happy birthday, nhv

WW: Birthday Hunt

CPV celebrated his birthday last week.  The food was plentiful ... too-die-for blueberry muffins, carnitas enchiladas, and cherry cheesecake.  However, the gifts were scarce ... unless you count the books he ordered himself.  The highlight was a "hunt" that led the birthday boy to find ... the materials for our first family letterbox, which we will hide when the weather improves.  I thought the clues were pretty clever (but I am definitely biased).  Chad had such a good time pondering and searching!

It started with a card ... and a clue tucked inside.
Starting at the back door.
4 paces to the Y
To the left and 6 paces more
Turn 90 degrees
Reach up high

That clue led to the top of the armoire in our dining room where he found a Skor Bar (his favorite) and another clue.
Take a stroll to a door that’s closed
Head into the great outdoors
Why not sit and swing a bit?
Your next clue you will find
With your eyes

That clue led to the porch where he sat on the swing and spotted the third clue attached to another Skor Bar.
Back inside; you’re almost there
Four bins to choose from
But only one is right
A clue is waiting out of sight

That clue led back inside to one (of many) toy bins where another Skor Bar and clue was found.
Time for a climb
Keep heading up
There’s a place where
Treasures are kept
Your clue is tucked inside

The next clue took the hunt upstairs and stumped him for a bit.  Eventually he found the final Skor Bar and clue - hidden in the "treasure" drawer of his dresser.
You’re getting closer now
In fact, you’re down right … hot
No need for an extra layer
But that’s just the spot!

That last clue led him to our closet and the final prize!

And, I will end with a confession ... I did this entire "hunt" in about 15 minutes while Chad and the girls were napping.  I thought of the idea earlier in the day, but a nap overtook me in the afternoon ... and I had to make a unexpected trip to the market for cool whip for the cheesecake.  I was down to the wire!  This is the perfect example of procrastination paying off!  I love a last-minute success!  Happy Birthday, CPV!

You can see more great photos and Word-less-ful Wednesday
posts here and here.

Sisters ...

Photos taken at about the same age ... give or take a week.

In Front of the Camera

Before I realized this week's FFF theme was ME, I had drafted the post that follows two days ago. And call me a double-dipper because - I decided to hold the presses - and use this as my FFF post ... guess I'm killing two birds with one stone; how I hate that saying - not what it implies - but it's literal translation.

Ugh, I am feeling long-winded! Keep reading ... or just scroll to the end to see ME :)

My good friend Deann - who happens to be a great photographer (among many other talents) - introduced me to this really great photography blog site:

Each week the site sponsors a photo contest with a specific theme. And, well, since I aspire to be a decent photographer some day, I find myself drawn - like a magnet - to this site and the hundred of photo entries.

This week's contest was a self-portrait, as in take a photo of yourself (and your little one if you'd like) and you must be holding the camera. That's a toughie, huh? Well, I didn't make the deadline ... and I've had pink eye since Friday ... so this probably wasn't the best week to take a picture of myself anyway. But after looking at some of the entries, I found myself feeling sad that I don't really have many pictures of me and my baby girl ... that's sad, right? I TAKE gazillion photos but that means I am behind the camera ... and stretching my arms out to include myself just isn't something I think about doing very often. But I vow to change that. I vow to put myself in front of the camera more often.

Anyway, I decided to scour the images on my computer ... I only went back to last June ... and here are a few of my favorites:

1. 
   
   My friend Missy took this photo when we visited her in Denver last June. I love Natalie's argyle BabyLegs! And my hair looks longish and not as flat as usual ... apparently, Colorado agrees with my limp locks!


2. 
   
   I took this photo one afternoon while we were playing on the floor in our family room. It's at a silly angle, but I just love the happiness on our faces :)


3. 
   
   Another afternoon play session turned photo shoot ... Natalie has a weird look on her face but I love her little hand!


4. 
   
   On a snowshoeing "expedition" this winter, Chad snapped this shot. She's looking up and saying, "Hold me." Sweet candid :)


5. 
   
   My friend Tammy was "playing around" with my new camera and Natalie was being grumpy, so we "posed" for this grouch shot ... but somehow I look a lot more grouchy than she does ... go figure!

Birthday Luau

Most everything I do requires a theme, and Natalie's birthday party was no exception. But I didn't do anything too over-the-top creative; instead I just went with a classic ... a luau! And boy, did we have fun. Fun that Natalie won't even remember, as Chad likes to remind me, but fun nonetheless, and there's plenty of photographic evidence, so it's all good!

Here's the text from the Evite:

A birthday Hawaiian style, doesn't that sound great?
NATALIE is turning ONE so we've got to celebrate!
Wear a crazy Hawaiian shirt or grass skirt if you dare,
it's sure to be a blast and we hope to see you there!
That's right, our baby girl is turning one!
Let's get together and have some fun!
Join us for a yummy lunch followed by cake and ice cream.
Expect colorful leis, a kiddy pool, and a hula contest.

And here's a glimpse at the fun (16 of the 120 photos):

Highlights of Natalie's Luau Birthday Party:
10. Having Natalie's Mimi here to help us celebrate

9. Sharing the day with good friends
8. Plenty of beverages, Chad's main luau responsibility
7. Chad decorated with leis ... all over and in random places
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