A Photo Challenge ... updated but still in progress

Somewhere out in blogland - I honestly cannot remember where because it was during January's self-imposed blog restriction and I was breaking rules just being there - I came across a Photo Challenge that piqued my interest.  I apologize to the creative blogger who came up with this list.  Anyway, I copied-and-pasted the "requirements" into an email, which happened to catch my eye at midnight ... when I should really be sleeping.

While I was not deliberate about this challenge, I did find photos to meet 2 out of the 5 requirement and now I am motivated to complete the other 3, which means I should probably shower and "make an effort" tomorrow!   Better add "find" and "figure out how to set up" the tripod to my To Do List.

Shot 1+ will be a photo of you and each one of your children individually, not a group shot.

Out for an afternoon walk.  

I love my Pikkolo carrier, and Charlotte loves riding on my back!

The exposure came out weird on this one ... it was taken with the timer and the camera was propped up on a bookcase - I have no idea what happened with my settings. But I love our expressions, so I played with the color and went with it!

Shot 2: you with all your children very close together, think close hugs.

Shot 3: a family shot with a non-distracting background so this can be framed.

Shot 4: you alone, yes, just you.

Shot 5: a photo of you and your spouse alone. 

{I have my younger brother "Uncle Tyler" to thank for these two photos.}

Fun with Daddy

CPV lets me sleep in (at least) one morning on the weekend. During that extra hour of sleep, the girls are exposed to all kinds of goofiness.

Like daddy wearing the Bumbo seat on his head and a saying - in his best robot voice, "I am a robot from Planet Bumbo.  Would you like some Bumbo juice?  Are you a Bumbonian?"

Of course, none of that silliness gets captured in pictures because the resident photographer (me) is happily snoozing upstairs.  And it is a rarity that Chad takes a picture or remembers to take a picture or takes more than one picture at a time.  So when I found this ONE photo from the weekend's daddy daycare hour, I just had to share it:

Good to know CJV was included in the fun.

What caption would YOU give this photo?

Resemblance?

resemblance [rɪˈzɛmbləns] noun - the state or quality of resembling; 

likeness or similarity in nature, appearance, etc.

I think genes are pretty amazing!

Same mother.  Same father

Sisters.

There's a resemblance.

And then, maybe there isn't!

Perhaps we should all just agree ...

they are both more than a little cute!

a special thanks to my friend Deann for reminding me 

that it was definitely time for another side-by-side comparison!

Recent photos of morning snuggles ... oh, how I love these girls!

 

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

Swinging to New Heights!

Yes, I did end up with mulch on my back and in my hair ... 

but it was so worth it!

Moms & Daughters

A daughter may outgrow your lap, 

but she will never outgrow your heart.  

~ Author Unknown

Natalie and I were snuggling on the couch.  Chad happened to notice the sweet moment and grabbed the camera.  I just happened to take a shower and dry my hair that day.  The snuggling is typical, the level of hygiene/styling is sadly not!  Anyway, the "planets" aligned and the result is a photo of me that I can actually stand to look at - and Natalie looking adorable :)

 Grandma always made you feel 
she had been waiting to see just you all day 
and now the day was complete.

-- Marcy DeMaree

I love this shot of my mom because it's candid.  She hates having her picture taken, so I have to be sneaky with my camera sometimes!  Also, it captures her "in her element" - at the place where she serves lunch three days a week.  It's this quaint little restaurant in the downtown area where I grew up.  It's a busy, fun atmosphere, and everyone - customers and coworkers - absolutely loves my mom! Here she is showing off her newest grandbaby!  She's just beaming with pride, and Charlotte is just taking it all in.

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

WW: Read My Tulips

From our recent 4th Annual Trip to see the Tulips ...
this time as a family of four!

 Stopping to smell the ... tulips!

Tulip on one hand, rocks in the other - the best of both worlds?!

The back of her hair is perpetually a mess!

 She was looking at someone else's camera,
but refused to look at mine!

 On the tractor ride ... CJV is in the Ergo, you can almost see her.

 Our family of four :)

 Beautiful flowers as far as the eye can see ...
and one cute two year old!

 The dangers of muddy conditions and galoshes one size too large!

Check out her shadow in the puddle ...
and the long rows of flowers ..
this is my favorite!

Had enough tulips yet? 
If not, here's a link to last year's Tulip Festival photos.

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

WW: Girls at Play

i've been "working" on the look of my blog ...
when i have a spare minute ...

... especially the header (hint, hint)

... all work and no play?

not a chance!

been enjoying some amazing weather here in the NW

nhv has rediscovered her love of the swing

a living, breathing honey bunny ... wearing a bib

cjv is falling in love with her rainforest bouncer ...

wait 'til she sees the jumperoo!

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

Sisters in Pajamas

Both freshly bathed and looking so cute.

NHV was so excited to have the chance to hold baby sister.

CJV was ready to eat but did her best to enjoy the moment..

Both sisters managed to look pretty darn adorable!

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

WW: Nesting? Ya Think?

This is not how my pantry normally looks.

This is my pantry on ... 3rd trimester pregnancy hormones.

And it makes me smile everytime I open that door!  It's not alphabetized, but all the "like" foods are happily together - hanging out in those super fabulous black-and-white bins.  Cannot tell you how good it felt to do this ... totally gave me the nesting fix I so desperately needed!

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My nesting tendencies are being put to good use in NHV's new big girl room, too.  It's still a work-in-progress, but the walls (and ceiling and closet and doors) are painted ... the bedding is washed and ready to roll ... and the bed - being hand-crafted by my ridiculously talented husband - is in the final stages of being painted.  As for my part in all this?  Well, I washed the bedding.  And I've been working on a few crafty projects!

NAME:  I bought wooden letters and scrapbook paper (coordinated to the bedding, of course) and modge podged it all together.

CURTAINS:  NHV loves a dark room, and she's a good sleeper ... so I am more than happy to oblige this little requirement.  But the chocolate brown curtains seemed kind of "blah."  Not to worry, nothing a few yards of ribbon and some hemming tape won't solve.  I am even watching videos online to learn how to make bows - to attach to the curtain tabs!

ART:  First, I scanned images from some of NHV's favorite owl books.  Then my dear friend D let me use her color printer ... 'cause Kinkos said they can't make color copies of copyrighted materials ... ooops!  The canvases will be painted chocolate brown, images modge podged, and a clever quote* added.  Should be adorable!  *If you're feeling clever or inspired, I would appreciate suggestions for an "owl" saying to add to the second canvas - in the white space in the middle.

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I know what you're thinking ...

How is she possibly finding the energy for all of this fabulous nesting and crafting?

My secret ... afternoon naps and ...

Somebody, please stop me :)

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

WW: Mailbox o' Plenty

Wow!  I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened my mailbox.

No bills.  No junk mail.  No unwanted catalogs.  Just this ...

Count 'em ... 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 packages
Of various shapes and sizes.

From various senders.

From locations all over the world - no exaggeration!
My arms were full.  My face smiling.  My heart bursting.

First off, a package all the way from Ireland.  That's right, folks, I've got a friend who lives on the other side of the world, and he sends me NHV presents!  This delightful owl book and hand-written note came from Quince of The Speks.  If you haven't heard their awesome, kid-friendly music, then a) you're missing out and b) you haven't been reading ToddlerBrain!  Quince capitalized on Natalie's owl obsession, and she can't get enough of this book!

Then I opened a very fun note from a second grade classroom back in IL.  Seems we have a visitor here in the NW, and I have a deadline to take photos and write about the beautiful NW.  Homework - for the teacher - you know I am loving that!

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My hands trembled as I opened the next two because I was expecting them ... like a kid expects Christmas morning. I knew what was inside but I didn't know what they looked like.  Both were sent from WI.  Both came from a talented, creative, super thoughtful friend of mine.  I've never actually met BJ_Mama - or even heard her voice for that matter.  Our friendship formed over blog posts, comments, and emails.  I can't tell you how glad I am that we found each other!  And we will meet in "real life" someday!

You really should visit her two blogs:

For What It's Worth ... Or Not

LadyBeez Designs

Inside the third package was my custom-designed handbag ... created by BJ_Mama just for me!  And she can do the same for you ... just ask!

She sent me a form.  I came up with some color ideas.  She drew up a sketch, shopped for fabrics, and with her magical sewing abilities, created a gorgeous bag - way beyond my expectations!  The outside if soft grey corduroy, the inside and details are a sophisticated stripe with bursts of yellow ... cuz I've got sunshine on a cloudy day!  I absolutely love it!

 

And, finally, a package for my girls (both of them) that completely melted my heart!  It's sure to illicit a few aaaaaahhhhhs from you, too!

 

I had this old t-shirt of NHV's from last fall.  It had an owl on the front, and I got an idea to take that owl and put it on a pillow.  One - big - problem, I have no sewing skillz what-so-ever ... beyond like, buttons.  That's where my talented, awesome friend, BJ_Mama, comes into the equation.  She offered to make the pillow for me!  I braved a fabric store (sc-ar-y) to find the brightly-colored flannel and sent it - along with the shirt - to Wisconsin.  BJ_Mama added the yellow fabric (it's perfect!) and the circle detail to frame the owl.  Is she good or what?!  Natalie is over the moon!  Smiling, hopping around, and saying, "Mice ooowwel peeelow!"

As if the tears weren't already welling up in my eyes, there was another little bundle inside the package.  A blanket - made from the same circle fabric - with a note from Natalie to her baby sister!  How sweet is that!? 

That little blanket will be traveling with me to every ultrasound appointment from here on out!

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I love, love, love getting good mail ... especially package with such wonderful, thoughtful, fun contents!  What is the best thing you've received via USPS?

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

Wordless Wednesday: Pumpkin Patch

In preparation for our upcoming "annual" trip to the pumpkin patch, I am reposting some photos from last year's trip because, well, they're priceless and make me laugh!

I took these two pics - unbeknownst to the subjects ... for your blog-viewing pleasure.

Pumpkin wrestling, the only way to settle

a "hey-that's-my-pumpkin" dispute!

And, well, that's definitely one way to make

sure no one else takes your pumpkin.


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And here's a cute one of NHV ... crazy to see how much
she's changed in just a year's time!

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

Wordful Wednesday: Scarecrow Building

The perfect fall activity ... Family Scarecrow Building Party!

The hostess provided the bales of hay, safety pins, twine, and directions.

There were cups of hot chocolate and yummy treats, too.

We brought our own scarecrow apparel.

Let the building and good times begin!

The daddies were in charge of the construction.

The mommies handled the creative finishing touches.

The kiddos just ran around and ate cookies.

Our new "friend" came home with us.

He looks great on the front porch!



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

Wordful Wednesday: Growing Up

she's saying "yeah" instead of "yesh"

she's honing her skills as a drama queen

she's using "last year" instead of "yesterday" ... figuring out past tense

she's tuning into emotions and reasons for feeling a certain way

she's counting to fourteen and knows all uppercase letters

she's eating more and better varieties of foods

she's making us laugh and marvel everyday

she's semi-giving up her lovey ... but definitely not her binky

she's learning to use the potty ... one BM at a time

she's insisting on some Independence and doing it "self"

she's preferring daddy, especially when they're being "goofy"

she's pretending to be a cook, a mommy, and a bally-reena

she's leaving babyhood in her dust, cruising through toddlerhood,

and hurling herself toward big girl status

she's a delight ... and an enigma ... my baby girl ...

my first born ... soon-to-be big sister

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

posts here and here and here.

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Check out my fun and fabulous GIVEAWAY over at ToddlerBrain: http://toddlerbrain.blogspot.com/2009/09/spek-tacular.html

Mostly Wordless Wednesday: No Photos, Please

During a recent trip to the park,

I caught a glimpse of the tween attitude

as NHV refused to look at the camera.

Is it really that hard ... that awful ...

to turn those beautiful blue eyes

in my mama's direction for a few seconds?

I mean, I've only taken 4,000 photos this year!

Just so you know - eyes or not - I'll still be clicking away :)

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

Wordless Wednesday: Potting Training

Breakthroughs and Setbacks

It's been an interesting transition

She'll sit on the potty all day

As long as there's proper entertainment

Reading more books than I can count

Drawing with crayons on the toilet seat

Singing every song we know

Stacking foams blocks on the step stool

Sometimes our efforts are rewarded

Other times, it's all just for fun :)

You can see more great photos and Wordless Wednesday

posts here and here and here.

Wordless Wednesday: Friendship

"Friendship is one mind in two bodies."

17 years of knowing each other

High school duo

College roommates

Maids of Honor

Best Friends

Separated by many miles and a time zone

Sharing phone calls, emails, photos, & blog posts

Celebrating triumphs

Supporting through tribulations

Appreciating all the silly things

Basking in the joys of motherhood with these two

the strong silent type & a little chatterbox

deep brown eyes & bright blue eyes

two peas in a pod - nonetheless

You can see more great photos and Wordless Wednesday posts here and here and here.

Wordless Wednesday: Playing at the Park

As the end of August draws near, I am dreading the changes.

Soon the days will be so much shorter,

the sky much gloomier,

the weather much wetter,

and trips to the park less frequent.

At least I have these adorable photos to remind me

of what will return in about 10 months ...

You can see more great photos and Wordless Wednesday posts here and here.

That Face!

Storytime with Daddy

I'm going wordless on this one ...

... which is really hard for me to do, by the way!