Pure Bliss

Most days, it still takes a lot to get Elliott to crack a smile. She's just naturally a very serious kid. But every once in a while, I can catch moments like this......it really is the simple things in life:

Pure bliss.

Project 366 Rewind: Week 10

This week's theme was Healthy Choices. Just about the only healthy choices I've been making lately are salads and walks. I'm loving the Southwest Chicken Salad from McDonald's.....I think it's a pretty healthy, filling option when I'm on the go or at work. And like I said, I've been walking a lot more lately. I'm really, really not into exercising, but with Spring hovering near, I figure the least I can do is take a walk each day! It's actually been really refreshing. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I walk during my lunch break at work (I have a friend that I walk with, which makes it so fun!), and the other days I take Ellie with me. It's just good to get out of the house......it's good for Ellie and for me!

The rest of this week's pictures are a little scattered and random: a box of Girl Scout cookies (certainly not a healthy choice), Mustaches because it seems to be a very popular thing in my etsy shop these days, SNOW in March!, and playing with Play-Doh.

Certainly a great week!

Wordless Wednesday: French Braid

As a mom of a feisty little girl, I must admit: I don't know how to braid!
Okay, so that's not entirely true. I didn't know how to braid, and now I'm learning. Learning how to French Braid should probably be done with a subject who is more patient and calm than a 2 year old.

 Lucky for me, she was a pretty good sport! Elliott's hair is also pretty soft and fine.....I'm not sure if that helps with my sloppy skills.

Any great techniques for French Braids out there? I'm open to suggestions ;)

Linking up with Jenni from the Blog, Naptime Momtog, and The Paper Mama

Project 366 Rewind: Week 9

While I took lots of fun photos this week (like the celery I cut up and stored in a bin full of water,  or the "Chinese food" that I made and evens served with fortune cookies), I'm not sure any fit the theme of "soul".

That's okay. I'm just glad that I managed to take out my camera each day and document something......even if it was just me posing awkwardly for the camera, or Ellie trying to feed the camera yogurt. I guess you could say the picture of the braid and the picture of the car could fit our theme this week. My baby girl has a soul all her own......she's unique and independent, smart and full of life. She's a girly girl, and yet her tomboy tendencies are really coming through lately! In the last week, I've bought her two matchbox cars, and a little toy tractor.....and this weekend her activity of choice was throwing tennis balls and basketballs and footballs......I love that little girl!

Project 366 Rewind: Week 8

Another week down.....this one started just as crabby as last week was, but turned out much happier and bright! Our week involved lots of organizing (story of my life these days......I call it spring cleaning), crafting, busy errand-running, and trying on and wearing cute new outfits. Not too shabby, and I feel pretty accomplished. So that's good!

This week's theme was Love.

Taking center stage are four pictures of Elliott, who has taught me what true love is and how to love. I also love organizing (the laundry room was my victim this week......more on that later) and crafting, hence the pretty purple flowers (part of a top-secret craft endeavor.

Here's what our week looked like:

I'm linking up with Naptime Momtog and Chic Homeschool Mama for this Project 366 Rewind. And since it's the end of the month, it's time to submit a favorite photo from the month.

I took this photo a couple weeks ago, and I'm in love with it! I love the colors and the lighting, and my baby girl's bright eyes. There's just about one good spot in our house for natural light (our kitchen), and I'm rarely home when the light is available. This picture reminds me of why I need to take advantage of it more often!

Project 366 Rewind: Week 6

I hate to even admit how much of a struggle it was to come up with pictures for this week. I realized that at some point I would hit a will....burn out.....whatever you want to call it. 

That's why I'm doing this challenge in the first place. 

Remembering to take out my camera each day and take at least one photo is a struggle sometimes. But once I take the camera out, I surely don't regret it. So I'll admit that this week there is one cell phone picture.....can you tell which one?

This week was just a typical week.....nothing too spectacular, but lots of self portraits, and lots of cute moments with Elliott that I managed to capture. I guess I can't really ask for more!

Project 366 Rewind: Days 29-35

This week's theme for Project 366 Rewind was "weary". Boy, am I weary these days! 

I've got this major urge to re-organize, re-decorate, toss stuff our, and just clean and make my home feel more cozy. I've been working pretty hard at all of it, and I've grown weary. 

Tonight my feet actually hurt, and I realized that it's because I haven't sat down all day! I have literally been on my feet all day long. I've accomplished SO much though, and it feels good! 

This week my photos represent all of the changes going on around our home: de-cluttered and organized closet, my husband's medals finally on display where they belong, and a happy kiddo.....I attribute her happiness to my own happiness. I feel so much more relaxed when my house is clean and in order, and I definitely think that Elliott can sense when I'm happy!

What about you....has the spring cleaning bug hit you yet?
It took my mom pointing it out to me to realize that's what all the fuss was about at my house.
I just have the urge to de-clutter and clean ALL THE THINGS.
 And while I might be growing weary, at least I'll have a clean house to show for all of my hard work!

Birthday Photo Booth

Like I mentioned in yesterday's party recap post, one of my favorite parts of the party was the photo booth. 

It was a last-minute idea, and kind of just thrown together, but I think it turned out great! 

We had a few issues with lighting, and our house is way too tiny to be giving up valuable space for a photo booth, but it was still really fun! 

I hope to do more of these in the future.....for my own personal events, and hopefully for others as part of our photography business.

Here's the results: 

Like I said, lighting issues. But my niece and nephew were just too cute not to share!

Sweet Zander and Zoe

Jonas being goofy!

Jonas and his beautiful mommy, Christie

BFFs

Katie and Chase (the infamous "Uncle Chase".....Elliott's favorite person)

Elliott's Auntie Leann and Nana Linda

Cousins being goofy!

Auntie Leann and Papa Mike

Auntie Mae Mae, Uncle Adam, Mykayla, Michael, and Ellie! 

Kisses from Uncle Adam!

Ellie and Opa (the man behind all of the other pictures!)

Elliott and her birthday buddy, Uncle Pat

Awww more kisses!

Uncle Bubba, Stephanie, and Zoey

Uncle Pat and cousin Michael

Auntie Katie, Uncle Chase, and Ellie

Nana and Papa with a very tired Elliott

So sweet!

And one final picture, taken after all of the guests had left. 

I just can't get enough of those red boots.....or that little two year old!

Project 366 Rewind: Days 15-21

Phew! What a week it was! 

I knew last week was going to be intense. I wasn't sure how I was going to fit in all of the last-minute party-prep for Ellie's 2nd Birthday Bash around work and all of my normal routine. 

Well, as it turns out, I really didn't need to worry about work or a "normal routine" at all! 

Snow came rolling in on Sunday.....and just when we thought it was leaving, we got dumped on for four days straight! Each morning we would wake up to see if the roads were driveable.......and in our little cars, with a hilly neighborhood.....we were literally snowed in for most of the week! It was a nice little change from the norm, once I let the stress of missing work and possibly being stranded or lose power go. I let it all go and just enjoyed the time with my family! 

Oh, and I fit in lots and lots of crafting and party planning. 

It was actually a pretty great week! It had started out rough.....Ellie woke up with a stomach bug on Monday. But things got much better from there, and we topped the week off with a great big party! 

I adored watching Ellie be showered in love by her closest friends and family! I have lots of pictures and stuff to say about the party......but that will be for another day ;)

I told you what our week was like, but here's how it looked through my camera:

This week's theme was "start of the day". On Monday, my day started with giving Ellie a bath since she woke up covered in puke! But each day after that, I started my day by checking out the newest layer of snow, or the breathtaking icicles! We rarely get icicles around here, so I think they're pretty cool!

Project 366 Rewind: Days 8-14

I cannot believe we are already past the second week of the new year! I finally feel like "Holiday Mode" is creeping out of every day life, and we are slowly getting back to normal......just in time to celebrate some little girl's second birthday this weekend! It will be a fun weekend of partying and celebrating Elliott's precious little life. I can't wait! I know this week is just going to fly by, but before it does, here's a look back at last week:

This week's theme was "chilly", and it was actually perfectly chilly around the PNW! As I type this, I'm snuggling some fuzzy sweats and socks, because we even had snow over the weekend! Only one of my photos really shows anything "chilly", but we also had lots of comfort food this week, which I totally blame on the cold weather ;)

Besides the chilly weather and comfort food, this week we enjoyed bath time and making funny faces in the car. I also had yet another banner (and other fun party decor) to work on, and we attended a super fun birthday party on Saturday.

I'm spending my free time this week putting together Elliott's party decor and last-minute details, so you'll be seeing lots of pictures of those goodies next monday!