Artsy Fartsy

My amazingly talented wife and I have been trying our hand at photography and really trying to get good at all these fun things you can do with it....so I thought I would post some samples to get the public opinion....so have at it!












We like to think we are pretty good! :) We love the new hobby.

Double Standard

Here is your token photo. I don't feel totally confident putting this photo up, mostly because I feel like I pick myself apart in it-yet I love to see others and their token photos. And even a little bitter a few haven't put theirs up yet. So-to break my double standard-here is my 5.5 month update.

- why is it that we count in weeks. It just seems so...pregnancy like.

- and on that note, why does every scientific notation in the world say it takes 9 months to make a baby. Clearly 40 weeks equals 10 months. So..where does the 9 come from?

- I have no cravings, much to Mark's dismay. I find that I am eating the same now as I did pre-baby. Again, much to Mark's dismay.

- I like sleeping on my side like a city likes the plague.

- I am still not confident that I am feeling the "kicking" feeling - and that I am still in the bubbly/butterfly phase.

- We've decided on a name and I've been starting to call him by it recently, which makes it seem so real and yet so weird all at the same time.

- A shout out to my mother's genes for the long torso which makes this whole baby bump thing a breeze.

The end.

Birthday Wishes

Twas that time of year again when I get to take a weekend and celebrate simply because I am alive. And I loved this year's little trip. Mom treated us all to a weekend in Angels Camp; a short little jaunt from our home where there are a plethora of old mining towns for exploration. Plus an infamous Thrifty Ice Cream location just a stone's throw from our condo. Bonus.

Although we spent the entire weekend there, the most pictures come from our day spent in Columbia. It had been decades since my last visit, and it was fun to see mom in her walk down memory lane as she saw her little kids running round the streets that we were on. Hence this picture of Mark and I on the blue wagon. She had a moment remembering all her kids hanging on - so we induldged her with a photo op.

Of coures, one of my favorite things about my mom and husband is how well we all get along. It wasn't quite 10am and we were all in the candy shop purchasing an array of delightful treats to munch on before lunch.

As much as I love history and everything about it, I am certain I would not have been very comfortable in that era - mostly because I am not super comfortable around horses. I like them from a distance, but getting real close sort of freaks me out a little. I'm not sure why. Something about their size and strength against my own. So this picture is sort of a big deal for me. Mom and Mark were ready to saddle up and ride them through town, but I was content with just a little pat and walking away.

Another fun bit about my mom is her "no reservations" attitude. She will ask any stranger anything, walk through any fence or railing to see whats on the other side, climb rocks, and walk around "no public entry" signs if she thinks what is on the other side is worth a sight. Here is Mark taking after her lead. Mom saw the empty house and walked right through the fence up to the windows and peered right in. We both watched from a distance at first until she started boasting about how neat it all was. So-we both had to get a close up view as well. Funny lady.

A few other things from the weekend that were delightful

* The spa trips

* Movies late at night

* Our "free gift" for listening to the WorldMark presentation

* Sidewinders - dinner one night, encore the following lunch

* Thrifty Ice Cream

* Chocolate Cupcakes-it was fabulously funny the morning we all wanted one before breakfast but didn't want to be judged by the others. Finally, I just went for it and we all laughed that it was what we were all thinking.

* The old numbers psychic who was hitting on mom. She is too nice.

It was just a delightful birthday weekend! Topped off with lots of love from friends far and near. Happy Weekend. Happy Day.

My Valentine

Makes Saturday morning breakfast a celebration. Joins me in TV shows that are less than interesting for him. Welcomes me home with a smile and a kiss every day. Listens to my bizarre dreams every morning. Is giddy with joy about our upcoming arrival. Gallivants across America. Displays signs on enjoyment while visiting the history sites for me. Supports my interests. Participates in my make-believe photography skills. Overdoses on desserts. Shows consistent concern for my mothers welfare. Allows me as many fish tacos as I desire. Surprises me with notes, gifts, flowers, and trips. If there ever was a perfect match for me, it is he.