6/52 diptych

 This week's theme was diptych which is 2 pictures that go side by side to tell a story.  I only got around to posting 1 picture set for the week.  This was just showing some of the details that go into my going outside here in Alaska.  I just couldn't decide which I liked better the color or the B/W.  I like them both so much and for different reasons.

More fun at my house

Just some more random updates here.

I came into my living room to find Ella's toy lion hanging out with Ella's sunglasses on.  I'd be lion if I didn't think it was cute!

I play skipbo with my kids A Lot.  I mean a lot.  Whenever they ask I usually play.  I feel guilty when I don't.  

I made a bargain with Ella if she would read Harry Potter with me 5 times a week for 20 minutes for 1 month then I would take her out to get ice cream.  She did it.  We got about 3/4 of the way through the first book.  Now she could care less if we finish it or not.  She didn't enjoy it as much as I was hoping that she would. 

Tyler, Natalie, and Nichole (who was off babysitting when I took this picture) participated in the Annual Chugiak stake volleyball tournament.  Needless to say they didn't win the tournament but

they did win best jersey!

Missionary Mayhem.

Sister Claspell and Sister Ashbrook decided that they were going to put on a fireside called "God is Love".  It was a music fireside.  My girls were all asked to participate in it.  Natalie and Nichole both sang with the other Young Women in my ward and Ella read from the scriptures.

The fireside was very well put together and brought tears to my eyes several times.  The kids of course rocked it.  But I have to say the highlight of the whole fireside was seeing another one of my girls.  Sister Peterson.  She has been teaching in Fairbanks several hours north of us and we haven't seen her since she left for Fairbanks.  She was being transferred so she was in the area waiting to go to Juneau.  My heart about jumped out of my chest when I saw her enter the building.  Unfortunately, she entered late so I couldn't run over and see her like I really wanted to.  I had to wait until the fireside was over.  We got to spend a brief amount of time with her.  But it was great to see her again.

Two days after the fireside the wonderfully amazing Sister Claspell left us to be transferred.  She is also going to Juneau which means that Sister Peterson and Sister Claspell with be companions.  I love having the sisters over to my house.  I call them my girls.  I get sad when they leave.  But I know it;s for the best. See you again ladies.  Hope you don't kill each other.

Valentines Day Pictures (that weren't really taken on Valentines day but were infact taken over the course of 3 weeks)

I have always wanted to do Valentines Day Pictures of my kids.  I love how my kids all cooperated with me.  Some may of gotten very angry with me (Tyler), Some of the kids didn't really care (Natalie and Nichole) and some were just happy that they got a soda (Ella).

 Natalie's theme was " Kisses No Thank You"!

 

Tyler was very successful with his $1 kisses!

 

 Nichole's was "How Many Frogs Do I Have To Kiss"? I am hoping she hasn't kissed any.

Ella was just rockin some hipster glasses!

This shoot was so much fun to do with my kids and I was very happy that they decided to cooperate. 

Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall forever. ~Author Unknown

I feel like my time with my kids is quickly slipping away. I only have a few years left with Natalie and Nichole and I might just be starting to panic.

 

 

  A few years back I decided it would be fun to pack everything in the kids lunches with green items for St. Patricks day.  I even got up at 3 o'clock in the morning to make green bread and again at 5 o'clock to put it in the oven.  It well lets just say was received less then enthusiastically from the older 2.  My heart was broken.  Here I was spending all this time to do something fun for the kids and I got made fun of.  I then was far less motivated to make any other holiday for the last well almost 2 years special at all.  But as I came to the realization that my girls are 15 and that means for less time with them in the very near future I decided to swallow my hurt and try again.

The first holiday that was overly celebrated was New Years and I posted on that one.  It was just celebrated with the 2 younger kids.  The older kids opted to go to their friends house (see I am loosing them already). So next up... Valentines Day.  I decided that I was going to make a count down to Valentines day for them.  It started with me hand stitching these envelopes for them to receive their little prize in for the day. 

And on the first day they got these cute little arrows made out of gummy hearts and pretzels.  I stuffed them into the adorable fry boxes and then packed them into their envelopes.  And guess what folks.....

They were a hit!  All of my kids (husband included) really liked their count down envelopes and eagerly awaited them everyday.  The girls didn't make fun of my cheesiness. And they even liked their envelopes that I made.  I think I have a winner.  A new family tradition.  Hope I remember to keep it up next year.

The following day packed these cute little heart push pops with red hots!  Even Ella who doesn't like red hots liked this treat!

The next day I made blew them a kiss and sent them this cute tube of gum and kisses!

And after that I was less successful about taking pictures.  But they got sixlets, chex mix, poprocks and lastly the dessert sushi that is pictured below!

I had dental work done the day before Valentines Day so I didn't feel like making a big Valentines Day meal.  I put it off until Sunday when we would all be home to eat it together.  Nichole (my sous chef) and I spent hours making and decorating for a very fancy meal.

We made...

A Bacon and chive deviled egg as an amuse bushe

A first course of: Parmesan popovers

The second course was: a wedge salad

Followed by: Crab hush puppies

The main dish was: Chicken pot pie with a side of prosciutto wrapped asparagus

and lastly for dessert we had: Chocolate dipped strawberries

and a cherry almond cupcake with cherry frosting

The whole Valentines extravaganza was a success.  I can't wait to carry this over for many more years to come!

5/52 Darkness

This weeks prompt was Darkness.  This like shadow was hard for me but for different reasons.  I am not very good at shooting on a low aperture plus I don't know where my tripod is.  You would think with it being dark here so much of the time it would be easier.  But it wasn't.

 It is well, it is well, with my soul.

I have a hard time not associating darkness with spiritualness. I often in the dead of winter here in Alaska feel dark and empty due to the season changes. I have to remember that spring is just around the corner. Then there is the few times during the winter when I have come to terms with the darkness and I get to feel at peace with the darkness. This week is one of those. It is a good week.
It is well with my soul.

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I'd be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
-Sarah F. Adams, 1805-1848

Time to Ramble on for a bit

Nichole had posted on Facebook how someone could be her best friend if they would just bring her a KitKat.  My dad heeded her call and a few short days later 4 KitKat's arrived in the mail for her with a note that said, "Am I your best friend now? Grandpa" She was so excited about the candy bars she did a happy dance in my kitchen. 

Ella told me the other day that she had a fever and wasn't feeling well.  I told her to grab the thermometer and we would check it out.  It was so funny watching her go cross eyed while she tried to read the numbers on the thermometer.  Needless to say she did not have a fever.

I have quite the workout schedule.  It is quite grueling actually.  Every Wednesday night the kids and I hook up the wii and play just dance while Nate is at school.  We try to dethrone the winner of the previous dance.  I am not as coordinated in dancing as my kids and frequently have to dance behind the new competitor and the winner.  There have been very few times when I have actually won.

By far my favorite to watch is Tyler.  He often plays well after everyone else gives up.  He dances with his whole body and just has so much fun with it.

I think I am in love.  I just went to my first Roller Derby game the other day.  It was so much fun to watch and it makes me a little envious of the ladies that play!  They all look like they are having the best time!

You might not be able to tell but, it is getting lighter outside.  This picture was taken while waiting for the bus.  The sun came up not too long after this.  Not at 10:30 in the morning anymore and that is what truly counts here!

4/52 Whimsy

Oh My what a fun week it was for my to do some whimsy!  This one was great fun for me and didn't require much push for me to jump on board for this one.  To me this gave me permission to goof off all I wanted to and I had permission to do it! 

My first submission was of the top two pictures.  I jumped right into the backdrops that I used for Valentines pictures for my kids (To come soon).  I even used some of the props I used for Ella's shoot (the glasses and hair thing).  I felt like being a little goofy too. 

This is for reals how I feel about Math.  I Just Don't Get It!  Good thing my husband is here to help my high schooler with math.

“What's life without whimsy?”
― Dr Sheldon Cooper - The Big Bang Theory

Sometimes when I am lying down is bed I think about my prompt for the week and it hits me.  I have come up with a one of a kind idea and I lay in bed hoping that no one comes up with the same idea between then and when I shoot and post my idea in the morning.  So far it has only happened once.  Because of that I had to come up with an even better idea.  But not this time.  This time I think I nailed it!

With this photo I wanted to bring a little bright into my dark winter nights.  I wanted to show off my craft that I had just made for the upcoming holiday. To me this is airy, light and whimsical.