PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/19/11

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO DAD AND TODD...Two incredible days who have always loved their kids so much. This morning we went over to Mom and Dad's...brought in Starbuck's for all of us and enjoyed it on their front porch. As far as gifts go, I was very excited to give Dad his presents...a book about American's in Paris (fitting since Chris has been there now) by David McCullough (good history) and then, the piece de resistance (in my very most French like accent)..."Lady Gaga" cd. Within a few minutes, he went in and put it on and her voice filled the house. What a nice way to spend the beginning of Father's Day. We then came home and watched the US Open (won by Rory McIlroy...22 years old from Northern Ireland who led the entire tournament) and went for dinner around 3 at Outback for their steak and lobster and then came home and played a family kickball game. It must be duly noted that Todd and I beat Zach and Nick 6-1 and we even gave them an extra inning as a bonus and still...we won! Todd made a blueberry cobbler for dessert and we watched Food Networks "The Next Food Network Star" which is a Sunday night tradtion. The only thing missing from this day was Chris (who comes home MOnday night...YAY!) but he even borrwed a phone and texted Todd to wish him Happy Father's Day so he was most definitely here with us in spirit. A very good day, indeed.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/13/11

It's a day before Valentine's Day, but I put together this shape collage to give to Todd for his Valentine's Day card tomorrow. We aren't be Valentine's Day celebrators but our big event was dropping food and gifts off at Grammama's this morning and then lunch at 5 Guys Burger...true romance over burgers and fries :) We invited the boys, but they didn't want to have to get dressed and go so it was just us. I have a few fun things planned for the 4 boys tomorrow so that should be fun and we are going to make heart shaped homemade pizza for dinner tomorrow night topped off by strawberry cake. That's pretty Valentine-y if you ask me.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/2/11

Today we are celebrating 20 years since our first date...a blind date, no less. We went to "Comedy Works" with Brian and Dina and then to "Coco's" where I ordered iced tea and when I asked for a refill, they said they were "out." Please tell me how you can run out of iced tea of all things. Anyways, obviously this blind date ended up working out just fine even though I didn't want to go on it to save my life. These photos posted are not from our first date, obviously, but in July 1993 when we went to Amy and Damon's wedding in California. We had been married just a week short of a year during that time, and they reflect us as young kids. These make me smile when I see them and it really doesn't seem possible that it was that long ago. I still remember that day on the beach. It was so freezing cold and neither of us were prepared for that kind of weather. I think we just assumed that being on the beach in July in California meant it would be warm. The next day, we had a great time at their wedding celebration and that was our first trip "out of state" that we went on. Fun memories. Back to the moment at hand...I am sure glad that we went on that blind date, that we decided that we liked eachother enough and...well, the rest is history. :) I love you, Toddy tamale

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 1/29/11

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 1/22/11

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 1/2/11

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)