365+1 Week 16

After our fun fancy free week of spring break we threw ourselves right back into school and became slaves once again to the enduring schedule.

Photo's #106-112

"Tulip" It was lucky that just this week my tulips began to bloom. I only have them around the base of the trees in our backyard, I always wish we had more, but it's enough to enjoy and they are beautiful! The wind just happened to be blowing a bit while I was trying to take this shot giving the background even more of a delicious blur- loved it!!

I have been assigned as the official team photographer for Abby's soccer team. I have been enjoying capturing different shots than I normally would, like the half time "fruits and strategy" session with the coach.

"Something you hate" Hate is a strong word, but I do truly HATE doing the laundry. It really is my own fault because I am in a terrible cycle of putting it off until it piles into a million loads at once- which then makes me detest it even more. Truthfully, it isn't really the washing part that gets me- it's all the folding, folding, and folding, and then putting away that kills me!!

Today Eva and I didn't have a thing to do on our schedule. She declared it a game day and we played almost everyone that we own. Hungry Hungry Hippo's prevailed as her all time fav and we gobbled up those marbles for nearly 2 hours.

"Fill the frame" I took this opportunity to document the official opening of the water balloon season in our backyard- such cuties all lined up in a row cheering on all the action unfolding before them.

"Sunset" Can you even believe this magnificent sky as I was driving home that evening- it's a phone photo, so it really can't do it justice- just know that it was glorious!

Lady bug catching. Can you see it? She was smitten to say the least! Isn't springtime just grand?

365+1 Week 15

Spring Break!! So, we didn't have anywhere to go, or much money to spend again this year, and Paul was still working, but we made the best of it anyway. I had the girls each tell me some things they would like to do and we scheduled one for each day of our week. Because we were out and about being active I didn't bring my good camera along very much, just my point and shot and my phone. All in all, they turned out OK, mostly I am just happy to have documented our adventures- this was not a week for photography perfection.

Monday we spent running around and finding Eva a new bike and playing with friends- you remember my #100 photo right? Now on with our fun filled week!!

Photo's #101-105:

Tuesday- We hiked up to the "G" on our mountain. The girls have been begging to do this for a VERY long time. They were so curious about what it was made of and what it looked like up close. The Mickelson's joined us, it just wouldn't be as fun without them! We did pick the hottest day of the year so far, 80 degrees plus, but it was fun and they were so proud to have made it. We left our mark by inscribing our names, took in the beautiful views and then made our way back down.

Wednesday- As the clouds were rolling in and a rain storm looming, we mounted our bikes anyway and road the Jordan River Parkway. This is always a favorite activity and even with some winds and a bit of a chill we had a great time!

Thursday- It was raining, a lot. It was decided that we would take in a movie at the local dollar theater. Abby has read the Borrower's book series and so "Arrietty" was a perfect choice. Popcorn, treats, and an escape into a different world- that's a great way to spend a soggy afternoon! Abby was too cool for school to be in this picture with people looking- the humiliation!! But she was able to go to Brooklyn's house for a sleep over- excited doesn't even describe how she felt about that!!

Friday- We were lucky to take up an invite to the Kangaroo Zoo with some of our other cousins. They all had a fabulous time- I'm talking 3 hours of running, jumping, sliding, chasing, sweating, and laughing, kind of a good time!!! They almost wouldn't stop long enough for this group shot.

Saturday- Dad was finally home to join in on the fun! It was raining again all day and this time we decided to make our way over to the Legacy Center to practice our water skills. Abby and Brooklyn spent the entire time going down the large waterside, while Olivia spent most of her time giving Eva swim lessons :) Sadly, I had forgotten my camera and all I had was my cell phone. To make matters worse, this was THE spot that the girls wanted their picture taken. Bad phone+bad lighting = the worse picture yet in my photo a day challenge! Oh well.

365+1 Week 14

Wow, this last Monday I hit the 100 days of photo's milestone!!! It is so exciting!! I love looking back over all the fun times we have been having this year so far, and it makes me excited about all that is still to come.

So, here are the final photo's of the first 100 days!!

Photo's #92-100:

Sunday was April 1st. It was conference weekend and we were at my in laws house watching, listening and being uplifted by the words spoken. We were also rudely awakened to snow coming down all morning after beautiful sunny afternoon the day before. Liv loved sitting all snuggled up in a warm blanket watching the fakes float to the ground outside. We did not pack appropriate clothing and had to travel home that afternoon in shorts and flip flops- thanks for the ultimate April Fools joke Nature!!!

"Personality" Almost every afternoon when I head up to Liv's school to pick her up and bring her home, this silly dog walks down to sit on these steps while I am at the corner waiting to make a turn. He sits there while I wait for the cars to clear, then as I start to make the turn and drive away he gets up and walks back to his house. It's like he knows when I am coming and likes to greet me each afternoon!! So funny, and such personality in that creature!! It make me smile every time!

All of Eva's little girl friends have mastered the two wheel bike riding skill. They are now a force to be reckoned with in the neighborhood. They are a gang of bikes that ride up and down the street every afternoon, trying new feats of skill and daring maneuvers. They are so cute and I love to watch the expressions of complete happiness and joy on their faces as they speed by.

"Movement" Today's prompt was a new camera technique. After reviewing the instructions on how to set my camera to achieve background motion blur, while still keeping my subject in focus, I sent Olivia out to provide the movement on her bike. I think I took 200 pictures this afternoon trying to get the right result. This really tested me, and I loved learning a new function of my camera. This was one of the best shots, there were a few that I liked, but this one I feel really portrayed the goal.

We went up to Olivia's school for her IditaRead Awards Ceremony. Her class took part in a challenge to read 1,131 minutes in the month of March (the same amount of miles run by the Iditarod Dog Race going on at the same time). Olivia was determined to complete the race and in doing so she came in 1st place!!! We were so proud of her and she was just beaming as she was presented with her certificate and new Webkins Husky prize.

"What's for dinner?" Taco's. They are a go to quick and easy crowd pleaser in this house. Who doesn't love a taco supreme I ask?! Mexican food is my favorite, just enough spice and variety in texture and flavor for tantalizing my taste pallet.

We had our Easter Celebration at my brother's house this year. They were gracious enough to host and put on a wonderful party! My mother provided her usual 12 dozen eggs for the kids to color until their hearts content. We take our egg coloring VERY seriously in this family!! This year Abby decided she was too old to do the hunting so she helped with the hiding- until the very end when she couldn't take it any longer and had to get in on the action helping the little ones find the very hardest hidden eggs!! Good food, lots of basketball shooting, trampoline jumping, and cousin antics were had by all. Thanks again Cory and Jill!!

Easter Sunday. I love the tradition of new dresses each year. We as a family of girls, love to think up a fun color scheme and then work everyone into it. This year we found Olivia's dress first and then pulled those bright colors into each of the other ensembles, right down to a bright new yellow tie for Paul!! I decided to make these darling felt bows I have been seeing all over blog land for the girls- I LOVE how they turned out, so so CUTE!!

With all the bike riding going on lately, we decided that Eva need some bigger wheels to keep up with her sisters. Despite what this picture shows, she really was so happy to pick out her own NEW bike, just the one she wanted! Boy can she fly now!!

Yeah for 100 photo's! I can't wait until I reach 200!!

365+1 Week 13

This week was "Color Week" in my daily prompts. I felt like it was the perfect time for this theme with all the lovely spring colors awakening around me. The sun was shining most of the week and the weather felt like glorious days were just on the horizon. While I don't particularly like the ups and downs that spring weather brings, I love that it beckons of the glowing days of summer that are soon to arrive.

Photo's #85-91:

"Green" This is my newest house plant. I love the variation of color. We purchased it after the palm tree we had been given by my father right after we were married had reached it limits and we turned it back over to him to cut back, reshape and regrow. This lovely specimen seems a perfect fit in the room. Bringing new life to an otherwise lonely space.

"Orange" I looked for orange in the foliage around, but could find non. We do however have several new duckies and chicks at our house after the girls last evening out with my parents. It's seasonal right?!

"Yellow" This is my favorite color. So bright, so happy, so cheerful. I also happen to adore daffodils, they are one of the first to blossom in the spring, seeming to tell the snow it is time to go away for good!

"Blue" These charming Muscari bulbs grow in abundance in my back yard. They are lush and full and return each year spreading and growing and filling in all spaces and gaps- love them!

"White or Contrast" Blossoms. What more can I say! Who doesn't love these?! In my backyard I love how my trees were just starting to burst into soft, fluffy and delicate bloom next to the dark, firm architectural branches that surrounded them.

"Pink" I decided to document the official return of the open toed sandals to the world. These pink buds are one of my favorite pairs from last season, although I have already purchased some others that are threatening that title!

"Rainbow" With Easter a mere seven days away, the baskets and eggs came out. The practice hunts have begun in preparation for the actual event. You need to be sharp and alert and know ALL the tricky spots to look if you are going to be crowned champion, or so I am told!!

365+1 Week 12

12 weeks- can you believe it! I need to do a big collage showing all my pictures I have taken together. But then again, I am so close to my first 100 in a row that maybe I will just wait and do a special post then!!

Life is busy but fun and we are all just rolling along with our various activities. This weeks photo's I feel are quite random. On some days it was nice to just have something put in front of me on the ideas list to shoot- my creative juices were running thin but prevail I did!!

Photo's # 78 - 84:

This was the box of "Warm Fuzzies" that I handed out to our church primary kids to help remind them to do an act of service for someone they knew during the week. It always surprises me how every child, no matter their age, LOVES a pom pom in hand!! This last Sunday they reported back to me and I was so impresses with all the Warm Fuzzie feelings of charity that had been going around our neighborhood!

"Funny" Paul always can get the girls rolling with laughter by showing them old home movie clips on his phone of silly things they did when they were younger. This picture just makes my heart sing.

You have no idea how relieved I was to make a call the night before and find out that my jury selection had been canceled because the case had settled out of court!! While I love this part of our country and I would be more than happy to provided this service I was so stressed about what I was going to do with my children. What do other stay at home mom's of small kids and full time working husbands do? Needless to say, I was much happier spending the first day of spring running my girls around to their activities.

"Clouds" I don't think I take the time to look up and admire the beauty of the sky enough. This day the weather was warming up, but still overcast and it truly was gorgeous to behold.

"Kitchen Sink" I will admit I wasn't very excited about this one. How boring right! But it IS the place that I spend most of my day! Making breakfast, packing lunches, making lunch, washing dirty sticky hands, wiping up spills, getting sips, making dinner, cleaning up- I am standing here a lot, I suppose this view really should be documented!!

This afternoon Eva helped me pull the weeds from our rock path that travels around the perimeter of our house. It was a lot of work, Liv didn't want to help- but she did like sneaking little bits of the cast offs to plant in her own little potted garden. I love how she arranged them all, just so.

"Before and After" This Saturday we checked another item off of our "To Do" list and painted our front entrance. We sanded, primed, insulated and repainted the jams and replaced the brick molding around the front. Then we primed and painted the door a fresh new color that we pulled from the existing bricks. I really like it and am so pleased! (The new updated shutters are being made and shipped as I write, they will be the finishing touch!)

365+1 Week 11

Photo's # 71 - 77:

"Frosted" This was a perfect prompt since we were at the Davis Winter Birthday's Party this evening. Paulene made this cake and it was so fun and cute!

Spring Soccer Academy officially started today. The sun was shinning and the temperatures were perfect even though the grass is still pretty dull and brown! It was good to see all the coaches and players again!

"Fresh" Just about every day for lunch I have some version of a Spinach Salad. The base is the same but what goes on top depends on what I have in the fridge and pantry that day. Today it was grilled chicken, clementines, avocado, honey glazed walnuts, dried cranberries, and topped with two tablespoons of my sister's Poppyseed Dressing recipe.

"Sign" Every time we head over to the next town to do some shopping we pass this sign. I know that technically it is considered vandalism, but I think it is kind of funny- and this one makes you think- you know!!

"Car" Eva LOVES cars, anything with wheels really, but these are her favorites. Little People Movers. She has many different types and people and plays with them every single day. I think it is pretty awesome that Wonder Woman is the prized piece lately!!

"Shades" This is me in line for Preschool pick up. How big are your sunnies? I am of the opinion that the bigger the better, but I happen to have a large noggin and nose to rest them on and fill out their size!!

"Green" Happy St. Patrick's Day!! It wasn't very eventful over here. We spent the entire day over woodworking and painting in Paul's office. However, we were all decked out in green and I took the time before we left to make this yummy dessert from my childhood. My Aunt Mardi has brought this deliciousness to every family function for as long as I can remember. I think in recent years it is from my personal request! This recipe posted up over at Brown Paper Packages sparked my memory and I had to make it! (although my family doesn't like walnuts- crazies- so I left them out)

See you all next week!!

365+1 Week 10

Photo's #64 - 70:
We have a Northern facing yard. Mostly this is great because during the heat of the summer I have shade to sit in. However, during the winter it is a pain because it never sees the light of day and the snow and ice linger on long after we are ready for it to melt away. Lucky for the girls we are in this icy situation because after the Snow arrived on Friday they didn't get a chance to play in it until Sunday- and you guessed it, lots of snow was still there waiting for them to create an outdoor living room. This is funny to me because they didn't know that their Maryland cousins had recently posted up pictures of the same creations. So Anne and Ruby this one is for you!!!

"Smile" When I ask for a volunteer to pose for a picture Olivia is always the first to jump up and flash her pretty smile. She is the most photogenic child, I don't think she has ever had a bad picture taken!!

"5:00" Every Tuesday we drop Olivia off at dance and then go to my parents house around the corner and visit while we wait. Every single time Eva climbs up on my lap and asks me to read her this book. I always agree because as you can see it is a very worn favorite from my childhood. My sister Hillary and I LOVED this book so much. It is brightly illustrated and completely hilarious. Hill Dawg, this one is for you!!!

"Something you wore" This is my favorite outfit of Eva's. She picked out these shoes herself from the store and is in LOVE with them. Pairing them up with these tights is only just perfection! If I could get away with an adult version I would totally wear it too.

Today was the much anticipated School Art Festival. Every year we buy lots of tickets and then spend the next two hours depleting them on a chance to win at the Soda Pop Walk. This year it only took us 7 rounds to win 3 fantastically decorated bottles of Pop (I am always amazed at the creativity) and it was totally funny to carry around that Rapunzel in my arms all night! We got attention from everyone- so thank you to whoever created it, Olivia was envied by everyone in attendance and completely smitten with her!

First picnic lunch of the season. It wouldn't be complete without our neighbor friend/sister Kate and funny faces sending them all into fits of laughter.

As you can see this week we had the full spectrum of weather. We went from playing in the snow to flip flops and chalk drawings on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. I want this weather trend to stick around, but I won't hold my breath- I have been burned before!