a thousand words

January: 12x12

Starting my dozen photos on the 12th day of the month for 2013.  I missed the excuse to pick up my camera and photograph the everyday in 2012.  So I'm back at it.

A Saturday in January.

01.  SC Donuts on a Saturday morning.  Berk likes a maple bar, Stella a glazed twist, Charlotte & Isaac prefer sprinkled... and Isaac eats the frosting off leaving the rest!

02. Saturday morning chores are routine, yet still dreaded and complained about.  It's January, so "Organize 1 area in your room with Mom" was included.

03. It's cooooooold for southern california.  Highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s.  We entertained with perler beads and friends over!

04. Merry Christmas to me.  A new mirror over the mantle makes me happy.

05. The calendar (pretty empty!) via iphone.

06.  Love Charlotte and her teeth (or lack thereof).

07. Isaac horsing around.  Typical.

08. I can't bring myself to taking down the Christmas cards.  I love all those faces staring back at me.

09. My lame self portrait after spending most of my afternoon at the hair salon.  It took waaaay too long and I'm a mourning the 3 inches that I agreed to chop off.  What was I thinking?  

10. Typical Saturday afternoon-- pillows everywhere and football watching/lounging.

11.  Stella trying out her new book light.  She almost has Harry Potter Vol. 1 complete.

12. Mr. I doing what he does best... avoiding bedtime.

I'm glad I jumped into the 12 on 12, but man am I RUSTY with my camera!   I'm not in love with all of these snapshots, but I know in 20 years I will be.

xo

"I la you"

a few things I don't want to forget about February so far...

I kicked off the month helping to throw a baby shower for a friend from church. We had a reaaaaaly simple night.  Our theme:  "We Heart Heather!".  Chocolate fountains with dippers, a spot to write "love notes" to the baby, and a few heart decorations here and there.  The heart collage was my favorite part, with old photos of Heather and her family.  I think Mama & the new baby (to be) felt the love that night!

Being in 4th grade and navigating the world of valentines is tricky.  "Will you be my Valentine?" on a card is no longer innocent and sweet.  Everything can have double meaning.  Berk settled safely on valentine's jokes (found here) taped to a piece of chocolate.  My favorite was, "What kind of flowers do you never give on Valentine's Day?   Cauliflower!"

I'm looking forward to my Valentine's gift from Morgan... a day trip to Big Bear!  Sadly, I've never been up there or to Lake Arrowhead.  We won't spend the night, but we have a cabin to use as home base.  I picture good driving conversation with my man, a walk around town, maybe a nap, and some yummy dinner. 

Isaac is our little lover.  I melt over the way he talks (and talks and talks) these days.  His "I love you" comes out more like "I laaa yoouu, ma"  or "I laa you, dad".  I've taken to saying it that way to the family now and I like it!

xo

Insta-love

About one year ago, I was introduced to a photo sharing app on my phone called Instagram.  It took me a while to catch on, but now I can officially say I'm in love.  I look at it like mini blogging, and it's just so EASY.  My phone is always with me and it's so simple to see, shoot and post in a matter of seconds.  I love feeling connected to friends and family all over as well.  

In January, I posted a photo each day.  Just the everyday moments that make up my life.  Here are most of them, in no particular order:  

Not sure how I'll use these photos in the future.  Keep posting daily for 2012?  Blurb book?  Poster of my faves?   It's hard to imagine life 10 years ago with a brick of a phone and my first digital point and shoot capturing a whopping 3.2 megapixels.  I'm sure instagram will be SO 2010 in a few years, but I am having fun while it lasts.

xo

me in 2011

 

 

I loved having both Christmas and New Year's Days on a Sunday this year.  Being in church on Christmas day was wonderful.  I loved sitting there with my family, reflecting and focusing on the Savior.  The music and spoken word were especially powerful that 25th of December.

On New Year's Day I had time to snap photos of the kids (minus isaac, the poor kid.  he was napping).  I love the idea of headshot of each of them on January 1st.  Later that night we had a spontaneous get together with friends, ate large amounts of Magnolia's Banana Pudding, and filled out these "A Little About Me" papers.

I've taken the info from those papers and added them to their new year's photos.  I need to snap a photo of isaac, quick!  His info for the record:

All about Isaac: He loves green foods (smoothies and salads), playing trains and "hoops".  is favorite book:  It's Time for Bed.  Learned in 2011 to make us all laugh, use his crib as a trampoline & wrestle his big brother. 

 

...and a happy new year!

{front}

{inside spread}

{back}

Our 2011 Christmas card.  Sending and receiving card is one of the best parts of the season!

halloween 2011

{Let's just pretend I haven't taken a 4 month blogging break.  If I can remember how, l'll get right to it...}

Ahhh, Halloween.  How I love thee and hate thee all at once!  On one hand, I love the change in the seasons (kind of, sort of here in CA), the chance to make soups, and use pumpkin puree as much as possible.  On the other hand, I struggle with the over celebration of what should be a simple night.  Between school functions and church functions and carving and decorating, I was exhausted by the night of the 31st.  Seems like I was the only tired one, though.  The kids eat up every last bit of the Halloween festivities!   Here's the proof:

{Three little skeletons who were "scared to death!"   Though Charlotte refused to spike her hair.  I think she thought it'd never come down!}

{Our Waite cousins came for a weekend visit.  A true Halloween treat.} 

{Hank, Lily, Darren & Nikki moved into our neighborhood a few months ago.  We are all in HEAVEN having family within walking distance.} 

{And finally a glimpse of Berk.  My MorphSuit boy.  He was supposed to be a BYU super fan, but I think he looked more like Dr. Suess' Thing 1.  Either way, he was responsible for pulling off this photo. "Hurry and sit and smile guys.  So we can go play!"}     

Isaac, today you...

...were plucked from your crib by an excited Charlotte.  At age 5, your sister has this down to a science.  

...grabbed my face with both of your still-chubby toddler hands and gave me a kiss.  Kisses are messy.  You still haven't learned to pucker up!

...got a wave and smile across the mall from a stranger.  You are good at catching attention.

...are closer to age 2 than you are to 1.  I've stopped counting your age in months and just say, "He's almost 2".  I don't like this one bit.

I'm a broken record, but why do they grow so fast?  I love my mister i!

xo

 

model material

Over the past year, my girls have had the chance to model for One Charming Party.  My good friend, Sara, is the creative genuis behind their amazing parties.  I'm so glad she's included Stella and Charlotte in all the party fun!  I love being behind the scenes and watching someone else photography my kids.  Nicole Hill, the photographer, is truly talented behind that lens.  

In spring 2010,  Stella and some of her best friends modeled for the mermaid party that OCP just released!  See all the photos here & here.  Or better yet, just buy the party and see it all.  It's pure eye candy.  You won't regret it!

 

Then, this spring it was easter egg dyeing with Stella & Charlotte.  This mini party was a feature OCP did for Real Simple online.  I especially loved seeing my kitchen professionally lit and photographed.  And look how much Stella has changed!  The rest of the photos are here & here.

xo 

 

12of12: May

A typical thursday in May.  I'm so glad I had an excuse to capture it.

 

{click image to view larger}

01. The neighborhood carpool to elementary school.  School is 15 minutes away, so it's essential.  Even with 6 kids in the car, we made it by the first bell.  7:55 am comes quickly!

02.  Isaac's "B".   Blankets are a big deal in this house.

03.  The new breakfast I crave daily.  Oats soaked briefly in milk, sprinkled with flax meal, sliced almond & a bit of maple syrup.  Whatever chopped up fruit I have on hand.  Delicious!!!

04.  At 18 months, this little man has big personality.  I love every inch of him.

05.  Thursday's run down via iphone.

06.  The PILE.  I am always fighting this pile and I dread it.  What comes downstairs must go back up!

07.  A happy spot in my house.  The front entry.  Old family photos including a classic of my teenaged father sporting tube socks.  I'm sure my grandmother loved that in her "formal" family photo.

08.  Jumpy Charby after a full day at preschool (I miss her when she is gone).

09.  Brothers doing what they do best-- wrestling and rough housing!  A 7 year difference in age seems to be no obstacle.

10.  3x a week this spring I've driven to MV (25 minutes away).  Berk loves his basketball club and so I empty my tank for him!

11.  Beautiful May sunshine drew us outside in the evening.  Isaac loves to pick at the chalk and maybe even color with it a bit too.

12.  Green, green grass.  Even in southern california you can tell the difference between winter and spring grass.  ;)

no. 6

Two seriously important women in my life have both had their SIXTH babies in the last month.  Impressive, right?    

First came Mr. Harrison McKay Waite.  

Harrison's mom, Stephanie, is my sister-in-law.  Forget the "in law" part.  I love this woman like a sister.

 

I have one cute nephew.  

During this Easter weekend visit we had a mini photo session on my bed & I snuggled him as much as possible.  There is nothing better than a newborn sleeping on your chest!

The other baby no. 6 coming up shortly...

xxo