Dear Blog,

I’m sorry for the lack of updates. Really, it’s not you, it’s me. I would like to blog more but I just don’t seem to have the time. I have shared most fall/winter sneak peeks on Facebook …  … I know, I know, the picture quality is so, so bad. Facebook compresses images, makes the color wacky but it’s quick and when I’m busy I need a quick way to share photos. BUT I promise to update you with all the beautiful sessions from September to December over the next few weeks. K? K.

Thanks for you understanding as you patiently await my return.

Natasha

Now onto our elf adventures. If you aren’t familiar with the elf tradition, check here – Elf on the shelf. Our elves are stuffed and apparently “ok” to touch. I’m not up on the technicalities of it all, but that’s what they said anyway. My kids are 10 and 15. Yes, I know they are technically too “old” for elves, Santa and other silliness. (They do understand and acknowledge the true meaning of Christmas, no worries) But they still love Bella and Buddy (movie inspired names, go figure!). I guess it’s because those mischievous little things are so fun and manage to surprise them every day. Nothing wrong with that, right? Besides, if our elves made any messes, Katie and Braden were responsible for cleaning it up. Yet they still love them! I tried to remember to take a photo of each adventure with my iphone (love the camera on the 4s!!wow!), then I made a few little collages of all the photos I managed to snap.

Below I’ve included a few shots of our Christmas card for 2011, another year of sweet blessings for us (again, taken with the iphone)

Luxe folded card printed on linen paper

Tri-fold printed on cotton paper

May your Christmas be filled with lots of love, joy, peace, happiness and contentment.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men  Luke 2:11-14

SO, since I feel like it’s still summer around here, I’ll share a few bits from our summer. It was absolutely wonderful.

Snorkeling at the beach, PCB to be exact.

In the mountains, North Carolina

This sweet boy had an eventful summer ::: he swiftly swam away from a 5ft shark in the gulf, unsuccessfully ran from a swarm of wasps – and received his first sting, braved the jellyfish in Cozumel only to add another critter sting to his list. He’s so brave!

Our family went on a cruise to Key West, Cozumel and the Bahamas followed by a week in Orlando at Walt Disney World… just thinking of it exhausts me, again, but it was worth it. We had a GREAT time!

Snorkeling in Cozumel -

The water was ridiculously clear…the snorkeling was AMAZING…we have to go back!

Walt Disney World -

My loves, sporting the same, “Mom, hurry up and take the picture” pose

Coco Cay, Bahamas

Me and my honey

I told my mother in law I wanted to get a shot of the babies naked in the sand. Of course they sat for about 1.4 seconds as you can see here -

I like this in a vintage wash, too. So sweet!

And summer isn’t summer without fresh cherries. I put some in one of my grandmother’s old mixing bowls, again in a vintage wash just because.

I noticed these ants a few weeks ago with an enormous treasure – a corner of a dorito. As they carried it away down my driveway, I ran inside to get my camera and nearly missed them. Apparently, they are quick, like toddlers!

10. During summer vacation, everyday is Friday. I often lose track of time and the days run together. Love it!

9. Lazy days where I can actually sit on my couch and just c h i l l. That rarely happens any other time because I am so busy!

8. Sleeping in past 5a.m. I didn’t sleep in at all this summer but getting that extra hour and waking at 6am makes a huge difference.

7. Vacation Bible School! My church has an incredible VBS program every summer which ministers to 700 children and teachers and blesses me each and every year!

6. No hectic schedules crammed with after school activities that leave me wondering how we managed to accomplish so much in 24 hours just to get up and do it all over again.

5. Impromptu trips to the beach. Those are always the best!

4. Spending the day at the pool with my family, doing absolutely nothing.

3. Long, hot summer days filled with sunshine. Did I mention I like sunshine and hot weather?

2. Big brother – the only TV show I watch all year. Seriously, I don’t watch any other TV except Big Brother and unfortunately it only comes on once a year – in the summer of course!

1. Being a teacher, the number one reason why I love summer is there’s NO SCHOOL. As a mom, I love summer because the kids have NO HOMEWORK.

Now that I sound like the laziest person on earth, here are some pictures to go along with my love of summer…

My little “Cub” playing coach-pitch base ball. When he got his jersey he asked, “Mom why am I on the Ubs team? Oh wait, it’s the Cubs”.

At the beach, with Maddy.

The kids enjoyed the critters from the Georgia Aquarium. I discovered fish are harder to photograph than children.  They’re faster than a two year old!

Poolin’ it – Katie and Braden style.

Vacation Bible School Musical at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

We went to McClelland’s Critters a few times this summer. If you haven’t been before, check it out. The highlight of every trip is the snakes. The kids L O V E them, and so do I.

Katie was a little apprehensive about the 120lb snake at first. She warmed up after a while though. She’s such a little snake charmer.

Last but not least, a few shots from Hawaii. It hard to narrow it down to just a few so forgive me for the over load of photos. I wasn’t brave enough to take my big DSLR camera out and about with me so these were all taken with my tiny point and shoot camera.

This was a  little scenic overview spot where we (me and my BFF, Shawnna) hiked down to get a closer look at the view. We decided this was one of our favorite spots in O’ahu.

A little cove next to the Halona blowhole – too rough for swimming but still a gorgeous place to soak in all the amazing sights our Creator has made for us.

Sea turtles on the North Shore, Laniakea. These little guys came up to the shore to eat, relax and then go back to the ocean. We saw four on the coast that day and snorkled with two at a different location.

Diamond Head Lighthouse

Almost at the top of Diamond Head, an amazing view.

Hanauma Bay – another beautiful spot where we snorkled with sea turtles and fish in the coral that you can see in this picture.  This was another highlight of our trip.

My BFF jumping off the Waimea Rock into the Pacific Ocean. She’s crazy like that!

I found O’ahu to be so diverse – mountains, beaches, desert, rain forest, rocky coast. These were some of the mountains on the Leeward side of the island where it was much drier.

The view of Kaena Point from the airplane when I went skydiving on the North Shore.

Me – Skydiving - can’t wait to go again!

I thought the sky looked so incredible in this shot at Waikiki Beach. I was unimpressed with Waikiki Beach but I’m glad we parked it long enough to get this picture.  

Hurry back summer. I’ll just be here, waiting for you….

Uncle Wade/Daddy got them both giggling. There’s nothing sweeter than chubby babies giggling!

One in color -

And a few of my boy – just ’cause I love him.

My 7 year old made me a precious card with two stick people pillow fighting – which represent us in the midst of a serious pillow scruffle as you can see here, along with the words: “Dear Mom, I love you. You are so sweet.” 

And the flowers he made me… I’m so blessed !

Some fun shots

Mr. JP

While everyone went to breakfast, John Parker and I had a little photoshoot so we could show off his pretty blue eyes.