linked 52: Family

Family.
My idea of family is people that are there for you through thick and thin.  I have many family members by blood or marriage but I think it extends beyond that.  This topic has come up a lot recently in my life.

I was divorced last year.  I still have a decent relationship with my ex and with his family -- my family.  I still consider them my family too.  After being married for almost 9 years (together for 3 before that), I can't just abandon the relationships that I've formed.  I'm fortunate enough to have them still accept me as part of their family too.

This is the summer of traveling and the summer of family.  I took a vacation with my sister in May, road trip to visit my in-laws at the end of June, road trip today to visit my dad, and road trip in August to visit my cousin and her family.  Whew.  I love my family enough to spend my summer in the car to visit them.  :)

Taken in ND visiting my in-laws.  My new nephew.

Taken on my vacation with my sister.

Taken a couple of years ago at our family reunion.  My crazy family (dad's side).

It was taken at my dad's house.  Where we are headed to today.  Right on the lake.  I spend my holidays with about 50 % of these people.  They are a hoot.

Next vacation:  Chicago.  We were there already once this year visiting these lovely people.  My cousin and her family (plus a friend).

My little family.

Not trying to gloss over any of my other family.  You can read more about my mom here and my dad here.

Be sure to check out these other ladies to find out all about their families:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

linked 52: Red, White, and Blue

This week was supposed to be easy, right?  It might have been easy had I actually participated in any 4th of July activities.  My kids were with their dad this year and we had just returned from a long weekend out of town so I took it easy.  I went to a friends house with a couple of other friends, did some crafting, watched some chick flicks, did some grilling, and a little socializing.  It was hot so I was inside most of the time but I snuck out for a few minutes to take a few pics of her flag out front.  I also pulled out some photos from Memorial Day that I thought fit the theme.  I can never choose just one.  :)

I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!

Be sure to check out these other ladies to see what's "red, white, and blue" in their lives:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

linked 52: Lighting Experimentation

Ummm. . . I didn't exactly know what to do with this prompt.  I decided to share a few pictures that I've taken recently playing with sunlight.  I would love to be able to take photos with sunlight like Stacey does.  Maybe someday.  For now I'm just playing around and trying to figure it all out.  I've got more exploring to do.  :)

Taken on my vacation to Colorado.

Big J checking out the bubble wand.

Be sure to check out these other ladies to see their take on "lighting experimentation":  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

Linked 52: Swing

I got a little busy with birthday fun yesterday and baby shower preparations and didn't get my swing post up.  One of the things James wanted to do on his birthday was go to the park.  He always wants to go to the park and to keep it fun I try to take the boys to different parks.  I kind of feel like we are taking a twin cities park tour.  There were swings there and after some coaxing (ok . . . maybe it was bribing and threatening) they both took a turn on the swings.  It was a new park and there were far more interesting things than swings evidently.

I would love to say that I'll be back on track with my "linked" project but I procrastinate and I'm going out of town next weekend.  We'll see. :)

Be sure to check out these other ladies to see their take on "swing":  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

4

"Linked" will be posted later.  I'm totally behind with this project.  I wrote last weeks post but I couldn't find one of the photos so I never posted.  :(  I will post this week.

James is 4!

How did this happen?  I'm always amazed at how much they have grown every year.  Time really does fly.  He really is such a little peanut though.  Look at this face:

Makes me ache for another one a little bit.
That was then and this is now:

Do you see that look in his eye?  This one is trouble.  :)

My dear baby James, you:
are mischievous
are loud (kind of like your mom)
outgoing (most of the time)
love Angry Birds, Star Wars, and anything on the Disney Channel
are currently boycotting pajamas
climb like a monkey
are so smart -- you are starting to read three letter words and write like a kindergartener - I'm having a hard time keeping up
have a best friend named Malik
hate bedtime
have a temper (uh oh, I think you got this from your mom too)
are small for your age, but walk like you are 10 feet tall
love to dance
love chocolate and are always asking for treats
LOVE milk -- almost like a baby, you still ask for milk every couple of hours and rarely drink anything else
would play the Wii, DS, or Leapster all day, every day if I let you
want to be just like your big brother
ARE LOVED.

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy!

(How much longer can I get away with calling him baby?)

Ummm. . . where did the last 9 months go?

He's officially done.  Done with kindergarten.  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was crying over school pencils in the shopping cart at Target.  Now I have a first grader.  Crazy.

First Day of School:

Last Day of School:

Some things that happened this year:
-- He finally hit 40 lbs.  It took awhile.
-- He has put forth a strong preference for Joe over Joseph.
-- He has gain so much independence.  (deep breath)
-- He met a great new best friend, Alex.
-- He participated in accelerated reader.
-- He got good grades.
-- He didn't miss any days of school.
-- He learned how to tell time.  (much to my chagrin -- I tell some white lies about time and now I can't)
-- He brought home 3 different girls' phone numbers.
-- His mother made it through the year without a nervous breakdown.  :)

*Sigh*  Hard to believe it's over.  He had a wonderful teacher so I hope he gets a great one next year as well.  Only one more year to go and I have to do this kindergarten thing all over again.

Linked 52: Looking In

So naturally I was doing this last minute.  I didn't take a new photo but pulled up two photos that I've taken within the last couple of weeks.  Nothing fancy.

Here I am looking in(to) the tunnel at the park.

It was a quick shot and my settings were off.  I still like catching my little monkey though.  He has become obsessed with the monkey bars.  I love to see how proud he looks when he shows me that he can go all the way across.

This one was taken on my vacation at Red Rocks Ampitheather.

I was looking in on a graduation.  Since we weren't really supposed to be there because an event was going on I thought I should focus on the tree.  :)  How cool would it have been to have your graduation there?


Be sure to check out these other ladies to see their take on "looking in":  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean