PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/31/11

This could've turned out to be a disaster. I have had this box of hair color for several weeks and was going to touch up my roots that are turning very dark (and grey..eeek!). Usually, I have Todd assist with this, but today, I thought that I could easily do this by myself, which I learned that I could IF I put the correct solution in the correct bottle. Instead of adding the color to the bottle, I just felt free and added the post color conditioner in...then when I washed it all out, I started to put the color on as conditioner...until I smelled the bleachy smell and realized that I was moving too quickly and didn't even look at the tubes. Oh MY...I added a little of the color to my hair that was drenched and washed it out. I think maybe it lightened it all a little but I definitely made my own creative combo. I will be needing to do this process again fairly soon and , I'm thinkin', just to prove to myself I CAN follow directions, I will mix up the solution again and do it the right way. Now, I'm just hoping that my hair doesn't start falling out or something crazy. This is true proof why I do not enjoy baking and probably shouldn't spend too much time coloring my own hair...because you have to follow the directions step by step...LESSON LEARNED!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/30/11

Homemade Pizza night...it's looking good and we're all getting hungry....and then, we have another pumpkin roll for dessert.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/29/11

Zach and I went over this morning to Gram Gram and Grandaddy's with the intention of working on photo organization for the "Elk Creek Chronicles" and for Zach to have some time over there. Gram Gram wasn't going to be there, but Grandaddy was looking forward to seeing Z and getting some work down. We weren't surprised to see that he had gone up to the store and had donuts waiting for us (thanks! :) ) and coffee was ready to be poured. We got tons done in regards to the organization and this project is getting ready to be able to be in the final leg...I think.

Zach spent some time in the basement playing the Wii and of course, there was some time for some ping pong. That is one of the favorite things the boys like to do when they are over there. It was a very fun and productive morning and I just love that the boys like to spend time over there. Grandaddy always make an effort to do something with each of them when they are over there and that is very special.

Ahhhh....Bibi. This cat and I are quite the pals. She doesn't like everyone and usually hisses as people walk by but I can honestly say that she has never done that to me and knows that she's safe around me. She is now at the point where she will come up to me, sit right near me and rub her head against my legs and even jump up a little. Maybe she likes me because I am the one who first held her when we went to Petsmart and I asked to see her or maybe she knows that I worked very hard to have my parents adopt her with several calls to Every Creature Counts. Whatever it is, I'm just glad she likes me...she reminds me a lot of my Tangent and that is a good thing.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/28/11

Oh thank heavens for 7-11 (and their Super Big Gulps). Throughout college and as I started working at Merrill Lynch, I made almost daily trips to get a Big Gulp filled with diet pepsi...not the best habit to have, but not the worst either. Since I had to drive by a 7-11 today, I decided it would be a good time to stop in and get a diet pepsi...with some cherry flavoring mixed in...a double treat ;). After getting up at 4:15 am this morning, I think I may just appreciate having this.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/27/11

We just got back from Nick's yearly asthma check up, and for the second year in a row, his numbers have gone up and once again, they have lowered his dose of daily meds. He is now taking Advair 100 once a day to try for a while. His levels were at 104 and last year, I think they were at 97 so they continue to improve. I get very emotional when we hear this kind of good news because this kid went through so much as a little boy and had more medications and treatments than I would ever wish on anyone. I truly believe that it has helped to have the allergy shots he had for almost 5 years and the dr said today that he was in "remission" meaning he still has asthma, but it is maintained and controlled and not active. Thank you , God. This just is something I could never have imagined and am so thankful.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/26/11

Zach sat down at the kitchen table last night after getting my good Sharpies out along with a sheet of typing paper, scissors and tape. We really didn't know what he was up to but he sat there quietly creating. Pretty soon, I saw him cutting out his "shapes" and then decorating them. After that, he said "look" and he had the eyes taped on our trash can and was opening up the lid with his foot. Now, that was creative and funny in itself, and totally Zach, but this morning when I came down, I noticed he had also made a mustache for our trashcan dude along with the note that "Zach was here." He most certainly was :) My dad often says that Grandma would've said "They broke the mold when they made him" and I think that she would be absolutely right. There is really no one quite Zach...he will say what he is going to say, but continues to develop more of a conscience when he says something not so nice and appologizes (which is something he wasn't always so good at...he would just be quiet and then come snuggle and hug us after an appropriate amount of time). He's most certainly growing up, but he maintains his fun and even quirky personality and comes up with some funny stuff...and this is just one example of it. Don't ever change, Zach, because you should never ever fit inside a "mold"...love you very much!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/25/11

Nick and Chris were up at the "break of dawn" to head out to school and while eating breakfast, Nick threw a dried pea that went into Chris' milk. The way they started laughing and Chris kept laughing which made Nick and myself start laughing even more...very fun morning with these two boys.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/24/11

So much I want to say about this book...taking a little while to reflect and pull out "simple wisdom" from this...so glad I get to talk about this at bookclub for February. I have already started a "document" about everything I noticed in this book so far and so much more to add. This is the kind of book that I think everyone should read and really find what is important to them. Simple would be one word to describe it, but our lives become so complicated and material. May everyone be as good as Perry L Crandall...if they were, the world would be a different place.

New favorite word: :"echt" meaning "real, genuine, authentic"...

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/23/11

(photo:Halloween 2005)...Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Nick. He loved football and could do a play by play of a football game, which he did often with his Grandaddy over the phone. He loved a player named Brett Favre who was quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. How his interest in this team began, we're still not sure, but what we do know is that he was a true fan and was loyal to "The Pack". For Halloween, we had the great idea that he could be a "cheesehead" which would mean he could get a jersey of his favorite player to wear as a "costume." He would wear that jersey for several years until he outgrew it and couldn't wear it anymore. One year, he got to go to the Packers/Broncos game played on Monday night. We are all Broncos fans and always cheer on our home team, but this time, we were feeling like it was a win-win situation. As they went into overtime, and the Packers won, Nick called on a cell phone screaming and was so happy.

When Brett Favre retired (for the first time) and Aaron Rodgers became the quarterback, we wondered if his interest in the team would continue, and without a doubt in his mind, he cheered on the Packers. Because of his enthusiasm we all have joined in the band wagon and have been having fun cheering them on, especially this season because our Broncos were so bad.

So, today the Packers played the Bears (and our old quarterback, Jay Cutler) for the NFC Championship and I am happy to report that...THE PACKERS ARE HEADED TO THE SUPERBOWL. Now we are just waiting to see if they will play the Steelers or the Jets. I told Nick that I would buy him an NFC championship tshirt if they won, and good to my word, I went online right after the game and an official tshirt worn by the players is being sent his way. I have no doubt that he will wear it proudly and we will all be ready to cheer them on to a superbowl win in two weeks.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/22/11

Oh, our sweet little Cocoa...you are considered a big dog...a chocolate lab at 60 pounds, but you truly believe you are a lap dog. Oftentimes, you will just come up and step on us and want to sit on our laps and somehow, you find a way to do that. We also watch you curl up into the littlest ball and snuggle into the pillows on the couch. Yes, you are completely spoiled that we let you on the furniture in the first place, but how can we resist when all you want to do is be close to us and nap at the same time. Today, we saw you with your tail covering your eyes and had to capture you. I think you must have been trying to keep the light out :). Even when you are asleep, you will start wagging that long tail of yours if you hear us talking about you. Today, you did the same thing. All you want to do is love and please us and trust me, you make us so happy and full of love every day. Zach took a series of pictures and he did a great job capturing you today.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/21/11

Fun day at the zoo with the Bertelsen kids...we stayed longer than planned and were all dying of thirst all the way home, but we survived ;). Zach would name all the animals so that will be a future post. I think the favorite animal he named was "Patricia...Patty, for short" the ostrich. Everyone does so well together and gets along. The only one missing was Nick who stayed home instead. We are really fortunate to have these kids growing up together and I am pretty sure they will always remain close through their lives. Josh is going to come spend the night tonight to extend the family bonding time :)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/20/11

I went to watch Elli in her ballet class today...since it was a one way "window", I could watch her and she didn't notice me. I rode over with Tami, Elli and Joshua and she was so excited to have us watch her. She did a fabulous job and socially interacted with the other girls so well. She was at the front of the line and took this very seriously. I remember being close to her age and taking dance lessons from Ms. Vicki and Mr. Rich and is crazy to think that Elli is now doing. I love getting to spend time with her (and all my other nieces and nephews)...very glad to be "Favorite Aunt Tracy" to special kids.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/18/11

Oh Nicky T, you know that I'm a crazy photographer and I can't help but capture the daily life. You came down this morning and looked so handsome/cute and I just knew that I needed to document the way I felt. You see, I know you don't understand, but you are growing up so quickly and it hurts my heart just a little. At the same time, I am so happy you are the amazing, talented person that you are and I wouldn't trade this time with you for anything. I think to the future and the thought of you going to college is almost more than I can imagine...I push you to do your best and plan ahead so you are prepared for the future, but deep down, I just want to keep that little boy who spent many hours bug hunting, reading dino books, coloring and drawing amazing trucks at a very young age with me. I guess I do have that with me because I have the memories and photos to bring those back in a second. I just pray for you to have the best future anyone could have...and I'm hoping that someday, you will look back and say, "thanks mom...you were a pain in the butt sometimes and nagged a lot, but those little tips you gave me and time you spent made a difference." Until then, I will probably still nag and give you my input, but I can't help it...you've never known me to stay too quiet, but please know that is always done only out of love and caring and may you take from it what helps you now and always. The look on your face (after you closed the garage door on me and locked me out ;) ) as you drove off is something that has made me smile all day long...well, most everything you do makes me "SMILE". (like the song by "Uncle Kracker") I love you, kid!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/18/11

It is official...Chris has now officially"applied" for his passport for his upcoming summer adventure to Paris, London and Edinburgh. As a mom, I find it very hard to send him so far away and my heart hurts a lot just thinking of that and praying for complete travel safety every step of the way, but, also, as a mom, this is an opportunity that is something that is right for him to be doing. That is not to say that I won't have tears as he takes off, and even sleepless nights as he is gone those 12 days, but my prayer and hope is that this is an opportunity that will allow him to continue to find his passions and have experiences that not every kid gets to have. (or even wants to have). What I do know is that I have complete confidence in him and his ability to do this. I also know that I will miss him with all my heart and be waiting to hear all about and see the photos. Now...to wait the 4-6 weeks to receive the official passport.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/17/11

Liza loves her new cat condo that Chris and Todd made her for Christmas. Ever since it came in to our room, I don't think she has touched her old "house". After Tangent died, I was sure that I could not love another cat but Zach convinced me to look at the cats at Petsmart just for fun a couple of weeks after he died. There was sweet Liza...sitting in the first cage and so cute....the rest is history. She certainly has never replaced Tangent, but she has created her own spot on our house and our heart and I don't know what we would do without her. How many cats will play "fetch" with a small piece of paper and bring it back up on the bed and drop it in front of you so you will throw it again and again and again? She snuggles in with me every night and loves us all. She is actually very good friends with Cocoa and cautious with Mocha. So glad I went in to visit the kitties that day with Zach.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/16/11

Last night, we all went to the Nuggets game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. We had seats 14 rows up and Nuggets trounced the Cavs. Being down so low, we were right in the middle of the action and it was filled with energy and excitement. The players these days are Carmelo and Chauncy Billups, Chris Andersen with all the tatoos and Nene. Our coach is George Carl. He is kinda "old school" but these "new players" are at a level that probably was never imagined when I was young. It may be the last home game that Melo and Chauncy play here...basketball is a big business and players go where the money is and there is very rarely a loyalty for a player to stay with one team for their whole career...as we may be seeing first hand in a few days.

Being there last night reminded me of the days we had season tickets to the Nuggets. We had four tickets and went to half the home games. Whether it was a week night or a weekend, we were always ready to head to the game and cheer them on...Dan Issel, Bobby Jones, Byron Beck, Alex English and so many others. The first coach I remember was Larry Brown and then Doug Moe came in to the mix. I always fondly remember these games, but seeing the banners shown in the picture brought back a flood of memories. Yes, we had fun going to the games. Yes, we were fortunate to be able to do this, but even moreso, we went as a family and created a memory that was way beyond basketball. Thank you Denver Nuggets...

PROJECT 365 PICTURE(S) OF THE DAY 1/15/11

Today is the day to re-arrange the garage and move Nick's car into the spot next to mine and make room for Todd to park his car in the 3rd bay. The new truck is quite long and barely fits in now, but every day, after backing out or coming in to the garage, he has to get out and push the side mirrors in because they won't fit. Hopefully, by this new arrangement, he'll be able to just keep them out. Also, it will be nice to get the garage cleaned out. I am the moral support and am staying in doing laundry (and blogging) :)

The first shot is more of a "group/action/family" shot, but I just took this photo of Zach looking up apps on his Itouch. What I love about this is that, other than the counter top being completely clear and clean, he just is sitting there, hanging out. As I looked further at this photo, I love that I can see his reflection in the granite. I couldn't let this photo go without documenting it. It is a shot of who Zach is right now...a 6th grade boy, who is getting tall, and his Itouch which is such a sign of the times itself.

Looking forward to going to the Nuggets game tonight. We have really good seats and will be sitting with the Kimmey's. This could be Melo's last game in Denver before he gets traded, but we have heard this for months so I guess we'll just see. It will be fun and I'm sure I will have some pics from there. Thank goodness for our little cameras that fit in a pocket.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/14/11

Today's Photo(s) of the day was inspired by the quote I got in my "inbox" this morning...
"I look in the mirror with the eyes of a child who was me." -Judy Collins

Those words really resonated with me as I had just spent last night going to middle school orientation for Zach and Todd went to high school orientation for Zach. It is so strange to think I have kids that are growing up so quickly, although it seems like I was just at their ages. I remember childhood so completely that it's hard to imagine I am a 42 year old suburban mom with ever increasing "smile lines" or as Zach called them this morning ("crows nest"...think he meant crows feet but I will always think of it as "crows nest" now :) ). I feel so young and "cool" still however, the other night, Chris and Zach were talking about how "old" I was and that I did look like I was 42. I guess I was shocked because I don't see that when I look in the mirror. Well, maybe I do when I REALLY look in the mirror, but I try not to do that too often. I love where I am right now...my life, the blessings I've been given, the opportunities I have now and what I have to look forward to in the future in regards to my family and myself. Regardless, I still believe I'm that "little girl" and I'm going to keep feeling that way.

I like this photo because it is a contrast between a real "child" and that "mom" in the mirror. What I like best about this photo is how I have my hand on Zach's shoulder and the content/happy look we both have on our face. He was very nice to do these photos with me and it is definitely a candid and special moment even though we are standing in front of the main floor bathroom mirror.

This photo makes me smile because of Zach's smil on his face...rather quizzical and amused and I have the giant cheesey grin (not as authentic as the other ones). Boy, that photo really does show off my "crows nest" and every other wrinkle that shows up, but I love it because it continues to tell a story and also contains a story of that little girl within me. (I could get very introspective with this, but for now, I'll stop)

I think this is my favorite photo...just natural, comfortable and happy...and while I see my "little boy" who is quickly growing up, I still see him as that little baby and I think I always will, just as I will continue to look in the mirror "through the eyes of a child who was me."

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/13/11

When walking through the dining room today, cleaning up for the cleaning ladies, I came across 3 of Zach's hats on the buffet. Now, of course, this is not where they belong, but it is not an unusual occurence to come across one (or more) of Zach's many hats somewhere in the house. There is not a day where he doesn't have one on. He has quite a collection which I just love and each one has a story...which is even better. The black hat on the far left: purchased in the gift store at the Holiday Inn when we were in Disneyland 2007 (I think). It really was black but has turned a new color due to much wear and tear and love. The middle grey hat: Zach and I found that at, of all places, Walgreens. This past summer, we walked down an aisle and he saw this felt like baseball hat that had a bull dog on it. It immediately caught his eye and, at first, I said to him that he didn't need another hat, I realized that he really loved it and it was only $5. He reminds me often that he wears it all the time (and he does). The hat on the far right is a new one. He had the Black/White Ball for 6th grade right before Christmas break. Chris had worn a cool hat to the same dance 2 years before and it was like a trademark. I told Zach I would get him one if he could find one he liked. Well, the first one I got was not what he liked so Chris now has it, but we went out again together and got this one. It was not without a little drama as he wanted to make sure it looked okay and fit right but he finally approved this one and he wears it often. What I love the most is that I bet I could look through all his hats that he has, and each one would have it's own individual story and be special in its own way. That is a set of mini-stories that I think will need to be told...stay tuned.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/12/11

This is not officially a photo of today, but the story does apply. This photo was taken 12/26/06 as the boys were sledding down the hill behind where Stone Mtn. Elementary is now. We all went out and the boys had so much fun sledding on their own and with all 3 on the sled. I snapped lots of photos, but this one was an instant classic. As soon as I saw it, I knew there would never be another moment captured like that ever. The look on each of their faces is so "them" and my heart just literally melts when I see this photo. Their personalities are each captured forever in this and that is the magic of photography...you never know what is going to make that instant impact or create that forever memory like this one does.

This photo has been enlarged and copied many times. Todd has an enlargement hanging up at work and family members all have copies. Every winter, when I switch out photos above the buffet in the entry way, this photo is the one I use. Thinking of all this came about today as I am putting away the rest of our Christmas decorations and switching out pictures from Christmas to our everyday photos. Today, I will switch out the enlargement in the frame I used for Christmas, and until springtime arrives, this specific photo will hang again. Everytime I walk past it or walk down the stairs, I know I will have a special little tug on my heart and a smile on my face (and perhaps, a little tear every now and then). I will never forget that day with the boys and the magic this photo brings to us all.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/11/11

Can't believe that I'm uploading pictures and getting in the groove to do my last elementary school yearbook. I'm so glad I have awesome friends that are co-chairing this with me. After this year, I will have been in charge of the yearbook for 6 or 7 years and helping with it for 9...and to think that I won't have a child in elementary school is a little strange. I spent this morning uploading pictures from the Outdoor pics that were taken and at this point, I have about 150 and that is not counting all that I could've chosen from. I try so hard to include all the kids every year, and it sure going to be fun working on Zach's 6th grade. From this picture, you can see Zach in several of them although I won't use every single on. It's fun to look and see this kid who is growing up so much and has good friends and a good school environment, but is still my little baby and is okay with that. Got a lot of work to do and I think we have 76 days left so we're meeting this week and we'll be on a roll to create the best last yearbook of my "mom career"

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/10/11

We woke up this morning to find out that the boys did, indeed, have a "Snow Day." We didn't get tons of snow, but it was really cold and roads were to be bad so they are all home today. I am really glad because it's always good to have them home and, honestly, it would have been a pain to get them to school and picked up etc... So I'm halfway selfish in this happiness :) As is evident, even dogs look forward to "snow days." Both dogs absolutely love the snow and Mocha will go out and come in with snow all over his nose, and while Cocoa and I were out this morning, she was doing the same thing...licking the snow, catching snowballs and just enjoying something we haven't seen too much of this winter. Cocoa is such a spunky girl with a very nosey nose. I can honestly say that I have never seen a dog that wags her tail more than she does. Even when you think she is asleep, but will start talking to her or about her, her tail will get going. I took tons of pictures of the snow and our snowball fight this afternoon, but this one really takes the cake. It reminds me of the photos we took of her during her first snowfall as a puppy. I have similar photos of her with the snow on her nose and that sweet look in her eyes. How lucky we are to have both Cocoa and Mocha. The love and loyalty of a dog is pretty much incredible. They are both inside now, warming up from playing outside again and getting a good afternoons nap in.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/9/11

This morning, as the snow was beginning to fall, I asked Zach "do you want me to make chili" and he smiled and said "did you say we could go to Chili's?" (which he really thought I had said) and I said "no, I can make chili" then, after only a few seconds to ponder, I said, "Yes, we can go to Chili's!" It was a good idea since I had a gift card that would make it more "doable". The snow was just starting to fall harder and the parking lot was pretty empty when we first got there. By the time we left, Chili's was filling up, and the snow was falling more and temperatures were dropping. It was a perfect day to head out before the brunt of the storm hit. Now, it is snowing even harder and it is swirling around as I look outside. It is getting really cold and we are all hoping for a "Snow Day" from school tomorrow. At the very least, I predict a "delayed start" but we are crossing our fingers for much more :).

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/8/11

Our first weekend with our new truck...Zach was checking out the bed of the truck and we thought we should have a family photo to celebrate this new addition to our family :) . I didn't realize how nice it would be to have a truck again, but we all fit in it and it will be so nice to have for camping, trips to the mountains, and weekend errands. I am most happy because I can tell how happy Todd is to have a truck again.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/7/11

Donuts and coffee with Dad. We headed downtown to the Denver Public Library to pull some photos for his upcoming book, but had to stop for some coffee (and a donut) on our way down. I almost didn't order one, but I couldn't help myself. It reminds me of our Saturday visits to "Henderson's" growing up. If we didn't go with him, he wouldn't bring one home for us and even when we went, we could only choose a chocolate or glazed. I always wanted the "jelly filled" kind and only got it the one time Grandad Dell came with us and my dad didn't want to tell me "no" in front of him. :) It is a treasured memory of childhood. It is even better that my kids got to experience Henderson's before it closed. Oh, I can smell the Henderson donuts right now as I type this, and Mrs. Henderson crankily sitting at the back office while she bossed her workers around. I also remember the old man with the amputated arm that would come in and sit at the very last seat at the "bar"...he was a little scary to a kid, but was a fixture there. We would then see him hop back on his bike and ride home. He had a orange flag on the bike, like we had as kids.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/6/11

We first learned about Tim Tam's from my friend, Gab, in Australia. Through MFM, I met her and she became a long distance friend, and still is. She has sent us a few packages through the years and one of the favorite treats were the Tim Tams. The boys love them and I had heard they were now making them in America. I found them at Target prior to Christmas and bought them to use as a surprise for the boys. With all the Christmas cookies we had, I wanted to wait until it would be a big treat. Yesterday, as they came home from school, I had each of them close their eyes and take a bite. While not as fabulous as the real Australian ones, all of them love these and both Chris and Zach automatically knew what they were..."those really good Australian cookies we got from your friend" was a similar response from both. Thanks for creating such a special memory for us, Gab. :)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/5/11

Looking forward to Nick being home early on Wednesday afternoons...I know that there will come a day where he will be on his own and off at school, so I treasure this time even more. He's such a good kid and fun to be around and I think this semester for him is going to be one of the best ever! My goal: to try to not "micro manage" him and just enjoy the time together and support him and guide him when he needs me. I can't guarantee I won't nag (a little ;) ) or repeat myself 1 or 2 (or 5) times, but I really am going to try to not do it so much and know that he is very capable of handling things. (I'm really going to try, Nick, really)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE(S) OF THE DAY 1/4/11

It's time to say goodbye to our good ol' Sequoia. This car has driven Todd to work, taken us on fun vacations to Ruidoso and Utah, and many trips to the mountains, across town and to school. After 10 years, a big decision was made to trade it in at almost 100,000 miles and for Todd to take the plunge back in to truck ownership. His first love was his baby blue Toyota truck he purchased after we started dating. He worked so hard to buy that truck...and was so proud of it. It ran well for 10 years and we bought the Sequoia because, with 3 boys, we needed a car that could hold more than one carseat. When thinking back, it hardly seems possible that we have had it 10 years. Time flies when you're having fun. Now, Todd has the chance to own a truck again and I know he will love it. It's dark blue and he got the deal he said he would get or wouldn't move on so it will be nice, but a part of the Schmitt history drove away for the last time today. Thank goodness we have lots of pics and memories. A car can be a special part of your life...this is proof.

Chris is the last kid to take one last ride in here. Todd usually drives him to school when he leaves for work, so I will title this photo "The Last Ride" and if it seems a little silly that I'm crying as I type this, well, then I guess it is and I'm okay with that.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/3/11

DAY 3 : The boys head back to school today after a 2 week Christmas break. It seems like it went way too quickly and I always dislike these "first day back" days and this is no exception. Nick and Chris both leave close to the same time now so it's just me a Zach for the next hour 1/2 before he's off. When I asked him yesterday if he wanted me to pack his lunch, he said "yes, all my friends think I always have the best lunches." Now, usually it is either a sandwich or yogurt, juice, sometimes chips and always a piece of fruit...nothing at all exciting, but it made me smile to know that he thought it was "the best". He got this bread at the Bronco game that he went to with Todd yesterday so it made his sandwich even better today. Chris likes his peanut butter and jelly sandwich best when I don't use too much pb and enough jelly...think I may have overdone the jelly today, but what can ya do at 6:30 am? Nick usually buys his lunch but I load him up with "snacks" just in case he forgets money (or in this case, he had money, but left his wallet and drivers license at home). Just grateful that I can be home with them to do these little things and send them off to school. I don't take that for granted.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/2/11

After being on break, we have all found ourselves sleeping in later. This morning, I awoke fairly early and Christopher came down a while later. When he came down, he said that I needed to go see the sunrise from the front yard. Boy was he right...it was a clear, cold morning, but after seeing the snow capped peaks, the glimmer of sun on the mountains, the fluffy clouds and the pink sky, I had to get my camera. I went out on the front porch in my nightshirt and no shoes (with snow on our entry way, no less) and captured a few photos. This will be one of my favorite photos ever...definitely for the beauty of the morning, but more importantly so, because Chris knew that this was special and wanted to share it with me because he "knew you would like it."

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/1/11

Okay...it's day 1 (actually January 2, but just catching up) and I am posting my first photo for "Project 365". Todd and I were "posing" in the mirror for a few shots and I really liked this one. Great way to start the year.

In regards for the "word" project chosen by each of the 5 of us, here is the official list:
Tracy: EXPLORE
Todd: BETTER (as in doing everything a little better and being thoughtful of that)
Nick: STRIVE (to be the best or do his best)
Chris: TRAVEL (which will be happening this next summer, but also throughout the year, I'm sure...both literally and figuratively)
Zach: WIN (play to win and work to win...and as Grandad Dell would say, "it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game" and I think that when you do your best you automatically win and I think Zach will do great)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 1/1/11

Okay, I guess it's as good of time as any to get started again on this blog. I always have really good intentions on keeping it up, but even with good intentions, it doesn't always happen. I am hopeful that in this next year, I will do better at it and even expand it to other areas of I can pull it off.

After a great Christmastime, it is time to look forward to the new year. I have asked everyone in my family to come up with a single word to help "define" them this year and to reflect on throughout the year. Chris has chosen the word "TRAVEL" as he will be literally traveling to Paris, London and Edinburgh. I also think it works very well for him because he will travel many different paths and I can't wait to see what he does. Zach chose "WIN" and initially, it is to win in soccer after a rough fall season, but I also think it expands to winning/doing his best in everything he does. Still waiting on Todd and Nick, but hope they come up with one by the end of today. So, I had come up with several ideas for my word including: "moments" , "remember" etc... but in the middle of the night, a word came to me and I think this is the word that is meant to be: "EXPLORE". I think it can be used in many different ways including exploring new opportunities and places, being open to new ideas, reading new books and wanting to go in different directions or at least try them out. I look forward to expanding on this word through the year with family and friends and with myself.

I'm also looking very forward to working on "Project Life" again and Picture 365 where I will take a photo a day. Ideally, I would LOVE to post my photo here every day and start a Flickr site also so I can hold myself accountable to do this. I'm remaining uncommital at this time, but hope to try to do it. Haven't taken any photos today so can't post todays yet :)

I pray for good health and safety for our family members and for us. Yay, I am on the right start to posting daily or at least more often. Can't end without a favorite photo or two taken in the past couple of weeks.