Beach Days at Jetty Island

Oh my gosh, I haven't blogged in forever!! I don't think I even remember how!  But thought I'd post a few fun pics of our day at the beach yesterday.  This is my personal blog, not my photography blog, which is still under construction (for those that are wondering).

We went out to Jetty Island which is a beautiful sandy beach that you have to take a short little boat ride to get to.  It was such a gorgeous day.  Here are just a few fun shots of the beauty out there.

Maddie having fun in the sand.

Maddie trying to help one of the cute little kids we went with, Brixton, with his kite :)

 There was just enough of a wind that it was fun to watch the parasailing.

Beautiful wildflowers on the way back to the boat.

Such a fun day. I can't wait to go back again next week with Tyler and his friends!

Friday Inspirations - Rainboots and Umbrellas

My photography class that I've been taking for the past 8 weeks is over.  I'm sad... it was so informative and inspiring.  (Now I need to find a new one!) One of my favorite things about the class was viewing the examples and work of the instructor, and also the work of the other participants on Flickr. 

I always feel inspired by great work and am constantly putting together ideas in my mind. So along the same lines as Syke at Soulographer  I've decided to share some amazing work on Fridays that inspires me. 

The theme -- rainboots and umbrellas, which is very apropos based on the weather we've been having this week!

I love the ideas behind all these images and want to go out with Maddie and create some of my own.  Make sure you go check out the sites of all these very talented photographers!

(image credits: 1. genie leigh photography, 2. pretties and posies blog, 3. heather lynn photographie, 4. etsy)

Here is another fabulous, fabulous collage that someone made on Flickr -- love!  I don't have all the credits for it, but absolutely darling, right?!

I think we need to go buy some more rainboots :)!

One more collage of umbrellas...

(image credit: shannon sewell)

Well I sure feel inspired to go out in the rain now, how about you? 

What inspires you?

So Ready for Spring!

(images: 1. meadowbrook farm, 2. google, 3. a rosy note, 4. stonegable, 5. lemonade makin' mama)

We are so ready for some spring color around here and feel inspired by these images from some of my favorite blogs. Now we just need to get the sun to stick around for a bit!

Welcome Spring

Today I went for a walk and this is what I saw...

The cherry trees are in bloom!

I'm so glad it's spring!!

Fun St. Patrick's Day Ideas for Kids and Happy Birthday!

(Check out these fun craft, snack and treat ideas here from Jill Dubien!)

Wish I would have thought of these ahead of time... so cute!  I love the healthy-looking fruit rainbow!

Another fun collage...

(images: 1. google, 2. paradise, ut. - katie thatcher, 4. jill dubien, 5. google, 6. my delicious ambiguity)

Lastly, can't let a St. Patrick's Day get away without wishing the leprechaun in the family, a happy birthday! 

Happy Birthday, Bumpa!

Dreaming of Summer...

As I was going through some pictures from last year for my photography class I'm currently taking, I submitted this one and the instructor suggested I try it in black and white.  She was right, I like the effect.  With all the snow we've been having this week, this made me miss warm summer, walking in the waves out at the ocean, feeling the sand between my toes and watching the kids fully enjoy themselves. 

My challenge for now, is to fully enjoy the season we are currently in, because time goes by so quickly.  But this picture can help me remember and dream...

Random Happenings

Just a few pics of random happenings around here...

Valentine's Day is over, but the kids sure had fun!

Here's a picture I took for my photography assignment last week demonstrating depth of field, reflection and light-- a fun attempt!

On a Sunday late afternoon... this little miss is constantly stealing my boots, shoes, jewelry, etc. 

So funny!

And lastly, we've had snow!

Enough of it that school's been cancelled the past 2 1/2 days! 

(We love snow around here, but it's almost March, so we're kinda ready for Spring now! It would have been fun to have more of it during the Christmas break or in January, but the kids are having fun!)

(I think that hat was Tyler's when he was 3, and she took it out of the Goodwill box, and now has to wear it! :)

Best Romantic Movies

After seeing a cute Best Movie Kisses montage on youtube, I had to make a collage of my own favorites.

Can you guess all the movies??

(1. princess bride, 2. alias, 3. pride & prejudice, 4. sweet home alabama, 5. the saint, center: lady & the tramp, 7. anne of green gables, 8. emma, 9. chuck, 10. serendipity, 11. pride & prejudice, 12. ps i love you, 13. pirates of the caribbean)

(lrg. pic - confessions of a shopaholic, 1. serendipity, 2. pirates of the caribbean, 3. zac efron & ashley tisdale on the suite life of zach & cody, 4. only you, 5. the office, 6. sweet home alabama, 7. speed)

One more of the oldies but goodies. Enjoy!

(lrg. pic - an affair to remember, 1. casablanca, 2. breakfast at tiffany's, 3. it's a wonderful life)

Here's the cute Movie & TV Kisses montage. Can you guess all the movies?

Valentine's Day

What is Valentine's Day to you...?

(images: 2. webmamapapa, 3. flickr-mochatini, 4. etsy, 7. & 8. google)

(images: 1. family fun, 3. she knows, 4. & 5. google, 8. google images)

Ballet Girl

I know I've said it before but I really enjoy making collages as you can tell, and it really is an easy way to post a lot of pictures but not have it take too long.  This poor blog has been very neglected the past few weeks, so this is my quick way of posting something. 

Madeline is so cute to watch taking ballet.  She tries so hard and loves twirling. I wouldn't say she absolutely loves ballet class, because they work hard, but her favorite thing is dressing up for the dance recitals, wearing makeup and dancing in such pretty dresses.  These are some favorites from ballet class.  Below are a couple from her dance recitals the past couple years.  Hopefully more to come.

These were from her very first recital 2 years ago. 

She was so nervous, but did such a great job and we were so proud of her!

and this is from last year's recital performing to "On the Goodship, Lollypop".  It was just too cute to watch them!

Carefree Days of Kindergarten

I miss the carefree days of my kids in Kindergarten....

There was more excitement to go to school, to catch the bus in the morning. 

Coming home early in the day.

The extra time we had in the afternoon to play.

To go on spontaneous outings to take pictures and enjoy the outdoors. 

I miss all that time...

We don't get as much now. 

There's not a lot of time anymore to just play or run out somewhere to capture some great photos. 

Our days are filled with more homework,

rushed afternoons with some lessons,

and cranky mornings because she's so tired. 

It is definitely an adjustment getting used to 1st grade and going to school all day. 

Here are some of the moments I don't want to forget....