Fast Cars, Sunshine, and Family

Had family down for the Brickyard 400. Any reason for a good party and beer drinkin'! It was a delightfully white trash nascar event. We ate too much, drank too much, and got too much sun!

We spent most of the day down at the lake. Joseph swam in his froggy ring, splayed Grandma a few times then found his way to Aunt Rosie's lap.

Aunt Rosie and Joseph end up sitting on the beach and Joseph explored the rocks... He tried to eat a few but after a few NO!s he got the idea.

While they played on the beach, Cheri & Brent, Eric & I and of course Brie went out on the boat to go tubing. She was looking cute in her little sun hat.

She eventually fell asleep on Cheri's lap and when we returned to the dock Joseph was asleep in Aunt Rosie's arms. I took advantage and snuggled with my not so little boy in a beach chair in front of the lake. Nothing better.

We eventually made our way upstairs, changed the kids and let them play. Joseph is a little rough for Brie though. He kept trying to climb on her and knocked her over. She finally would just cry and run away. Cheri ended up with Joseph on one hip and Brie on the other to keep the peace.

Don't worry they kissed and made up... literally. :-)

Over the River...

To grandmother's house we go.

Spent the other evening with my grandma. She gets such a kick out of Joseph, but let's be honest... who doesn't?

Got a few pictures of course

We put Joseph in his walker while we all sat on the back porch. Although truly kept to the confines of the 12x12 concrete porch... you could tell Joseph felt totally free.. he tried to escape, but the pesky grass kept him from going to far.

We put sandals on Joseph because we were outside... they didn't last very long. He rubs his feet together until he gets his shoes off. So after successfully getting his sandals off I gave up the fight to keep them on and let his feet get dirty... really dirty.

Never a dull moment when hanging out with Joseph! Mom would sing and clap and he would jump up and down like he was dancing in his walker and would hop across the patio. Hysterical!

"Families are like fudge -- mostly sweet with a few nuts."
--author unknown

"See the world rather than just look at it"

Photography.

"I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it."

I found this quote to be absolutely true... at least for me. I took a photography class last year and fell completely in love with it. There's something different about the way I look at the world around me. Kind of like ooh that would make an interesting picture or how could I make that into an interesting photograph. The thing that makes me love photography is that it can be used to make art or memories.

I've become increasingly interested in Macro photography... but unfortunately my current camera isn't the best for that... but I do my best. Of course my favorite subject is my son, but my latest shoot was all about the garden... mostly flowers.

I find a poeticness (if that's not a word.. it is now.) to "soft" things against a "hard" background. Like a flower against stone or wood. Or metal yard tools against soft green leaves of plants. I hope that you enjoy my photographs as much as I do. :-)

Let Freedom Ring

July 4th, 2010

We had a lot to celebrate this year! Our annual July 4th party played two roles with a common theme. We celebrated our freedom as Americans (which I personally hold closer to my heart now that Eric is a soldier) and my freedom from nursing school officially. Independence Day brought a whole new meaning this year for sure. There was food, games, swimming and of course fireworks! I unfortunately did not get snapshots of most of the day... due to alcohol intake. :-)

"My Dollar Tree Decorations"
balloon weight with star bursts at the top and curling ribbon tied around the base
They made really cute center pieces at our tables.

Red, White, & Blue plastic wine glasses for sangria.. yum :-)
for which is was perfectly hot to make them perfectly delicious!

No July 4th party is complete without crape paper and American flags
We had so much food! BBQ pulled pork, cole slaw, etc.

Cake and balloons
Delicious cake made by my loving mother -- vanilla cake with cream cheese icing

Flowers
Eric brought home flowers the day I found out I passed my boards...
Just so happened they matched my decor... Red, White, & Blue.

On the patio..
I was pretty proud of this. It was kind of windy and the cheap plastic tablecloth kept blowing away so I took some of my awesome curling ribbon, poked holes through the tablecloth and tied it down on the corners. It turned out really cute and practical. Call me Martha freaking Stewart.

"Freedom is never voluntarialy given by the oppressor, but must be demanded by the oppressed."
-Martin Luther King Jr.

Being A Grown Up...

So... a lot has happened since May. May brought us Joseph's Baptism. It turned out to be such a special day for all of us. My good friend Kristin took pictures for us and they turned out beautifully!

Joseph, Father John, The Godparents (Chris and Jodi Ward) and of course Eric and I

Father John and Joseph

Joseph looking cool in his tuxedo

Eric had his first Father's Day. We spent the whole day out on the lake with my parents. He loves our little boy more than anything and has the most amazing way of making him giggle his unforgetable little giggle.

We gave Joseph a turn at the wheel while we were floating out in the lake!

Captain Joe at the helm

July has brought many changes to our lives. I started my new job (well actually in June.) and I also took my boards. I spent the better part of June studying for the biggest test of my life... at least it felt like that. After a crappy night sleep in a crappy hotel bed, I took the test July 1st. Upon leaving Pearson Vue at the Pyramids, I felt an utter sigh of relief. It was finally over. At that point I can't really explain it, but I didn't care if I'd passed or not. It was over. My last question, number 112, was a questions about transitional labor. Ironic. Considering I'm going to be an OB nurse. That night I had a glass of Oliver Soft Red and relaxed with my family. At 8am the next morning I checked for a license number and nothing... at 1004am nothing... at 1014am..... LICENSE NUMBER.... LICENSE NUMBER.... I was officially an RN. I am an RN. The 2nd greatest day of my life. Joseph's birthday being the first. RN.

July has been a month of another first... my first big purchase.

2007 Ford 500
My new ride!

With an almost 1 year old, it was SO time for a 4 door car. I hang up the keys to the old Monte and took on a new set of a mom car... a stylish cool mom car, but a mom car none the less. I've also refused to buy a minivan and I stand firm. I love my new ride... it's great to be a grown up.

"There's no point in being a grown up, if you can't be childish sometimes."