I had to take a ton of pictures to figure out the angles I liked best, but I got some good shots that I am pleased with... maybe even one that I might blow up and hang on the wall. What do you think?
Here are some more, just for fun...
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wine Art
We have blank walls in our dining room... they are painted, but nothing else. Just before we moved into our house, and we had decorating thoughts in mind, Ross and I went to dinner at Flemings and I discovered the art/paintings of Thomas Arvid. Since I used to paint, I was fascinated by his paintings. They are so good they look like photographs. Amazing talent! Anyway, it was what I wanted for the dining room. So I did a little research and realized that this artist's work is just not available for the average person like me (they just don't make poster copies or anything!). That was fine, but I still wanted the wine art in the dining room. It's a little unoriginal, I know, but that's okay. Unfortunately, anything I could afford, just didn't cut it. And I would rather have blank walls than something that I didn't really like. Since his paintings look so much like photographs, I figured I could just make my own photo and print it big! I didn't have a camera to do it for a couple years and well, I have had my camera for about 10 months now and never tried the shots that were in my head. It was fear of failure, I'd say. I just had a vision in my head of how I wanted it to look and if it wouldn't work out, I knew I would be disappointed. And now that our kids are older and have a little more reservations, we find ourselves telling them to try new things, don't be afraid to fail, don't let fear be the reason you don't do something, etc.... That happens a lot with me. I am talking to Max and Zoey and realize it definitely can apply to an area in my own life. Anyway, I figured I better take my own advice this time and decided to at least attempt some "wine art photography." If it didn't turn out it wasn't like I couldn't try again right? Besides, I had been saving wine bottles and corks for a while with this in mind, I needed to jump on it!!
I had to take a ton of pictures to figure out the angles I liked best, but I got some good shots that I am pleased with... maybe even one that I might blow up and hang on the wall. What do you think?
Here are some more, just for fun...
I had to take a ton of pictures to figure out the angles I liked best, but I got some good shots that I am pleased with... maybe even one that I might blow up and hang on the wall. What do you think?
Here are some more, just for fun...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tired Guy - Day 25
If Max wakes up and is still tired, he runs into our bedroom and snuggles in for more sleep. And by snuggle, I mean he gets himself all tucked in the covers and burrows in, whether we are in the bed or not. The other morning I was downstairs, Ross and Zoey were off already to work/school, and I heard his door open and a scurry across the hall. If he does this when the sun is already up and he's not too sleepy, he usually just sits on our bed for a while. I waited and waited and didn't hear the usually noises of him reading or playing, so I went to check on him. Poor guy must have been so tired. It looks like he just dragged himself onto the bed and that was all he could muster...
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Blueberries and Food Fun (Day 23)
This next one I saw somewhere (sorry, it was one of those click click click and I'm not sure how I got here, saw the picture and filed it in my brain without remembering where I saw it).
Max is kind of a picky eater, but eats most fruits and veggies, they just have to be raw and cut up. He isn't a fan of blueberries, however. This did the trick to at least get him to eat them up!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Ten on Tuesday (okay, only 8)
1. Is it just me or does January seem to last FOREVER? I call it Eternal January.
2. One of our family New Years Resolutions was to do a ten minute clean-up every evening. I put together a couple of playlists, where each person picked a song, and we clean a boogie down to the music. It's working too! The kids get in their "ready position" to start. Max gets a little distracted and has to be given specific tasks almost constantly, but I'm not complaining!
3. Our schedule goes a little bit like this... 10 minute clean-up, bath, reading time and then bed. Max usually undoes everything he cleaned up during his "reading" time. Oh well, baby steps.
4. Ross and I have lived in a sort of entertainment bubble since we've had kids, I think. We are behind on things of that nature and aren't big TV people, so we only just recently started watching The Office. Oh my goodness! We have been cracking up so much!!! Last night, literally, rolling on the floor!!! That kind of laughing is so good, isn't it?
5. The kids had their 4th snow day last week. They are only allowed 3 before they have to make them up. We are now adding days to the end of the year. We used to have 5 days and have used them up every year, so I don't know why they changed it to 3.
6. This is not intended to offend anyone, it just made me giggle... I drove by the high school today and the sign said, "Go Chess team, Beat Centerville!" At least they are supportive of all the teams!
7. Zoey started Taekwondo in November and she is doing well. It fits her personality and is good for her in so many ways.
8. I don't have anything else to say and I have to go watch more of The Office! HAHA
2. One of our family New Years Resolutions was to do a ten minute clean-up every evening. I put together a couple of playlists, where each person picked a song, and we clean a boogie down to the music. It's working too! The kids get in their "ready position" to start. Max gets a little distracted and has to be given specific tasks almost constantly, but I'm not complaining!
3. Our schedule goes a little bit like this... 10 minute clean-up, bath, reading time and then bed. Max usually undoes everything he cleaned up during his "reading" time. Oh well, baby steps.
4. Ross and I have lived in a sort of entertainment bubble since we've had kids, I think. We are behind on things of that nature and aren't big TV people, so we only just recently started watching The Office. Oh my goodness! We have been cracking up so much!!! Last night, literally, rolling on the floor!!! That kind of laughing is so good, isn't it?
5. The kids had their 4th snow day last week. They are only allowed 3 before they have to make them up. We are now adding days to the end of the year. We used to have 5 days and have used them up every year, so I don't know why they changed it to 3.
6. This is not intended to offend anyone, it just made me giggle... I drove by the high school today and the sign said, "Go Chess team, Beat Centerville!" At least they are supportive of all the teams!
7. Zoey started Taekwondo in November and she is doing well. It fits her personality and is good for her in so many ways.
8. I don't have anything else to say and I have to go watch more of The Office! HAHA
Colorado Christmas
I gave myself until the end of the month to finish up our Christmas posts, so good thing January seems to last forever, right?
After our fun Christmas Eve adventures, the kids were tired, tired, tired. But they woke up on Christmas Day to Santa presents under the tree (Zoey- American Girl Doll and Max- Bingo games).
We spent a relaxing morning playing lots of bingo, going to the park, and getting ready for another meal. We were packing up for our second part of our adventure as well.
We had a Christmas dinner with my family and then headed off to fly to Colorado! Flying late on Christmas night was actually pretty nice. Fairly quiet airport, and not too crowded of a plane. We arrived late, but the kids were fine!
The next morning was our second round of Christmas! How fun. We got to meet our neice Kolbi for the first time!
And of course, more presents for the kiddos! We ended up buying a new suitcase in Colorado as well to help transport the goods!
Kolbi passed out packages!
Zoey and her doll!
girls and dress up:
Zoey with a wig from the movie Tangled!
And Ross joined in!
A little scary, isn't it? You can see him working on the facial hair for the crazy mustache later...
Lots and lots of game playing with new toys! That is heaven for Max!
Little Kolbi entertained us with her singing and dancing!
Zoey and Grandma Bette decorated cookies for us to eat!
And Baby Marc smiled and drooled! Fun for all!
It is rare that Ross and his brother and sister are in Denver at the same time, so we got a group photo!
We got to go to a few stores that we miss while living in Ohio (like REI) and hello! Denver has Pinkberry! So, I had that twice, too!
After our fun Christmas Eve adventures, the kids were tired, tired, tired. But they woke up on Christmas Day to Santa presents under the tree (Zoey- American Girl Doll and Max- Bingo games).
We spent a relaxing morning playing lots of bingo, going to the park, and getting ready for another meal. We were packing up for our second part of our adventure as well.
We had a Christmas dinner with my family and then headed off to fly to Colorado! Flying late on Christmas night was actually pretty nice. Fairly quiet airport, and not too crowded of a plane. We arrived late, but the kids were fine!
The next morning was our second round of Christmas! How fun. We got to meet our neice Kolbi for the first time!
And of course, more presents for the kiddos! We ended up buying a new suitcase in Colorado as well to help transport the goods!
Kolbi passed out packages!
Zoey and her doll!
girls and dress up:
Zoey with a wig from the movie Tangled!
And Ross joined in!
A little scary, isn't it? You can see him working on the facial hair for the crazy mustache later...
Lots and lots of game playing with new toys! That is heaven for Max!
Little Kolbi entertained us with her singing and dancing!
Zoey and Grandma Bette decorated cookies for us to eat!
And Baby Marc smiled and drooled! Fun for all!
It is rare that Ross and his brother and sister are in Denver at the same time, so we got a group photo!
We got to go to a few stores that we miss while living in Ohio (like REI) and hello! Denver has Pinkberry! So, I had that twice, too!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Day 21: Jasmine Plant
I pretty much kill every houseplant I get, but when I saw this at Trader Joe's the other day, I couldn't resist. They had potted Jasmine plants, just about to bloom. I just love the fragrant smell. And the delicate, white flowers. My mom had tons of blooming jasmine all the time, in California, and I always loved it!
So, my plant here is filling the room with fragrance and makes me smile on these cold January days, when Spring seems far away...
So, my plant here is filling the room with fragrance and makes me smile on these cold January days, when Spring seems far away...
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Days of the Week...
(sing to the tune of the Addams Family)
There's Sunday and there's Monday, there's Tuesday and there's Wednesday...
There's Thursday and there's Friday and then there's Saturday!
Days of the Week *snap* *snap*
Okay, so one of Max's favorite Christmas presents this year has turned out to be his days of the week underwear that Grandma got him!!
It is hilarious! Every night after bath, he asks what day tomorrow is, and then goes and finds the right pair. If we skip bath in the evening, when he wakes up and gets dressed the next morning, he has to change his underwear as well! It really is so cute.
The other day we messed things all up and took a shower in the middle of the day! He was very concerned about what to do about his underwear since he had the right day on already! He asked if he needed to keep them on in the shower! Luckily, it isn't a big deal, to just go put on a regular pair!
There's Sunday and there's Monday, there's Tuesday and there's Wednesday...
There's Thursday and there's Friday and then there's Saturday!
Days of the Week *snap* *snap*
Okay, so one of Max's favorite Christmas presents this year has turned out to be his days of the week underwear that Grandma got him!!
It is hilarious! Every night after bath, he asks what day tomorrow is, and then goes and finds the right pair. If we skip bath in the evening, when he wakes up and gets dressed the next morning, he has to change his underwear as well! It really is so cute.
The other day we messed things all up and took a shower in the middle of the day! He was very concerned about what to do about his underwear since he had the right day on already! He asked if he needed to keep them on in the shower! Luckily, it isn't a big deal, to just go put on a regular pair!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Day 20 - Preparing for a Snow Day with Zoey
Always on the lookout for age appropriate crafts to occupy Zoey...
A day of sewing ahead...
A day of sewing ahead...
Day 17 - SpongeBobs
This requires a bigger post all its own, but for now, meet our SpongeBobs (and SpongeBette)...
Day 16: Winter Sunset
Taking a quick break from my backstory vacation posts, to share a picture... Since it feels like -10 outside right now, I thought I would look on the bright side of things...
A winter sunset is definitely different than a summer one, but still holds a beauty all its own...
A winter sunset is definitely different than a summer one, but still holds a beauty all its own...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Arizona Christmas... Part 3
It was so nice to be around family for Christmas.
I need to remember to write down certain pictures that I need to take when people get together. I love these pictures and will be thankful for them for long while.
an example... I wanted this picture above, but also with me and my sister in it! bummer....
We headed off to church and then home for our traditional meal and presents! Food was so amazing, Mom! (how can it not be when there are spicy tuna handrolls involved, right?)
Max bringing baby Jesus to the manger...
Zoey and Max passed out presents (until Max got something he liked so much that he wasn't interested anymore!) Here Zoey is anxiously waiting for Papa to open a present:
She knows what it is, you see, because she wrapped it for me! My dad and I have had this cloth napkin that we have passed back and forth for over 12 years now. It started out as a joke I was playing on him and has just progressed... we always leave it in someones house/stuff to find later while we are visiting! Anyway, I decided to make it a Christmas gift... and had my camera ready for the reveal:
I need to remember to write down certain pictures that I need to take when people get together. I love these pictures and will be thankful for them for long while.
an example... I wanted this picture above, but also with me and my sister in it! bummer....
We headed off to church and then home for our traditional meal and presents! Food was so amazing, Mom! (how can it not be when there are spicy tuna handrolls involved, right?)
Max bringing baby Jesus to the manger...
Zoey and Max passed out presents (until Max got something he liked so much that he wasn't interested anymore!) Here Zoey is anxiously waiting for Papa to open a present:
She knows what it is, you see, because she wrapped it for me! My dad and I have had this cloth napkin that we have passed back and forth for over 12 years now. It started out as a joke I was playing on him and has just progressed... we always leave it in someones house/stuff to find later while we are visiting! Anyway, I decided to make it a Christmas gift... and had my camera ready for the reveal:
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Arizona Christmas... Part 2
Seeing my neice and nephew was fun for lots of reasons... one was having more subjects to photograph! They were willing subjects, and when they did it, Zoey and Max joined in as well.
My photog friend, Susie, has a collection of fun jumping pictures, so when I had all of the kids together, they were willing to let me practice taking some of those!
All this on Dec 23 and 24, mind you! I could definitely get used to that! We went to the playground and dog park and on hikes every day. It was gorgeous weather.
I love this one of Josh, he did a good job and he looks up there!
And Zoey added in her Taekwondo jumps!
check out UPS in the background... bringing me a package! Does anybody else want to hijack a truck and just open up all the boxes?
Oh, and we finally got Ross to do a little dancing too! It a was a duet (that's not the right word) with Zoey...
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Ross and I loaded up the four kids and went on a hike... I know I keep saying it, but it really was awesome to be out in short sleeves on Christmas Eve, enjoying the sunshine and outdoors.
I had a lot of fun with the cacti...
Ouch, right?
We did more jumping too!!
An attempt at all four...
and then we did the individual shots!!
RACHEL
JOSHUA
ZOEY
MAX
A funny side note... It has happened more than once that Ross and I are out with all four of them and we get compliments on our four kids!
My photog friend, Susie, has a collection of fun jumping pictures, so when I had all of the kids together, they were willing to let me practice taking some of those!
All this on Dec 23 and 24, mind you! I could definitely get used to that! We went to the playground and dog park and on hikes every day. It was gorgeous weather.
I love this one of Josh, he did a good job and he looks up there!
And Zoey added in her Taekwondo jumps!
check out UPS in the background... bringing me a package! Does anybody else want to hijack a truck and just open up all the boxes?
Oh, and we finally got Ross to do a little dancing too! It a was a duet (that's not the right word) with Zoey...
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Ross and I loaded up the four kids and went on a hike... I know I keep saying it, but it really was awesome to be out in short sleeves on Christmas Eve, enjoying the sunshine and outdoors.
I had a lot of fun with the cacti...
Ouch, right?
We did more jumping too!!
An attempt at all four...
and then we did the individual shots!!
RACHEL
JOSHUA
ZOEY
MAX
A funny side note... It has happened more than once that Ross and I are out with all four of them and we get compliments on our four kids!
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