Bathing Suit Weather Already?

Well, it's not quite bathing suit weather yet, but it was gorgeous outside this weekend. We planned a trip over Spring Break so I bought the kids new bathing suits last week. Harper has been sleeping in hers every night. She wore it under her clothes all day yesterday waiting for an opportunity to strip down to just her bathing suit. Finally when Mitch decided to wash the cars, I told her she could run around in just her bathing suit. Miller quickly followed suit.

I am choosing this last shot as my Best Shot this week. It gives me hope that Spring is really right around the corner.

Best Shot Monday- Gathering

We had incredibly awesome weather this weekend. The sun was shining and the temperatures creeped into the mid 60's. We took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and headed to Bowie Nature Park. The Cottons joined us, which made it even more fun. It felt good to be able to shoot some photos outside and it's always nice to have different subjects to photograph. This little stinker literally runs away from me when she sees me coming with the camera. She has the most gorgeous eyes, but usually refuses to look at me. I managed to convince her to let me photograph her collection of pine cones though.

I took tons of shots over the weekend, but for some reason these two together are my favorites. I loved how she collected all sorts of little things as we hiked. Her pockets were full and so were her hands. It was the perfect way to spend Saturday morning.

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Much Needed Fresh Air

On Saturday morning we decided to head out to the park to get some much needed fresh air. I grabbed my macro lens and decided it would be nice to try to get some nature shots. It has been awhile since I have used it and I was needing some macrotherapy. Of course, about 6 shots in my battery died. I did have a spare one in my purse in the car, but I didn't fell like going all the way back to the car. I did get a couple of shots that I liked though.

You know I can't resist those raindrops.

I love the fairy in one hand and the horse in the other.

I am chosing this as my best shot this week. There's just something interesting about it. I love the richness of the colors too.

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Berry Bokeh

The weather was perfect this weekend. Highs in the 70's and not a cloud in the sky. We spent a good portion of it outside. It was the perfect mix of relaxation and productivity. If that is even possible.

There is something about these berries that drawn me in every year. Maybe it is the bold red color against the rest of the drab colors. Maybe it reminds me that the holidays are near. Whatever the reason, I can't seem to get enough of them.

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Campin' At Fall Creek Falls

We took the kids camping for the first time this weekend.

We did some hiking.

We saw some pretty water falls.

My sister-in-law and broter-in-law with my nieces posing for a scenic photo.

We took a break for a little snack.

We ate dinner and s'mores. Enjoyed a nice campfire. Put the kids to bed. Chased a skunk around the campsite. Stayed up pretty much all night with cold, restless children. (not photographed)

But we survived.

A little tired and cold, but still smiling.

Nothing a camp fire can't cure though.

And my Best Shot......

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All Smiles

We live about 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, but until this weekend our kids had never been downtown. I guess we have never had a reason to go until this weekend. Disney On Ice was in town so we decided to make an afternoon of it. We walked around, grabbed dinner, and enjoyed the show.

Look at all those smiles. I think they may have been a little excited about seeing Disney On Ice. I am choosing the last shot as my Best Shot this week. First of all, my niece is so stunning with her ice blue eyes. Second of all, the two of them together like this gives me glimpse into the future. I know these two are always going to be close and it warms my heart.

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BSM- To Have and To Hold

I thought I would share another shot from our recent trip to Colorado. After our train ride we drove around the little town of Silver Plume. It is an old mining town. I fell in love with this church so we stopped so I could take some photos. I love the mountains in the background and how they are also reflected in the round window. All the little details of the church are so beautiful.

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Perfect End to a Wonderful Weekend

We had a weekend full of hanging out with family and friends. We got home just in time for dinner last night. So while I threw dinner together, Mitch set up the sprinkler in the baby pool for the kids. It was the perfect way to end an action packed weekend.

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Best Shot Monday- Say Cheese

This is my new favorite shot of Harper. Her smile is genuine which I rarely capture these days. I am choosing it as my Best Shot Monday.

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One of Those Days

Yesterday was one of those days. Not horrible and it certainly could have been worse, but nothing seemed to be going our way. All Harper wanted to do was go swimming. Our next door neighbor has a pool, but they were not home. The rec center did not open until 1:00. We promised her a swim after nap. She even put on her bathing suit before she laid down for her nap in preparation.

When she woke up, Mitch went next door and asked if we could come over for a swim. They said "yes" and Mitch said we were going to wait for the sun to come back out. Well, the sun didn't come back out and it started to thunderstorm. Eventually it stopped raining and Mitch set up the little baby pool for them , which seemed to appease them.

So I decided to start dinner. I went to the grocery store earlier and we were planning on grilling out. I checked the fridge and could not find the shrimp and fish any where. I checked the fridge in the garage, but no fish. I checked the freezer....no fish. I checked the back on the van and there was still one bag of groceries left in the van. Of course, it contained all the frozen and cold stuff I had purchased earlier. AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH! We had to throw everything away. It had been sitting in my very hot van for at least 7 hours.

Mitch headed to the grocery store to replace the spoiled food. I started some rice and put corn on the grill. He got home and turned on the other burners on the grill. He came inside and made kebabs with the shrimp along with some pineapple and mushrooms. When he opened the grill to cook the kebabs, it wasn't hot. Of course, we had used all the propane. So he headed back to the store to get more propane. At this point all we could do was laugh and drink a beer.

I am choosing the above shot as my best shot because the photo seemed to fit well with the story and he is just too darn cute.

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Whatcha Lookin' At?

We had a great weekend celebrating Father's Day and hangin' with our family.

Could my nephew be any cuter? I just love his expressions and those curls. Oh, those curls!!!

My niece actually smiles for the camera. Gotta love that. Look at all those teeth. I can't get enough of that little girl.

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Birthday Week Comes to an End

We survived birthday week last week. Thank goodness. I can't tell you how happy I am to have Harper's birthday party behind us. I will post more details on the party later in the week. Now we get to start thinking about our vacation that is less than 2 weeks away. YEAH!!!!

I am choosing the above photo as my Best Shot. Technically it is not my best shot. I was trying to manually focus with my 50mm. But I love the expression on her face and the little bit of chocolate on the side of her mouth. Guess she couldn't wait to get a taste of the cake. I also love that you can just barely see Miller peeking in on the side. Those kids love cake. It's a good thing because we have had plenty of it this week.

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Shine

"Shine"

Give me a word

Give me a sign

Show me where to look

Tell me what will I find

Lay me on the ground

Fly me in the sky

Show me where to look

Tell me what will I find

Oh, heaven let your light shine down

Love is in the water

Love is in the air

Show me where to look

Tell me will love be there

Teach me how to speak

Teach me how to share

Teach me where to go

Tell me will love be there

Oh, heaven let your light shine down

~ Collective Soul

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Whirlwind Weekend

Boy, did we have a busy weekend.

On Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market. Then we came home did a little yard work and waited for my niece and nephew to come over. They stayed with us all day Saturday and part of Sunday. Then we towed all 4 kids to Harper's last soccer game. We came home put them all down for a nap. Then we played outside. Got out the slip-n-slide. Bathed all 4 kids. Cooked dinner, ate, and went to bed.

On Sunday we just played around the house. My niece and nephew left around noon. I put my kids to sleep then started cleaning our VERY lived in house. I can't really explain what happened next. I started cleaning the kitchen. Then the living room. Then all of the sudden I am moving furniture. This happens every couple of months. I become possessed and start cleaning, reorganizing, and moving things around like a mad woman. I think it is some form of therapy that I need from time to time. Then Harper said she wanted to go eat sushi, which means salad, miso soup, edamame, and TCBY (which is right next door). I had been craving sushi so this sounded perfect. My husband was away on an overnight canoe trip so it was just me and the kids. It was nice to just sit back after a long, tiring weekend and hang with the kids. After I got the kids to bed, I baked cupcakes for Miller's birthday tomorrow. Man, I am pooped.

Needless to say, I had to dig around in my photos from last week to find a Best Shot Monday. This was one that I completely overlooked the first time around, but it speaks to me today so I am calling it my Best Shot.

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Emerging

I can already tell this is going to be a better week. Not that last week was horrible, but I am back to myself today. The sun is shining. We had a great weekend. Life is good.

I finally planted my garden last weekend. I spent several hours on Sunday pulling weeds, digging, and mixing dirt. Then the kids helped plant all the seeds. I was sore, tired, and convinced nothing was going to grow in my garden. I felt like I threw it together with little thought and planning.

I checked on the garden every day and the kids watered it on the days it did not rain. Then on Thursday we noticed our first little seedlings. The kids were beyond excited and I felt a sense of relief. Maybe this will work after all.

These are pole beans. They came up first and I swear they doubled in size in just one day.

This is spinach.

This is squash. They started popping out yesterday.

I don't have much coming up in my herb garden yet. I planted a basil and cilantro plant several weeks ago and the kids love grabbing a leaf a nibbling on it. Harper likes the cilantro and Miller prefers the basil. We still have strawberries growing, but have not had one ripen enough to pick. Our little garden is making me really happy right now.

I am choosing the first photo of the pole bean as my best shot because it made my week seeing those little guys pop up.

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Rain Rain Go Away

It has been raining here non stop since Thursday. I am ready to see some sunshine. I took this last week. It's a flower from our clematis. I loved all the raindrops and purple is my favorite color. So I am declaring this my best shot.

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Soccer Superstar

Harper had her first soccer game on Saturday. She was so excited. I think she did a great job. She was always right there trying to get in on the action. The other team was really good and we stopped keeping score after awhile, but the girls didn't seem to mind.

Harper is one of the youngest girls on the team, but probably the most outspoken. The coach said she was very assertive in a postive way. Another parent commented to me that Harper was so confident. Yeah, she's definitely assertive and confident that's for sure. I can tell you that she does not inherit that from me.

I am choosing the photo above as my Best Shot. I love the look of concentration on her face. I am going to get lots of practice taking action shots!

I can't get over how big she looks in these photos. There is just something about kids in their oversized uniforms that is too cute.

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Best Shot Monday- Willing Subject

My niece turned three on Saturday and I really thought my Best Shot today would be of her. I followed her around like the Paparazzi, but she plain out refused to look at me. So I did what any normal wannabe photographer would do. I photographed her sister who can't run away from me and who actually doesn't mind my camera in her face.

Look at the wonder in her eyes?


Can you see me in her eyes?

She is just too cute. Thanks for being a willing subject.

Here's a shot of the birthday girl. She almost looked at me here and I think I actually caught a little bit of a smile.



Here are two of my favorites of her from the day.

Happy Birthday sweet girl. We had a great time at your party!!

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