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Photo for our Scrapbook

Life goes by so fast. Too fast. The kids grow. They change in the blink of an eye. That's why our family takes the time to create a family photo album each year. We want to try and capture the everyday moments that can so easily be taken for granted. The problem is that we never seem to be able to get enough. Many times Shannon and I will ask, "Did we get a picture of that?" Too often the answer is no. And the moment is gone.

Well, imagine our surprise when our local county government stepped in to assist our family's scrapbooking ambitions. Do you ever feel like government doesn't care? Have you ever felt that your tax dollars never really accomplish anything practical or helpful to you? I've felt that way before. But not anymore. My county government is now helping me capture special family memories—moments in our life that, without their help, we might completely forget.

Last week we got a letter in the mail with three color photographs of our family's minivan traveling along Montgomery Village Avenue. This is so thoughtful. We drive on that road dozens of times a week, but we'd never taken the time to snap a picture. Now we have three! And if that wasn't enough they even recorded the exact time of day and even the speed the van was traveling. Now that's what I call capturing a memory! On July 5, 2007, at 2:07 pm (and 33 seconds) our van was traveling 46 mph on a street with a posted speed of 35 mph. Shannon and I went back to look at our calendar so we could fill out other personal details. We figured out that she was the driver that particular day. Of course, who was driving might not seem like a big deal, but I told her that this kind of small detail really makes the scrapbook more interesting.

VanPic.JPG


I'm sure many of you are already itching to get your own action shot of your vehicle. It's really easy. Just drive on Montgomery Village Avenue at least 10 mph faster than the posted speed limit (to be safe, you might want to make it 15 mph faster). And that's really all you have to do. You should get your photos in about ten days. It's not as fast as these 1-hour developing places, but it is mailed to your home. We're already planning our next picture. Next time we're going to try and have all the kids waving out the back window. Maybe we'll use it for our family Christmas card.

One last note: the county can't provide this incredible service for free. There is a $40 fee for these great snapshots. But it's totally worth it.

Posted by on July 21, 2007

Comments (19)

Or you could do $117 with no photos in Philly. So much more rewarding.
Thanks for posting about this with humor. I think it shows a little grace in being able to laugh a little--hard for me at the time.

Posted by billm | July 21, 2007 12:02 PM

Very cute way to tell the story. I just HOPE, for your sake, that you got Shannon's permission before you posted this. :)

Posted by Fishmama | July 21, 2007 3:17 PM

I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but laugh. There's so many ways to get a good photograph these days.... I'll have to keep this particular trick in mind.:)

Posted by BrittLeigh | July 22, 2007 12:24 AM

there's also photos available from some shops when you forget to pay for a product...

Posted by Dave Miers | July 22, 2007 1:09 AM

Not a word in your story to say that you were sorry for breaking the law. As christians we should be putting Romans 13 into practice,
you just make a joke of it.

Posted by John Bardell | July 22, 2007 3:43 PM

There is a $40 fee for these great snapshots. But it's totally worth it.

Very, Very Nice. This would also be an ingenious way to score quality family portraits. Footraces and Photography.

Posted by Ched | July 22, 2007 5:02 PM

Ha ha ha!!!

Did Shannon know you were sharing her scrapbook pictures? :)

Posted by Danielle | July 22, 2007 11:30 PM

Maybe next time the kids could wave?

Posted by Evy | July 23, 2007 1:29 PM

Since all the ladies are obviously concerned I want to make it clear that Shannon gave her approval for this post and thought it was funny. Whew! Good thing I remembered to ask.

Posted by Joshua Harris | July 23, 2007 1:40 PM

I actually thought this was the funniest story. Probably because that happened to my husband not too long ago in Calif. I think we need to sit and laugh sometimes at the mistakes we make. By laughing and joking does not mean we are not sorry or feel the consequences.

Thanks for being real Josh!

Posted by Kellie | July 23, 2007 3:54 PM

Just to add to my comment above, when we received the 3 pictures in the mail, one of the pictures was of the driver - my husband...and he was smiling. We laughed so hard thinking at least he took the time to smile at the camera. Realty was he had no clue he was even getting his picture taken...but he was listening to a message on CD.

Posted by Kellie | July 23, 2007 4:11 PM

Fines are an unbiblical form of penology.

Posted by Daniel Ritchie | July 24, 2007 12:06 PM

I'm moving to YOUR state! Here in Alabama it's $123 paid in person or $127 paid online or by mail. (Don't ask me how I know...ouch)

Posted by Mrs. Hart | July 25, 2007 3:28 PM

Thank you. I don't check this blog too often. I just got a speeding ticket yesterday -- one of the 3 times in the last two years I left my purse at home. The police officer was kind enough to not let me off with a warning. I've been quite angry these last 24 hours. This helped lighten the load. Thank you!!

Posted by Carrie | July 26, 2007 9:17 AM

Is that a 1999 Toyota Sienna CE Silver Spruce Metallic? If it is, that's one sweet vehicle. I only say so, because this is what I drive: http://burlyfamily.blogspot.com/2006/08/busted-radiator.html

Posted by Burly | July 26, 2007 12:56 PM

Burly,

I think ours is a 2000 Sienna. I hope that doesn't cause you to struggle. I sometimes feel guilty driving such a tricked out ride. It is a sweet vehicle. It's no wonder my wife got a ticket. What power!

Posted by Joshua Harris | July 26, 2007 3:39 PM

Haha. Nice angle! It made me laugh. Hey, in California, we pay minimum $175.00, and we don't even get a picture! Should I feel cheated?

Posted by Ashley | September 6, 2007 4:05 PM

Haha. Nice angle! It made me laugh. Hey, in California, we pay minimum $175.00, and we don't even get a picture! Should I feel cheated?

Posted by Ashley | September 6, 2007 4:06 PM

You do know it's sin to speed correct? And knowingly...oh boy!

Posted by tia | January 2, 2008 5:30 AM

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