March 9, 2010

Frosty... it's nearly mid-March and it feels like the winter that's been missing all season has suddenly returned...

March 8, 2010

Pencil knitting... forgot my knitting needles at home last night. But no worries... necessity is the mother of invention right? Pencils to the rescue! These pencils are the perfect size; I assume they're about a size 10 or 10.5, which is what I was going to use for this. It was actually fun to try this out!

March 7, 2010

My wonderful friend Judy gave me these beauties... farm fresh (collected yesterday!), free range eggs from chickens who are allowed to roam freely, and peck and scratch the earth and the grass. Best eggs ever! Thanks Judy!!

March 6, 2010

It's a long weekend at work...

Random images from the day...

Here are some random images from the day...

Leah tying miniature bottles of bubbles for her upcoming wedding... breakfast... the contents of the little knitting bag I had at work (which of course never got touched)... mirror time with the boys... and me being silly.

March 5, 2010

Part of today's agenda... grocery shopping...

March 4, 2010

Sunset at Dash Point Park in Tacoma, WA - it was a breathtaking sunset today. We played along the water's edge and then walked along the boardwalk. As we looked over the boardwalk into the water, we saw a myriad of fish, crabs, jellyfish, clams, ducks, star fish and even a playful seal. How lucky are we that this is essentially in our backyard? We live just five minutes away from all of this Puget Sound beauty!

A Hipstamatic Afternoon

So I finally downloaded the Hipstamatic application for my iPhone and had a blast with it at the beach today!

March 3, 2010

I love the look of a weathered fence. This one happens to be in my own yard.

March 2, 2010

Spring is coming!!!!

March 1, 2010

What a way to welcome March! The cherry blossoms are in full bloom around western WA. It's one of my favorite things each year and is yet another sign that spring is almost here! Not much longer now!

February In Pictures

February 28, 2010

And this wraps up February... Heading west over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I couldn't help but drink in the beauty! Have I mentioned that I love living in the pacific northwest?

February 27, 2010

I thought this was an interesting perspective. I pulled up into my driveway and decided to take a picture of the street behind me. I like how it came out!

February 26, 2010

It was a CRAZY day... had ZERO time for much of anything. This was the only shot I got! But it pretty much sums things up. Costco... got a lot of things for Saturday's baptism... paper plates, forks, napkins, water, and even had the programs printed at Costco. I LOVE costco... especially the Costco Business Center!

February 25, 2010

I went to Trophy Cupcakes & Party today with some friends. What a neat little slice of heaven. This is the Bellevue store. If you are in the mood for an excellent cupcake, I do recommend them. Just be prepared to open your wallet a little wider than you would normally!

February 24, 2010

I was so mushy all night seeing my little guy in his cub scout uniform. He looked so handsome I could hardly take it in. I love this boy SO MUCH!!

February 23, 2010

A sure sign that you live in the pacific northwest... MOSS! And lots of it... everywhere! This moss is crawling up the steps at the elementary school. I've said it before... were it not for the rain, we wouldn't have such lush, green surroundings. I LOVE living in the pacific northwest!

February 22, 2010

I know I posted a pic similar to this one a couple of days ago, but I couldn't help myself this morning. Once again, this is what I saw looking out my windshield in the parking lot at work. It was neat to see the Evergreen trees through the beautiful ice. Soon enough, the ice will be all gone for the next few seasons so I'm really enjoying it. Besides, we have had no winter to speak of this year. Seems the south and the east coast have had treacherous winters while we've enjoyed very unseasonable sunshine and temps in the 50s!

February 21, 2010

It's that time of year again! Honestly, it doesn't get much better than this...

February Play Date

Once again, this isn't my photo of the day... those are all titled with actual dates. But I love using this photo collage software and wanted to do a collage of our play date at the park on Thursday. I could put this on my regular blog (and probably will at some point) but I will need to change my blog layout in order to get this to fit. So for now it resides here!

February 20, 2010

As I left work this morning, this was my view from inside my Pilot. It was sunny and beautiful outside, but as much as we may will spring to come, this is our reminder that it is still February and winter is still our companion for another month! I could try to wish the spring here sooner, but I think I'll just enjoy this beauty that winter has to offer!

February 19, 2010

Embarrassment... Okay, this is embarrassing, but I'm doing it anyway. I'm hoping it'll serve as motivation. We shall see. To say that my kitchen had gotten completely out of control would be a gross understatement. I knew it needed a major overhaul. So without further ado, here is the before and after... (oh... and technically this is two pictures, but I cheated and spliced them together so I'm counting it as one for the day!)

February 18, 2010

Fun with shadows... We had a play date this afternoon on the playground after school. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and I got some nice photos. I had fun with all the late afternoon shadows.

February 17, 2010

This is my latest knitting project. I made a scarf using Berroco Mosaic FX yarn (which has sadly been discontinued!) It was difficult to work with at first but then once it got some weight to it and my fingers got used to it, it worked up pretty quick. The model is none other than Jodi... this was her birthday present yesterday and she kindly obliged me a close up photo for the blog. Thanks Jodi!

February 16, 2010

Growth Spurt... poor Evan could NOT keep his eyes open all afternoon. He slept for a long time on the couch and then for awhile in the car and then crashed hard at bedtime!

February 15, 2010

Friends at the beach! I love this picture because it truly captures how much fun the kids were having! We were going to watch a movie and then decided to hit the beach instead. Who cares that it was 50F outside and the middle of February. We donned hoodies (well, not all of us, by the looks of the picture), packed a picnic and had a blast with friends. The kids didn't seem to care that it was chilly outside. They got dirty and built sand castles and showed us how to let go and live in the moment. Truly I think our children teach us more than we could ever teach them!

J is for January

Here are my January photos. (No, this isn't my photo of the day... that'll come later on!) I suspect February's collage will look better since it will have nearly twice the photos. Can't wait to see what the whole year looks like!

February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day! Mike picked up this little cake for our family to share. It's a small little slice of sweetness... only about six inches across. He had our family initials put on the cake. It was so yummy... white chocolate raspberry! Thanks Mike!

February 13, 2010

Old meets new... As we sat at a table waiting for lunch in a little old dive in Tacoma, the guys got out their iPods and started playing.

The old: I aged the photo to look older. Plus, there are other telltale signs of age... the grain in the table as well as the very old Coca Cola symbol. Besides that (though you can't see it in this photo), the restaurant itself is very old. It's a place called Jubilee in Tacoma and from the looks of it, it's been around since at least the '50's (and has NEVER had an update or facelift!)

The new: The iPhone and iPod Touch give away the secret. I found it ironic that while we sat in this old establishment, we used brand new technology to read online reviews of the place and see it on a GPS map!

February 12, 2010

I love to tinker around with photo editing software. This is a shot of downtown Seattle I took as we drove up I-5, approaching the express lanes and the Seneca St. exit. We were headed downtown to have lunch together since it's our 11th anniversary today!! Happy Anniversary to us!

February 11, 2010

Raindrops on Evergreen needles... I love the way the rain drops sit on the ends of the Evergreen needles. Try as I might, I just couldn't get this picture to come out the way I wanted with an iPhone. Oh well. There is a possibility that I'll change the picture of the day if I get something better, but since my day consists of sleeping and then going to work again, I doubt that'll happen!

February 10, 2010

Still overcast and rainy... still winter... but whenever I see flower buds, I am reminded that spring is right around the corner. I don't mind the rain. Were it not for the rain, we would not live in such lush, green surroundings. But I do enjoy the flowers and the hummingbirds and the bees and new leaves. This was my reminder today that Mother Nature is still in charge... and spring is coming!

February 9, 2010

My keys. I get to carry Ethan & Evan around with me all day long. Let's not forget Bella & Edward. I can spot them. Can you?

February 8, 2010

This is the road that leads to home. I take such comfort in knowing that no matter what is going on in the world around me, I can always come home. Home is heaven. Home is a temple. Home is love. Home is comfort. I've walked this road so many times and it always feels good to come home.

February 7, 2010

A stethoscope is such a simple piece of equipment and yet it can yield volumes of information about a person. This important tool is a good representation of my weekend at work. Through it I've heard a loud newborn murmur, wet newborn lung sounds, soft belly noises, crying, and hushed breathing. Sometimes I like what I hear. Sometimes I don't. But I'd certainly be lost without it at work and I usually have it around my neck for the full 12 hours I'm there. Hat's off to my friend the stethoscope!

February 6, 2010

Melissa and Carol make me smile big! I love these girls and they make working in the St. Francis birth center a REAL treat. Honestly, when it's our weekend on together, I really, really look forward to working because I know that no matter what happens, we're gonna have a good time! These nurses (among many others I work with) really personify compassion and love!

February 5, 2010

It's not often we get a sky like this in early February! I imagine this shot would have looked soooo much better with a real camera. Sniff, sniff... yes, I'm whining again. Okay... back to blue skies and sunshine...

February 4, 2010

I love knitting. I especially love knitting with fun yarns. If you love good yarn and you're here in Federal Way, please be sure to check out Unravled Yarn & Gifts. It's an awesome store and the ladies who run it are super friendly. (Hate to say it, but sometimes the people who run yarn stores, in my oh so humble opinion, can be snotty. Not Ann and Karen! Sweetest girls you'll ever meet!) Here's what I'm working on now...

February 3, 2010

I got to go to the Billy Joel/Elton John Face To Face concert tonight with Jodi, Jaime, and Jaime's sister-in-law Melissa. TOTAL FUN!! I had so much fun with these girls and the concert was PHENOMENAL!! It was at the Key Arena in Seattle. As we walked in to the event, we couldn't help but notice how beautiful the Seattle Space Needle looked!

February 2, 2010

Meet Tiny Taco Harris. This little guy is an important member of our family and deserves at least one of the 300+ photos that will be on this blog before the year is over!

February 1, 2010

Today we had a bake sale at work for a fellow colleague who has been through more than anyone should. SO many people came together in a show of love and support. The fundraiser was a grand success and people poured out their hearts to share with someone in the depths of despair. This is just a reminder of the love shown today.

January 31, 2010

I'm a cheese lover, I admit it. I mean I REALLY love cheese. This Tillamook vintage white extra sharp cheddar is to die for. Seriously.

January 30, 2010

I'm so happy that I've only missed one day in January since I started. I really wish I had started this project on the 1st! Oh well.

We were at the mall today and Mike climbed into one of those little photo booths and took pics with the kids. It was way crowded and poor Mike couldn't cram his face into the shots. But this one of the boys came out pretty cute I think. It printed on paper that wasn't so great in the quality department. It was raining out and we parked pretty far away, so I thought I'd take a picture of it in case it got ruined. And I figured it was a good photo for today's photo-of-the-day!

January 29, 2010

Can I just take a moment to whine and say how much I absolutely MISS my camera? UGH... Okay... moving on... looks like until I replace my beloved camera all my photos will be iPhone shots. It's not a horrible camera, but when you are used to using a digital SLR, it's really hard to settle for less. Anyway...

Ethan and I had a mommy/son date at Cold Stone last night! This stuff is RICH... I only ate what was on the top. I tossed the rest in the freezer and had it two more times before it was gone. Crazy!

January 28, 2010

It's Pinewood Derby time!! Ethan can't wait to do this project with his dad... and I can't wait to see them work on this together. We are going on Saturday to get some supplies and a cub scout shirt for Ethan! Very exciting times!

January 27, 2010

Here are the boys right before walking to school this morning. Obviously Evan did NOT want to take part in this. That's okay... I love his cute little goofy faces anyway!

January 26, 2010

I love a clean kitchen sink. There is such a warm and lovely feeling I get when I walk into a clean kitchen.

January 25, 2010

Sad to say I have no photo for today. I woke up first thing this morning and realized I hadn't snapped a single one yesterday. I worked all night Sunday night and came home Monday morning and had to quickly make breakfast and pack lunches for the kids. The kids got off to school and then Mike called and told me he'd forgotten a sport jacket for his business trip. So I jumped in the car and drove that up to him in Renton. By the time I got home I was dead and fell into bed pretty quick. I forced myself awake to get the kids from school and then was completely useless until we all went to bed early last night. So no photo. Oh well... I doubt this will be the last time this will happen. Such is life when you work nights. I'll have to try and remember to think about it before I go to sleep.

January 24, 2010

One of the perks about working the night shift in the birth center... salad!! We make the most beautiful and delicious salads at night. Here's what our salad looked like tonight. Scrumptious!

January 23, 2010

After yesterday's home invasion, I feel a lot better about life now that we have a security system installed! The police officer who filed the report told me that crimes like this are on the rise. Unfortunately, people are unemployed and desperate in a bad economy. I just want to feel safe in my own home.