PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/30/11

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a super hero." (Marc Brown/creator of "Arthur")

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/29/11

This is imprinted on a stone at Hudson Gardens. I remember the first time I saw this was when I took the boys there in the fall of 2003 and it just hit me...this was a excerpt from the "poem" that Grandad Dell had a copy of with a note saying "I believe this." It is where he knew he would be when he died...and I remember stopping by the cemetary in Longmont when I was at CSU and I would sit near his grave stone and tell him that I knew that he knew all that was going on for me, but I just wanted to be close to him although I knew he was everywhere and not just there. Guess what...this poem says is exactly what I believe, too.

This is the poem in full:

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am the thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there. I did not die.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/28/11

For Shari's "July Challenge" for Shari Kimmey Photography, one of the prompts was "color"...which led to this project. I asked each of us to name 3 colors that remind us of the word "colorful"...I then got those colors and 5x7 canvases and we all set to work with our own interpretation of "colorful". I was pleased how everyone set to work and spent time coming up with their ideas and painting. To me, they really are masterpieces and I can look at each one and see that individual in their painting...very cool.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE A DAY 7/27/11

New "Kate Spade" glasses...I love how they have the little "spade" logo on the side and especially, this pink case! Fun to have a new accessory.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/26/11

I can hardly believe that Zach picked up his middle school schedule this afternoon...he will be in Burgundy Pod just like Nick was in 7-8 grade and Chris was in 8 grade. Nick was volunteering and was the one who checked out his books to him. So far, he doesn't have any guys that he knows in his pod, but I'm sure he will find out some who are with him. Love this photo of him with some of his SME friends including cute Ellie Behnke who he has been in school with from the beginning.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/25/11

SUMMERTIME TENNIS...nothin' better to play in the summertime and even better when your grandparents are there to support you. In Nick's tournament on Saturday, Grandaddy came and saw some of the best tennis Nick has ever played and then today, for his tennis team match, Gram Gram and Grandaddy came to watch and see him win in singles 6-0 6-0 and in doubles 6-0 6-3. They didn't want to miss an opportunity to see him on the courts and they certainly weren't disappointed in his incredible playing. He is really an amazing player with a great court presence. Most importantly, it is very special how the boys grandparents love and support my boys.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/24/11

SPECTACULAR would be a single word I could use for the clouds we have had this summer. On SAturday, I just kept snapping photos of the amazing shapes in the sky all day long. To me, they are like "Georgia O'Keeffe/New Mexico clouds where they are soft and whispy and spread across. In many of my photos, they are fluffy with the bottoms of them being flat. Regardless, I feel close to Heaven when I see these in the sky.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/23/11

I think I will aptly title this lovely photo of the three Nelson kids..."The hairflip in stop motion"...a classic photo to save through the ages taken during Dad's 70th birthday party. Our parents should be so proud.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/22/11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, DAD! 70 years old...wow! We had a fun breakfast at Gunther Toody's to celebrate dad and Elli (turning 4...that's another wow!) and then a party with all 17 of us on Saturday the 23rd. What a way to celebrate an incredible person, man, dad and gRandaddy...so proud to be his daughter...aka "you're a sweetheart." Here's to many more celebrations and happy times.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/21/11

Hanging out with my Prom and Homecoming Date 1985...Kyle has always been a good guy and it was fun to see him and meet his wife Amy.

Double dates to Homecoming and Prom with Cris and Ben...fun memories and good times!

Recreating the 1985 Prom photo :)...I have to say that Kyle really has not changed a bit...with that huge smile, giggle and dimples. So glad to have him as a lifetime friend.

The group...so sorry not to have Todd here with me. He, Chris and Zach are up camping so Kyle and Amy adopted me as being with them...a threesome in the most innocent sense :). Fun to spend a few hours laughing and telling stories. It is nice to have people know you and your past and remember the same things you remember.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/20/11

Dad dropped in for a little while this afternoon to check out our new addition and paint...so fun to have him over to hang out. He was more than impressed with the changes we have made.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/19/11

LOVING our new color of paint and especially the freshly painted red door...so happy!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/18/11

HAPPY 19TH ANNIVERSARY TO US...we all headed out to Water World for the day and had a really good time. Todd is now bringing home "Noodles" for our anniversary dinner. 19 years...wow! This morning, Todd surprised me with a bag filled with 19 gifts. With our new patio addition, I hadn't bought anything because I knew we may want to get some things for that room. What a fun, happy surprise and mean to so much to me. Thanks, Todd! I loved you 19 years ago and even more today!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/17/11

Zach took this photo of Todd the other night. This is a typical scene in the evenings as Todd watches his DVR recordings....either "Modern Marvels", "Nova" or "This Old House" is typical. He sure is enjoying our new tv.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/16/11

PARTY PLANNERS...we all make a pretty good team at putting together these mini WRHS reunions. This is our second annual event and we'll look forward to next year. It's fun to get together with groups of people you would normally not get to see...great conversations, lots of laughs and Nelson's fabulous dip. What more could I ask for :)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/15/11

Really, really pleased with the addition of our patio enclosure...still some electrical to complete and final touches, but overall, it is almost ready to go. We will paint the house next week and it's going to be incredible. So many ideas for this little extra room...want it to be comfy and usable all the time. Think it's like our outdoor family and what a great extension to our home. I give Todd full credit for getting the ball rolling on this idea.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/14/11

I am pretty sure that I will never get tired of seeing, for the first time, a layout that is published in a magazine. My first one was a few years ago for Scrapbooks etc... called "mom can I tell you something." It was a layout about Chris and what he always said to me. That will always be my most special, but every single publication is a total surprise and treat to me. This layout was published in Creating Keepsakes special summer edition and I just received this magazine and my original layout back in the mail today. I literally scream out loud and tear up every time this happens and I am just someone else likes what I love doing so much.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/13/11

The party is over for Zach turning 12...after having the Bertelsen's over for cake and ice cream, it is officially time for the celebrations to end and to just enjoy being a very cool 12 year old. So nice to sit under our almost finished covered patio and we were really lucky to avoid torrential rain that started up again as they were leaving. The monsoon season is in full force right now with crazy rain, thunder and lightening for the past 5 afternoons. I actually think the weather is a lot like when we were kids.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/11/11

A Senior picture outtake. I just took a few pics throughout the afternoon to document the "event" and this was one with Photographer and Subject in front of on of my most favorite houses I think I have ever seen. I think they had renovated it , but it was amazing and fit with the neighborhood of Bonne Brae. So many houses have been taken down and the lots used to build these huge houses that don't have any heart or soul, but this Craftsman house was incredible. The front porch with the classic white/cream paint and black shutters still adorned with American flags...it makes you feel like you could walk right in and be "home". Fun to see these places along the road while taking the pics (which are amazing).

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/9/11

Enjoyed spending Zach's 12th birthday at "the cabin" in Elk Creek. With Gram Gram and Grandaddy with us to celebrate, it was a great day. Zach opened presents at home in the morning and then planned the menu for us which included friend chicken and mashed potatos that I picked up at King Soopers on our way up, for lunch and then steak/wild rice/salad and of course, carrot cake with homemade cream cheese frosting for dinner. He got to shoot his airsoft gun and bb gun throughout the day and wanted to make sure to watch Game Show Network lots since we don't have it at home. Chris, Zach and I spent the night while Todd and my parents headed down in the evening and NIck did also after having a terrible headache earlier in the day. We topped off the evening with playing Pictionary (Chris won) and watching GSN and "Everybody Loves Raymond."

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/8/11

SO MUCH TO POST AND MORE PICS TO ADD SO THIS IS THE START...DON'T FORGET TO ADD!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/7/11

These are just a few options for NIck's Senior pictures we are having taken tomorrow. Shari Kimmey Photography will be doing our session :). It's funny because I can remember the day my senior pictures were taken and my mom worked very hard to come up with clothing options for those pictures and they were perfectly ironed and ready to go. At that time, I didn't "get it", but I can definitely say now that I do. I'm trying to not overthink the thought that Nick will be a SENIOR IN HIGHSCHOOL and just trying to enjoy each step of the way and time with him.

Before I get to "mushy", I will get back to the focus of the "emsembles" (a new Tracy-ism word). When I call them "outfits", the boys quickly tell me that "boys do not wear outfits." I'm quite sure ensembles is right up there with them, but it's my word and I'm gonna use it.

Nick has a very cool vibe...in the way he handles himself and in the way he dresses. Here are some of the "Nick trends" right now:

skinny jeans (and he pulls them off really well)

hats, hats, hats...forward, backwards , baseball and drivers caps...this is nothing new, but a continuing "trend"

plaid shorts

brighter colors

a bit of an edge in look and clothes...nothing too trendy or 'fancy'..."just him"

black

Vans/shoes similar to vans

flip flops

Something that endures the test of time:

his bright green eyes

a super smile that lights up a room

his laugh and personality

his passions and interests throughout his life

love of cars

his love of his family especially his grandparents

friendship with his brothers

cool, laid back, content life

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/6/11

What a perfect, fun gift from Tami and her family for my birthday. Today, I enjoyed coffee from my new "I Love Lucy" mug and I also have a travel mug and bag commemorating one of my all time favorite tv shows and personalities...Lucille Ball. Tami found this idea while at Universal STudios and had planned to pick the gifts up, but then decided that ordering them to be delivered at home would be much easier...she found out that it wasn't the case, but found a way to ensure I would get this special memory and I will love it always. Lucille Ball "Lucy" is one of my all time favorite personalities and one I listed as "someone living or dead that you would want to invite for dinner" when I was a senior in highschool. I would still want to talk to her today.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/5/11

Just a cute photo of the dogs hanging out in the sandbox. They were absolutely crazy right before I took this photo. You would never know that Mocha has a sore knee. He has been very active this summer and climbing on the hill and is just happy as is Cocoa. We are so blessed to have these dogs as members of our family. I cannot imagine life without them and their constant energy and love.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/4/11

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY...yesterday was one of my favorite days of the summer. After a relaxing morning, we went up to Daniel's Park to hike around, see the horses and buffalo and enjoy the day. It was super hot but we climbed up and down the sandstone rocks and overlooked the expanse of Denver, the mountains and everything looking south. Chris is the true hiker and explorer and reminds me of Todd in that love and passion. I took almost 200 pictures yesterday of our outing so I have much more to share and memories to save and remember.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THEY DAY 7/3/11

Today we had Granny over for a pre-4th bbq to celebrate Zach's upcoming bday and for her to see Christopher's photographs from his Europe trip. It was fun to hear Chris describe some of the photos and details about them as well as the stories along the way. Also, we had coconut cream pie as Zach's dessert choice to start birthday celebrations. A very nice evening.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/2/11

A lovely trip to Paris Market...in Littleton and then out to lunch at Chili's where we received endless glasses of diet coke and then a little shopping for Zach's bday...such a nice time and so relaxed. Just the kind of morning I needed. Nick drove his brothers to Q'Doba tonight so we all had a good time doing our own thing.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/1/11

I know I'm guaranteed a few shots with the boys on my birthday because they can't say "no"...so that is what I did and had fun doing this with them as they freaked out as cars drove by. (especially Nick ;) ). Love having these moments documented every once in a while.