January 30--Scavenger Hunt Sunday (A Tractor, Some Smog & Got Milk?)

Had to pull some old photos for this—not feeling too creative this week.

1. Texture

Took the kids to Wheeler Farm yesterday to chase some chickens and play on the old tractors.  I love all the different textures in this photo—the wood of the barn, the smooth yellow paint, the rust showing through, the flat tires, the dirt, and even Miles silly yellow yarn hat. 

As a side note Miles could have sat on this tractor all day I think he may have been a farmer in his former life.  When visiting my mom last week he talked to the neighbor about the new yellow combine they were getting for their farm—they have already scheduled a ride along.

2.  Fog/Smog

Okay, I don’t know how much fog we had this week, but we did have some smoggy haze every morning.  The sun had burned off most of the stuff by the time I got this photo so I used Pioneer Woman’s “Old West” action to make things look a bit foggier—I’m not sure it did that, but I like the look.

3.  Button

Pulled this photo from last year.  The photography workshop I went to last year was held in this thrift shop that had just about every kind of trinket, gadget, or kick knack you could imagine…so yes they had a button tree.

4.  Drink

Got milk?  This kid loves to drink the stuff.  He would probably go through a gallon a day if I let him.  I think I will get him a cow for his birthday. (Oh and yes third child still drinking out of a bottle at 1 1/2 years old. Lazy mommy needs to break out the sippy cups)

5.  Seventies

This challenge reminded me of the photo I used last week for “memories” and of all the old toys at my mom’s house.  I took this photo of Wes back in March when we were visiting and he is playing with the xylophone I use to play with when I was his age.  I finished the photo off with Pioneer Woman’s “Seventies” action.  (Miss the cub on those cute cheeks of his.)

 

January 24: “Look mommy I have a really tall faux hawk!”

Was fixing dinner today when Miles came into the kitchen.  I bent over to give him a hug and he said, “Look mommy I have a really tall faux hawk!”  I looked and the pictures below are what I saw.  We spent the next 15 minutes laughing ourselves silly.

Group shot with Ian.

January 23—Scavenger Hunt Sunday (An Old Box, a Little Girl & Some Chocolate Chips

1.  Memories

This is my Grandma’s old jewelry box.  She use to keep it full of costume jewelry and sitting on the counter in the “Red Bathroom.”  When we would visit we would sit in the red bathroom and deck ourselves out in necklaces, brooches, and earrings.  I wish I had a picture of the red bathroom.  It had two big chandelier lights, two bright red sinks, red and gold velvet wall paper and red crystals hanging in the window—it really was something else.

Had to include this photo for memories.  It was in my last post, but it does holds a memory.  My mom held onto this toy from when I was a baby and now my kids play with it when we go to visit.  I love how it is not electronic and the kids actually make the noise by turning the knobs or sliding the little toys.

2.  Doorway(s)

Okay a bit abstract, but here are three of the doorways in our hall at home.   I tried to cover up the graininess of the 1600 ISO with some actions—turned out kind of interesting.  I think it is time to get a new lens my house is just too dark for the one I have.

3.  Silhouette

Here is my cute little niece looking out her window.

4.  Reflection

Made cookies this week and noticed how reflective the kitchen aide bowl was—chocolate chip mmmmmmm………..

5.  Silver

Here is a close up of the necklace in the first photo.  My Grandma use to wear it all the time and it reminds me of how she dressed and all the energy she had.

 

January 17-20: A Vacation from Vacation (in vintage color)

Being off track for 4+ weeks is enough to drive one mom with three kids crazy.   So, we decided to take the craziness to my parents.  The valley was in major melt down (all the snow from Christmas had melted filling the fields, yards, and my sisters basement with water) but we were so glad the usual cold temps and yucky inversion had left for a few days.

We started our vacation off with a trip to the bowling alley.  Cousins came and all the kids scored above 80 thanks to the bumpers and ramps.  Miles got a spare and did this goofy little dance that had the people on either side of us cracking up.

I’ve always loved my mom’s enormous kitchen and her gas oven so while she was at school working the boys and I decided to whip up some cookies for her to eat when she came home. 

Wesley was my little helper while Ian and Miles raided my mom’s supply of old toys.   They love the Star Wars, Micro Machines, Hot Wheels, Construx, and the big bucket of Legos.

After filling his tummy with cookies Wes found this grocery cart and spent the afternoon pushing it around the kitchen.

After the grocery cart Wes found this old crib toy and giggled over all the funny sounds it would make.  I love that he actually has to turn, twist, press, or spin something to get the noise—not just a battery powered push the button and get some electronic response kind of toy.  They just don’t make ‘em like they use to.

We also played with cousins, watched the new ginormous TV, enjoyed mom’s cooking, watched Sydney at her tae kwon do class, toured the new additions to the high school (some things might change, but apparently the smell of my high school doesn’t) and went out for Indian food (which by the way is my new favorite).  

Does going home every once in awhile and having your mom take care of you ever get old?  Thanks mom for the customized menu, the free babysitting, and for bathing my unruly children.

January 16—Scavenger Hunt Sunday (A Different Point of View, a Head of Hair, & Some Legs)

1.  A Different Point of View

The kids were playing with this top a few days ago and I just loved the colors and all the circles.  I thought this view with the handle in the center really changed the way it looked and disguised what it was.

2.  Looking Up

Looking up at my little boy who had just finished his lunch, climbed out of his high chair and perched on the tray for this picture.  Notice the two bibs—one for lunch and one for the constant stream of drool!

3.  Abstract

Looked out on our deck and noticed the snow had melted from between the slats of wood and left this interesting pattern.

4.  Hair

This boy has oodles of hair, and I love how it looks so red in this shot.  Do you think he is mocking me with that tongue sticking out of his mouth?  Silly boy.

5.  Half

This is an old shot from awhile ago, but when I saw the word “half” I thought of this photo—got the bottom half of everyone.  I was at a photography workshop just sitting down messing with my camera not really looking through the view finder and found this shot when I got home.  I love the story it tells with all the blue jeans and cameras.

 

  

January 13—Mommy Guilt, a Fort & a Few Ants on a Log

So, after major meltdowns from all three boys and a bit of yelling on mommy’s part I woke up with some mommy guilt today. I need to be more proactive with these children of mine—more involvement on my part and less time for them to run amuck and play “fight” which involves Ian practicing his moves learned from “Karate Kid” on Miles.

Two chore charts later, a prize jar, and a boredom buster jar my guilt was starting to dissipate. I decided to get rid of it entirely by building a fort in the living room, then letting the kids eat lunch, and then watching their favorite TV show in the fort.

While fixing lunch I told the kids we were having celery—yes they love the stuff. Ian requested “ants on a log” and I was more than willing to oblige. I think Miles thought there were real ants involved because he said no to the ants, but yes to the peanut butter.

Just a side note. I’ve had to change my diet a lot this past year and it has been interesting to see my kids learn to love fish, quinoa, fresh fruits & veggies. We are still working on avocados, but I’m okay with not sharing my guacamole and avocado salsa.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday (Or Tuesday in this case)

This is Me:  Can you see me?  In Miles eyes?  I probably should try to look at myself more often through the eyes of my children.

Resolution: My friend Linda posted this quote on her facebook page--

"If I thought too much about what had happened, I would get sad and angry, and I couldn't forgive the mistakes that had been made. If I thought too much about the future, that was too overwhelming. But if I stayed right in the present moment, I could handle things with grace and with ease."

Now of course Linda is an inspiration herself, she has this contagious energy that makes everyone around her want to embrace life more.  So that being said I’m following Linda’s example and going to try to focus more on the right now and not the list of things that needs to be done in the future or the stupid things I’ve done or said in the past.  Thanks Linda Lu.

Innocence:  Baby sleeping, doesn’t get more innocent than that.  (He woke up right after I took this picture though and didn’t look at all innocent with the big tears, red cheeks, and booger bubbles.

Treasured:  My health.  After a year of mostly yuckiness I have learned to really treasure my health and this beautiful, yummy clementine looks pretty healthy to me.

Primitive:  The concrete at the bottom of our front steps is crumbling into tiny pieces.  It probably wouldn’t qualify as primitive as far as age, but I thought the texture in this shot felt primative.

2010 in Photo Review

Found this great little photography blog called “Ramblings & Photos”. Love all the photo tips and challenges she has and am hoping to become a better photographer this year by entering some of her challenges and trying out some of her great ideas. Below is a photo scavenger hunt for 2010.

Me! - picture of yourself (you don't have to show your face). What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2010? Just glad to be in better health than last year at this time. No more doctors is one of many New Year’s Resolutions.

I Love You - picture of your husband, boyfriend, children, pets, etc. Me and little Wes on Memorial Day. Love him and his cute cheeks so much.

Still Laughing... - a moment you're still laughing about now...tell us a story. Miles decided to show us all how to “meditate” haven’t stopped laughing since.

Winter Wonderland - a picture that reflects Winter. Brrrrrr…………

Birthday - share a birthday picture (your own or someone you love). My little guy turning one!

Friends - a picture with friends (this could be your friends or your children with their friends). Love the Mairs—best friends anyone could ask for.

I Was Inspired... - could be a picture of your inspiration (person or thing), or inspired by...My dad completing LOTOJA—208 miles in a single day on a bike. Go Dad!

Spring Fever - a picture that reflects Spring. Love the promise of peaches these flowers represent.

Travel or Vacation - a picture taken on vacation or on a recent travel experience, OR of a place you'd like to travel. Home to the Tetons.

Summer Days - a picture that reflects Summer. First day in the kiddy pool. Miles looks so silly in goggles.

A Day In My Life - a picture of a typical day in your life. Taking care of these three little monkeys.

All Smiles - a picture that makes you smile or of smiling faces. Wes was so happy to feed himself. Nothing went in his mouth, but he didn’t care at all.

Autumn Harvest - a picture that reflects Autumn/Fall. First pickings from the garden.

Family - a picture of your family or a picture that represents family for you. Look at those boys off for an adventure with their daddy.

Celebrate! - a picture that reflects a celebration. Ian’s birthday was kind of a crazy day—the cake didn’t turn out at all and I forgot to buy candles, but Ian being the happy go lucky kid he is was happy with a few toys on top and some random candles from the back of the pantry. This kid knows how to turn a bad situation into a celebration.

Let's Do It Again... - a picture of something you'd like to do again soon. Such a fun family reunion, must do it again.

I Miss You - a picture of someone or something you really miss. My husbands best friend passed away this summer—miss him lots.

Beautiful - a picture of someone or something you find beautiful. Two brothers happy to get along=beautiful to their mommy.

Dress Up - this might be a picture from Halloween or not...but someone who is all dressed up! “I want to suck your blood.”

Macro - share your favorite macro image. My sister-in-law Kris got married this spring and the flowers in her hair were amazing.

Holidays - a picture from the Holiday of your choice. Went sledding over the holidays and didn’t know what to do with the one year old who can’t walk in all that snow—so we took the lego box and stuck him and a few blankets inside.

My Favorite - share your favorite picture or memory from 2010. One of the first photos I took after attending a Joy-ography (photo workshop) and I was so happy to have finally captured those big blue eyes on my camera.

Don't Ever Change - something you love about yourself, someone, or something that you never want to change. Love this place, it brings everything into perspective for me…I hope it never changes.

Just Because...So There! - share any picture(s) that you really want to share, but doesn't fit in any other category. Loved this one of Paige and her golf ball slings for cowboy golf.

Hopes and Dreams - share what you hope to come or dream for 2011. Feel free to share an image of your choice. Training to be on a LOTOJA relay team this year.