Kevin the photographer!

I have some competition... Kevin took the camera today and snapped a cute picture of me and Jack. Being the "photographer" I'm rarely in a picture so this was a nice treat! Here are a couple of cute pictures from today. Nothing technically perfect, but I love the images.

It was another gray and winter-y day here. We've been COLD, COLD, COLD.

We have finally found a toothpaste that Addie likes and now she brushes her teeth all day long! She found the mirror today and enjoyed looking at herself while she was cleaning her pearly whites.

Nose

In case you forgot where a nose is located... Jack is pointing it out for you.

Things have been busy. Hard to believe we're entering the last week of Janaury.

I'm in charge of picking the next book for book club and now I'm procrastinating! If you have any good suggestions let me know.

What else is new? It's darn cold!

More Ruby

Ruby has become my favorite subject to photography lately, mainly because she sits still and usually does what I ask her to do!!!! Take her outside with a pinecone bribe and she's like a perfect angel! She does love the snow so after our run today we played in the backyard for a bit (good photo subject she is, but she has some work to do on being a perfect running companion --- sniff, sniff here... pee-pee there...). Here are two of my favorite close-ups of the beautiful dog.

Ruby's wet nose

Ruby's wet nose
Originally uploaded by stephanieantshel.

Friday!

We are expecting a big load of Lake Effect Snow tonight - 10-18 inches! Luckily I picked up a sled at Target the other day. I hope we get to use it tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

Playing with photos and photoshop - just got my new CS2 book in the mail today so I've been learning all sorts of new things.

More later...

More feet

I don't know what it is about feet, but here are some more!

We took the kids out to dinner tonight and an older couple across from us commented on how "well behaved" our children are. I almost laughed out loud! They were very well behaved tonight, so I guess I should take a compliment when I'm handed one.

Funny Jack story... after tubby time and during the bedtime routine he pretends he's sleeping by putting his head on the pillow and snoring. It is SO funny! Also, if he's asked a question like, "who wants a snack?" he says, "meeee." Funny kid!

Feet and Bear

Feet and Bear
Originally uploaded by stephanieantshel.

I can't decide if this picture does anything for me... my favorite part is her curled up toes!

We had a FUN day with the camera today --- maybe I'll post more later. Still having lots of fun with CS2.

Going through old pictures

I have been going through some old photos - this one is from this past summer in Maine. I can't decide if I like the "coolness" of the picture, but I definitely love the swimming dogs. I actually love the red boat in the background for some reason.

We got our second significant snowfall of the season. I'm not exactly sure how many inches fell (maybe 6inches or so), but enough to have to shovel a couple of times this morning and then again this afternoon. The kids went out to play in it this afternoon. It was the first time Jack wore his snowpants and he looked like a big snowman! He didn't really know how to walk in it, or what to do in the "no"(snow) as he calls it.

Oh, Addie informed me that the polar bears in the North Pole make the snow.

Brrrrrrrr... it is chilly!

playing, playing, playing

with photoshop! Did I mention that Santa brought photshop? I am SLOWLY learning my way through it. I need to get a book or take a class. Here is a picture of Jack that I previously posted, but in this one I have played with the photo a little more...
Also, a pic of Addie that I have altered, too.
FINALLY got my calendar from Kodak Gallery so now at least I know what day it is!
My parents are enjoying a week in Aruba... sigh. Oh, what a fabulous place. Hope they are having a great time.

Could he be any cuter?!

'Nuff said!

A cheap thrill!

About a year ago I submitted handful of pictures to Exposures catalog... well, today in the mail I recieved a letter stating that one of my pictures was used in the latest catalog. I also received the catalog (with my photo in it) and a $50 gift certificate!!!! I was thrilled! As I was thumbing through the catalog looking for my image, I was expecting (hoping) to see a photo of the kids... but, instead it was one of my flower images. I remember when I submitted it I didn't think too much of the image... I think it's pretty, but I was never "wowed" by it. Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder! This photo was taken with film, and I believe it was taken the first summer we were here. I think the varitey of phlox is called "bright eyes," but I'm not totally sure about that.

Close Window Weston Frames

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Settling into 2007

Week one of 2007 is almost over and I STILL don't have my new calendar! I hope I haven't missed anything this week. I ordered my calendar from Kodak Gallery what seems like weeks ago and according to my account info it has been shipped, but geesh!

Addie has been excited to be back at school, and so have I for that matter! Jack went to his 18 month check-up and he is almost 24lbs and 32 inches long... growing boy!

Haircuts are in store for Mama and Addie this afternoon. Although I love Addie's hair when it's clean and brushed it doesn't always stay that way! We're going to try a little shorter cut this time. She hasn't had it cut since last spring. I'll post a picture later this weekend.

Happy New Year!

We bid adieu (is that how you spell that?) to 2006 and we're ready to ring in 2007. Where does time go???

We took advantage of the mild weather and took a trip to the park today. Ruby was SO excited to run around and even take a dip in the stream. Jack was so interested in what Ruby was doing and he even found a few good sticks to throw to her. Addie just wanted to swing on the playground.

We stopped off at Starbucks for some caffeine so we can attempt to see the New Year at a party tonight. It was Addie and Jack's first cafe experience and they celebrated with a M&M cookie and an OJ!

Happy Birthday to Anna!!!!!! 17 years old today - oh, I remember the days well. What fun it must be to have a b-day on New Year's Eve.

So, Happy New Year to everyone.... I hope 2007 brings happiness, health and good cheer to all of our friends and family.

Have you made your resolution?

It was a very merry Christmas

Addie woke up around 6:15am on Christmas morning, but she totally forgot that it was Christmas day! She decided to get dressed and play in her room. After about 10 minutes she said, "oh, we should check on the cookies!" (that we left out for Santa). So we all went down stairs (Dada went first to turn on the tree lights) and as she was walking down the stairs she saw the presents Santa left under the tree! She exclaimed, "presents!!!" and was so excited! It was nice --- she didn't tear into them and she was very patient. Jack had NO interest in opening so Addie got double duty, which she loved. Jack was perfectly content just watching Addie and playing with a tractor that Santa brought him. Dada started a first, Christmas tunes were playing and it was a nice and relaxed morning.

Santa was very good to us again this year. Lots of toys and books for the kids (and some pretty cute clothes, too). Music was the theme for Kevin (iPod accessories, new Wave radio, etc) and I got my very own copy of Photoshop! Yippee!!! Now I need to learn it.

We are babysitting Ruby's friend CJ for a few days. The dogs are having fun, but can I tell you about the dog hair in my house! I have vaccummed several times and it's just not going away. Both dogs insist on sleeping in bed with us... and when I say insist I mean it. If one is not in bed he/she paces and whimpers until he/she is allowed up... it is so annoying. Once I found a comfortable spot I did not move last night!

Today was a day of getting back to "normal." Nanie and Poppy have gone back to NC, Christmas day has come and gone, Dada has gone back to work... and it's just me and the kids! Addie is off school this week, so we're trying to find fun things to do to fill the days. Dada surprised us and came home early from work so we could all go swimming! It was fun.

We'll see what else the week brings - more later!


Looking forward to seeing what 2007 has in store for us.

Twas the night before Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Nanie and Poppy are on their way back to NC - we had a nice visit with them. Hard to believe that the week is over. We will miss them and look forward to our next visit.

We have put out cookies, crackers and water for Santa (because he will "like water just as much as milk" according to Addie). I think he'll be here around midnight or so... we're all awaiting his arrival!

Hope everyone has a peaceful night! Merry Christmas.

Santa is coming soon!

Here are a couple of pictures from our party the other night. We continued the festivities with a cocktail hour at our neighbor's house tonight. Addie was so funny... we were served shrimp with toothpicks so Addie decided to toothpick the Goldfish that were out. Everyone thought that was quite lovely! Kevin and I have one more party this Friday, too. Addie's school celebration is tomorrow and so I've been busy making biscotti for her teachers. Poppy made it in to town a.ok last night and he has enjoyed playing with the kids today! If you ask Jack who is Poppy he says, "Nanna!" Don't know why he won't say Poppy (or something like it). Jack's other favorite saying is when you ask him where someone or something is he says, "right there" and points! So cute! More later, but I am leaving for my own party tonight --- the women's group at church that I belong to is having a little Christmas celebration.

Big update coming!

Whew! It is the holidays! So busy!

I am going to be uploading pictures soon, but in the past few days we've had Kevin's Dept's Holiday party, our Christmas party, and my work party.

I'll leave it at that and get back to you later!

Holiday Busy, Busy, Busy!

It's the holiday season for sure --- busy, busy, busy! We've gotten our tree (gorgeous - photos to come) and I've made 3 strands of fresh garland (my new favorite holiday chore). I've cleaned out my boxes of holiday decorations and still have extra stuff that I don't know if I'll ever use. I have hung wreaths and decorated the front door. It's been busy!

Addie's favorite Christmas carol is Jingle Bells and if you were in the grocery store yesterday afternoon when we were there you would have heard her singing it in her LOUDEST and I mean LOUDEST voice! Everyone seemed to enjoy the free concert and a couple of people made comments to me such as, "she's excited," and "I just love it!"

So much more to do today - a trip to the mall to buy a couple of presents for Dada and others. I have to plan the menu for our annual holiday party that we're throwing this weekend. More decorating needs to be done... and we have to get ready for Nanie's visit. Whew!

The BEST news of the day, though, is that Addie's 5am wake-up calls seem to have gone by the wayside... it is now 7:30am and she is STILL asleep!! AHHHHHH, BLISS!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

It snowed today! Nothing significant, but enought to cover grassy surfaces, look really pretty falling from the sky and drive the salt trucks out of their garages! Addie was SO, SO, SO excited - all day long she wanted to go outside and play in the snow (I guess I need to buy new snow boots for her now - she wore her rain boots!). She promptly made a snow angel and then wanted to eat the snow. Thank goodness Ruby hadn't been outside yet - I need to teach her not to eat the "yellow snow!!!!" LOL.

All day long I knew something was amiss. The kids were crazy - we were on each other's nerves, etc. I said to a friend this afternoon, "it must be a full moon or something," and low and behold, it IS a full moon! Do I know my kids or what. Tomorrow is a new day!

A friend's birthday party

Oh what fun it is to go to a birthday party!
Addie and Jack got to see all their friends this afternoon- and play with a clown, have lollipops and eat cake! Whew!

sky

Thought this was an interesting picture of the evening sky. The kids and I went to the little local neighborhood park late afternoon the other day for them to play and for me to obsessively try to get a Christmas card picture of both of them together!!! Our gorgeous stretch of weather has come to a halt - whereas the past several days have been near 60 and sunny, today was about 40 and RAINY. Our back yard is a lake! Winter has arrived for the week, they say. 30s. Brrrrr. Snuggle...

I did a photo shoot with a friend who is pregnant - my first time trying to create a beautiful portrait of a pregnant belly. Ugh... I have so much to learn! Luckily my friends are very patient with me as I take picture after picture!

Not much on tap for the weekend. Kevin and I are treating ourselves to a nice night out with friends. Tomorrow, Addie has a friend's 3-year old birthday party. She is looking forward to that. She painted a picture the other day and I told her we could use it as wrapping paper for her friend's present (play-doh).

Have a good weekend.