Dear Abigail, Welcome to 2015! We listened, danced and sang along to songs played by DJ Daddy to bring in the brand spankin’ New Year. When you’re singing and dancing to songs like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Everything I Do” and iconic artists like Lionel Richie and George Strait, the eve of 2015 becomes a magical family night. How could it not? Every night, you fight sleep with all your might, sometimes not falling asleep until after midnight. You sat at the kitchen table drawing, fighting like usual to stay awake. Amazingly, your eyes got heavier... and you... Continue reading

I've joined a group of photographers documenting details that kids were here. January 2014 has been one blessing after another. Without further ado, here is a sign of a daily life well lived from a meaningful family celebration. Please continue on with our blog circle by visiting Misty! Continue reading

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Our New Year's Day was nothing but relaxing. We ate chocolate donuts for breakfast, watched football and played with our Christmas toys. Abby received a Shelby Cobra from Santa. And then proceeded to crash into a palm tree and the back yard wall. Driving lessons will continue. Continue reading

Note: Chalkboard beauty courtesy of Shugabee Lane. Continue reading

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Halloween 2013 has come and gone. Five days later I'm still not through editing Halloween pictures. Cinderella enjoyed her night of festivities. Hope you did too! Continue reading

This week's 52 on Friday is a photographer theme, depth of field. I didn't pick up the camera all week, so I went into the archives to find a happy memory. This one comes from our one and only vacation of just the two of us, taking our honeymoon and celebrating our 4 year anniversary. The people we had dinner with every night sent us decorated strawberries and champagne. What a lovely gesture! Now head on over to Dana Cubbage's blog. Happy Friday! Continue reading

This week's theme, to interpret in a photograph, was "wonder." Arizona experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity this past week, the MLB All-Star festivities. The whirlwind of activities started Friday with the All-Star Fan Fest. Sunday was the Futures game (refer to the picture below) and the Celebrity/Legends baseball game followed. Monday night was the Home Run Derby, which was an impressive display of strength. All leading up to the Tuesday night pinnacle, the All-Star game, where the pitching power of the National league beat the hitting power of the American league. The whole experience was an unforgettable "wonder".... Continue reading

Another week to interpret a theme in a photograph. This week's theme, "Summer", is appropriately timed. During the summer, our family schedule slows down. Our bodies don't rush from one activity to the next. We are lazy to get up out of bed, because we read later into the night. More family activities just naturally occur, like catching a baseball game, watching a movie on Friday night, cooling off in the swimming pool, or heading North for a weekend camping trip. Meals consist of lighter and healthier foods, such as these tasty strawberries. Please head on over to Bethany's blog... Continue reading

My husband will be celebrating his first Father's Day this Sunday. Yes, we're pregnant and beyond excited for our bundle of joy to arrive January 21st. At our nephew's graduation party, he rocked a baby, a beautiful, 6 week old lab, named Daisy, to sleep. Perfect practice for our expanding family. Please head on over to Callie's blog to view her interpretation of "Father". Happy Father's Day! Continue reading

This week's theme to interpret within a photograph is "Sky." I sometimes take for granted the beautiful AZ weather, but then I roll outside, sit on a patio swivel chair and let myself get engrossed in a book. When I feel myself relaxing from the day and breathing at a normal pace again, I look up and see this peaceful view with the leaves blowing in the wind. Please complete the circle and head on over to Catherine's photography blog to view her interpretation of "Sky". Have a great weekend! Continue reading

Another beautiful Friday has arrived. Another Friday to interpret a theme in a photograph. This week's theme is "Light". There's no shortage of light in Arizona, which is a blessing and a curse. I challenged myself this week to go out at high noon, in 100 degree temperatures, to shoot. If a photographer can take amazing photographs in the harshest of light, they can shoot anything, anywhere, anytime. Alright, that is definitely an exaggeration, but it would definitely improve a photographer's skills. So, I headed outside and upped the challenge even more, by picking an almost dead bush in the... Continue reading

Another beautiful week here in AZ and another Friday to interpret a word in a picture. This week's theme is "Dream." Almost 25 years ago, I wrote a first grade paper about wanting a dog. Just not any dog though. Every single time I referenced the dog, I called it an "American buff colored cocker spaniel." There were no pronouns, like it or she, anywhere to be found in the paper. In my large, rudimentary print, this was the longest paper I ever wrote. I was obviously very proud of myself. My incredible husband made my dream of owning an... Continue reading

And here's another week to interpret a theme in a photograph. A dear couple and friends are parents to this miracle! We've been blessed to be a part of Keenan's "Growth" over the last year. Happy Birthday sweetie! Please head on over to the wonderful photographer, Cat, and leave some love! Continue reading

I get so engrossed in my daily activities that when I actually stop for just a minute, another wonderful week has blown right by. A little reminiscing is in order and the true story starts with me.... ...checking the mail on my way home from work. You talked to me before I even saw you. On a dreary, rainy night, you were locked in the basketball court at our apartment complex. Your eyes spoke to my soul. I took you inside our apartment to the anguish of our long-hair chihuahua. You were content, drying off and resting. You eyed our... Continue reading

I'm really enjoying being a member of a 52 week group on the Bloom Forum. The support, encouragement and advice is incredible. This week's word to interpret in a photograph is "Easter Eggs". Hmmm....we haven't made dying Easter eggs an annual family holiday tradition...yet. Instead, we've made our own eggs that we can re-use each year. Cover egg shape styrofoam with fabric. Decorate with fabric, ribbon and any other accessories in your stash. And...wholla! You get an Earth friendly, spotless kitchen and easy Easter egg hunt clean-up. Please continue the circle and head over to the ever amazing, Aimee. Happy... Continue reading

In my sleep induced haze this week, I'm paying homage to the life saving Starbuck's mocha. "Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze. It maketh me to wake in green pastures. It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses. It restoreth my buzz: It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness for its name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction, I will fear no drowsiness: For thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me. Thou preparest a carafe before me in the presence of the automatic drip: Thou anointest... Continue reading

As a member of a 52 week group on the Bloom Forum, we're already on the third week of taking a photograph interpreting a word or phrase. This week's word is "Sparkle." I have a few quirks. My biggest pet peeve involves my eyes. Nothing can go near my eyes. Hubby needs to apply eyedrops and it may take only 4 or 5 tries to actually get the drops in my eyes. Applying eyeliner is a definite no, even on special occassions. Applying mascara is an adventure with a lot of clumps. Like a true woman, I tried to change... Continue reading

If you haven't noticed, I'm a complete novice at this photography and blogging "thing", but I'm having a bushel of fun being a member of a 52 week group on the Bloom Forum. Another week has come to take one photograph interpreting a word or phrase. This week's word is "Spring." What do you think of when someone says "Spring"? I automatically think of Spring Cleaning, but I couldn't make a bucket of cleaning supplies look photogenic. I'll leave that to the professionals. I'm hoping for more inspiration next year! What else does "Spring" remind me of? Beautiful outdoor weather... Continue reading

I am thrilled to be a member of a 52 week group on The Bloom Forum. One photograph interpreting a word or phrase per week. A few gratitudes need to be expressed. First, I blogged my very first post. Yeah! Every night this week, I came home from work, picked up the camera and snapped a ton of pictures before bed. Lastly, I'm learning how to "see" colors. The photograph below was overexposed and I experimented with how to remove yellow in Elements. It's not technically perfect, but I'll keep working at it. And now, without further ado...this is how... Continue reading