Family Pictures

We haven't had family pictures taken in nearly four years, it was time. I didn't know the first thing about finding a photographer and I wanted a little more than the traditional JC Penny photo. Then my old roommate from college started posting family photos she'd taken and they were lovely. Turns out she's been taking classes, buying photography equipment and started a business. I booked her over the Thanksgiving break and she did a really nice job!

Zombie Fog

I had to stop on the dirt road to take a picture of this lovely sun rise. There was a nice haze of fog floating on the grass. The kids refer to this as "zombie fog".

Traffic Jam

I love this picture. It was a couple of weeks ago and I had just dropped Wesley off at school and was heading home. The neighbors down the road have a flock of geese that wander. This particular morning they were wandering across the dirt road....very slowly. In fact I had to stop the car and put it in park because they just wouldn't move. I was in no hurry and there wasn't another car in sight so I got my phone out and snapped a shot of this lovely winter morning. I enjoy my morning commute, traffic jams and all.

Visit with Santa

I don't think the sun has shone in at least three days. It's drizzling, foggy and all around kind of depressing. We decided to try and bring some cheer by going to the library Santa event. This is the third year we've gone and I'm so thankful that they do this event each year. The kids and I look forward to it. I think the word has gotten around because it's pretty packed. This year it took 2.5 hours to see Santa. Luckily we didn't have to stand in line, rather they hand you a little card with a picture on it when you enter the library and then they call each picture over the intercom. This keep the line small and allows you to go to the other events such at ornament making, letters to Santa and story time. No child, regardless of age, is going to stand in line for 2 hours!

I know why it's so popular, they get a spectacular Santa and Mrs. Claus. I'm always impressed by the amount of time they spend with each child asking questions and talking. It's very special and my children love it. It's was sunny point on a rather dreary day.

Family

I feel bad for my kids. We don't go do much together as a family on the weekends. I'm usually cleaning or doing laundry or perhaps, on rare occasion, I've been able to go off by myself for some much needed shopping therapy. Sean likes to tinker around in the shop on one of his ongoing car projects. We tend to do our own thing on the weekends. The kids play really well by themselves and keep each other entertained for the most part. But I got to thinking how we don't do much together, as a family. So I told the Hubby that we need to try harder. Every weekend we need to do some "family together" project. Whether that's going to a park, or out to eat, maybe just a movie all together or some WiiU time.

So yesterday evening we took the kids out to eat at their favorite rib joint in town and then we went for a nice walk around the park. It was very nice and we even got Wesley to say it was "the best day ever!!" (which we hear whenever we do any extra curricular activities). Next weekend is our little towns festival and parade so that will count as our family time, then I think we need a zoo trip all together. It's been too long.

Freezing Fog

I woke up this morning to a frosted winter wonderland outside. It's known as freezing fog and it's quite something to see. I took my camera outside with me when I fed the animals and thought I'd share before it's all melted off.

Millions of tiny icicles

No birds visiting this frozen feeder today

"Come on Mom, quit taking our pictures and FEED us!"

Happy tails to you

The walnut grove encased in freezing fog

Snow, Glorious Sow

I have to admit, I love it when it snows. No, let me rephrase that...I love it when everyone I love is home, we have plenty of food, electricity is working and it snows. I don't enjoy it so much when Sean is out driving on it or the electricity is out. Luckily the hubby is home all week with us which allowed me to plunk Miss Greta in his arms and take Wesley out to enjoy the snow.

Last year, for some reason, we never bundled Wesley up and let him go tromp around in the snow. It might have been because I never bought snow boots last year, or maybe it was because he was just too small. Oh well, this year snow seems to be a winner. It took me nearly 10 minutes to wrangle the kid into his two layers of pants, sweatshirt, winter coat, socks, snow boots, hat and gloves but I think it was worth it.

I had to show him how to make snow balls and after that nothing was safe. He was flinging snow everywhere. He wanted to go play in his sand box and I had to show him that it was frozen solid. Even in the dead of winter he wants to play in that dang thing. When his little cheeks turned red I decided it was time to go in and I literally had to drag him inside.

Let's Decorate

We decorated the house (and the blog) this weekend for Christmas and Wesley had a blast helping out. It's amazing how much can change in a year! This year Wesley is so excited about Christmas. It's funny how hard it can be to try and teach someone about an imaginary tradition such as Santa, elves and the North Pole. I don't think he grasps the concept quite yet but we keep working on it. He had a lot of fun putting ornaments on the tree. We learned quickly to only let him handle the unbreakable ones. Every day now he wakes up and runs out of his room to look at the tree all lit up. It's fun seeing Christmas through a child's eyes.

The tree reflecting in those big eyes

Napping in her favorite spot

The lower half of the tree was covered

Too sweet

Fall

What beautiful weather we are having! Fall has finally settled in after having a few weeks of winter like weather. Wesley, Greta and I went outside to enjoy it yesterday. Greta has taken nicely to the Baby Bjorn front pack and she is in it pretty much all the time now. It's helped a lot when she gets into her fussy time of the day (pretty much whenever she's awake..HA!). I have more pictures to share, so enjoy!

Little Man walking.

Such a sweet smile.

Greta enjoying her ride.

Rocky getting some attention.

Forever in love with the sandbox.

Enjoying the weather

Wesley and I spent a great deal of the day outside yesterday soaking up the beautiful weather. I've gotten behind on my picture taking so I decided to snap some shots of my favorite subject while we were outside.

My little friend and constant companion

Their last hurrah

Our daily trek down the driveway

Still blooming...gotta love begonias

The shovel collector

Weekly Winners August 23-30

Bubble Lover

Cookie Monsters

The sunset of this pregnancy

He's waiting..


What doesn't belong in this picture??

Yep, that's Rocky the miniature horse who decided to check out the inside of the shop (much to Sean's dismay).

Sunflowers!

I was so excited when I drove home a couple of weeks ago and noticed the acreage just down the road was growing sunflowers. Not many farmers choose sunflowers as a crop around here and it just really made me happy. I've been waiting and waiting for their heads to finally open and this past week they did just that. There really isn't anything like 300 areas of blooming sunflowers. It's simply beautiful. Sunflowers as far as the eye can see. Sean, Wesley and I took a wagon right down there today to see them up close.





Sunflowers are cool, but playing in a dirt pile was far cooler to Wesley. :)