Budding Photographer

Allie received her very own digital camera for her birthday from her Pappay (this was a typo but a much better name for you Pappy) and Grammy.

This is going to be fun seeing Allie's world through her own eyes. And I'll be happy to let you in on it too!

I think she's a natural.

Here is installment #1 of Allie photos.

Itchy Toe Remedy

I've seen a HUGE change recently relationally between Stephen and the kids. I believe this all stems from our 5 months living apart from him during our transition to Hickory. Now that we are all together again, both kids have been all about daddy and I take the backseat whenever I can and let him deal with the kids and all their kid issues.

Take for instance the other night when Allie came out of her room after being put to bed for the night complaining about an itchy toe.

I like to sit back sometimes and just see what solutions Stephen comes up with.

Stephen's itchy toe remedy, "give it a good itch and then blow on it and put your sock back on".

I looked at him and mouthed "BANDAID", so Allie would think it was all his idea.

Hazey Hickory sunrise

(SOOC)

Goooooood Morning/Day/Evening (whatever time of day it might be) from Hickory.

We've seen some pretty unbelievable sunrises the past few days.

Yesterday morning was a particularly foggy morning and as Allie and I snuggled on the couch watching cartoons, I couldn't help but step outside to try and capture with my camera what my eyes were seeing.

I pulled this photo in Photoshop, but my honest husband brought to my attention that the SOOC image was just as good as an edit.

However your morning started, I hope that it brought a smile to your face and a pep in your step.

365

I've got a mother-in-law (I just removed the adjective crazy hoping to not start a family fued).

Not only does she have a blog that she calls, "a burden", but she now has two blogs that will "burden" her. I had to call and give her a hard time about this on skype this morning.

Blog #2 is titled "Project 365". Basically, you post a picture a day for one glorious year! As a photographer, it will make you challenge yourself and think outside of the box to put up different interesting images every day.

As I sat this afternoon thinking of all the housework I should be doing, I decided to instead pick up my camera...and for once, NOT photograph my children. This was hard. They are my staples and constant subjects on my memory card.

Not today.

Here is my subject today.

My Piano.





I think I might just try Project 365....

....who am I kidding. I'm far from retired!

(love ya S! Really!)

Gone are the days...

Gone are the days of kidless downtown Nashville New Years Eve Bashes, and other exciting venues....

Enter diapers, poppin the top on apple juice, and playing boardgames....while ringing in the New Year.

It's official. We're old and boring.

This New Years we had some other old and boring (kidding guys, really....) friends of ours come for a visit.

We took the kids to the Science Center here in Hickory. It's one of the only things on the "things to do when company is in town" list. This is my other son Z, along with my two biological children, as we checked into the science center.



We played in the last lingering snow. Now I'm officially ready for Spring, but unfortunately mother nature is not.



Z watching our two ride a Christmas present from Santa. I hear Allie about threw him off the Gator...after that, he was done.



This is O. Such a content and sweet baby. I didn't hear her cry her entire visit....and she sleeps through the night. I asked to keep her, but her parents wouldn't let me.



This. This...I....really have no words for.

Besides...it makes me cringe. It's little cocoony body was contracting while breathing in and out.

Allie wanted to keep it. Uh-uh....NO WAY!



Here is O with her momma (you couldn't tell could ya? O is a mini me of her momma).

.....and we all barely held our eyes open for the clock to strike 12:00 a.m., and off to bed we went...quickly. Yep, we're old.

Happy Birthday Allie

My little girl turns 5 today. 5!!! Unbelievable!

My little girl also starts her first day of preschool here in Hickory today. She is super excited to finally meet and get to play with new friends.

My little girl is finally getting her very own pet today for her birthday present. A fish. I asked her earlier if she got a fish what she would name it. Her response, "If it is a goldfish, I will name it gold fish. If it is a purple fish, I will name it purple fish".

Happy Birthday my sweet Allie. You are loved. Forever!

New Years Resolution

I realize these photos are completely unrelated. I have so many of the kids from our snow this Christmas...that....you will be seeing many more.

This year, like the last, I will be aiming high for my New Years Resolution.

Last year my goal was to start recycling. Which we finally did in Nov....but I made it!

This year, I have 2 resolutions:

1. To take vitamins (I've been told I need them, do I need them?) And the kids will take vitamins as well. I remember popping Flinstones like candy when I was a kid. So I guess they need them too.

2. I plan on winning $10,000 on AFV. Our sweet friends bought us a housewarming gift - a remote control flying helicopter. I just so happened to be filming last night when S accidentally flew the copter right into Allie's hair....it quickly became a tangled mess. I deem it worthy of the $10k and plan on seeing if America does too.

Lastly, thank you to our sweet friends the Allens who drove a record breaking 2 hours to kick off the New Year with us. We enjoyed your company! Tell Z he can "go see Miss Bettany in Hickwee" anytime.