Project 365: Weeks 21 & 22

Monday, May 17 to Sunday, May 30
More of the same hangin' out at home, with a trip to Germany thrown in, Gabe is getting 3 teeth at once, we've all got colds, and I can't stop taking pictures of the backyard. Enjoy, and happy Memorial Day!

New do

Okay, Frank did manage to get some good pictures of me, so I guess the haircut isn't horrible. It's just going to take some getting used to. If I straighten it as much as possible I can avoid the fluffy look.

No photos yet

I haven't even moved photos off the camera since early last week, much less pick out any to post...but I wanted to give a little update on what we've been up to.

We spent the weekend in Germany at Ramstein Air Base, shopping, eating, and trying to keep Zach entertained. I've got lots of (hopefully good) photos of our lodging, the huge mall BX/PX, etc. We drove home yesterday, about 3.5/4 hours, and I did very little but nap and watch the finale of LOST (see next paragraph). So today I need to unpack, put away our purchases, and clean/organize a little.

The problem with watching TV before bed is that sometimes I can't fall asleep because I'm still thinking about it. And with a show like LOST, trying to figure it all out. Add to that the emotional nature of the finale, and, while I enjoyed the episode, I don't know that I slept that well. I know, it's only a television show :)

But to mention a real-life emotional issue: I got my hair cut while we were at Ramstein. It came out shorter than I wanted, and I'm not sure I like it. It's barely shoulder length. I think the hairdresser and I both underestimated how much it would shorten when it dries; it fluffs up a lot, and believe me, it isn't a good look. I guess I'll be wearing ultra-short ponytails until Christmas, unless I come up with some other styling options I'm satified with. On the bright side, it takes amazingly less time to wash it, etc... Will post a picture soon.

The boys are doing well. Gabe is still refusing a bottle but is gung-ho on solids. So far he's had cereal, squash, avocado (least favorite so far), sweet potato, apple, carrots, peas, and green beans. Zach's current motto seems to be "play hard, crab harder," which is both really cute and funny and completely exhausting. Time to go get some lunch while they are both still napping!

Project 365: Week 20

I'm trying to think of what we did last week, but the only thing coming to mind is what we didn't do, which is get enough sleep. Gabe's not sleeping well (probably teething) and the sun comes up so early now that we've been lucky to sleep until 6:30. I guess it's been an otherwise uneventful week. Gabe is backwards scooting all over the place, and Zach has been just as silly as ever. We are still in planning mode for the fun we'll have this summer. We can't wait for you to experience all his talking, singing, and goofiness firsthand. Same old, same old for Frank at work, and I'm still taking pictures of everything. Fatigue left me a bit uninspired for taking the daily photos last week, but it did feel good to get over 400 photos printed, going all the way back to last summer. I've included a bunch of photos we took of the boys--some of the expressions are priceless!

The weather is still a bit cool here (or maybe Las Vegas ruined me), but we spent a good amount of time out in the backyard this weekend. We cleaned off the patio and furniture and got the cushions out. Zach's been staying in the yard pretty well the last few times out, so I may actually get to sit when we go out now. I've started taking pictures of all the flowers out there; I'm sure there will be more pink ones to come because that bush is just starting to bloom, and I think the blue ones are weeds :)

Video to go along with Saturday's photo

It's times like this that I'm glad I keep the cameras within reach. See how big and strong our littlest monkey is!

Project 365: Week 19

Monday, May 3
Playing. Zach's first time with Play-doh.


Tuesday, May 4
More playing. He's big into building towers with Daddy lately.


Wednesday, May 5
What's this? Actual scrapbooking? My paper trimmer hadn't seen the light of day since January.


Thurday, May 6
Gabe went for his 6 month appointment (a few weeks late) for his checkup and shots. He's 20.5 lbs and 28.5 inches and wearing 12 month clothes.


Friday, May 7
No reason for these...just cuteness.


Saturday, May 8
Crawling can't be far off now.


Sunday, May 9
Me and my boys on Mother's Day.

Bulb flower bonanza

Since hearing about this place more than a year ago, I've been so looking forward to experiencing Keukenhof (http://www.keukenhof.com/). It claims to be the most photographed location in the world, and based on our visit, I don't doubt that for a second. There must have been someone with a camera for each and every tulip in the garden! Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating just a bit, but everywhere you turned there were people taking pictures of every. single. thing.
And I was one of those people (well, sort of).

As prepared as we were for this outing, we definitely spent more time and energy keeping the kiddos happy than I had hoped. Searching for the kids area, scouting the food options at the different buildings, navigating through what felt like a million people and half a million strollers, trying to keep Zach out of the flower beds...you get the idea. But I'm happy that Zach enjoyed the playground and petting zoo and that Gabe tolerated being in the stroller the entire afternoon (and napped). And that even though I really didn't have a chance to break away and shoot everything I wanted, I was able to get some great photos, 'cause everywhere you looked was a great photo. And, of course, I was thankful that Frank was willing to do whatever I asked in order for me to be able to take these great photos (but that's really no surprise, is it?).

Enjoy the photos! If any of you come to visit next year between mid-March and mid-May, we are so taking you there :) Then maybe you can take a family photo for us!