Reality Check ~ Best Shot Monday

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I know this is coming in just under the wire…as I mentioned earlier, once I head back to work I’m bound to have a few sparse tumbleweeds blowing through these parts.  At least then my virtual “home” will resemble my real home in the amount of cobwebs adorning the corners!

In any case, I’ve had these images up in my photostream for a few days at least, and I just had to pull them out as my best shots this week.  This is, in part, because they remind me that just last week we were outside in shorts and t-shirts enjoying an evening on the deck, and today I pulled out hats, mittens and winter coats to bundle up before heading into town.  Thankfully the light dusting of snow that graced the ground quickly melted away – I’m just not quite ready for that yet!

Calder was proudly naming his facial features while I was changing yet another poopy diaper, and when he got to his nose, he did this…

Double Barrel

And Seneca, well, she’s growing like a weed despite the fact that she spits up at least 50% of every feeding! She’s quite the urpy baby, but thankfully she’s what the doctor reported as “a happy spitter.” I just love the glistening bit of spittle on her chubby cheeks here!

Sweet Spitter

These daily doses of reality – the unrefined and silly moments of motherhood – that remind me to slow down and enjoy the ride!

Check out other best shots today at Tracey’s.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

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Grandpa

There are many words I can think of that would describe you well.  Energetic.  Determined.  Hard-working.  Generous.  The list could go on and on.  I cannot tell you how thankful I am to be part of your amazing family.  I’ve learned so much about life and love.  I remember turning pens, cutting cedar shakes, documenting the dismantling of a barn, garden tours, and International travel just to name a few. 

I always love the intense laughter around the kitchen table and the way you dream of a project and then plan it to perfection.  I love watching “the guys” work and play together and can only trust that the caliber of Garth’s character is a testament to the way he was raised.

I’m not sure I’ve said it to you, but sometimes I wish there weren’t as many miles between our families, so we could visit more – especially now, with the kids.  Yet, at the same time, I wouldn’t change anything about “the resort” because it’s always such a welcomed change.  I can already see the little ones enjoying countless summers wandering through garden rows, and roasting marshmallows over the fire before camping out in the cabin. 

With all the memories left to make, I hope this birthday and the coming year offer you every happiness!

Theme Thursday ~ Imagination

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The more I’ve played with PS, the more confidence I’ve gained.  While I still have so much to learn, it’s exciting to play and to get a feel for my likes and dislikes.  Before I started playing, I thought I would play up the frames, the colors, the texts…but I find that not to be so.

This is the first “project” I’ve done, and there’s certainly a few things I might’ve changed, but I wanted to wrap it up.  I love it for today’s theme, because not only did putting this together take some creative imagination on my part (even though it’s not altogether exciting), but it also begs the question about the workings of Calder’s imagination in these shots. 

Collage

These were taken two weeks ago while the guys were splitting firewood.  He wandered around for at least 30 minutes!  He went from aimless wandering to marching on a mission – oh how I’d love to know what he was thinking as he climbed around fallen limbs, tumbled into the damp leaves (which he didn’t love), and proudly wore papa’s hat!

For other imaginative work, swing by Stacy’s.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday ~ Weather

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Weather 1

As we headed home last Sunday morning, we anticipated a decent drive considering the bright blue skies overhead.  However, we quickly met darkness, freezing rain, and crazy road conditions.  But in true Michigan style, the weather continued to change throughout our entire drive south.  From foreboding clouds, hail and even slight accumulating snow, to intense sunshine and rainbows.  It was one of our strangest trips yet.

Museum Fun

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Last week we headed to Impression 5 to check out their cool exhibits and the new First Impression room designed specifically for toddlers!  It was an action-packed day that involved a quick 20 minutes on the treadmill, meeting Aunt Julie for coffee, spending 2 fabulous hours at the museum, and finally meeting up with Grandma and Grandpa for lunch.

Ladies, I hope you had as much fun as I did watching our little monkeys climb, crawl, explore and play their way through the day.  And considering the excitement and the late lunch, things were incident free!  I’ve played with a few of the pictures I snapped and have included them below for your viewing pleasure!  Enjoy!

Museum 4

Lovin’ the dimples!

Museum 2

I think he would have swum in the bubbles if I’d have let him!

Museum 5

Little Mama!

Museum 7

One of the several toys that ended up in the “to be cleaned” bucket during our visit!

Museum 10

Museum 13

Museum 12

Once he found the fish he was all set!

Museum 6

Museum 3

Museum 8

“Look at the splash I can make!”

Museum 9

Museum 1

Fun feature to keep kids busy in the lobby…that is if my kid didn’t try to steal two of the marbles!

Museum 11

I absolutely L-O-V-E this shot!  When he makes me so crazy, I want to remember the sweet look on his adorable face at this moment!  It takes my breath away!

While Seneca was there, she and Great Aunt Julie got lots of time to snuggle.  I really wanted this to be a day for Calder – to let him run around, be loud, climb in, on and through everything he wanted…and have my full attention.  It was so very well worth every second!

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On a completely unrelated note…I have a question for any and all of my readers.  When I put lots of shots in a post such as today’s, is it easier/better to have my two cents written above the shot or below it?  Trivial, I know, but I can’t ever decide which way to go.  Your help is appreciated! 🙂