A photojournal of my life 365

Improvements (70/365)

2010-02-03T00:20:00.000-08:00

Ashton said she needs her own space so she put her fairy tent over the art easel and now the girls have their own art room.

Some assembly required (69/365)

2010-02-02T00:07:00.000-08:00

We bought Ashton and Adrienne this art easel for Christmas. I finally assembled it today. A little assembly and voila our kitchen has turned into an art studio.

Sidetrack (68/365)

2010-02-01T23:09:00.000-08:00

Everytime I start to work out, my little sweetheart thinks it is time to play and compete for my time. She is so funny its not hard to distract me.

(67/365)

2010-01-31T22:37:00.000-08:00

Familiar places (66/365)

2010-01-30T22:21:00.000-08:00

I drive past this barn every day and I find comfort in it.

Yay! 65 posts....Only 300 more to go (65/365)

2010-01-29T21:57:00.000-08:00

I know I don't post every day, but it is easy for me to take a picture everyday. With my cute kiddos around there always seems to be a reason to have my camera in my hands and I love it. I love having this way to capture the litte and big things in life.

This night I asked Adrienne to get in her jammies; which she did, evidenced by the little purple stripes sticking out of the bottom of the shirt. Then she took it one step further by dressing up like her Daddy. She put on about 5 of Dan's shirts and his basketball shorts. I also love that she has the book about dressing up, laying out on the ground. I heart this moment.

Back to school(64/365)

2010-01-28T21:43:00.000-08:00

Ashton loves preschool. She talks about it all the time. She is so happy to go each time, here she is hamming it up with her new haircut and a cute little Hello Kitty back pack.

P90x (63/365)

2010-01-27T21:33:00.000-08:00

Naturally, after 3 weeks of eating out and watching a lot of tv, I had to start working out again.

P90x you are the bane of my existence, but I still love the results I am getting from you hour long work outs and two a days

Back to the real world (62/365)

2010-01-26T20:20:00.000-08:00

Drive home (61/365)

2010-01-25T19:17:00.000-08:00

This time I drove through Las Vegas instead of through Northern Arizona. It was gorgeous driving and seeing all of the Saguro Cactus and how uniquely beautiful the desert landscape can be.

Oasis (60/365)

2010-01-24T19:00:00.000-08:00

Taken at the Phoenix zoo. It is such a fun zoo it is big enough to have so many fun animals and it is small enough that you can walk around comfortably with small children.

Another beautiful sunset (59/365)

2010-01-23T18:54:00.000-08:00

Everynight there was a gorgeous sunset. I can't get over it.

3 little monkeys swinging in a tree...(58/365)

2010-01-22T15:03:00.000-08:00

(I put three because the little boy in the upper right corner is just an innocent bystander of my photography. There's only three of my little loves in the pic :) )

(57/365)

2010-01-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

Princess and the Frog (56/365)

2010-01-20T13:15:00.000-08:00

We went to see Princess and the Frog with my brother Keith and his family. It was a really fun outing.
The movie was alright, lets just say that playing in the arcade was the highlight of the trip. Watch out for Keith, he's a trained fighter and one mean shot.

Please do not enter the fountain (55/365)

2010-01-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

The ironic thing about this pic is that Samuelito is sitting on a sign that says, "Do not play in the fountain" Good thing he can't read and we couldn't see it, so we weren't really breaking any of the rules ;)

Which one is hungrier...(54/365)

2010-01-18T13:03:00.000-08:00

The caterpillar or the girl? We played outside and worked up an appetite, almost everyday in AZ. This was a favorite spot for us, an outdoor mall near Queen Creek, with a play area.

Retail therapy (53/365)

2010-01-17T12:57:00.000-08:00

its good for everyone. Educational for the kids and healing for the moms. :)

Hot mama!!! (52/365)

2010-01-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

This is my sister in law Adriana. Isn't she beautiful? My daughter Adrienne was born on her birthday. They share a name and a birthday. And a love of shoes.

(look how high those shoes are!)

Sisters shopping (51/365)

2010-01-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

The Disney store is so so cute! Princess dresses, shoes, purses, tiaras, etc. So good for little girls who like to shop and so bad for mom's wallet.

Retribution (50/365)

2010-01-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

Poor Adrienne was no physical match for Samuelito. He is very strong and definitely can hit harder than Adrienne.

But don't worry, she is quick enough to know that she can pay him back on the playground....

All business (49/365)

2010-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

"I can't play, I have too many important things to do"

"Seriously? I'd better sit down for this."

"You've got to be kidding me, work is all that is important"

Matters in her own hands (48/365)

2010-01-12T10:09:00.000-08:00

Even though it was warm as could be in Arizona, it was too cold to go swimming, Adrienne just couldn't fathom that we were in sweltering weather (at least compared to Logan) and couldn't go swimming. So she took things into her own hands. She put on her own swimsuit and found a pool toy. And Grandma's huge bathtub would have to suffice.

I don't want to tell you (47/365)

2010-01-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

I ask Ashton, "What are you doing?"

She says, "I don't want to tell you." All cute and funny and innocent.

I love this face even though she doesn't want to share everything with me.

I see the world through Goggles (46/365)

2010-01-10T09:51:00.000-08:00

Goggles

Uh oh! (45/365)

2010-01-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

Adrienne unfortunately got sick while we were in Phoenix. She was layed out for about four days. All she wanted was for me to hold her.

Bubble wrap....digitized...(44/365)

2010-01-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

AZ sunset (43/365)

2010-01-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

A quote from my sister-in-law, Adriana, "its like this every night" Which I found to be true on my 3 week trip there.

I'm leaving this: (42/365)

2010-01-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

I am leaving this yucky snow inversion infused weather:

For this beautiful dry, hot, sunny weather! Love it!

Nature's first green is gold (41/365)

2010-01-05T18:45:00.000-08:00

Hug your kids a little tighter today (40/365)

2010-01-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

Baby Jesus lying in a manger. So peaceful and blessed. Did Mary know that her son would be crucified and die at a (relatively) young age? God knew. He had a plan, as he has a plan for all of us. He knows us individually. And his plan is bigger than we can understand. And every trial is for our good. And God gives us peace.
I have to remind myself of that, especially today, when the death of my friend's 14 month old son, is weighing on my heart. It is a heartbreaking reason to hug my kids a little tighter today.
Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~ John 14:27

Sweetness (39/365)

2010-01-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

Nice aim! (38/365)

2010-01-02T14:26:00.000-08:00

Third time's a charm (37/365)

2010-01-01T21:38:00.000-08:00

Here's to my third time attempting to keep this blog going. This time I have more determination than ever. I had my camera gear stolen, which was an experience reminding me that if you don't use your talents or try to improve the gifts you have been given, then they get taken away. I know I need to keep going and here is a pic of something else that reminds me I need to have determination:

Climb your heart out (36/365)

2009-09-08T17:25:00.001-07:00

Explorer (35/365)

2009-09-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Remember: You are the money maker! (34/365)

2009-09-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

Doesn't look that scary does it?

Not until you see it from this angle: See the crack to the right of that tree? That is the ledge that Dan is jumping across! It is just wide enough for a person to slide all the way to the bottom of the canyon. In Kristen's words to Grayson when he was jumping across, "Remember, you are the money maker!"

Lone and dreary world (33/365)

2009-09-08T12:58:00.001-07:00

I wore them out (32/365)

2009-09-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

Two professional cleaners, one awesome sister in law, my best friend and neighbor, and I worked our butts off to deep clean the house, make it smell good, touch up a lot of paint (just how in the world does one's door frames get so scuffed, nicked, scratched, and dirty?) all for the first showing of the house.
Whew. It was close. Here's the aftermath:

Two worn out girls. Were going swimming tonight while the realtors have our second and third showings. Hope someone makes an offer......

I feel so accomplished (31/365)

2009-09-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

Here is my bedroom that I have worked so hard to cuten up. Originally this was the office, but Dan and I competing for the one desk, when we both work from home, was getting kind of ridiculous.

(Sorry for the close up. I only have my 50mm right now. I lent my wide angle out to a friend and she just had a baby, so I'm thinking I won't get that lens back for a while. Who would want to make that call: "hi, um, I know you just had a baby and are in the hospital, but I need my lens back so I can take pictures of my pillows......." silence. ;) not me.)

Do you like my lampshade? I covered it myself. And I framed the fabric on the wall.

I've got skilz. Just kidding.

The time has come....(30/365)

2009-09-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

to sell our house. Our home. Our neighborhood. We have the coolest, laidback, friendly neighborhood. I feel like we are selling out from the neighborhood. Right down the street is the elementary school where many of our neighbors work. I am very happy, yet also have a feeling of longing for the perfect little elementary school experience for my sweeties. I am happy with the hope that a new little family will move in and get to have a great experience. Maybe East Coast schools can be great too?

Talk about a Leap of Faith (29/365)

2009-08-31T22:40:00.000-07:00

Innocence (28/365)

2009-08-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

Patriotic (27/365)

2009-08-31T22:24:00.000-07:00

Beneath the stars (26/365)

2009-08-31T22:20:00.000-07:00

Pyrotechnics (25/365)

2009-08-31T22:10:00.000-07:00

I realize these are not the best pictures, but I thought they turned out CRAZY and looks a little dangerous.

Short fuse. Almost lost a leg on that one.

Random fact: the house pictured here is the house I lived in until I was 12 yrs old, when my parents bought the house across the street from it. The house that my parents live in now, the one I lived in until going off to college, is not pictured here. Funny huh. But I love the new house so much that I want to buy it when my parents move to Arizona.

Faces (24/365)

2009-08-31T21:55:00.000-07:00

How many clowns can you fit in a car? (23/365)

2009-08-31T21:49:00.000-07:00

Good thing its not a close up...(22/365)

2009-08-31T21:43:00.000-07:00

There is orange icecream everywhere :)

Kaboom! (21/365)

2009-08-31T21:28:00.000-07:00

Craziness for Dan getting this fireworks store open for his business partners in Evanston.

Little Daredevil (20/365)

2009-08-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

My little daredevil. Loves anything scary, spicy, dangerous. Especially rollercoasters. Mine is the second to last car next to the hot guy in the yellow shirt. Look how happy she is. She kept her hands up the whole time!

Last wedding for a while (19/365)

2009-08-31T21:15:00.000-07:00

(18/365)

2009-08-31T11:13:00.000-07:00

Great Friends (17/365)

2009-08-31T11:10:00.001-07:00

Start of something good (16/365)

2009-08-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

Great night out (15/365)

2009-08-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

Seattle Cafe (14/365)

2009-08-31T11:01:00.000-07:00

Healing Sun (13/365)

2009-08-12T00:44:00.000-07:00

Ah, whenever I see the Sun I can't help but be happier and more optimistic. I believe the Sun has healing powers.

Happiest Place on Earth (12/365)

2009-08-12T00:26:00.000-07:00

Deep blue (11/365)

2009-08-12T00:11:00.000-07:00

"Mama Belle" (10/365)

2009-08-11T23:50:00.000-07:00

My girls and Grandma Belle share a special bond (it must be the red hair). Although there is no blood relation, you would never know by watching them interact. They have a very loving relationship.

We had the privilege of staying with "Mama Belle" (as Adrienne calls her because Grandma is too hard to say) while we were in California. And woman is this lady a social butterfly, lunch and cards with friends by day and dinner reservations and cards with us by night. Highlight of our trip!

50's Diner (9/365)

2009-08-11T23:41:00.000-07:00

Nice people, good eats. Dales in Long Beach, CA

Beauty (8/365)

2009-08-11T23:39:00.000-07:00

* For the record. Dan wants everyone to know that this was not planned, posed, or contrived in anyway. He was adamant that he would not participate in any such cheesy posing experience. This happened all because I went back the the car for my camera and was last one out. And I'm great at candid like that. ;) *
But I still like it. Cheesy or not. I think it is beautiful.

It never rains in Southern California......(7/365)

2009-08-11T23:28:00.000-07:00

Anyone else heard that song? Dan drove around So.Cal singing that song to me. It made me happy. Dan and the singing and the sunny weather and the palm trees. Oh the palm trees.

San Marcos

2009-08-03T07:11:00.000-07:00

Priceline.com name your price, thank you very much. Neither Dan nor I had heard of San Marcos before you. We were worried you would be ghetto, but you are not. Lake San Marcos is fun and cool with comfy beds, vaulted ceiling, a man made lake, and the only one to accept our bid of $55.I did not take this picture. It came from the resorts website: http://www.lakesanmarcosresort.com/html/activities.html

Oldie but goodie 5/365

2009-08-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

Two years later and she still loves her thumb. Its a comfort thing. I was seven months pregnant here.

Shoulder to lean on 4/365

2009-08-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

My big sis, who is smaller than me by about 4inches, is still my shoulder to lean on. Two days ago I was really having a bad day, struggling with depression. I called her and tried to be strong, but she saw right through it. She talked and listened and empathized. I love this lady. And by the end of the conversation I felt so much better.

Its in the blood

2009-07-31T07:16:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa Maurice "Sunny" Alt. was a photographer too. He lived in SanDiego and was a lifeguard and sailboat instructor and once had an article written up in the newspaper which mentioned his "sunny disposition". His other pictures are unreal how cool they are.
This is a picture that Sunny took flying over a part of SanDiego (I think Mission Bay- where my mom grew up, if I'm not mistaken) in a helicopter. This is my destination today. 12 hours in the car with two kids.........totally worth it!

BRING IT 2/365

2009-07-30T08:46:00.001-07:00

I am taking on the 365 Challenge 1/365

2009-07-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

I am taking on the 365 challenge. Where you take a picture everyday and post them for 365 days. I have been wanting to do this for a while, but I've been a little timid about having something to show every day for one year. Yet when I was cleaning out my archives the other day I realized I take a ton of pictures that never get posted because they don't fit in my family blog or in my photography blog. So here they will lie.

I've seen other people's 365 day challenges: http://www.memoriesinraw.com/ & http://blissfullydomestic.com/photo-bliss/are-you-up-for-the-365-challenge/and I am always inspired by the different ones I see. It is a beautiful creative outlet everyday of the year and will help me immensly with my quest for consistency. Hopefully at the end of the challenge I will have a beautiful culmination of what my life was like for that year. With all its ups, downs, and all arounds.