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.