The Pot Of Gold At The End Of The Rainbow.

This was the scene when I left the office today. Double rainbow that ended right at the building...It reminded me of another photo that I took like this...but it was at Fast Farms.

The photographer in me notices the things like the quality of photos...the one of the Fast farm was taken in 2009 with a BlackBerry Storm...the one today with the iPhone 4s.  Someday I am going to do a photo shoot with only my iPhone...I think you would be amazed at the sharpness of it.

Montana...No Vacancy

I shot this photo on a bluebird day last week as I was on another of my tours of the Big Sky Country.  I really love Montana...it is like South Dakota with mountains.

This reminded me of one of those photos you see at a Hampton Inn and you always wonder where that picture was taken.

Catching You UP...

Wow, has all this happened?

Grandpa Bob = Retired
Maxim = Hockey team won last 3 games of season and he scored and had 2 assists that weekend
Kolby = 3 year old
Brecken = qualified for state wrestling tourney next weekend
Steph = married to me for 14 years
Weather = tempting me to go wakeboarding on Sunday...anybody want to un-winterize their boat.
LakeHaus Productions = shot over 70,000 images in last 12 months

Kony 2012

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Stephanie Decker

For some of you that read this but don't know....Stephanie Decker was my Steph's maiden name.  I changed her into a Glanzer and she hasn't looked back, but I would say that if there was a tornado bearing down on our home, she would do exactly the same thing as this Stephanie Decker did.

My Stephanie is a hero like that as well.  Oh yeah, Happy Anniversary to my best friend and wife of 14 years.  Next year we will be on a big trip to celebrate...this year she gets to go to a Region wrestling tournament over the weekend.

Is there another Tom Glanzer??? 3 that I know of.  One is a guy my age who lives on a colony in SD, one lives in Howard, S.D. and was a good athlete in high school and the other lives in Austria.  I am friends with 2 of the 3 on Facebook...I am pretty sure the other one dosen't have a Facebook account.  I'll leave that to you to figure out which one isn't online.

Below is the other Stephanie Decker's story...

The Kids In Their Uniforms...

Day 45.

OK I admit it...I turn 40 this year, and I'm promising myself that I'm going in more in shape than I went into my 30's.

Somewhere along the line in my early 30's I bumped up to about 230 lbs...I remember my college hockey weight was 185...so in about 10 years I put on about 50 lbs...most of it in about the 4 years after Maxim was born, and most of it in the cage area.  (MY GUT)

For the last 4 years or so I have been in OK shape, but this year is different, I actually wrote down my goals, I have about 15 or so for the year of 2012, and so far I am still on track to make a lot of them.

One of them was to finish a cycle of P90X.  I have started it 2 other times.  Last February Steph and I made it to day 37 and then went on a snowmobiling trip and never got back on the program.  I was in great shape at that time and kick myself for losing everything I built up.  The other time I got 15 days into and got sick, and then started running.

Last summer I ran about 4 miles every day, and was feeling great about that, but I wanted something more this year...so I started my 1st cycle of P90X in early January.  I have only missed about 3 days total, and made up for them on other days.

I am starting to see nice results, but have to start laying off the cookies and candy at midnight and need to stop eating all my mom's Oreo's.

No I'm not posting any before and after pictures yet.  We will see how satisfied I am with day 90 and then maybe I'll put some out here.  Just a warning, the Day 1 pictures are not pretty.  Think really white body that is not toned...like Phil Mickleson without a shirt on...that's what I felt like...now I am somewhere in between........Day 46 here I come.

3 Wins To End The Season.

Maxim's hockey team wrapped up the season today in Aberdeen.  We played 3 teams that we have had problems will all year long, and we beat all 3 of them.  I knew we could do it and they boys believed in themselves as well.

They played to their potential, and have a good feeling in their hearts as they go into the off season.

Here are a few photos from the day.

Maxim Glanzer #19 Right Wing - Huron All Stars centers the puck out of the corner.

Maxim #19 celebrates his goal against Mitchell...#10 is Carson Duba.  Carson took the initial shot and Maxim was right there to shoot in the rebound.  Mason McDonald is just to Maxim's right.

Below is the ode to our hockey mom! 

What Kind Of Camera Should I Get?

Since Steph and I have a photography studio I get asked a lot what is the best camera.  The answer is it depends.  For my professional work I shoot on a Nikon, but that is what I have always shot on since college, so it is what I am comfortable with.

If you want to be an awesome hockey mom and capture 800 frames during every game, get a DSLR.  You are going to spend about $1,500 by the time it is all done.  Also, get a couple of good lenses a longer one and one for general use.  I suggest Nikon and Cannon models.

If you are looking for something to go in a purse or a bag, get a good point and shoot.  Steph and I call it our "grab camera".  Which means you grab that one and it is all you need.  I don't have to lug around my full photo kit and worry about kids stepping on it, or sitting on it or having it get jacked out of the car.  Our "grab cam" is a Canon SX30 IS.  It shoots great 1080 video and takes a great picture.  All of our video of Brecken wrestling is shot with this camera. 

The biggest thing I will tell you to spend money on is "IS" which stands for Image Stabilization or "VR" Vibration Reduction.  It will cost more, but it is WORTH it.

Here is a good blog about the subject of point and shoot vs. DSLR.  I think the main thing about shooting good pictures is shooting a lot of them to get comfortable with your camera, and experimenting with the settings.  Oh yeah, that little book that comes with the camera....read that thing too.

Moment of Strength.

If you follow sports a little bit you probably know the story of Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton.  Well, Josh is in the news again, but not for anything that happened on the field.  Read this story...then come back and read the rest of this blog.

So the title of the story was "Moment of Weakness".  Well that moment of weakness has turned into an amazing MOMENT OF STRENGTH.  Josh has shown every "superstar" who fell, exactly how to address their problem, mishap, brush with the law or any bad behavior and take care of it in a minute.

Tell the truth, admit you fall short every now and again move on.  Don't blame someone else, skirt around the truth and let the media tear you up for a week...just man-up and shoulder the blame.

I remember reading about Kobe Bryant when he had his little problem in Colorado, and you can throw Ben Rothlisberger in the same sentence.  I lost all respect for them in the way they handled the media and still have no respect for them because of their "above the law" mentality.  On the other hand, as soon as I finished reading Hamilton's story, I was like...there is a guy I want my kids to look up to.  Honest, real, forth-coming and most of all a Christian.

Proud of you Josh.

Happy Birthday To My Bride.

Today is Steph's birthday and we celebrated by working at the Huron Bridal Show yesterday and this morning Maxim, Brecken and I gave her the card she bought for herself while we were getting groceries as a family...Kolby picked it out.
Steph is the glue that hold the family unit together...her scheduling abilities alone should be studied by the airline industries.  She is the day to day reason LakeHaus still functions and at the same time keeps every one's socks and underwear drawer folded and full.  She is sweet and loving, the best mom, wife, business partner and boat driver a guy could ask for.  I got the total package when I married her.

Speaking of our time together, isn't it funny even after 13 or so year of marriage you still learn new things about your spouse?  I have always known that she has a bit of a competitive side, but I didn't know how she treated our children's sporting events. 

During our children's hockey games I coach, so I am on the bench.  Therefore I get to not hear what the parents yell.  I have no idea if Steph yells or what happens.  Every once in a while we just find each other's eyes across the ice and laugh about something or give that "shoot that was close" gesture.

That is hockey...now with wrestling, I know what happens in the stands, because Steph tapes the matches for Grandma Clarice to breakdown from Ohio.  The first time we watched one of Brecken's wrestling matches at home we kind of giggled about it.  Now it is just a good family joke!

You see 99% of the time there is a Stephanie that is gentle and loving and caring, then there is Wrestling Mom Stephanie.  I don't know what happens when she gets into the gym for wrestling matches but she becomes, well, a little bit of a "WooooHoooo Girl!"

You know the girl that yells "WooooHooo" really loud when "Free Bird" comes on the radio or when anything fun happens ...pair that up with Steph's competitive side and you get a voice on the camera that sounds like a mom possessed. (I attached a video for you to listen to her coaching) Do not mess around with "Wrestling Mom" Stephanie.  She says things like, "Take him down, Brecken!"  "Smash his face in the mat!" "Maxim cheer for your brother!" "Fight, Brecken, Fight!" "Rip his ears off, and throw them to the dogs!"
OK the last one was made up, but that's our joke around the house now.  We say super nice things in a really mean voice, and then yell "WHOOOO HOOOO!"  Well, in my best crazy wrestling mom voice, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEPHANIE.....WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!"

(Note: if you watch this video at 4:03 watch the kid on that Brecken is pinning...his leg band comes off and the joy he finds in watching it wave on his leg is priceless.)

Go Away Daddy.

I knew the whole "too cool for dad" thing would happed sooner or later with my kids, but I expected it to be Maxim trying to ditch me for buddies in about 5 years...it seems that now Kolby is too cool for dad.

The other day she had a play day with Grandma Penny and I kind of crashed it mid-day.  They were playing a game on the floor and Kolby looked up at me and said, "Daddy, go away!  Just leave."

I said, "Where do you want me to go?"

"You get in your car and drive away!" she replied.

So I did, and then did again on Tuesday night to drive to Sioux Falls for work, and before I left she said, "you are getting in your car and driving away?"  I said "yes", and she got excited and said, "well, goodbye then give me a kiss."

My only saving grace after that much "push back" was that she was happy to see me when I got home the next day.

I guess I must be getting in my car and driving away too much?????  She thinks thats what daddy does.

I think Saturday there is gonna be a lot of daddy and Koko time.

Finally He Got The Snow He Asked For For Christmas.

Brecken's First Ever Wrestling Tourney

Brecken had his first ever wrestling tournament this weekend in Huron. He was a little inexperienced on what a real match would be like and I think it cost him his 2nd match. He was too used to practice where they break after each take down and back points...he could have smushed this kid.

He pinned this other guy in the bottom video and ended up 3rd with a cool trophy and he is excited to go to the next tournament.

Steph was in Heaven, but very uptight the whole time. Grandma Penny didn't like it when the other boy pushed Brecken's face into the mat. We explained that it was normal protocol for a wrestling match, but I still don't think she liked her little Brecken getting worked over!

Religion Not Your Thing? Mine Either.

This pretty much sums up my feelings on religion and also my life in Christ.

Happy Birthday LakeHaus Productions

Happy New Year.

Sub Zero

This is photography/video done by a farmer in SD...amazing stuff.

Luke2

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Kolby @ The Capitol

Kolby and I had a great time at the State Capitol Building in Pierre on Friday.  We got to see the Christmas trees and chase the geese around.  We sang along to Relient K's Christmas album all the way to Pierre and she slept most of the way back.  I was going to take her out for one of Pierre's finest plates of Mac and Cheese, but she wanted Chicken Nuggets so I went with her on that.

Last night when I tucked her in she said, "Daddy, I love you...sing '5 Golden Rings' to me."  She MELTED me again.

Little girls own their daddys.

(By the way Grandmas, if you want to purchase the below photo of Kolby on the Capitol steps for hanging in your house it would be beautiful in a 10x30 Studio Mount...this and any other photos from Daddy/Daughter Day are available for purchase through your friendly representatives at LakeHaus Productions!  YES, you get the grandma discount!)