killing me, but I was happy to make it to the end of the trail.

This is the view from the cabin. You can see the face of Wheeler, but because of the elevation of where I was standing, you can’t see the peak.

This image (above) is stolen from the internet. You cannot only see the lower part from my perspective above, but also see Wheeler in the back.

Tommy and me. Middle Fork 2009.

Last week I received a random phone call from my brother, Clay. He asked if I wanted to go with him to the OU v BYU game.  Though I am not particularly an OU (or Big XII) fan, I did want to cheer for Clay’s brother-in-law, Ben Habern, the starting center for OU. I also wanted see the stadium and, of course, the screen-monster. The game was terrific (I love a good upset. See also UNT upsetting BSU), the stadium was something else and the screen was everything I could have imagined. Here are a few pics from the game. Thanks for the tickets, Clay.

I learn more about photography daily. Whether that be which photographer is “hot” right now or how to handle camera settings given a situation. However, the most important thing that I have learned and that I continue to try and perfect is light. Ultimately and foundamentally all photography is about light. Its about the amount, the quality, the direction, the type, and the list goes on and on. If someones can master the control of light, they have made it. Anyways, in my pursuit to master light, Heather has joined me in toying with camera settings in different light situations. The first picture is an attempt to create a sort of sun-drenched summer-y feel photo. The other pictures are just us goofing off with a flash light in the front yard. Though the photos have completely different looks and feels to them, the only difference between them was the light used.

It is hard to believe that it was a year ago I posted pictures of Bo’s 4th birthday party. However, a year has gone by and Heather and I were back out at Zach and Leanne’s house to celebrate Bo turning 5! It was about as low key has 10 kids running around a pool and house can be. They played in the pool, had a water ballon fight, and ate some delicious Donkey Kong cake.

Jake tactically hit the stone with the balloon to increase hit range; Abe was his victim.

Jones desperately waiting for someone to turn the water on.

Rev was hesitant to trust the jousting stick would hold his weight.

Clay was not.

Jones got a kick filling up the cup and watering the rocks and grass.

Job complete.

Looks like a sweet moment, but Dad was none to please to see Bo pulling Abe in the pool.

Abe kept saying he was saving this balloon for later. Smart Abe, smart.

Avery, Bo’s cousin, was quite content to stand in a bucket of water. He too savored his lone balloon.

Bo thought it was cruel to be given a box he couldn’t open. Luckily a knife was on the way.

Bo loves Donkey Kong (right now) and was excited to see Donkey Kong on his cake, with tons of bananas!

Like father, like son.