Valentine's Part 2

Let's just say my husband knows me well! For those of you who know us, you might know that giving each other gifts is not the way we show each other that we love each other. If you are familiar with the 5 love languages, both of us have the giving/receiving of gifts as #5. It simply means, we show our love to one another in other ways other than giving gifts like through acts of service (me), quality time (both of us) and physical touch (Michael) and then throw a few words of affirmation in there (me) and our love tanks are full. And if we do exchange an occasional gift, we keep it simple and within the budget. So with today being Valentines day, I was expecting nothing and was totally fine with that and I hadn't gotten Michael anything, and he was fine with that too. But my sweetie surprised me and got me this:

 My favorite popcorn along with a cup filled with York peppermint patties (YUM) and toothbrush to brush away the cavities after consuming a large amount of chocolate goodness. But what I like even better is the cup. You see, I made the decision 3 weeks ago to give up soda and I have done amazingly well if you ask me breaking a serious addiction to caffienated beverages. I mentioned the first week of no soda that maybe if I had a special water cup to drink out of, it would make drinking water more enjoyable. Well, my hubbie was listening and he got me a very special water cup. I love it because it is the perefect size, holds just the right amount of water, and has cute hearts all over it. But most of all, I like it because Michael not only listened to that request but remembered it as well and then did something about it.

 So here's to a happy Valentines day everybody! Cheers!!!!!!  mmmmmmm, my water tastes so much better in my special cup! :)

As a photographer you would think I would at least have a handful of pictures to choose from of my husband and I, but think again. In the last year I have less than 5! How pathetic is that. It does make sense though since I am usually the one with the camera. I need to get better at handing my camera to someone else and coaching them through, I mean asking them to take a picture. :) 

This particular picture was taken in October and Michael held the camera out and took it of us. We were on a hike in Flagstaff and he was actually not feeling very well. He looks as if he has no expression on his face, but it's the only one we got where both our heads are actually in the picture so it will have to do. I did a little editing, made it black and white and ta da, I had myself a picture that is at least presentable. All this to say, Happy Valentines Day to my sweetheart. Our first Valentines day was Feb. 14th, 1994 which took place 6 months after our first date. We were married a year and a half later on July 28th, 1995 so that makes this our 18th Valentines together. The thing I love about my marriage and my husband is that each year I am more in love with him than the year before. Happy Valentines Day babe! He just keeps getting better and better. I love you so much Michael Ray!

orange blossom photo project

I thought I would do a little project. We have an orange tree in our backyard that blooms beautiful orange blossoms every spring. Even though I am terribly allergic, there is nothing quite like the smell of fresh orange blossoms that waft into your house when you open  your back patio. And then the cute little white flowers, they are one of my favorite things. So I thought I would take a picture each day to document the making of an orange blossom, this will also be a fun thing for the kids to watch since we have been doing a Botany study for Science this school year. It will be fun to see the changes that take place from day to day. I bet in about two weeks time we will have us some orange blossoms. Here is picture #1. If this interests you, I will be adding the pictures onto this post instead of starting a new post.

getting dirty

I'm so glad that Anna isn't afraid to get dirty. Making mud is something that entertains her for hours. I remember doing the same thing when I was little. Luckily our laundry room entrance is off the back patio so none of the unwanted mud is tracked inside. I love this time of year, not too hot to be outside and the sun actually feels good. It will be short lived so we are spending as much time as we can outside before the 100's get here. Happy Spring everyone!

Happy Birthday Annagrace Selah!

6 years old! I still can't believe my baby is going to be 6. It just doesn't seem possible. Happy Birthday to our Annagrace! Anna you are entertaining, independant, strong, intelligent, fun, adventerous, responsible, helpful, trustworthy, wise, loving, a great listener, adorable, and competitive. We are so in love with you dear one, and wish you a happy happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Camden Michael!

Happy 10th Birthday to an amazing kid who we are so blessed to call our son! Camden Michael, this is the year you move from single digits to double digits. 10!!!! Wow! Camden, you are smart, comical, intuitive, inquisitive, hard working, helpful, loving, silly, strong, sensitive, outgoing, social, talented, playful, funny, and friendly. We love all your amazing qualities and can't wait to celebrate your special day with you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMDEN!!!!!!

Birthday parties- 6 & 10

We did it! We managed two birthday parties on the same day going on at the same time and I think it's safe to say that both the birthday kids felt special, spoiled, and loved. The only thing I missed was not getting pictures of the first part of Camden's party at the archery park but I did catch a few pictures of him during the cake and opening presents part of the party back at our house. I only managed about 4 pictures of Camden and his party crew. Do you know how hard it is to take pictures of a handful of rowdy boys? Rowdy in a nice sense of the word of course. They were too busy to pause for a picture, so I only got pictures when they were actually standing still for a moment.

Anna and her party crew were much easier to take pictures of, thus the reason I have more pictures of her party.

So we have made it through the birthday parties, and had a great time, now it's on to the actual birthday celebrations. First up, Camden who we will celebrate on Feb. 9th. His only request is to got shoe shopping for a new pair of tennis soes and eat at Chick-fil-a. That, we can do. Next up, Annagrace who we will celeberate on Feb. 10th. She doesn't have any requests really on what she would like to do, I think the fact that she already had her party was enough to make her happy until next year! But we'll still do something special and of course I am sure to blog about it so stay tuned....