A little motivation

So, hopefully absence really does make the heart grow fonder??

I have not blogged since February... and that makes me sad. But, I'm back with full intentions to become a little more bloggerific!!

A little pink thang inspired me the other day, to wake up that lazy camera and tell it that summer vacation is really really over...

Easy breezy beautiful with crazy hair, who would not pose but for a second, reminded me how gorgeous these moments are...out of focus, non-artistic, who cares. I love photography. I love capturing my moments, as nothing in this world makes me happier....even when all she wants to do is eat grass.



The Money Hungry Caterpillar

The only reason I had kids, was so I could do their school projects. Here is my celebration of the 100 days of school, with what Nate describes as, "a whole lotta money".

There is this face....

~~Perfection~~

A Friday Hike

The hubby and I have officially made time for eachother...something that has been hard to come by in our 10 years with our three crazy kids. He has fridays off, and before things get too hectic and he has to take those days to study, we are putting the littlest in daycare, and dedicating our fridays to US. The last two "us-days" we have had a nice breakfast out and then gone hiking, exploring the trails behind our house. The dreary winter rain has subsided for now, the sun has been out, warming the air, slightly. Having an adult converstation with your spouse, and not having to speak over spilt milk, snotty noses, shrill shrieking, is refreshing. Now, of course we have been lucky enough to take vacations in the past where we spent quality time together, but I think having a weekly escape, if only for a few hours, is priceless. 

Of course, I took my camera to capture the pretty things on our journey.

I didn't have to change a diaper, threaten a "time-out", or find a potty spot!!

Okay, I may be lying on the last one.  

Merry Christmas!!

~~Christmas Eve @ Carmel-by-the-Sea~~

Santa baby

~~My most prized Christmas possessions :: Skinny Santas previously owned by Gramma~~

My joy of 20 months

Lets give a big HOORAH....for only having four more months to count how many months my daughter is, and then lets let out a collective sad sigh...for only having four more months before she officially becomes "terrible". She is growing at the speed of light. I wish we were in a matrix movie where we could bend sideways and dodge time...my baby is quickly slipping away, never to return, and as joyus as it is to see her mature and blossom in front of me, it makes me so sad.
But lets end this post on a happy note shall we???
Isn't she just gorgeous? I cannot stare at her enough. The other day I mentioned to my husband again, for the millionth time, that I could not believe she was mine. I still am suprised every day I look at her, that I made her, and that she is here.
I have a daughter....it blows my mind.

Alcatraz shmalcatraz

I wasn't optimistic about the trip. Now, give me a break, I did have what I self diagnosed myself to have....strep throat, and we all know that sucks...but, I should have had a better outlook. Now, give me a break, my daughter did spend most of the weekend with a high fever and vomiting spells....but, I should have had a better outlook. Am I repeating myself?
We had won the lottery for central coast weather...San Francisco was as clear as I have ever seen it, and the warmest too. Armed with our backup sweaters, (because you know you don't take chances next to the Pacific) we embarked the boat at Pier 33 for our awesome trip to the ROCK.
I was pleasantly suprised by the island tour, it was educational, interesting, and warm. Alcatraz is a beautiful well maintained island, full of history, and very family friendly....okay, okay, so I had a good time.
But best of all, my camera lens was super happy. What a view!
So, as I munch on my humble pie, (it still hurts to swallow)...enjoy the photos.

~10 minute boat ride from the Wharf~

~Guardtower~

~Facade of the officers club~

~The 5x9 cell~

~Don't I wish sometimes~

~"Seedy Street"~

~Crazy hair...boogery nose..horrible attitude...yet so sweet~

~Peering through the visitation booth window~

~Walking down "Broadway"~

~Memorize. There will be a test~

~Rundown architecture next to a flawless sky...so happy~

~Escaping Alcatraz. Golden Gate Bridge adorns the background~

Happy is as happy does.

Surprising my hubby with a beautiful birthday cake made by a friend> http://alenassweets.blogspot.com < made me happy. Gifting my hubby with a huge laminated world map made me happier. Watching my eldest son listen intently to our stories as we plotted map pins across the map of places we've been, and dream destinations to come, made me happiest.
Oh, and in case you are keeping track.....Moscow, Greece, Jerusalem, and Ghana....you figure out who wants to go where. ;)

Celebrating the autumnal equinox

Big day! I know I will throw a party in the honor of the center of the sun being at the same point as the equator....that's what it means right?? Maybe I should have googled it before I blogged it.
You like that? I am sooo computery.

Evening in the fog...

     The other day my friend generously took the boys for the evening, so the hubby and I had a rare Saturday where it was just he and I, and our little girl. We went straight for the coast, as it was near perfect central California beach weather, and for those who do not know what that is: it is low 70's, blue sky, and NO wind. I was especially excited because this was a great opportunity to take some landscape photos for my class...the blue sky was so inviting. We eagerly hit the sand with no shoes and strolled the cool sand with one very cute and wobbly girl. The beach was close to empty. It was gorgeous.

~Carmel River ending just south of Monterey...filled with picturesque reflective reeds and white egrets.~

   Now, us Monterey-ers are used to the sneaky and intrusive habits of coastal town fog, but this day, was extraordinary. We had not been there but five minutes, and the very familiar wall of fog came bearing down towards us. Abruptly changing the hue of the sky, it took over the jutting rocks in seconds.

Before we knew it, the fog had swallowed the entire beach. Uncharacteristically, the wind remained at bay.

   At the mouth of the river the sun still beamed through the thickness, creating something I had never seen before. It was a rainbow. But it was unsaturated. No color whatsoever. It was a fog-bow. A definate arch, and a definate result of sun meeting moisture....it was incredible.

~Treasure at the end of the fog-bow~ 

   Deeming my landscape photo project a bust, I became almost more snap-happy. (is it possible?? you sigh...) Loving the new surroundings, as I rarely shoot in the haze...I beamed at the images I captured, they filled my hungry artisic belly for the day (oooh... that was a good analogy...back pats) and my hubby even humored me and let me take more than one of him.

                            

                            

~I don't know this lil' guy. But he inspired me. haha~

   Most days, the fog is met with distaste and a little cursing. Here in the central coast, we rarely look at the milky atmosphere as a good thing, so seeing it in a positive light was pleasing. I never use the word pleasing. I just couldnt think of any other word. But, it was indeed pleasing. I never use the word indeed. I just couldn't....oh, never mind.

It was a nice day.

Thought of the day.

She needs new socks.

I bore him

Literally.

Happy moment of the day

There is nothing better than a man with suspenders and a Dora the Explorer birthday hat.









Tom waits patiently for birthday cake. Matt turns 8 next week, but we had an early celebration. :)