12of12 | July

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01. Megan had the hardest time getting up this morning. Even though it's summer we still have violin at 6:45am. Bummer.
02. Found these flowers on the way into violin. The one perk about being up early in the summer -- you get to watch the sunrise.
03. Bella has been joining me in the front passenger seat lately. I've quite enjoyed her company next to me.
04. We went to boondocks today and Tess and I couldn't stop laughing on the race track. We had the slowest car and kept getting passed up by everyone. She can't wait until she's tall enough to ride the big cars herself.
05. It was such a riot on the bumper boats. How come it is so much fun to attack your family with water?
06. We all got seriously soaked on the bumper boats, but it was nice for once to not feel so blasted hot.
07. Spent some time in the batting cages. I have to say I did fairly well for a girl who hasn't picked up a bat in 20+ years.
08. Laser tag continues to be one of the funnest games we play together as a family. So much smack is happening at the beginning of the game about who will dominate. You won't hear if from me though. I don't know what it is, but I'm horrible at this game. Even my girls beat my highest score. Pathetic!
09. Taylor, my 15 year old niece who has a drivers permit, is a ruthless driver. Should I be afraid of her on the road? She saw an opening and edged Amy and Estee out of our way. Can't say it wasn't fun.
10. Sweet little Lewis. He was along for the ride today and was, for the most part, happy about it. Have really enjoyed the extra time with him. What a delightful boy.
11. Megan counting up her tickets -- she ended up with 456. I thought it was a ton for her, but she was quickly disappointed when she realized the big bear she wanted was 5000 tickets. Keep in mind the big bear can be found at Costco for close to $20. Looks like I know what to get for Christmas.
12. My dad and sister Jeni being, well, being them. I adore these two. So wish she lived close. I had it when our time is over.

What a fabulous day! When my sister suggested we go to boondocks Thursday I didn't realize it was the twelfth. In fact, I'm actually not a fan of having a big activity on the twelfth. I prefer to capture daily life, but then again, I suppose that's what we were doing. The best of times!

Hope you all had a great day!

everydayness

A Saturday bagel morning.


Adam and Randy digging potatoes from Pop's garden.


Celebrating Lolo. I'll never speak it aloud, shhh, but I thinking she maybe the favorite.


The weather is changing so automatically I think of knitting/crocheting. This time it was little booties for little baby Lewis.


Tess' first game ever. I was so impressed by how she played.


Did not take Megan long to get back in the swing of the game. Both good games, both girls won.


She's never loved to read, but over the summer she found a fondness for it. Love seeing her like this.

goodbye august

We enjoyed many movie nights,


and far too many trips to the local bread store.


We spent time with cousins at Lolo's work fair, where Tess won a $10 gift card to cold stone,


and celebrated my nephew, Landon's birthday.


We had a good time up in the mountains camping, the girls enjoyed a daddy daughter one too,


and a fun weenie roast with friends.


We played lots of games, they won,


and spent time in the garden after it cooled down in the evenings. (this photo counts for my 52photoproject | week 18| in the garden)


The girls started school, but then I already told you that. Of course I didn't tell you that they were matching that first day. Their shirt says, "we stick together". When they saw the mouse on top of the cat on top of the dog holding a "bff" sign they just had to have it. I love that they are the best of friends.

And we watched the craziest thunderstorm Sunday night. The noise alone was enough to make you take pause, but it was amazing the way the sky lite up. I haven't seen an electric storm like that in years.


Anyone else baffled that it's already September?

52 photo project | weeks 15-17

Trying to catching up a little with the 52 photo project that I've been participating in.

Week 15 | Vintage

[iphone image taken with instagram]

Week 16 | reflection


Week 17 | black & white

the last two weeks | photos

12of12 | august

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01. I got a late start on my day, 9:30 is when I woke up (late night). Luckily it was a slow morning and I was still able to get a workout in. P90x legs.
02. Taking all the kids, my girls + cousins, back to my moms.
03. Every time I tried to take a picture, Alan would fling his sticky hand at my lens. He never did get it, but it was sure fun watching him try.
04. My sister Jeni and I after some shopping.
05. The kids shucking the corn.
06. Alan was helping Megan ride his new Rip Stick. I actually want one for myself.
07. Flowers that greet me every time I pull into my mom's driveway.
08. Little baby Lewis. It was fun to watch his subtle changes over a two week period.
09. Caprese salad for dinner.
10. Megan and Estee making water balloons.
11. My last chance to get our annual photo of Tess and Alan together.
12. Taking a late evening walk to the park.

Today was my sister's last day--she leaves town tomorrow. I can't even tell you how sad I am to see them all go. My girls were teary all the way home--every year they get a little bit closer and every year it's harder to say goodbye. I was really grateful today was the 12th so I could document a bit of our time together. Man, I'm going to miss them.

I hope it was an equally great day for all of you. Looking forward to seeing what your day was made of.

52 photo project | week 04 | ray of light

[bella & whitney at nanas | may 2011]

"a simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it."-unknown

their joyous laughter
their good morning hugs
their thoughtful cards
their "i love yous"
their contagious smiles
their funny phrases
their goodnight kisses
their unconditional love are all pieces of light they share with me each day making my day that much brighter. The joy and richness they bring to my life are immeasurable and far beyond what I ever thought possible when I was innocently daydreaming with my friends over summer break.

Where light is you will find no darkness--my life is full of light. I am grateful to my four for making it so.

in the month of april...

we celebrated my little brother's 30th birthday.


bella started writing her first novel & tess spent time in the library searching for a non-fiction book to read. she settled on snakes.


we spent time just hanging out talking. seems like we have been doing a lot more of that lately, the talking, now that the girls are older and have a desire to add to the conversation.


megan started soccer. can you believe three out of five games have been canceled due to the weather?


& got a new smile.


the girls spent good times with their cousins--even the ones who live in washington.




the girls hunted for easter eggs at their nanas,


& grandmas.


we had our first official porch gathering/bbq of the year--hoping it will not be our last.


we had yet another tickle fight.




it was one of the snowiest/rainiest springs i can remember. i am praying may brings dryer weather.