Capturing Our Blessings

Back in November, just a week after our sweet Elliot was born, I joined my 3 sisters-in-law in a photo project called "Capturing Our Blessings" which was hosted HERE.

I loved finding the small blessings in each day and it wasn't hard with a new baby, a 4 year olds birthday, a visit from my best friend, and thanksgiving all in one glorious month.  I never knew I liked November so much!

And though I am a bit late (4 months) in posting this I wanted to record here the majority of my captures...done with my iphone...will I ever use my real camera again?

1- 4 full towel hooks...we have waited a long time for that!
2- sweet feet
3- crossfit with daddy
4- our little bean
5- my first outing to pick up Wes from school (I locked my keys in my car that day and Kristen came to my rescue)
6- my mug collection...makes me happy!
7- Wes' preschool and the truth
8- Wes is thankful for...
9- happy son (sun)
10- Elliot's rag rug (still not completed!)
11- cute even when she's mad
12- pudding snacks for preschool birthday celebration
13- birthday morning (his birthday  is on the 15th, these dates aren't lining up)
14- nursery decorations
15- crocodile cupcakes for his peter pan movie party
16- Evolution Fresh- yum!
17- morning light
18- Thanksgiving performance
19- Jane comes to visit! (come back)
20- Grandmas!
21- Elle + Hank
22- two kiddos on Santa's lap
23- Wes gets a tree for his room
24- gorgious Fall colors
25- Katrina and our cherished group nap time (miss you)

10 on 10 :: October 2012 :: Birthday Edition

I especially love this project in October since it's a fun way to document my birthday ;)  I had a full and lovely day spent doing some of my favorite things with some of my favorite people.  I am truly blessed...now come on out and join the party Miss Elliot!

Join the 10 on 10 project!

Christmas Mosaic

Merry Christmas!

This year Jeff was in charge of our "Christmas" photo shoot...hence the guns and chicken (alive).  Jeff has decided he'd like to be the official Christmas card maker and that means I have to give up a bit of creative control...which doesn't come naturally to me.  But I'm thankful he wants to take ownership of this so I'm willing to get over it and enjoy the results! Next year we will hopefully order enough to send it out to all those we hold dear.

We have felt so blessed to receive Christmas cards this year, it feels good to be thought of and cared for and I want you to know that we are thinking of you too!

Merry Christmas to you and yours, we hope you have an incredible weekend!

**Just days after taking this photo one of our 3 chickens (Josephine) was killed by a raccoon...we were shocked and horrified.  I'm only writing this for memory sake...sorry!**

10 on 10 :: December :: 2011

Thanksgiving Photos...

...can be found HERE.

Happy Belated Halloween!

Since our little man is always on the move it was very difficult to capture him in all of his costumed glory....but here's what I managed to snag!

This year Wes wanted to be Captain Hook (obsessed!) but I also scored an awesome army shirt and helmet at the consignment shop so he wore both. We had a very full Halloween weekend packed to the brim with 4 parties and a funeral service, such is life.

I think it's safe to say Wes is a Halloween fan (even if his costume only lasted about 5 minutes before he stripped down to a tank top and mustache...that's how he usually likes to roll!)

Hope you all had fun too!

{Private Wesley}

{family portrait}

{ferocious}

{poor lighting, but the wig was my favorite part and I was so bummed that Wes wouldn't wear it for more than 30 seconds}

Happy Father's Day {2011}

Our little chicken has been laying some double yolk eggs (!) Unfortunately they cracked on the way out...not sure if they're longer than she expects or just a bit thinner shelled since there is more inside than usual (anyone have any poultry knowledge?).  At any rate, she laid one on Thursday and I had to use it right away so I whipped up this gluten-free yellow cake...and then I looked up a chocolate buttercream recipe, which was the best part, by far.  And then I literally asked Jeff, "Do we know anyone who has a birthday tomorrow that is also gluten-free?" I realize it was a ridiculous question, but it was sincere.  My search on Facebook came up short.

The following morning Wes and I lit the candles and sang a round of "Happy Father's Day Weekend to Daddy" (to the tune of the birthday song) and ate cake for breakfast!

Tomorrow looks promising already, with the dedication of our sweet niece, Josie, a surprise gift for Jeff, followed by a bbq at my in-laws...should be fun!

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there but especially to the 3 main fathers in my life.  I am inspired by your patience and joy.

We love you!

Mother's Day Smooch

I had a great day yesterday and I'm hoping that if you're a mother you did too!

I woke up to the sweetest hand drawn card and a little surprise gift (honestly even though it was on my wish list you never know if the men in the house are going to remember that it's Mother's Day ;))  We are now the proud owners of the Zoku popsicle making kit...and I really hope it works and that the sun cooperates this summer because I'm really looking forward to getting creative with our cool treats.

We then headed to Capitol Hill for the farmer's market and topped it off with lunch at Oddfellows where we sat outside, in the SUN. Perfect!

Wes napped while Jeff and I made beouf bourgignon and after dinner we headed over to Renton to deliver a few Mother's Day gifts (4 years in the making- our wedding photo, framed) to some of the best moms we know!

Such a sweet and special day, I feel so blessed to be celebrated and appreciated as a Mother.

So, here are a couple of smooches...one on our wedding day and one that our sweet boy gave me yesterday on the streets of Seattle.

Amelia Soleil & A Weekend Away!

The weekend before last we celebrated the first birthday of our first niece...a precious little one year old who brings joy to all!

We've been kind of down for the count these past two weeks (major stomach flu and severe cold symptoms) but are on the mend so I thought I'd share these photos from our first weekend in March.

We had such a lovely time with family in the beautiful setting of Whidbey Island...Wes especially loved being outdoors and playing by the sea.  Can't wait to go again.  You can see more photos from the weekend HERE and HERE.