My Little Moptops

Boy butterfly!

Alright, so I am really REALLY trying to spend more time on my blog.  Come on...it's not like I don't take pictures.  Just ask my hard drive and my kids!  I am also working on the perfectionist side of me that doesn't want to post anything that doesn't have great light, exposure and focus.  I just want everyone else to like looking at my photos as much as I do...that is not to much to strive for is it?

Well here's to a new blogging beginning!! 

For the last two years, Finley has been a chicken for halloween, but when the big day arrives, she chicken's out (ha, ha) and won't put the costume on.  So this year I was going to use the chicken costume for Fletcher, but, of coarse, in fine big sibling form, Finley yells "but that is my chicken costume, I'm the chicken". 

As I was out shopping for some clothes that fit my growing girl, I came across a ladybug/butterfly outfit, so I picked it up for Finley hoping to fix the costume drama and not have to buy two costumes this year.  Well it was a hit because Finley put it on the first night and wouldn't take it off, and I am mean wouldn't take it off.  She was all sorts of upset when she couldn't wear it to bed, but we finally convinced her that it would be waiting for her the next morning, and sure enough, when I got up and looked in on her, there she was all decked out in Buz light year underwear and ladybug wings!

The big problem arouse last evening when Fletcher decided that he wanted to be the butterfly, so to Finley's dismay and purely out of selfish momtog reasons, I let him put it on.  I wasn't disappointed.  He was the cutest boy butterfly ever, and even though the lighting in our house is terrible in the evening, I still got some fun pictures.

October 10 on 10

After waking up this morning to fog and rain, I finally admitted that fall was here.  Don't get me wrong, I love fall.  It's just that we really never had a summer....did we?  I do love every season though.  David always laughs at me because when each season comes along I say "Oh, I am so glad it's fall. I think it is my favorite season".  Just change the word fall to winter, summer, or spring and you will understand why he thinks it is funny. 

Harvest is over and hunting is beginning.  As much as I hate the fact that huntingtakes my husband hostage for the month, I do enjoy the season.  Davids friends come over from spokane and I make my famous lasagna that I only make once a year because my butt grows exponentially every time I make it!  We get meat for our freezer, and best of all,  my babies and I head for the ocean while David is away elk hunting.  Although, I am little worried this year because as we were driving home this evening we saw some deer and Finley said "mommy, they look just like bambi".  Could be ugly if David brings a deer home!

Fletcher dominates the 10 on 10 this month.   

Popcorn breakfast; choo-choo; bathtime; new boots; used boots; truck driver; lunch with my hubby; self portrait; buddies; dinner for the nauseous mom!

 

 

 
 
 
  
 
 

 

 
  
 

 



 
 

Grandma Great

Once you get to a certain age, you always know that people in your life are going to pass away at some point, and even though you know it is going to happen, it is always a surprise.  It was no different when David's Grandma Ethel passed a couple of weeks ago.  But in no way was grandma Ethel's life cut short.  She was ninety seven years old and lived it to the fullest up to the very last moment.  She died doing one of her favorite things.....playing slot machines at the casino, and from what I have been told she was winning!

Grandma Ethel loved god!  She never missed an opportunity to tell people about her love for god and church. I know she had to have been smiling while looking down on her service because her number one goal in life was to get all her family in church at one time.  She tried diligently over the years but this was a big task. Five children, 11 grandchildren and there spouses, and 13 great grands scattered all over, but even with such short notice everyone knew how important this task was to her, and no one was going to rob her from not completing it, on that day everyone was in church to celebrate grandma Ethel's life. 

Even with all the sadness surrounding the memorial service, there was some humor found from the greatgrands.  One that I am not sure everyone heard was when we were all out at the graveside.  We were all standing at the grave site sourounding Grandma Ethels silver casket wiping our eyes with tissue, when little Taylor asks his Mom  "What's in the box?", and yes he was referring to grandma in the great big silver box.  It was all I could do to not start laughing. You have to love the innocence of children and how that allows them to not feel the pain of loss to soon.

The other funny story  was a couple of days before the service.  David's dad, Randy, had taken Finley with him to the graveyard to do a few things.  The reason "a few things" had to be done to prepare is because this is a century old cemetery that sits in the middle of wheat fields and the weeds had grown up as high as the grave markers.  Finley had been running around exploring while Randy was working on something, and he turned around to find Spud standing there holding a big bouquet of plastic flowers.  When Randy asked her "Oh Finley....where did you get those?", she promply pointed to a large upright gravestone and said "Behind that giant rock over there".  Once again.....innocence.

So Grandma Great left behind an amazing group of kids, grandkids, and great grands, and I had the opportunity, after the service, to take gobbs of pictures of all her beautiful grand babies.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to capture all of them.  I am sorry missed out on Taylor, Ethan, and Kevin's two kiddos, but enough with the gab lets check out some pics.

 

 
 
Grandma Ethel led a long, spiritual, amazing life, but I wonder if she ever realized that her biggest accomplishement was starting the journey that led to all these amazing babies!!

Finley 4yrs old

I have always known that my babies would grow up, but never realized how fast it would go.  But Four years...really?  From rocking beginnings and not knowing if we would ever take our little girl home to a smart, sensitive, sassy little girl who tells me daily she wants to "hop on the bus" and go to "preschool", and I swear it happened over night. 

Let's look at some statistics Birth: 7lbs 11oz and 21 inches long  Now: 33lbs and 39 1/4 inches tall. Birth: no hair  Now: Curly hair past her shoulders.  Birth:  Big attitude   Now: Bigger attitude.   

I love her ability to laugh at anything and not just a giggle, but a full on gut roar.  This mostly occurs when Fletcher burps or "toots".  I love her sensitive side and how she always wants to make sad babies feel better, except her brother of coarse. For example, when Fletcher was vomiting the other day she kept saying "Oooooo Fletcher Puking" while crinkling up her nose.  Then promply pointed out "I think Fletcher ate oranges".  And her imagination is amazing, she sees stories in everyday things.  Like when she sees a bus or a motorcycle she can tell you where they are going and why.  The drivers of those vehicles probably only wish they were on such great adventures.  But best of all I love how she looks at me and says "mommy...I love you" at the most unexpected times!

The most special thing about Finley is nothing she even knows she did.....it is that she's the one that made me a mom!

I love my little SpudNut!!

 

 

Not only has Finley grown but I have also as a mom and obviously as a momtographer!

September 10 on 10

Wow!  Hard to believe it is September already and time for the next 10 on 10.  One of my babies is a year older now and the other thinks he has turned two already! As much as I enjoy seeing them grow and learn new things, I am in no hurry!  Finley's capri's have turned into shorts and to my husbands dismay, the boy's hair continues to get bigger.  Really though how many times in his life will I get to pick his hair style, right?

My fun is found with my kids and my camera and being a part of a photography group on facebook.  No really it is pretty pathetic how often I check my momtog group on facebook to see everyones posts.  I am not going to give specifics but you could probably call me a momtog stalker!  It makes photography so much more fun to have other mom's to bounce things off of and learn from there struggles and discoveries.

Alright enough blabbing  here is our 10 on 10.

Morning hoops; get dressed; music time; out to see the "bombines"; coffee (seems to be a trend); fruit stand; lunch in the field; mud mud and more mud; Skip; and popsicle swinging!

 

 

 

 

 
 
 



 



 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Fair, Harvest and a litte feather fun!

As most people know, the NCW district fair is this weekend in Waterville, and you can't live in waterville and not make a show at the fair.  Because it was suppose to be one of the hottest days of the year, we packed up early, ten, and headed into the fair.  Sunscreen...check.  Stroller.....check.  Exhibitors pass.....check.  Excitement.......double check.  Camera......duh!

First we headed to the pig barn because one of our good friends, Lexi, had a pig to show.  After trying to convince the kids that the could go into the cage and touch the pig, I decided to show them how easy it was.  Once in the cage the pig, Stinky, abruptly stood up and squeeled scaring the living @*%# out of me.  I was out of that cage in no time, and couldn't figure out why the babes still didn't want to enter.

After the pig barn was a bust, we headed to the rabbits.  Big hit, huge even.  Seeing Fletcher stand in the middle of the isle on his tip toes pointing with both fingers squeeling, not unlike Stinky, and yelling "bunny rabbit" was a definatly highlight. Not only did he amuse me but a good portion of the barn was enjoying his enthusiasim. 

Next we looked at Horses, Cows, Finley's hand animal, and my pictures.  By then, at 90 degrees, we had wilted and needed some food.  So we headed up to the pronto pup stand.  Whats a pronto pup you say?

 

 
 
 

Need I say more about pronto pups. 

Wheat bin, ducklings, and Ice cream follow for our final fair activities.  I have such great memories of going to fair as a kid and now I have even greater memories going as an adult.  

 
 No better way to end a day than to look out my window and see this.

 

 
And if you look really close you can see the Big Thumbs Up Davd is giving me.  Translation "Wheats good, equipment is running, weathers good, but they could always be better." Farmer lingo!

Had to post this next picture for no other reason than...it makes me smile!

Fletcher chased this feather for a half and hour, and would have continued if I hadn't made him to go bed.  What a fabulous day it was! 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

Yellow.

My friend Mary formed this amazing Momtography group for all us camera toting moms that have taken her class.  Part of the group is Mary presenting us with challenges to help us with our skills and creativity, and as everyone who is close to me knows, I am always looking for a challenge.  The first weeks challenge was Yellow.

Of coarse my mind went 100 miles per minute with this challenge, but I ultimately decided to make fun yellow pinwheels and head down to a friends orchard with my littles.  Have been waiting for an excuse to one: buy paper and two: make pinwheels, so off we went pinwheels in hand to take some photos.

Being that the best light is in the evening, after playing all day, swimming, and no naps, I had the great idea to skip the orchard and stop at the park in waterville.  Park=total bust. Who would have thought that the kids would rather play on the toys than play with mom's silly pinwheels.  I did succeed in making the kids even more tired and crabby, but there was no way I was going to give up my yellow idea, so off we went down to orondo.

When we got there, 10minutes later, Finley was asleep!

Ultimately we all ended up in the orchard with yellow pinwheels and good lighting, and this is what we ended up with.  Of coarse the ironic part of the whole thing is the picture I chose to use didn't include a pinwheel.  Here it is.

 

 
 So Amused!!

 

 
 

Even with all the chaos I had a lot of fun creating my Yellow! 
 
 
 
 
 
 

August 10 on 10.

 
So you are probably asking yourself what 10 on 10 means, except all you awesome momtog ladies out there  that most likely have already posted yours.  Anyway 10 on 1o is a post of ten pictures that I have taken over the coarse of the day.  I am so excited about this, because I always grab my camera for the fun moments but very rarely do I get the everyday things. 

I picked today because honestly I totally forgot that today with the 10th until my friend Mary posted hers.  So here I am up first thing this morning  anxiously waiting to see what my day brings.  So here it is.

Bed head; bath time; breakfast at Laneys; caffeine; paddle boarding; lunch; new project; Alright so that is only 7.  Oh well next time right?

 

 
  

  
 

  
  
 
 
 
 
 


It was a great day.  Looking forward to next months 10 on 10, and it will definatly be 10! 

 

My Little Artist

Spud had been begging for days now to paint, so when the sad sick baby boy layed down for a nap, we took the opportunity to get our paint on.  When I say we, I mean Finley got her paint on and I got my camera on.  Here are the results!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wish I would have gotten some pictures of all the paint she got on herself from "I'm cleaning up mommy!"

 
THE FINISHED PRODUCT!

Any bird would be proud to live in this house.