Friday, Saturday, Sunday and a bit of Monday

On occasions Kevin will have a big project at work where they need to photograph food.  So he asked me to help out. Really he just wanted the camera. The kids had a short day on Friday so he arranged for the kids and I to come out to his work.  The kids got to make cookies and watch movies in Daddy's office and Kevin and I took pictures of food.

It was fun to do, but let's just say that I am not dying to try my hand a food photography anytime soon. 

We rushed home to have the McHenry kids over so Mandy and Brandon could take a night on the down. Lilly and I love when there are more girls in the house. They want to craft and paint nails, fun stuff that we don't get to do very often without a dinosaur in our face.  

Saturday night the family wanted a treat.  They got krispy kream doughnuts and I just sat and watched. Yes I was proud of myself that I did not have one, but I wanted one.  Kevin and I watched the only episode of Sherlock that we have not seen.  Now we are just waiting for them to make the next season.  

Sunday morning we woke up to more rain.  It has been a nice change but 3 days of rain I think is my limit.  We also woke up to a sick Max. Such a bummer. However he is one of the best sick kids I know.  He just lays there and lets himself be sick no whining his only request is to watch movies. I can give him that. Since he was sick the boys stayed home form church.  It was nice to sit, just Lilly and I and sing the hymns. 

Max didn't eat anything until about 6 Sunday evening.  He kept it down all night but I had decided that he would most likely too weak to go to school on Monday.  When he woke up this morning he was ready to eat something. He kept it all down and has been up and playful.  Yep he is feeling better.  I just hope that none of the rest of us will be hit.

 And on a crafty note.  I used my sewing machine. Originally I was going to make these for the kids for Valentine's day, but they were with me when I picked out the socks and Lilly wouldn't drop her guessing and asking to make a sock monkey so I gave in and made hers last night.

 I think she will pretty happen when she comes home form school today. Next for today is one for Max and Luke.

Getting in the picture

I have taken on some new photo challenges for a few reasons. One reason is to get better at taking pictures but mostly it is to capture my life, my kids and to tell our family story. However in this process of telling my story, the story of my family there are few pictures of me with my family. Well because I'm the one behind the camera. I read this blog post the other day and it got me thinking I know it may sound narcissistic  but  I want my kids to see photos of me with them and know how much I love being their mom.  I know I do better then most but still I want to look back on these days in a photo.  I want my kids to have these memories captured to look back on as well. Who knows maybe I'm hoping that they will share it with their kids.  I just glanced back on our family photos and I only found 3 photos with me and Luke together for the whole first year of his life.  For all the hours that I held him, fed him, and rocked him only 3 pictures. It just made me a little sad. 

Well enough is enough.  I set my camera up the other day in hopes to capture something that Luke and I do everyday.  Lucky me I got a remote for my camera for Christmas and we just started shooting.  I let Luke have the remote this time.  He thought it was pretty cool. Here we are on a regular afternoon playing in his tent and reading books.

New Adventure

For Christmas I gave my nieces a certificate for a trip to the rock wall.  Monday ended up being a good day to go but I didn't realize that it didn't open until 4. Lame.  For my nieces it was easy and fun. For my kids it was something that they had never done before, all new.  I was proud of them they gave it a good try. Neither Max or Lilly was able to make it to the top.  On the way home we talked about going again as a family since I didn't try either. I think we will have to give some prize for the first person to make it to the top.

My three: Week 4

I'm impressed that this kids are playing along with this project.  This week i decided that every week someone gets a turn to pick where to take the picture. Luke chose this week, and he chose the park. So while dinner was in the crock pot we went off to play.  I couldn't pick my favorite shot so here are the two I liked the best.

1. 22. 2013  Monterey Park

I have to admit I was a little disappointed with the photos I took. I really expected them to be a lot better. They are not exactly what I wanted. I have to stop and remember that is why I want to do this in the first place, it is so I can get better and to keep trying.

Take my picture

On occasion Max will surprise me and want to put his tie on for church. I will then make a comment like "wow you are so are so handsome" Then he puffs up a little. It's cute. Sometimes he will even ask me to take his picture.  This is what you get. 

I really do love and like this kid.

the three

I'm calling this week 3 even though Lilly argued with me all the way to the library that a week starts on Sunday so I had already taken a picture this week and means that I missed my chance to take a picture on week 2. I admit she is right but I say it counts, on to week 3.

1. 15. 2013  Mesa Library

His Favorite Thing to Say

Without any doubt Luke is two. His persistence to doing things by himself is evident in everything we do.  I don't mind that so much with a little patience I can pull through. The phrase that gets me is
"I don't like that"  He says it all the time about food, games, books, clothes, the way you talk to him,  hold him or play with him.  Good thing he is super cute and helpful when he wants to be.

My 3 weekly

One of my goals this year is to take a picture of my 3 kids together once a week.  I found the idea over on this blog.  I  just love her style and think she takes beautiful photos.  Taking a picture of my 3 littles will be a challenge since they don't like to participate all the time.  I figure that this is a good way to practice photography. The other part of the challenge or goal is to get out and do something with my kids.  I want to have fun with this, to spend more time with my kids, make memories and take better pictures.
Here are the first two weeks.

1.1.2013

On new year's day.

 1.13.2013

before church just in the back yard. It was so so cold outside. Brib: used M&M's.

January 12th

Another year and another round of 12 on 12. 

1.  Early start this morning made it to the first session at the temple. Perfect way to start out any day. It was so cold 32 degrees and frost on the ground.

2.  Family chore day. I just love cleaning toilets.

3.  The kids were busy with white boards today.  

4.  Finishing up the laundry.  

5.  Sorry for all the toilet pictures but Kevin fixed the leaky toilet.  It took less then 30 minutes and 8 bucks. We are just kicking ourselves for not doing it sooner.

6.  Max's shoe. I'm fixing the eyelets on them because they are bent and ripping up his shoe lace. The cheep shoes are really not worth the money when it comes to him.

7.   I took the boys on a date to find Max sparks for his scooter. No luck we went to Target and Toys R Us. We will have to order them online.

8.  Luke knocked out from all our excitement from our date. He found a comfy spot on his dad.

9.  Lilly and I on a date to QT. She picked to go to QT as a reward for her awesome report card. All A's only one B that is less then half a point to an A. I'm so proud of my girl.

10.  The iphone is very popular at our house. I used it today to deposit checks from my house. Super cool.

11.  Lilly started piano this week. She has been so good about practicing.

12.  Date night with Kevin. Pizzeria Bianco.  Wonderful, cold night, I love being out with him.

2013 Goals

I have some friends that are really good about making goals and working towards them. Two of my friends have a 30 things list that they update on their blog for accountability.  Last year I made my list and did okay but I think I would have done better if it was posted on the blog.  
With that being said I'm going to be gutsy and post them.  I'm scared to because my goals are things that I need to work on to better myself and better family and I know that some of my goals are really easy for others, but that is not the point these are for me.  

House goals

declutter every room.

pantry, laundry, my room, loft, living room, preschool room, desk, kitchen

smoke detectors 

calk the shower 

towel hooks

paint garage door with chalk board paint

Spiritual

read a conference talk every week

attend temple 6 times 

read Jesus the Christ

daily prayer

find 4 family names and do their work

Physical

keep up the routine stay current weight

no sugar until Valentine's day

run Pat's Run with a better time then last year.

Family

Lilly & Mom date

Max & Mom date

Luke & Mom date 

Surprise Kevin 6 times 

Camping trip

4 family service projects

Craft and Hobby

sewing project

chicken wire frame

Kids weekly photo project

project 12 on 12

hang up more photos in my home

Read 6 novels 

Places to eat

Cracker Barrel

La Grande Orange

Chompies
So there is the list and I will have it on my side bar and cross off as I go.

As a family we have chosen to serve more this year.  We have talked about how we can do little acts of service everyday and by serving others we are serving the Lord.  Every night at dinner we talk about what  service we did.  My hope is that as family we become more aware of others and learn that serving makes us happy.    

Happy New Year

I would say that we celebrated New Years Eve more than once just because we where with family and played games a few times this last week.  We stared out with games at Amber's, the kids played headbands the adults played spoons and Phase 10.

 Then we went up to John and Shannyn's place. It was low key with food, fireworks, family and more games.  John hooked us up with nachos and we played X BOX the avengers game, or whatever you call it but we enjoyed pretending to be super heroes for the night.

We rang in the new year with New York and called it good.

On New Years day I made everyone pose for a photo opp.

I'm excited for the new year.  For some reason I'm even excited to set goals which I never liked to do. I guess it is my perspective this year. No matter what goals I set and no matter how well I keep them if I try for a day, a week, or a month it is better to have tried then never tried at all.

She is Famous

For Christmas this year I asked my parents to get the family pass to The Arizona Youth Museum of art. I love that museum and in my opinion one of the greatest kids museums there is around.  We went during the break twice. Once with Nana and Papa and a second time with friends.  When we were there with friends 12 news was there doing a report of the current money exhibit.  They asked Lilly and her friend Maggie to take them on a little tour. So here is my child in her little 10 seconds of fame.

She was so so excited, she even had to call one of her little friends to tell them to watch.