My Life

43/52: On the Shelf

I don't have any shelves hung in the common areas yet.  Have I mentioned, it takes months to get my husband to hang anything for me?  But he's the best, so I shall wait.

My kids were quick to get him to hang shelves in their rooms though.  I didn't have much say, and they kind of did their own thing.  Which is good by me.

Kyle has a collection of nutcrackers.  He keeps them up all year;)

And my little boys is the funniest to me.  They wanted that shelf way up there, so no one would bump their heads walking into the room.  Then they put their best treasures up.  I came in to find a wall of iron man.  We have since taken that display down.  We are working on painting a book ledge and some thrifted frames, and I think, it won't look so funny with that high shelf anymore. We just need Dad to cooperate.

May check in mid week with a post for the word texture.  If not, I'll be back on track with

Next Friday's prompt: Wind

Check out my photographer friends take on the word On the Shelf:

Stacey
Heather
Jenn
Jessica
Kristin
Janet
Amanda
Rose
Tracy
Rhonda
Carla
Lena
Heidi
Liza
Jean 
Kristi
Hanne
Andrea

Tracey

 

42/52: My Neighbors

Trying to play catch up. 

I backed up into uneven light.  Had precisely 5 seconds to snap these shots before we were off.  Sad that Kate is out of focus in the back there and that Kade has a blown out face.  But I still like the shots.

Our cute neighbors.  We drive them to school every Friday. The boys love to talk over the fence, write letters across the wall and occasionally play out front and ride bikes together.  It's nice to know our neighbors :)

41/52: Colors

I purposely waited to post until after I did this session this weekend.  I was planning to go to this huge, colorful, graffiti wall and use that as my submission.  I was disappointed to learn, that it had been painted over :(  We didn't get around to exploring more in the art district area of downtown, because I got everything I needed in this little alley way.  This was one of many favorites.  Honestly, it's the only one that's been edited as of yet.  I have a habit of choosing my very favorites to hurry home and edit, that holds me over for awhile until the real editing work begins;)

This weekend my children wanted to spruce up the place for Halloween.  We don't tend to get crazy and have limited decorations.  I did remember my stuffed pumpkins that work well thorough November as well.  Plopped those on top of my hutch.  Little fall color indoors, since we don't see it outdoors.  I feel so much more festive now.

Next Friday: My Neighbors

Check out my photographer friends take on the word Colors:

Stacey
Heather
Jenn
Jessica
Kristin
Janet
Amanda
Rose
Tracy
Rhonda
Carla
Lena
Heidi
Liza
Jean 
Kristi
Hanne
Andrea

Tracey

40/52: Tools

This summer I started a few projects, that I have yet to finish.

My life just got extremely busy with the start of school and fall sports.  So busy, that I can only get through each day before beginning to think about the next.  I kind of hate that.  Not having any down time.

So, now, I have a table that greets company at the front door that's only halfway done.

I got some awesome chairs on Craigslist with some not so awesome fabric coverings.  So here they sit, around the table without being fully functional.

They are primered though, that's half the battle.

All the tools have been sprawled out in this room as well for a couple months. I'm beginning to think that may become their permanent home.

It was supposed to just be a reminder to finish up when I had a few extra hours. 

I may just have to pencil in a day to finish this next week instead of laundry or dishes;)

It really will make me feel good to complete these chairs.

Next Friday: Colors

Check out these other photographers take on the word Tools:

Stacey
Heather
Jenn
Jessica
Kristin
Janet
Amanda
Rose
Tracy
Rhonda
Carla
Lena
Heidi
Liza
Jean 
Kristi
Hanne
Andrea

Tracey

39/52: Autumn

It's really hard to document autumn when it hasn't arrived yet.  I know that it's coming though, cause the temperatures are cooling down in the evening and early morning hours.  I love that.  The relief from the scorching hot summer.  I always feel like I can breathe again in the fall.  The kids head back out doors to play, something that rarely happens in the middle of summer unless water is involved.  They start asking to ride bikes again and go for walks.  I notice that I tend to be a less grouchy as well.

Since we don't have leaves changing color and falling, crisp air, sweater weather, etc. I figured I'd show what autumn looks like to us.

For me.....preschool starts up again.

This has been the smoothest year of transition with a new group of friends.  They are simply delightful.

Love, love the writing and drawings.  Some kids are really into it, others, not so much.  This little guy spends lots of time in his journal.  I think by year's end, he's going to have one colorful, awesome journal to take home.

This week, we pulled out the apple slicer to make some homemade applesauce for preschool.  Brandon does not like apple sauce from the store, but he totally digs homemade apple sauce.  Who wouldn't it tastes like apple pie?  He was right there with me helping each step of the way. 

Crockpot Applesauce:

4 lbs. apples cored and sliced

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup water

1 T. lemon juice

Mix apples, sugar and cinnamon in the crockpot and stir.  Add water and lemon juice over the apples.  Cook on high for 3 hours.  Mix apples up with a mixer until it's reached the desired consistency.  Enjoy warm or cold.

Next Friday: Tools

Check out these other photographers take on the word Autumn:

Stacey
Heather
Jenn
Jessica
Kristin
Janet
Amanda
Rose
Tracy
Rhonda
Carla
Lena
Heidi
Liza
Jean 
Kristi
Hanne
Andrea

Tracey

Fall Mini Sessions

We're back for some fall mini sessions. 

What's this true photography you ask?

Well Kristin Conk Photography and Heather Abbott Photography are going to be one, soon;)  We've been working on getting our website and sessions edited to showcase a different, more documentary approach to capturing your family.  I can't wait until it's all put together.  It's going to be exciting! 

Until then, we are happy to do mini sessions for the upcoming Christmas season.  It's quick and painless.  This is a perfect way to cross that family picture for Christmas cards off the to do list.

Can't wait to hear from you.

 

38/52: The Kitchen

The kitchen has always been the center.  Where the family gathers.  The way the kitchen is positioned in this house, makes it the easy meeting spot.  It flows right into the dining area and family room.  It's easy for us all to hang out there.  Homework, meal prep, skype chatting, video games, tv watching, dump all the contents of your backpack, drop whatever your carrying from outside here.  This is the place;)

I was trying to be better at picking up my big camera this week.  I still need to be much better.  So I looked through to pull a few from the kitchen.

Grace was over playing this week.  She is a crack up and both my boys love hanging out with her. She and Kade stopped in for a snack at the bar.

Here's what really goes down during the day in the kitchen, while the kids are away.  Me trying to catch up from the afternoon before.

And a real, true life shot.  The filthy sink full of dishes.  I'm sure no on can relate.  Thankfully it doesn't look like this anymore, but some days are just like that.  And isn't there just something about a clean bleached sink?  Makes you feel like you're whole house is clean;)

Next Friday: Autumn

Check out these other photographers take on the word Kitchen:

Stacey

Heather
Jenn
Jessica
Kristin
Janet
Amanda
Rose
Tracy
Rhonda
Carla
Lena
Heather A.
Heidi
Liza
Jean 
Kristi
Hanne
Andrea

Summer Sessions

It's been so long.

I've hardly picked up my camera all summer. I've challenged myself to get back on the wagon with the linked 52 challenges each week. starting this Friday. Hoping these soon to come cooler temperatures are just the motivation I need to start documenting our family again.

I did however, do a couple of sessions this summer.  Here's a few favorites:

See you back tomorrow:)

 

25/52: Swing

Had Greyson over to play with the cousins.  First time I took him without Amber.  He was loving it.  We swam and then he wanted me to swing him in the heat. How could I say no ;)

I am offically caught up, until tomorrow, because I don't have a shot for light experimentation yet.  Hopefully the other linked up gals will keep me in the group.  Hoping to not get this far behind again!

Check out these awesome, on the ball and timely photographers:

Stacey

Michelle
Heather
Jenn
Jessica
Kristin
Sara
Janet
Lesli
Amanda
Amanda
Naomi 
Rose
Tracy
Rhonda
Carla
Lena
Veronica
Heidi
Amy
Andrea
Liza
Jean 
Kristi

24/52: Father

The kids and Steve on Father's Day.  He's a great dad.  A good example, a hard worker, and the "fun one"  They all love him.  Even if Brandon won't give him kisses.  Glad we get to share in the responsibility of raising these cool kids together.

A quick one of my Dad.  He's watching the other grandkids at Sunday dinner, holding Mr. Finn.  Cause that's how he does it.  Loves the having the grandkids and babies around.  He's a softie.  Tough on the outside, soft on the inside.  Love him.  He's pretty much the best dad a girl could have.