Spring Fever

We have had gorgeous weather lately (yes, I am talking about the weather) so we took the kids to the park and they just couldn't get enough! My favorite part about the beautiful weather is how clear the mountains are! I think Sydney is quite fascinated by them because every time we get in the car she reminds me that we are "close to the mountains". Yesterday she said, "Mom, I like the red parts on the mountain and then the snow, it is just beautiful!"

Picture Tag

This is fun- no cheating! I was tagged by Pam.

Here are the official rules:

1. Go to my documents/pictures.

2. Go to my 6th file folder.
3. Go to my 6th picture.
4. Blog about it.
5. Tag 6 people to do the same.


John is going to love this one! It was his birthday and Sydney wanted to help blow out the candles. Connor sort of disappeared for this one.

I tag Leslie, Mindy, Savannah, Larissa, Ashley, and Amy

Silly Debate

When asking, "Please get me 3 _______" would it be Books of Mormon or Book of Mormons? John thinks it is the first because it is Mormon's book and you are getting multiple books. I think it is the second because that is the title of the book (the title is not Mormon) and it would be like saying hand me a couple Bibles or a few Green Eggs and Hams (we've been reading that a lot lately). As you can see, this is very important, so we could really use your help, especially you English people out there.

Macho

The other day I went to get Connor's coat and he wanted to open the closet and get it himself. After he opened the door, he turned to me and said, "I so strong!" and flexed his muscles for me. I had to get it on video!



Translation:
"I so strong! Mmgh!"

Be My Icon

Yes, I have read that on a candy heart before. We wanted to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to all our family and friends. We had every intention of sending out cards and treats, but then all of a sudden it was Saturday. Gma J, Sydney actually made you a card, but ya, didn't get around to mailing it. All of Sydney's friends from Milwaukee, she had Fun Dip Valentines for all of you, but ya, didn't get around to mailing those either. Sorry, I really dropped the ball this year. Who knows, if I get around to it, you may get them late. What have I been so busy doing? Valentine's fun of course!

Decorating Cookies!

Chocolate Fondu!
We even threw in a new rule that if you dropped your food in the fondu pot, you had to dance for the rest of us. Here are a few samples.

Finished Projects

I am not a huge fan of January or much of February. I like snow in December. January gets a bit gloomy for me, so my mom and I decided to have a project. We made blankets for my little sister and Sydney. My mom made one big enough to cover my sisters bed and I went a bit smaller. I decided to take on a project I had never done before. I saw it hanging up in the fabric store and asked the lady how to make one. I think she called it a shag blanket. (Even if she didn't, I thought it was a good name.)

My mom picked fairies.

I picked Ballerinas. (Sydney picked the rest of the fabrics)

My mom put batting in and tied it like a quilt.

I did patchwork like a quilt, thanks to a good friend who is just awsome at quilting. (Click here to see her stuff)

We even did the binding by ourselves. To see how, click here.

I think we did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself.

Clouds and Tickles

Connor: gets out of the bath, throws off his towel and runs around. Then he toots. He stops, then twirls around to check behind him, giggling of course.
Me: Eww ya sicko!
Connor: (giggling) ya, tickled!

I couldn't stop laughing.

Sydney: (on the way home from swimming lessons) Mom, is it windy because the clouds are laughing?
Me: who told you that?
Sydney: no one

Maybe my kids do have a chance of being somewhat creative, despite my lack thereof.

Powdered Donuts and Photography Lessons

I am reading The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby and am learning quite a few techniques. One thing I have always wanted to know how to do is make the background blurry, but the person in focus. I have read all about aperture, but didn't understand it well and what I did understand, I just don't remember. Well, in this book, he tells you how to set you camera to do it. No definitions. No explanations. No technical terms that only photographers understand. Just "do this.." I like that. Anyway, I was experimenting with my camera while my kids were eating donuts and I thought a few of them turned out okay. (and I just think my kids are so stinking cute and want to post pictures of them as much as I can!)

This is Connor's new look. He loves to raise his eyebrows at you if you talk to him.

That backgrounds blurry right? I will have to try it outside. Oh, and I will have to do my daughter's hair next time I guess.
Now, I haven't learned much about lighting yet. To be continued...

Swimming Lessons

Finally! Sydney loved taking swimming lessons at the YMCA in Milwaukee and she was getting so good. It has taken me a while to get her back in them, but she absolutely loves them. I am not a very good swimmer, so my goal is that she will learn enough to be able to save herself. Then I can learn to relax at the pool.
Connor, on the other hand, isn't as happy about it. He is still too young to take swimming lessons at this pool, so he gets to sit and watch. The first day we were there, he asked, "mom, I swimming lessons?" in a cute, pouty tone of voice. It made me sad and want to break the rules for him. He was good though and sat patiently (for a 2 year old boy) while we waited for Sydney to finish.