Photographer Wannabe

I have a confession.

I REALLY want to be good at taking pictures. It is a big dream of mine. I drool at other people's blogs that have exceptional shots. I don't REALLY have a natural eye for taking pictures, hence the wannabe, and I'm not looking to go pro, but it is a hobby I hope to develop. That hobby for a huge boost on my last birthday when my wonderful husband bought me the Nikon D40 I had been daydreaming about forever. It was considered my birthday-anniversary-christmas-valentines gift. (PS honey, your year of holiday coversage from that camera is now up...hint hint).

So, in addition to the shots of the kids, here is one from our front lawn. Nothing fancy, but I like how it came out.

Photographer wannabe extrordinaire ;)

Vacation- Allen Style!

Four Days.

1 large suitcase. 2 backpackpacks. 3 canvas bags. 1 laundry basket full. Several grocery bags of food. 1 Pack and Play. 2 stuffed animals. 1 Bucket of sand toys. 4 VHS movies for the road.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Stuffed into our mini-van along with the 4 Kia winter tires to go into storage until first snow next fall.

Thus began our adventures. Into four short days we fit boat rides, lots of playing in the sand, a trip to Story Land amusement park, and endless hugs from Grampy Allen and Granny Annie.

The stress, the bug bites, the broken routines...all worth it to create these memories. Koda is finally to an age that he will begin to remember these moments. And I'm confident he won't remember us playing tetris to jam everything into the van, but he will remember being a big boy who road the rollar coaster, or drove the boat with this grandfather. Those moments, those memories. That is why we vacation :)

A Picture is Worth...

My rock, the love of my life, and the best father I could have ever found for our sons. My new favorite picture from our recent vacation.



Much more about our incredible vacation to come.

When did we forget?

(Click image for full size, not sure what I did wrong)

Facebook has become my lazy way to keep up with friends. Or "friends". Facebook defines them the same, but the person I haven't seen or spoken to since I was 11 probably hardly qualifies as "friend". Wait, that is a whole other post. Fast forward to my original thought for a post, while reading the billion status updates today, I became struck at the consistent comments.
"Off for the weekend!"
"Drinking it up with the family!"
"Can't wait for the BBQ!"

Don't get me wrong. I don't find these WRONG, my own isn't so far away form the above.

I'm just struck that somewhere along the way we began to take this holiday for granted. The very fact we get to enjoy this long weekend, the BBQs, the time with friends and family, is all due to the sacrifice so many before us made by defending our freedom. When did we forget? When did it become an after-thought?

As we plan this weekend, we leave tomorrow for four days of family time. I'm thinking a lot about how to introduce the boys to this (and many holidays). Perhaps we will make cards on Monday for the troops still with us, still fighting. I'm still thinking on that one.

For the men and women who gave so much, I don't want to forget. Thank you, we honor you. I pray my boys grow to understand your sacrifice, and that they remember that this long weekend is about far more than roasting hotdogs.

Daddy Daycare

One of the many blessings of living on campus while Travis completes his doctoral program (and my having a very flexible job) is that we can limit the number of babysitters we have to hire. Once that last final is in, summer becomes full time daddy daycare. While I will join the family for the month of June since I am only an 11-month employee, for now, it is all dad, all the time.

Daddy daycare is far less glamourous than that movie that came out a few years back. No mission statement, no fancy digs. Travis's philosophy is simple. Run them until they fall asleep.

Sometimes, literally.

Below was our poor 3 year old after a four mile hike. Kiddo fell asleep on the potty. After this nap it was back out for more adventures.

Jenn Recommends!

I'm back to trying to blog. With summer upon us, I'm hoping it becomes more of a habit.

I wanted to take a moment to pull a total mommy-brag. Tristen, our 22 month old knows all his letters, and his numbers up to ten. He amazes me. I would love to take credit, but I can't. all the credit goes to Meet the Letters and Meet the Numbers DVDs by a company called preschool prep. They are geared to children just learning to talk. I can't say enough about the series. If you know of anyone with wee little ones, I whole heartedly recommend them. They make a perfect first birthday gift!