Politically Incorrect Play

This is how you turn a gentle child's game of bubbles in to a politically incorrect game.... 

Hope you're not too offended..........

Ezra likes to play bubbles while properly attired in camo, goggles (aka sunglasses), and his trusty firearm.........

Two Cutest Boys....EVER!!!!

This is a photo from January 2012 of my boys.  I think they're the cutest boys...EVER!!!  Their mom has become seriously addicted to Instagram.  She's installed it on my phone, but I'm not really sure what to do with it.

Hiking & Photos

One of the things I want to do this year, is get out and learn how to use my camera.  I think I need to get out and use the thing and hang with people who can encourage and teach me. I'm trying a "Meet Up" photography group.  My friend Dana told me about it, so I thought I'd give it a try.  I didn't know what to expect.

If you haven't heard of "Meet Ups", it is something on the internet where people with similar interests can get together.  They have an "invite" that goes out by e-mail for a get together.  The first one I signed up for was the Wildflower Festival at the Sunol Regional Park.  I hadn't been to the Park in ages, the weather was great, and three of my friends were going, so it sounded perfect.

There were over 50 people that signed up, but the four of us couldn't find anyone else from the group.  So now I see that if you sign up and there isn't a fee, very few will actually show.  But we joined up with a large group that was headed out on a hike with the ranger.

We learned that California has a state rock, the Serpentine.

Something you don't see every day, love the booties.

This was a spectacular Spring day and everyone was at the park for a hike.  This was not a stroll.

California poppies

My friend Teresa.  See how she looks like she knows what she's doing? I figure if I hang out with these people I might learn something.

Marla knows how to find the spots for the best views.  This is looking down on Little Yosemite.

A great time was had by all.  We learned some new tips and tricks, got plenty of fresh air and exercise, plus fun time with friends.  I think I might try this again.

I'm Still Alive

So I made it through another tax season. Somehow it all gets done.

Here's a photo of E and his mom with phones.  I'm the only one that lets E near my phone.  Now why do you think that is?  Are the others smarter than I am?  Just asking.....

And here's Baby T.  He is so stinkin' adorable.  I'm pretty sure I haven't kissed him enough yet.  That shriek can go away though.  He sounds like a big bird screeching.  It most definitely gets your attention...which is really the purpose....it works.

Big Changes for the New Year?????

For 2012, I may or may not be making a big change in the way I scrapbook....we'll see how this plays out. I LOVE scrapbooking. It's a creative outlet for me and I relive the moment while I'm working with all the photos. My books have mostly been glorified photo albums, lots of photos and not much journaling (writing about the event). I still portray what's happening, mostly just facts. This summer a read a book written by a scrapbooker. I thought I was purchasing a book with sample pages to copy, but that's not how it turned out. That happens sometimes when you're not in a physical store and able to touch and look. Anyway, this woman encouraged the reader to get out of the photo album mode and make it more of a personal reflection of your life...a journal with photos. Not that I live that interesting of a life, but I may want/need to remember things years from now when my mind is going....oh, that's happening now!!!!!

I bought "Project Life", which is a scrapbook system that includes a binder (not too impressed with it, a little too industrial looking for my tastes), pages that you just slip your photos into (don't know how this will work because all the slots are horizontal and I sometimes take vertical), and pretty stuff that you can slip in to the slots to pretty it up. The big advantage is the options are limited so it should be faster...which means it should be easier and I'm more likely to keep up.

I have been feeling so stressed over my hobby that should be enjoyable. I can barely keep up with the albums for the boys...oh wait, I'm not keeping up....T is 4 months old and I'm only up to 2 months...and I don't even want to think how far behind I am with E.

So this new system encourages taking a photo every day. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be doing that. But I do want to get a little more of the every day and not just big/special events. For day one, January 1st, I took a photo of the first thing I see in the AM...well, other than my adorable husband (could be because he gets up so much earlier than me!)...and here it is......

This oak tree is in my backyard. It's a majestic tree. It's almost as wide as our lot. I can see it from every window on the back of my home. As you can see, right now it's naked, without leaves. Did you know that some oak trees keep their leaves and others drop them? Sometimes when I wake up I lay in my warm, cozy bed staring at this tree for as long as I can stay in bed. There's not much happening during this time of year...in the tree....although watching the colors change as the sun rises is beautiful. A time lapsed photo series would be awesome! During other seasons, mostly when the leaves are back, there's plenty of activity in the tree. It has it's own eco-system. There are several types of birds, squirrels, etc. It's very busy and entertaining. This is my most favorite thing about my home...oh, and that adorable husband I share it with is very cool too.

It's a MINIVAN!!!!!

The day after Christmas we all met up at the local Kia dealer to look at their model of van. I don't think it's called a minivan anymore, just a van. J has been driving the boys around in a two door VW Cabrio. It's pitiful to watch her load up the baby by rolling down the window, sliding him in to the seat, then climbing in to do the buckles, and then rolling the window back up. Al the while E is climbing over the seats to get to the driver's seat, pretend he's driving, pushing buttons, etc.

Everyone had done tons of research on the internet and talking to people. They narrowed it down to Kia, Toyota, and Honda. We were there for moral support, financial experience, and babysitting duty. The Kia was not impressive so we were off to Toyota. This was a hit, but we went to Honda too.

They decided on the Toyota so the negotiations were on. Dave took over and before we knew it a van had been purchased. I'm making it sound quick.....it wasn't.....it took ALL DAY.

E has the automatic doors all figured out and T no longer screams and wails.....and they're way safer than they were in that little Cabrio. We're all very pleased with the new addition.