Sunday Snapshop - Three

Our niece Railyn just turned three years old.  She has the cutest personality so calm and cute!

Her party was at a pool on a rainy Sat afternoon.  I believe a cake was calling her name in this photo:)

A little swimming can tire two kids out.

This was our gift to Railyn that I knitted for her. It was my first sweater and it was so fun to make for her.

This little girl was going to take her time and enjoy her cake and ice cream.

Apparently Railyn loves to iron.  The board was my sister and mine when we were little.  Fun to see the next generation get this ironing board!

This first photo was taken with my Canon d60.  It was horrible lighting in this pool so my ISO was 4000, Shutter 1/125 and f 3.2. 

Sunday Snapshot with Stephanie

Summer is here!

Today we have a new second grader in our house...

A new kindergartner...

A new fifth grader...

And one more new kindergartner.  How life changes in one day.  Everyone is ready for summer even though we were sad to say goodbye to some great teachers.  Time for a little easier schedule, more time together, and time to be outside!

Linking up with Lisa at Favorite Friday Photo.  Head on over to see wonderful Friday photos!

Sunday Snapshot-Andrew

We are almost there. One more week of school.  This past month has been hard on Andrew.  It is tough for him to have crazy schedules with not a whole lot of time to take a breath.  Chasing four kids leads to that especially in the month of May.  During this time it is very hard to parent. Knowing how to make the correct decisions for all of them becomes rather confusing.  I have to say though, when I look at those dark beautiful eyes that I love so much I can see that trying my best will in the end be enough for him. Until then we are looking forward to Thurs when summer starts with a little more down time which is just what Andy needs!


This is taken with my Canon 60d. The ISO 100, f 2.5, shutter 1/640.  I didn't do to much to edit this and was thinking leading lines when I saw him up there.

It is almost time for some lettuce and spinach at our house.  I am hoping this happens before the heat really sets in. Soon I think our menu will be filled with salads everyday!

This is the first year the spinach has ever really done anything for me. I think all the rain has done its job!

Although I have worked in the garden this week it has also been time to get some flowers started.  I love them and all their colors.

Some new perennials were in order to make life a little simpler and more beautiful in the years to come.

As the days go by the greenhouse is emptying  out.  The broccoli went out tonight. I don't think it is too happy yet.

Following Saturday Garden Journal with Ginny.

We are heading into our last week of school. This week was filled with a lot of field trips.  The preschool went to the zoo and although I didn't take a lot of animal photos we have our own monkey it seems.

Preschool will soon be a thing of the past in this family as Andy and Katie complete their last week.

After the zoo it was time to go to the rides. Our future pilot? Who knows, but if has the word adrenaline in it he maybe on board.

These two do not really agree on rides. One likes adventure one likes safety.

This is called the end of the day. Katie was done with adventures.

Join me in going to Lisa's Favorite Friday Photo and see what everyone else is up to! 

Mother's Day Jam

Mother's Day around here was very nice.  It was a day to go to church and be at home.  After the past few weeks schedule I was so glad to just be in one spot!

My parents came up to spend the day with us and the kids. A little grandparent time is never turned down.

The big activity of the day was making strawberry rhubarb jam.  It was fun to have Mom there with me to make it.  I loved having that time with her.

The finished product was good. I love the start of canning season and the memories that time brings.

Sunday Snapshot-Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

 I am blessed with a mother who taught my sisters and I how to be Mom's. She is a Mom that used actions more often than words to teach us what it takes to raise children.  She believes in hard work and that life is full of bumps in the road that must be overcome.  She in no way believed that being a friend to us was the way to parent. I laugh now as I think there would have been no way I would have "friended" her on facebook if it would have existed back then.  Now I count her as my friend, advisor, and role model.  She is an amazing woman in so many ways, not just to us as her family but to people who live in her community.

So Happy Mother's Day Mom I could be all that I am without you!

This was taken with me Canon 60d 1/250 shutter, 100 ISO, and f 3.2

Linking up with Stephanie at Sunday Snapshot. Go on over to see all the wonderful photos!

Saturday Garden Journal

The very first crop to pull from our garden was the radishes.  I would not say these rate as my kids least favorite but in salad they seem to not even notice!

The Strawberries have a lot of flowers this year.  I can't wait to taste some, although I have to say I rarely saw one last year. As soon as it produced some little person had it in their mouth!

Most of the tomatoes from the greenhouse are in their new homes.  However some are not looking so well so they will stay in side for awhile.

The watermelon has some flowers that are almost ready to open! We can't wait:)

A tomatoes happily tucked away in its new home.  Tomatoes are my personal favorite from the garden.  How about a tomato and basil panini anyone?

The potatoes have come up also in the past two weeks.  I love seeing what is new each day.

Linking up with Small Things for Saturday Garden Journal

Favorite Friday Post- Adoption Bug Shirts

As many of you know that have followed our blog for awhile realize that I have FALLEN  in love with photography.  Through a photography class with Lisa this spring I meet Tammi at adoptionbug who makes very nice adoptions t-shirts.  She sent me some for all the kids and I had my first REAL photo shoot! 

She has different shirts for all of us.  If  you are looking for an adoption shirt for you or as a gift head over to adoptionbug !

We attempted these photos on two different days!

I love how Katie and Andy's shirts have the hearts with their country flags!!

These shirts say just how I feel. We are totally blessed by kids from our hearts in different ways.

Joining Lisa at Favorite Friday Photo.  Go over and see all the great photos!

Sunday Snapshot First Communion

Today Riley made his First Communion.  It was a day filled with celebration, family, and friends. 

This was not a day that will be taken lightly.  A day I have wanted for Riley for awhile now.  Riley is part of a family that has a Mom and Dad of two different religions.  Not always easy to figure out. 

We are for the first time in many years in a spot that makes life easier for our kids when it comes to religion.  As the oldest Riley has done us proud through it all.  So grown up in his jacket and tie.

He even let his mother get her fill of photos!

My first photo was shot with my Canon d60 50 mm lens.

Shutter 1/252 ISO 100 f 3.0  

It was cloudy today which was God's gift to me no doubt for these photos! 



Head on over to Stephanies blog to see other great Sunday Snapshots