February 29, 2008

{02.29.2008} CONGRATULATIONS Karen & Rob!!!

Bitter cold. Leap year. How could a man not say yes today? Isn't the history (and correct me if I'm wrong) of the 29th day in February the only day that a woman could ask a man for his hand in marriage? And something about bad luck if the man said no?

Rob and Karen both said "I will" today at the First Methodist Church in Greenville. The highlight of the day was when the original plan for pictures did not cooperate the smiles and laughter continued. Other than weather, the day was flawless.

February 28, 2008

{02.28.2008} Vintage

Thursday the kids and I went to go play at a friends house. We've never been there before, so to my excitement I was able to wander through her home taking in all the beautiful vintage pieces. The uniqueness was amazing. I know she wants to remodel and replace, but to do that I think that she should keep a lot of the character that is already there.

February 27, 2008

{02.27.2008} Water vs. Lattes

A couple weeks ago I started drinking 15-20oz of water before allowing myself to even turn the coffeemaker on. My routine was to take care of the kids, make coffee, check email, and then move on to all the other things two kids and a normal day involves. The first few days I felt like I was punishing myself by not having a latte right away, it's since gotten better. I wake up now wanting water first and feeling great about it. The first latte is now made around 10am...not bad for being up at least three hours prior.

Attempting to make a healthier change and not certain how to do it since my habits are decent to begin with, adding 40oz of water to my day is my start.

February 26, 2008

{02.26.2008} Banana Bread

Everyone has their household "staples." Banana's are one of ours. If they are not on the counter you'll find bread in the freezer. Here's the recipe my monkey's love...

Banana Bread
3/4c sugar
1/2c butter (unsalted)
2 eggs, beaten
4 mashed bananas
3T milk
1t baking soda
1/2t salt
2c flour

Mix in order. Divide and pour into two greased bread pans and bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees.

February 25, 2008

{02.25.2008} Impromptu Kiss

Nyla this afternoon wanted her picture taken. That alone caught me off guard. Tyler took the opportunity to jump in. To my shock (they have been fighting all the time lately), Nyla kissed him. Which lead to a kiss back. Why can't they be sweet all the time?

February 23, 2008

{02.23.2008} John Ball Zoo

There's not a whole lot going on at the zoo this time of year, although the warmer weather (about 30?) had quite a few families wandering the zoo Saturday morning.

February 22, 2008

{02.22.2008} Angela Pizza ~ Sparta, MI

Today was spent shopping with Nyla. We hit just about every furniture store in Grand Rapids including Klingman's where we rode the escalators several times. I came to the conclusion my three year old is a shopping rockstar. With the promise of more princess dolls she tolerated looking at office furniture for over six hours...and didn't challenge me once!

Dinner with our favorite guys at Angela's in Sparta was the perfect way to end our day.

February 21, 2008

{02.21.2008} Grand Rapids Camera Club 2007 Awards Banquet

Wednesday evening the GRCC held their annual awards banquet for 2007. The laughter has carried on through today thanks to a simple error. Who ever printed this must know me.

Second place in portraiture and eight honorable mentions for 2007. Smiles!

February 20, 2008

{02.20.2008} Letter B

Simple black and white. Twenty-five letters to go!

February 19, 2008

{02.19.2008} Pastels

My girls room is light and airy. The colors of my future beach house.

February 18, 2008

{02.18.2008} Half Full

Attempting to think positive about all this fun weather. Have I mentioned I'm sick of winter?

{EXPERIENCE} Cedar Springs Community Night


Every year the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce holds their annual Community Night to show support for local businesses.

DATE: Thursday, April 17, 2008
TIME: 6:00-9:00pm
LOCATION: Cedar Springs High School

Last year I was there for the first time, met a ton of people, and made some new friends. I'm looking forward to 2008!

Come out and see what the little town of Cedar Springs has to offer and stop by and say HI!

Cedar Springs High School
204 E. Muskegon Street
Cedar Springs

February 17, 2008

{02.17.2008} Home Studio

I posted back in January that we were working on my studio. Still in need of a few things, it's finished for now. Later this year it will be completely finished!

February 16, 2008

{02.16.2008} Unnoticed, but much needed.

Since today was spent making marinara sauce to restock the freezer, pizza dough, and other miscellaneous items I challenged myself with squaring up a rectangle.

This is one item in my house I could never live with out. It powers my mac and recharges camera batteries!

February 15, 2008

{02.15.2008} Name that teapot!

I know I'm a dork, but when you spend half your day playing princesses with your three year old and every time you play the game starts with "What's your name? My name is Little Belle," "Ariel," "Cinderella," or "Sleeping Booty" you start to need other things to make your brain work. Yes, that was a run-on sentence because playing princesses makes my brain mush.

February 14, 2008

{02.14.2008} Candy Games

Both classes today played the same games. It's great watching my kids and the different ways they problem solve. Definitely Venus vs. Mars.
Nyla's class made bags for their Valentine's. I just loved this one. Maya rocked out the die-cut hearts.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!

February 13, 2008

{02.13.2008} Sweet, Beautiful, Sunrise

With as ready as I am to have winter over, this mornings sunrise on winter glass was incredible.

February 12, 2008

{02.12.2008} Organization

Doing away with these pretty little cases.

February 11, 2008

{02.11.2008} Valentines Candy

Purchased for my kids. That's my story.

February 10, 2008

{02.10.2008} One for the baby book.

shhhhh...don't tell white grandma...

February 09, 2008

{02.09.2008} FIVE HOURS of Chucke Cheese

Back-to-back parties. Still hearing the chicken dance song in my head. My kids had a blast.
I have a headache.

Thank you Olivia & Luke! Happy birthday kiddo's!

February 07, 2008

{02.07.2008} Lacey makes my hair ROCK!

I LOVE promoting businesses that I love, but it's even better when you can promote a girlfriend!

Met Lacey through a friend about five years ago. Granted I have strayed (sorry babe!), but I always come back because 1. she tolerates me, or should I say my hair through two kids and 2. because she's incredible with a pair of scissors and a perfectionist with color. How many woman can say they have lost 50% of their hair from one child and curl from another? Yes, that would be me. Still in the process of growing back that hair, I can now say that my love for my hair is back and Lacey (unknowingly) is complemented.

The other thing that I love about Lacey is we educate each other. I'm more of a naturalist when it comes to what I use. Been an Aveda girl since I was 15. Used Arbonne for the last four years. Lacey last fall introduced me to Pureology. When you have hair that is untamable and frizzy you tend to try just about everything out there. I'm now in love with Pureology.

If you don't mind traveling a bit north to Cedar Springs please check Lacey and her product line out. You will not be disappointed. Promise!

February 06, 2008

{02.06.2008} Spiderman Valentine

What's better than receiving your favorite superhero Valentines? How about receiving them from your favorite superhero!

February 05, 2008

{02.05.2008} Self.

Tonight as Nyla was drinking from the bathroom sink (I love 3!) I decided to snap a quick image. Just keeping up with the 366 day challenge and feeling in a funk...can you tell?

I'm ready for vacation and wedding season to start!!!
(trying not to complain about this frigid weather)

Summer, where are you?

February 04, 2008

{02.04.2008} Little Mermaid

We love Ariel so much that her head popped off. Poor Sleeping Beauty (aka Sleeping Booty to Nyla) has been hairless for some time. Guess I need to buy "back-up" princesses.

What toys did you love as a child or do your children love that you need to hide back-up ones for that unfortunate day when they need to be replaced?