Tyson

Here are a few pictures of a new favorite subject.  He and big sister Elliot are just about the cutest kids around!  Here's hoping for more opportunities to take pictures of them!

the most wonderful time of the year

  I used to love this time of year as a child.  What happened?!  

I know I'm not the only one that suffers from loosing the "magic" of Christmas.  I've talked with many people about this and all seem to wish to live in the past.  Wanting to recapture memories of their youth.  Why?

As I look at my Christmas holiday this year I find myself more on the Grinch side than the Holly and Jolly. Why?

I have no idea.  I have no sage advice.  I don't even know the correct questions to ask.

I know the story behind Christmas...I try to live it out everyday.  I know the "true meaning" of Christmas.  I know it's not about the gifts.   I know it comes every year.  I also know it comes with a lot of work.  Maybe that's what I'm growling about.  Christmas = LOTS of work.

I'll have to sit and ponder that one for a while...

I taught them in kindergarten

Here are a few pictures I took of some of my favorite people!  I've known these girls since the oldest was five!  I taught both of them when they were in kindergarten.  Now look at them, beautiful young ladies.  My how time flies!

Finished pictures - Tyson in the hospital

These are just some of my friend's new son!  The whole family was adorable to watch.  Especially big sister!  I think one of my favorites is the one where she's giving him love-ins.

Goldeneye

My husband surprised me with a Wii game last night.  James Bond - Goldeneye.  I must admit when Emma walked in through the garage door and announced Jake had bought something for me, I wasn't expecting a Wii game.  I couldn't believe he had remembered how much I like to play James Bond!  I was touched and surprised all at the same time!   I think he was embarrassed as he showed it to me.  It didn't help that my girls small group was sitting around the kitchen table watching.  :)

When we were first married we used to go to a friend's house and play James Bond for hours.  There were four of us and four controllers.  Looking back on it, I can't believe we played on such a small TV!  I guess for the time back then it was "big".  With what we have now, the screen seems so small!  Anywhoo....

We stayed up until ten shooting at each other.  (I know ten isn't THAT late in the adult world.  However, I am usually in bed asleep by then on a school night.)  It was so much fun!  The game was also a lot harder than I remember it.  I think I need to get used to the controllers again.  I also think I need to find someone else to play against that hasn't had military training.  During our last game, Jake parked his character on top of a roof and played the role of sniper quite well.  Hmmmm...makes me wonder if he really is just a "computer geek" for the Air Force after all.  :)

Thanksgiving thoughts

As I sit here in the bedroom, I hear my husband talking to my girls.  He is teaching them the fine art of pie crust making.  Sadly, I cannot make a pie crust.  Not for lack of trying or lack of teaching.  No, I simply cannot make a decent pie crust.

I love the conversations they are having in between the instructions.  I listen to him patiently explain why you have to add certain ingredients at certain times.  I hear their eager responses as they both want to be the one to add to the mixture.

My heart is swelling with contentment.  As the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaches I am thankful for many, many things.  I am blessed with a wonderful house, two fabulous daughters, ten chickens and two mangy mutts.  I have a job and money in the bank.  We are all healthy.  I have good friends and live in a country that allows me to be free.  My family will be together (minus the Las Vegas crew) for Thanksgiving.

As I type my thoughts are interrupted by laughter from the kitchen.  

I think most of all...this year...I am thankful for the man I married.

Maya part two

Here are some of the photos from my last photo shoot.  (I can't believe I'm typing the words photo shoot!  Whoo Hoo!!)

Maya was a lot of fun to shoot!  Her favorite word of the day:  "No".   Once she warmed up to the idea of me and the camera we had a lot of fun running around the playground!