I typically do not slow down enough to write or read for pleasure on a regular basis but one thing I do is capture life's moments through the lens of a camera. This isn't something I claim to be good at. In fact, photographer doesn't even come to mind when I think of who I am. What does come to mind is I'm the one with the camera journeying through life as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend.

Sunday

1.5.14 - We Picked A Few TOO Many...

....apples that is and by too many I tell you
we filled two cockpots of sliced apples to make apple sauce.

Friday

1.3.14 - We Love Trying New Place

We started at Bostwick Lake Inn which is the newest
member to the Gilmore collection.  The food was GREAT!
The environment is a little rustic...it's quit the drive for us but
we'll definitely return in the summer when you can enjoy the 
lake views as well.  Following dinner we wrapped things 
up at The Reserve for dessert.  We had heard they make
great desserts and again we were not disappointed.
Farm fresh food with friends...of course it's great!

Thursday

1.2.14 - Zinga This

She was quick on the draw and all over this game!

Wednesday

1.1.14 - New Year's Day

Pausing for a quick picture during a commercial

Tuesday

12.31.13 - Winter Wonderland

Good times at the VanOmmen's...thanks for the invite to
play in the snow!

Monday

12.30.13 - Vroom, Vroom!!!

This girl is so creative.  She lined up the chairs to her
new table and pretended she was driving a car.

Sunday

12.29.13 - Never Gets Old

It may seem like a simple moment in the bedtime routine
but I love to see them captured by a book with their Dad.

Saturday

12.28.13 - Oosting Family Christmas

Good times, good times...#ironmanflies, #ironmanhasnofeet?,
#babybeyonce, #bayoubringsdryair, #welivebytheriver,
#indianburialground, #acidreflux, #corrie'spregnant-not!, #lotsoflaughs

Thursday

12.26.13 - It's Super Quiet

Why of course it is and it will be for the next few days.

Tuesday

12.24.13 - Christmas Eve Tradition

It's an absolute favorite of mine to go with family to a Christmas
Eve Service.  I found a cute dress for Lauren and therefore 
everyone had to dress up just a tad so she didn't out dress us all.

After the service we started a tradition where
the kids open one family gift which is a game.  This year there 
were two: Slamwich (which I highly recommend) and
balloon animals, which wasn't really a game but still
created lots of family fun.  We ended up with a few balloon 
animals and MANY popped balloons.

Monday

12.23.13 - Creative Burn Of Energy

Derk asked the boys to build a castle for all their guys
as a way to capture their minds and exert some of their energy.

Saturday

12.21.13 - Happy 2nd Birthday Lauren

Lauren sure LOVES her babies!

Friday

Thursday

12.19.13 - He Finally Wore It

I bought this hat two years ago and Ty simply would not
wear it.  Today was another story...he put it on with pride then
insisted on having me take a picture.

Wednesday

12.18.13 - "Look, They Shot His Legs Off"

Another Tyler statement when
he saw this...."look, they shot
his legs off"  

Tuesday

12.17.13 - The Michigan Shepherd

Yup, that is what Tyler called 
himself at his preschool Christmas
program....I'm the Michigan Shepherd.
Our kids are thoroughly brainwashed!

Monday

12.16.13 - Count Down?

Well maybe, if we'd remember to 
take one off everyday.
Jalen seems to be a little more on
top of it than Tyler.

Sunday

12.15.13 - Winter Has Come a Month Early

I remember years when we would pray for a white Christmas.
Not this year, we've had snow for at least a month and
man is it cold!

12.14.13 - Gingerbread 2013

The tradition continues thanks for Aunt Jamie and Aunt Corrie!

Friday

12.13.13 - Let's Make Cookies

She loves being Mommy's little helper.

Thursday

12.12.13 - Ms. Baker

Ms. Baker is Jalen's music teacher.  Each 
year she out does herself with an awesome
christmas program.  Jalen is one of the 
tallest in his class so naturally he's in the
back and this year it was impossible to
see him.  So, a picture with Ms. Baker
will have to do for our picture of the day.

Wednesday

12.11.13 - Untitled Cuteness

I couldn't think of a title for these pictures but loved the
her curls, concentration and smile!

Tuesday

12.10.13 - Christmas Card 2013

There is nothing like getting others Christmas cards in the mail
and not having yours ordered.  Operation create Christmas
card was in full effect tonight.

Monday

12.9.13 - Take Two

Still not possible SOOOOOO
we decided to go with the top left.