Week 35 in Pictures

Here we are again ... another week has flown by.  The kids started school this week, so we are all adjusting to our new schedules.  I have my days to myself now that all three kids are in school all day this year.  It is taking some getting used to.  Although I haven't really been home long enough to get used to it as I've been helping my friend, Laura, clean her new house so they can paint before they move in.  It has been fun and I look forward to helping more this week.

I'm also excited about Bible study starting this week.  Some other things on this week's agenda include: getting my car fixed and hopefully inspected, our first PTO meeting of the school year, and our church's Fall Kickoff party.  Looks like another busy week!

{Sunday}

I am totally cheating on this photo.  (I don't know why I always feel obligated to confess.)  :)  This is from a few weeks ago.  Apparently I was all camera'd out from our fun weekend to even pick up the camera.  Anyway, this bee was keeping dry from the rain on one of our sunflowers this particular day.

{Monday}

The kids and I enjoyed a morning walk on the bike trail and came across this cool spider web.  I love how the sun brings out all those yummy colors!

{Tuesday}

We cheated a little and took back-to-school photos the evening before school started.  I figured that way we'd be less rushed and it would be less hectic.  I was pleasantly surprised by how well the kids cooperated.  :)  And since I have to be fair, I created a collage with all three kids in it.

{Wednesday}

On this day, the first day of school for my offspring, this handsome fellow decided to join us and emerge from his chrysalis.  He didn't emerge until the afternoon right before the kids got home from school.

{Thursday}

This sweet little thang emerged in the morning in the car on the way to Laura's house where I was going to help her clean.  Laura's new house has all these Morning Glories in the back, so I had a flower to put her on so I could keep busy with scrubbing walls and stuff.

{Friday}

Laura and her husband, Mike, and their two kids sitting on their new front porch.  This is their first home and I'm excited to be a part of it!

{Saturday}

I took this for the Scavenger Hunt prompt, toys.  We have plenty of LEGOs around our house these days.  It is interesting to see what kinds of things Nick builds.

Tweet

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 09.02.12

Time for another Scavenger Hunt!  The kids went back to school this week, so we're all adjusting to the new schedule.  I have to admit, I'm enjoying having all three kids in school all day.  No more half days for Alex.  Although I haven't been home much to get anything done as I've been helping my friend, Laura, clean her new house and get ready for painting.  It has really been fun and surprisingly good exercise.  However, it is absolutely exhausting.  We took the weekend off and will get right back to it on Tuesday after Bible study.  I can't wait to see what it looks like with fresh paint!

Anyway, let's get on with the Scavenger Hunt ...

{candid}

Candid shots seem to be the only kind I can get of Nick lately.  He's not that fond of my camera these days.  Although he did cooperate during our back-to-school mini photo shoot on Tuesday.

{toys}

We have lots and lots of these toys around our house.  Nick loves playing with LEGOs.  And I love that he needs to use his imagination to build things.  And what interesting things he builds!

{any of the five senses}

We were looking but not touching this garden spider that was hanging out on the side of our pool.

{batteries}

Keira finally had to change the batteries in her talking dictionary this week.  She's had this for several years and I think this is only the second time the batteries needed replaced.  And she uses it all the time.

{half}

Alex made it about half way across the monkey bars the other evening after our photo shoot.  A day or two later he came home from school telling me that he was able to make it all the way across.  He was so proud of himself!

Be sure to head over to Ashley's to see more great photos!
Have a fabulous week!

Tweet

Week 21 in Pictures

Another fun week!  I got to spend time with some girl friends during Craft Night and got a little of my Project Life book done ... we enjoyed Keira's spring concert ... Nick had his annual checkup and is growing like a weed - not that we needed a doctor to tell us that :) ... we planted more flowers ... we mowed more grass ... and we bought a new slip-n-slide to help the kids keep cool in our August-like weather.


School is almost out and the kids are counting down the days.  Alex has five days left, Keira and Nick have six.  (Alex goes to afternoon Kindergarten and since the last day is only a half day, he doesn't have to go - in case you were wondering.)  We're gearing up for Doug's work schedule to change ... and looking forward to it!  He will be steady daylight with most weekends off!  No more shift work!  Woo hoo!  We're also gearing up for our church's Vacation Bible School, which isn't until the end of June but will be here before we know it!


Anyway, let's take a look at last week's pics ...

{Sunday}

Me getting silly for the Scavenger Hunt.

{Monday}

This pesky squirrel, among others, keeps getting into my bird feeder.  As much as I dislike it stealing my bird food, I do admire its technique.  :)

{Tuesday}

Keira's Spring concert was this evening.  The orchestra sounded great!  I had Keira pose for me outside after the concert since it was too dark inside to get any good photos.

{Wednesday}

Doug and Alex bought some yellow roses for me.  I sprinkled water on them and took pictures.  :)

{Thursday}

The castle blocks I bought from Groupon finally arrived.  The boys, especially Alex, really enjoy playing with them.

{Friday}

"Life is just a bowl of cherries, don't take it serious, it's mysterious. Life is just a bowl of cherries, so live and laugh and laugh at love, love a laugh, laugh and love.
~ Bob Fosse

Doug bought cherries because he insists that I wrote them on the grocery list.  I didn't, but I'm glad he bought them because they were really good!

{Saturday}

We bought a new bubble machine and had some fun trying it out.  I was surprised at all the colors I was able to find in those bubbles!

          
One last thing ... my favorite photo from May ...I picked this one because it was something I wanted to do for a while but never got the chance.  And because I think it is fun!  :)

Tweet

Week 15 in Pictures

Another week has passed.  Is it just me or does time seem to be moving faster?  :)  I mean, we're already half way through April?!  And the kids only have 35 days of school left?!  Yikes!  We better hurry and take a look at what last week brought ... :)

{Sunday}

Tried to get a group shot of the cousins on Easter.  I have a lot of respect for those of you that do this professionally.  There always seems to be at least one child who is making a goofy face (Nick) or looking away (Christy).  And they very quickly wish to be moving on to other things.  Oh well, this is who they are.

{Monday}

We went to "the other zoo" as my kids call it, during the kids' Easter break.  This guy was, by far, our favorite animal there that day.  And I realize you don't need a color palette to see all the gorgeous colors in this peacock, but I did one anyway.  :)  I hope you enjoy it!

{Tuesday}

Nicholas is really into Angry Birds lately.  I got him the King Pig for Easter; he had the little eraser; and he decided to draw faces on these green Nerf balls he has for his Nerf gun.  He lined them all up and asked me to take a picture.

{Wednesday}

Woke up to a coating of snow on the ground, then it snowed and rained off and on most of the day.  I ventured out to capture a few rain drops on my tulip.  (Yes, just one is currently in bloom.)

{Thursday}

Went out in the evening to get some photos of Nicholas for his ninth birthday, which was April 13.  I posted a bunch of mostly silly photos of him the other day, but I did manage to get at least one when he wasn't being silly.  We're hoping to get another chance to take more photos soon.  I need practice!  And he wants pictures in the new pink Polo shirt I bought him.  He loves pink!

{Friday}

I know I probably post a photo of a bird each week, but I so enjoy watching them eat from our feeder.  This little nuthatch makes an appearance every day.

{Saturday}

Not a great photo technically because the lighting in the auditorium we were in was lousy and Alex wouldn't look at me, but he was completely thrilled to get a trophy for his first Bible Quizzing Invitational.  He only got a participant's certificate (which means he didn't get a whole lot of answers right), but he kept saying he got an All-Star Gold award because of the trophy.  I didn't (and still don't) have the heart to tell him otherwise.  :)  Oh, and the medal was for reciting a few memory verses.  I'm so proud of both Alex and Nick (who got a silver award)!

     

Tweet

Week 4 in Pictures

Almost the end of January and so far so good on my third year of Project 365/366.  Some days are still tougher than others, but I managed again this week.  Let's take a look, shall we?

{Sunday - Let It Snow/Winter for Be Inspired}

If you recall, last week's pictures showed me trying to photograph all "four" of my kids posing for the camera, which doesn't usually work out so well.  Capturing them in action does though.  And I think I like it better.  :)  We asked our neighbors if we could sled on their hill for a change of scenery.  They said of course and watched us the whole time (you can see Mr. R. in the window).  I guess we were pretty entertaining.  In this photo, Keira and Nick were attempting a train and it wasn't working out so well.  Alex was having no part of it, while Honey was trying to get in on the fun.  (Although she won't get on a sled, she will run down beside you and bite at your feet).

{Monday}

This winter has brought with it some crazy weather.  Today it warmed up and rained a good part of the day, melting most of the snow.  :(  But we were blessed with this double rainbow.  In January!!!  The outer one is a little harder to see, but it is definitely there.

  

{Tuesday}

While grocery shopping, I saw these little primrose plants for 99 cents.  This yellow one was so cheery looking.  I thought it would brighten up the sometimes dreary days winter brings.

{Wednesday - self portrait for My 3 Boybarians Project 52}

So, yeah, I had an idea in my brain to capture myself while exercising.  I set up my camera and my 50mm lens (which I need to manually focus) on my tripod and got busy.  But I was unable to get a focused shot after many, many attempts.  Mental note - it is hard to get the focus correct when there is no one there to focus on.  :)  So anyway, you get an out-of-focus shot of me exercising to Just Dance on the Wii.

{Thursday - Close for Project 366 Rewind}

Woke up to icy rain, so Alex and I decided to go for a nature walk.  (I know, WHAT?!?!  Why would you go for a walk in the rain?!?!)  :)  My ulterior motive was to capture some icy photos ... I was able to get a few before the ice melted.  These little icicles were hanging on the side of my neighbor's tractor.

{Friday}

Finally got around to setting up my light box for Ashley's and Branson's Tutorial Tuesday.  So I spent some time playing.  I think the hardest part was figuring out what to photograph.  :)

{Saturday}

Doug took Alex to get a new car for his train (you can see another photo in my Scavenger Hunt set).  He decided on a Polar Express stock car to go with his Polar Express train.  The train is now set up again in his bedroom.  We seem to set it up for a couple weeks, then get tired of it and put it away.  Then get it back out again a month or so later, etc. etc.  Anyway, he wanted me to take some pictures of his new train car so ...  :)


A kitchen update for those who are interested ... Doug and I went in on Wednesday to get the cabinets ordered only to find out that we needed to have an installer come out and confirm the measurements before we could order.  He was here on Saturday morning (Doug was working on Thursday and Friday) and was a great guy to talk to.  He gave us a few suggestions and ideas.  And I got to look through his book of before/after pictures and ooh and aah over the beautiful kitchens.  :) 


Shortly after he left (and after the trip to the hobby shop for Alex's train car), Doug moved the refrigerator to the dining room and started ripping out cabinets.  Today he took down the ceilings.  Yes, ceilings ... as in more than one.  Apparently when the previous owners wanted to update the ceiling, they just put a new one over top of the old one.  There were four ceilings total in our kitchen.  Each one was uglier than the last.  :)  Next week you'll get to see one of the interesting objects he found in the ceiling.


Gosh, don'tcha hate teasers like that?  :)


So we are adjusting to where everything is now.  Almost nothing is where it should be.  Which is sometimes frustrating.  But it is only temporary.  Hopefully we'll go in today to order the cabinets and get them going.  In the meantime, Doug has lots of work to do to keep him busy.  Floor, walls, ceiling, wiring, plumbing.  It's a good thing he knows how to do all that!


Have a great week!

Tweet

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 01.29.12

In the midst of the dust flying during the great kitchen remodel, I managed to hunt down this week's items ... Smile, Stand alone, Rusty or Something old, Artificial, and Repeating pattern.  

Here are my interpretations ...

{smile}

Doug promised Alex a while back that he'd buy him a new train car.  That exciting event happened on Saturday.  It is a Polar Express stock car (surprise!  Alex LOVES The Polar Express).  Since the doors open on both sides, I thought it would be cool to capture his excited face through the train car.  Just look at that smile!

{stand alone}

I finally managed to find some time to make a light box by following Rosie's instructions.  Since one of my goals this year is to learn to sew, I chose to photograph a lone bobbin.

{rusty or something old}

This is an old button holer from a really old sewing machine that I no longer own.  Why I still have the button holer, I can't say.  Except that I needed something to photograph for this prompt.  :)

{artificial}

A bouquet of artificial daisies that resides in my dining room.

{repeating pattern}

Had a little fun with Big Huge Labs Pop Art Poster action.

Be sure to head over to Ashley's to see more great photos!  And if you'd like to play along next week, the items to hunt down are:

1. Strike a Pose
2. Footwear
3. Hobby
4. Shiny
5. Color Me Green

Have a great week!

Tweet