Project 52 - The End

As hard as it is to believe, 2013 is nearing its end.  Overall it was a pretty good year for us.  My husband got a different job at the company he has been with for 5 1/2 years.  A salary position with an increase in pay and benefits.  He just started it last month so we'll see how it all works out once he gets a few months under his belt.  My photography business is growing.  Referrals are coming in, which is the ultimate compliment.  The kids are all growing and doing well in school.  Keira is getting more opportunities to play her violin, which is becoming a passion of hers.  It is such a blessing to listen to her play.  Despite the fact that Nick isn't crazy about his teacher, he's gotten straight A's so far this year.  He's growing into such a caring, loving young man.  And Alex continues to improve in some subjects he finds challenging.  He's becoming more and more independent, which is bittersweet since he's my baby.

I hope to participate in Ashley's Memories, Dreams, and Reflections later this week, so be sure to check in to see lots of favorite pictures from 2013.  But for now, here are a few from last week ...

My friend, Laura, taught a group of us how to finger crochet scarves.  I really enjoyed doing that, so I looked on YouTube for some videos and taught myself how to knit a ruffle scarf.   Same yarn, different technique.  This is the first I made - for my sister for Christmas.  She loves Pittsburgh's sports teams so black and gold was a perfect color for her.  I have made a few more since then.  It is something I can easily do while I listen to Alex read to me.  That way I'm being productive and not going stir crazy sitting still for so long.  :)

Keira's violin teacher gave her these really cool 3D-like glasses that make our Christmas lights look like stars.  I had Keira hold the glasses up in front of my lens so I could get a shot of our tree.  Cool, huh?

Keira played Lindsey Stirling's What Child Is This on her violin during Christmas Eve service at our church.  As soon as I get it uploaded to YouTube, I will share it.  She did a fabulous job.  Anyway, I had a friend take a few shots of the whole family afterward.

We had a wonderful Christmas, but the pictures are still on my camera.  I have yet to upload them.  I've been working diligently on some other things - decluttering, PTO Treasurer stuff, and editing/printing lots and lots of pictures from 2012.  Yes, I am still behind on that.  But I'm working on it!  I'm almost done with October now.  Thankfully I've been doing a decent job of editing/printing photos from 2013 so there won't be much catching up to do there.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season - Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever it is that you celebrate!  Have a blessed New Year!

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Scavenger Hunt Sunday 12.22.13

After taking a couple weeks off from the Scavenger Hunt, I managed to get all the prompts this week.

{lights}

The lights were reflecting off the bicycles on display at the Carnegie Science Center yesterday during our visit.

{tree}

After several failed attempts to get a real tree, we settled on just putting up our old artificial one Friday evening.  Doug put the lights on it and the boys had fun decorating it with all the ornaments.

{big}

Alex and I rode in the roller coaster simulator at the science center on Saturday.  We sat in this big box-like robotic arm and flipped and spun just like a real roller coaster.  According to Alex - it was awesome!

{makes you feel merry}

I don't really think this photo needs any explanation.  :)

{on the door}

I threw together this wreath for a snowy family photo session that we had on Wednesday.  We had a blast playing in the snow!  I plan to hang this wreath on the door for Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to visit Ashley for more great Scavenger Hunt finds!

Have a blessed Christmas!

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Week 52 in Pictures ... The End

Happy New Year!

We've finally reached the day I've been looking forward to for a while ... the last day of my Project 366 for 2012.  If you recall, this is my third year in a row for Project 365 and I'm very excited to be done!  I still plan to take pictures frequently during 2013, but I won't have the pressure of taking a picture every.single.day.  I plan to participate in Gina and Tamar's Project 52.  A photo a week ... I can definitely handle that.

Before I show you my last nine photos of the year, I'd like to share my favorite photo from December.

My friend, Jenn, allows me the privilege of photographing her youngest from time to time. Isn't he adorable?!

Now, let's take a peek at my last photos of 2012 ...

{Sunday}

I took this for the tangled prompt for the last Scavenger Hunt.  This ornament is tangled every year we get it out of its box.

{Monday}

Our tree late on Christmas Eve.  I'm glad I took this because the kids were up early and had their gifts already sorted by the time I got up on Christmas morning.  :)

{Tuesday}

Honey found a new bone in her stocking on Christmas morning.

{Wednesday}

A slice of our Happy Birthday Jesus cake.  For details on how to make it, just click on the link.

{Thursday}

The kids each got a special lollipop in their stockings this year.  Instead of a stick, they were on Abominable Snow Monster teeth or Rudolph's nose.

{Friday}

Spent some time playing outside with Alex.

{Saturday}

Lots of birds visiting our back yard feeder.  Especially since we got all this snow.

{Sunday}

Our Christmas lights have icicles hanging from them and they look so cool!

{Monday}

The kids and I all ready to bring in the new year with our home made party hats.  I couldn't talk Daddy into getting in the picture with us.

Thank you for joining me in my photographic journey this year!  Now to just get my Project  Life album completed.  :)

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Scavenger Hunt Sunday 12.23.12

I've been so busy this week, I almost didn't make it for the Scavenger Hunt.  But I wanted to make sure to participate in the last hunt of 2012.

We are almost ready for Christmas.  Keira helped me get most of the wrapping done today.  One of the blessings of having a teenage daughter.  :)  Actually I thought I was done until I found a few more things in my office.  We plan to bake a few cookies tomorrow, enjoy a Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church, then relax with family at our house on Christmas Day.

Now onto the hunt ...

{joy}

Aside from the joy that comes from my Lord and Savior, Jesus, and the joy that my family brings (sometimes!), I am finding joy in the fact that I'm done painting my living room.  :)  These beige walls were a rusty red-orange color for the past four years.  I masked, primed, and painted the entire room all by myself ... finished up Friday afternoon.  The room seems so much bigger and brighter now!

{tangled}

This Woody ornament is tangled up every year when we take it out of its box.  It is one of Keira's ornaments.

{silver}

This reindeer ornament has a silverish tassel with a silver charm attached.

{guilty pleasure}

Have you tried these Candy Cane Hershey Kisses?  Oh.my.goodness!

{angel}

The kids performed in our church's Christmas program last Sunday night.  The lady in charge asked me to take a few snapshots before the kids performed.  They were dressed like angels, however they don't look all that angelic in this photo.  Well, maybe a few of them do.  :)

Scavenger Hunt Sunday is taking a break next week, but Ashley has a couple other things going on so be sure to head over and check them out!

Have a blessed Christmas!

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Photos of the Day: December 27, 28 & 29

The kids and I are enjoying the break from the normal school routine.  However, my plans to get lots of stuff accomplished this week are just not happening.  :)  We are having fun ... sleeping in late, playing with the new Wii games and a few other non-electronic games we got for Christmas.  We even spent some time at a friend's house today which allowed the boys to burn off some energy with their boys.  And they really needed to get out of the house for a while and interact with someone other than their siblings.  But Christmas break is almost over and my to-do list is still just as long.  Oh well, there's always January, right?  :) 

Anyway, time to catch up on my photos of the day ...

{December 27}

Thanks to Sarah at Naptime Momtog for this cool idea.  Christmas tree lights + a show shutter speed + a moving camera = this cool photo.  And since the tree will probably be coming down tomorrow, I needed to play with it one more time.  :)

{December 28}

The kids were so excited to get a little snow yesterday.  We went for a walk and took a few pictures.  The fresh air did us all good.  Keira was my usual willing model.

{December 29}

Even though Honey got several new toys for Christmas, she still loves to steal my slippers right off my feet to chew on.  Although I really could use a new pair.  These ones have seen better days.  They're just so comfy.  But the question is, should I throw them away or give them to her?  :)

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Week 50 Summary

Another festive week.  Things are finally starting to slow down around here.  And I'm taking advantage of the time to chill with the kids and gets some things done that have been neglected.  Christmas shopping is almost complete ... just need to pick up a few last-minute items.  Will do a little baking this week, but not too much because I don't really want that much temptation in the house.  :)  Anyway, here's what this week looks like in pictures ...

11 - Decorated the bush in our front yard.

13 - Honey turned 3 on December 10 but I didn't get her photo until today.

12 - Beautiful sunrise.

14 - A Birthday rose from my husband.

15 - Nick's Troy Polamalu ornament.

17 - Finally bought a poinsettia.

16 - Our Christmas tree.

Linking up with:

     
On a separate note, one of the Flickr groups I'm included in called These Moments Challenge Group featured one of my photos on their blog today!  There is a different theme each week ... this week's theme is warmth.  And this is the photo I added to the photostream ...

I've had photos included in their weekly collage summary before but never featured by itself.  I just thought it was cool and I would share.  :)

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Our tree

Our tree is not big and fancy, but it is ours.  Full of ornaments that all mean something special ... surrounded by Alex's Polar Express train and a few gifts the kids bought for each other and other family members.

Notice Nick's little snowman on the windowsill?  He made that last year in school out of a tube sock and some rice.  I love it!  It is one of my favorite winter decorations.

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Week 48 Summary

Do you ever feel like you are so far behind, you will never get caught up?  That's where I'm at right now.  I had such a busy week last week.  Mostly FUN stuff, but still very busy.  So to those of you whom I haven't had a chance to visit, I apologize.  Hoping to get around visiting tomorrow and Wednesday.  This week looks better.  Thankfully.  I need a break before the busyness of Christmas kicks into gear.  Anyway, here's what last week looked like in pictures ...

27 - Put the Christmas tree up while the kids were on Thanksgiving break.

28 - Alex lost another tooth.

29 - Rainbow.

30 - Playing with starbursts and bokeh.

1 - Laura meeting Melissa in person for the first time (they've been online friends for about 6 years but never met in person until now).  Melissa is from Baton Rouge and blogs at Little Mrs. Married.  Laura made arrangements for her to visit us in PA for a week and asked if I'd go to the airport with her to pick Mel up.  So, of course, I had to snap some photos of their first meeting!

2 - Girls' Night fun.  Myself and Mel.  I've been reading Mel's blog for about 2 years and she's just as much fun in person as she is on her blog!  And she's got an awesome southern accent!  :)

3 - We celebrated Alex's 6th birthday and bought him this ukulele that he asked for.  (His actual birthday is today, December 5).  He loves it!

Linking up with:

       

                                                                                                           Monday Rewind at Chic Homeschool Mama

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Photo of the Day: November 27

ISO 800, f/5, 1/10s, 18-105mm lens

We put up our Christmas tree today.  I put up the tree and strung the lights then sat back and listened to the kids argue about who was putting up which ornament.  :)

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