PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 9/9/11

As I sat on the couch today, this is the view I see on the ottomon...lots of electronics including two tv clickers, Wii controller, Zach's X- box controllers, my IPad and my ever present cell phone.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 9/8/11

Looking out the front door this morning, I noticed these amazing clouds. I called everyone out to check them out. The picture doesn't quite do it justice, but those top clouds looked like ocean waves crashing into the beach...Colorado's version of the ocean over the mountains, I guess.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 9/3/11

Lots of outside home improvements on our house this including the back patio, new paint, fresh coat of red paint on the doors and new black shutters...really love it.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 9/1/11

Making lunches has not always been my favorite morning task, however, this year, I have realized that doing this is something that I'm glad I can do for the boys and something I will miss when I don't make them anymore. Also, it will be a lot different without Nick here next year so I will appreciate making those 3 sandwiches, fruit, a nutrigrain bar or chips and juice with sometimes, an extra treat mixed in.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/29/11

Outside our back window, there sat a Swainson's hawk surveying the wildlife situation, I am sure. There are lots of bunnies back there so I'm betting that was what he was watching for. I'm all for this guy going after the mice so if that is the case, I hope he caught something. It just fascinates me to see wildlife within our daily life. (at least most kind of wildlife not including mice, packrats or any other type of creepy rodent/bug/snake) Almost every day, I look up in the sky and see hawks flying around and often hear the coyotes howling at night. There are bunnies that find refuge in our trees and under our patio and butterflies that fly right in front of me. These are bits of life that I am so grateful to appreciate and enjoy ...right outside my window.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/22/11

Her name is "Pear"...just "Pear." She was chirping in our, well you guessed it, our Pear tree in the front yard. She would chirp and then wait to hear if her mama would chirp back. She also would flap her wings which would make them stronger for her toFLY! She was ready to take off...ready to spread her wings...but wanted to know her mama was close by. Later on, she had taken off and I wonder where she went? Did she go back to her familiar nest, cruise the neighborhood or what? I guess that is what happens with kids as they grow up. They want the familiarity of home and mom, but need to strengthen their wings so they, too, can take off and learn how to FLY!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/17/11

Cocoa and Liza at bedtime. Almost every night, Cocoa comes up with us to sit on our bed and crash out until Todd has to take her back down (which is very reluctant about doing). This is Liza's "room" so they often times join eachother on the bed. Usually, Cocoa is chilled out and Liza comes up and starts bugging her. Todd captured this photo last night as they were just hanging out enjoying KDVR News at 9.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/16/11

I was at Tattered Cover yesterday when I noticed this issue of Scrapbooks Etc... was in. I was pretty sure this layout was in the October issue, but wasn't sure until I turned to PAGE 14 and saw it for myself. This was one of my favorite layouts I ever did when I submitted it and was so glad when it was picked up. It is one I will treasure forever and love that I got paid for something I love so much.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/10/11

Amongst dishes, laundry and picking up for the cleaning ladies tomorrow (plus trying to continue to declutter/clean out/give away), this is my creative mess...which, by far and away, is my favorite kind of mess to make.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/9/11

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...all off for their day at school. This is Nick's "last 1st day" in regards to k-12. He will have many more first days, I know, but they will be different so this year, while taking them, was bittersweet...however, I am trying so hard not to think too much about that and just be happy they can do all they do...they're good, nice, smart and oh so handsome kids and that is what I want for them...selfishly, I just miss having them around and time is going way too fast for me. I don't want to waste time on thinking and want to spend more time on enjoying each moment. Nick will be driving Chris to school this year and I think that made me as happy as anything...seeing them get in the car together and head off to the same school. Zach's day was much better than his first and he seems to be adjusting well. Nick was excited to start his senior year and that is the way he should feel. I'm excited for him, too. Well, we got through those first 2 days and now, it's time to drag Zach out of bed...Nick and Chris have block days/access today so they don't have to be there until 8:30...boy, they will love Wednesdays.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/8/11

FIRST DAY PHOTOS...a tradition every year. Since they started school, I took have taken these kind of photos in our backyards...first at English Sparrow Trail and now in our backyard here. Excited, sad and nervous as the boys start back...Chris will now be a freshman at ThunderRidge and I love the idea of Nick and Chris being in the same school for this next year. Zach will be at Ranch View and I don't think I will ever get used to the fact that my littlest boy is a "tween". I think those first days are really long and probably overwhelming, however, they both came home saying they knew how to get around and seemed fine with that. I am glad that I could feel the "nervous" for them and not let them know :) Looking forward to seeing all they will do this upcoming year.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/6/11

I can say without a single doubt that this patio room addition was the best idea and follow through we have ever had in any of our houses. We are using it many times throughout each day and I am quite sure we will continue using it into the colder months also. It is bright, cheery and fun as well as such a high functioning place.

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 7/17/11

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 7/15/11

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 6/23/11

Kickball feet...our team of 5 is now back and complete...love this photo of the boys and their feet. I barely got Zach's foot in but I did, and I think this may ultimately be one of my favorite photos of the summer...the photo itself and the story of our "Family Kickball Night" we have almost every night/day in the summer.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/20/11

After 2 long plane trips...to and from...3 countries....seeing places people only read about....time spent in hotel rooms, busses, subways and trains...many experiences...almost 500 photos and many videos...and many stories we look forward to hearing in the days to come...CHRIS IS HOME! He may never know how much I missed him and was so excited to know what he was doing each day and what he was seeing...that I would look up his itinerary and then look up the places where he was visiting...that I would fall asleep and wake up to figure out what time it was where he was (along with doing that many times during each day) ...that I woke up this morning with the anticipation of a child on Christmas Day...I could hardly wait to see this kid... this experience he has had has amazed me, impressed me, worried me, made me sad (selfishly), made me want to explore more, made me beam with pride at Chris being able to do this, made me miss someone more than I thought I could and made me smile in my heart that he is HOME...SAFE AND SOUND!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/16/11

It's hard to imagine, but this "mess" is better than it was yesterday, but it is...I'm ready to get my living room/dining room back to a more normal and I plan to spend most of the day working on it. Within the boxes, there are hundreds of memories, documents and photos that I want to make sure are preserved for all of us now and always so that is the goal for today. The dining room will be another mission. Sure miss having all the boys gone...Chris in Europe and Todd, Nick and Zach up camping at Buffalo Peaks, but trying to consider it a "treat" and giving me a chance to get these things done in a relaxed way.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/25/11

Finally, a beautiful, sunny May afternoon. After over 5 inches of rain this past month, it is so nice to be able to be outside by the waterfall and see the flowers popping up all around our backyard. I think the backyard is Christopher's favorite place to be. He spends a lot of time out there and is hoping that a garter snake will move in amongst the rocks. I, on the other hand, hope beyond hope that it doesn't. I do love that Chris can climb our willow tree that started out as a single small branch. I don't know anyone that loves to climb trees more than that kid.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/21/11

Finally, a day without a downpour and time to start planting the flowers we started buying last weekend when the rain started. Woo HOO! Thanks to Todd for doing the grunt work while I directed from the step. It has been a great day and looking forward to working on our yard more tomorrow. As a neighbor walked by, she said "you know you have one of the best yards in the whole neighborhood." with a big smile...now that is such a great compliment and made both Todd and I very pleased.