Great Wolf Lodge

I am pretty skeptical of anywhere that I have to wear contacts. Let alone a swimsuit. I love accessories. I love glasses. I used to love swimsuits. I consider my glasses my main accessory. Besides the fact that I cannot see without them, I love them. I have tons (to say the least) and I rotate through them depending on my outfit. I consider myself an accessory maven who was once skinny, and liked swimsuits.

So, when I acquired an opportunity to go to The Great Wolf Lodge this weekend I was less than enthusiastic. I mean come on. A big hotel. A big pool. Tons of kids. Noise. Ick. A trip to this place required me to put in contacts and dawn a swimsuit. Seriously, not excited. All I was thinking was, the things I do for my husband to have fun. Oh, was I wrong.

This place...


The red arrow is pointing at our table. Rock star people watching spot!



ROCKED! It was HUGE. There were a lot of people there, but you never would have known. David, Mom, Mr. B and I loved every minute of our time there! When we were not swimming or slidin' the people watching was superb. JFTR (just for the record), people watching is one of my most favorite activities.

Mr. B was cold, but was not having any part of not being in the water with this Uncle Dae-Dae. He loved it all! His favorite were the fountains that came out of the floor. He could not get enough. He was laughing non-stop, (trying) to talking to anyone that would listen. Not to mention that he was a total hit (with the ladies young and old) because he was laughing and splashing so hard.



See? Look at him! He would not sit still for one second. David tried about 50 times to get a pic of him. This was the best of the lot!

The pools were not to hot or too cold. The lifeguards were friendly. The food was yummy (thanks Mom). The place was SO clean.I totally give this place an A+ and we cannot wait to return. Infact, our next family staycation is already booked for the Fall !

Pictures thanks to the trusty iPhone. Don't leave home without one! Especially when you bring your point and shoot with no battery!

For Sale

We have all heard it. Probably a million times a day. This enonomy is a total bummer.
My Mom is an avid Kansas City Star reader. Her favorite section is the For Sale type section since she and my Dad are in the market for some land/slash maybe lake property. She found this site in this past Sunday's paper and we have had a lot of fun looking ever since. Please don't mistake us for reveling in others misfortune, but it is fun to look at what is out there.

This *little* beauty is our favorite thus far. David told my Mom if she and Dad purchased the house we would buy the boat to put in the boat slip!


In case the link doesn't work here it is: http://catesauction.com.

Google. Not Just a Search Engine.

I read a lot (and when I say a lot I mean just that), a lot of blogs everyday. I can catch up on friends, family, sexy people and my millions of photography blogs! I considered myself being quite good because I would just enter in the first letter of the blog address and my computer would bring up the rest. I would press enter and away I went into someone's Blogland.

At night I would just sit up wishing that there was just something that would help me keep up with my friends, family, sexy people and photographers I adore without so much effort. Um... who was I kidding... there is no such thing! Oh, boy was I wrong.

After location scouting with my friend and fellow photographer, Rebecca, the world of Google Reader was revealed to me. I am not sure that I have or will ever meet anyone as efficient or organized a Rebecca, but with Google Reader I can sure as heck try.



Above is a quick screen shot of my Google Reader. If you click it you can see it larger. On the right of the screen is all my hundreds of blogs. On top of that column is a button that says "subscribe". You click that, paste in the address, press enter and you are in business. Google Reader saves them all for you! The name of the blog appears in bold font with the number of new post in ( ) beside it when there is something new for you to read. The second you click it the blog post shows up in the center, words, pictures and all. Amazing! Google even puts blogs they think you might like to the left. You can lump you blogs in to categories like: friends, family, sexy people and photography for easier viewing. Did I say amazing?

In closing, Google Rocks! Thanks Rebecca! Go and get yourself Google Reader!

Oh, Mama

This is late. Better late than never, right?

First off... everyone says that their Mom is the BEST, but I know that you all are wrong (no disrespect because MY MOM IS THE ROCKIN'-IST. Yes, in my world rockin'-ist is a real word.

I love Mother's Day! Number one, my Mom rocks it out like non other. She not only owns and operates her own dental practice, runs a home and baby-sits her grandson 5 evenings a week, but she is just her. She cracks me up daily with her jokes and wooo-whooo-wooo-whooo every time she seats a crown. I love her because she loves, my husband, David like he was one of her own. (Even though she is glad that he isn't because incest is gross.) Most of all I love my Mom because she is amazes me with her kind heart. I don't think in that respect she is any different from other mothers of the world. Enduring heart break for, with and because of the things she loves and values the most... her children. I love my Mom because she rocks it out 7 days a week, taught me to love who I am and be who I want to be! Happy Mother's Day!

See I told you my Mom rocks... just take a gander that her rockin' 80s headband!

For all of you, like me, without kids, this post is for you. Tracy is my graphic designer. So, in here words, I just want to remind you to please remember to not only thank the “traditional” moms out there but all those “other mothers” that fill in the blanks. And not just on Mother's Day, but all year round!

Sweet Surprises

Sometimes the sweetest surprises come at the end of the hardest days. Now, I would never have believed that if someone would have said it to me at 4:29 p.m. this past Thursday. Last week was hard. David and my schedules were packed, Daisy was nuts and I think all the patients at work lost their minds at the same time. Not to mention the fact that we were feeling a bit under the weather at our house.

Our mail carrier is very punctual. 4:30 p.m. on the dot everyday except for Fridays, when the mail comes earlier. Most days it is the usual: junk mail, some bills and the beloved Nordstrom catalogs. I knew that I had not ordered anything that was to be delivered. My Accountant nixed the ordering of new shoes. (I knew that he would say no, but it never hurts to ask.) So... I was taken aback when our mail carrier rang the doorbell.

Upon opening the door we saw a sweet (I consider all packages to be sweet.) little package on our welcome mat that would not fit in our mailbox. Oh, goodie (I think I really did say this out loud.) something fun to end this terribly monotonous week...



... the sweetest little package filled the the brim. Goodies for David and I for Easter. My husband's Mom, who lives in Fresno, is a Mother indeed to think of us with this package and card. I know that people far away can sometimes be over looked and it was nice to know that she was thinking of us!

Our LONG weekend was a blast. I am always off on Fridays, but this past Friday, Good Friday David was off too. The weeks are so crazy sometimes extra time together is much needed and appreciated.

325i Miss You

David and I miss our BMW (a single tear runs down my cheek). The steel blue loveliness, blacked out windows, sweet sound system and the purr of the engine was music to our ears. When our BMW was sold it was the end of an era. Out went my single days and in came a new car. Another 4 door car, but this one's backseat could lay down and got considerable better gas mileage. Descriptions that make BMW cringe.

Baron (Yes, I named him. No, our dog Baron was not named after the car, but a childhood dog of David's, Red Baron.) had been snubbed. Baron loved us. I loved him. He loved me even more when David came along and cleaned him more often than I did and took him for long rides on windy roads much faster than the law allowed.

While David and I miss Baron we still like to keep in touch with his family. We do this by ahhhhing at his sisters, brothers and cousins on the road... keeping his name alive. We also go to the Kansas City Auto Show every year to see what our Baron has lead BMW to produce next.

Wednesday night was exciting for us. Since we had been car shopping this was the perfect chance to see all the cars all in the same place. Plus, David and I, were taking Mr. B to his first car show. Braxton was in heaven and really showed us the little man he is. So, many people to gaulk at his adorable-cute-face and shiny paint covering some of the best (and worst) cars on the road kept him (and his Uncle) entertained for hours. Range Rovers, Cadallic Esclades, Ferrari Enzo and the Mercedes McLaren were among some of his favorites of course. We are helping to raise him right!

Before arrived at the auto show Braxton's Uncle Dae-Dae and Aunt E promised him one thing. A meeting with his future hot rod, and long lost cousin, the BMW M3. We looked high and low. The three of us checked the map. Nothing. They (BMW)said in the most disgusting of tones)) were not there. The nerve for them to think that they were above us. I was shocked and Braxton was totally beside himself. We thought Uncle Dae-Dae had lost it when he fell to his knees, arms toward the heavens, screaming, why, why me. I am not sure the 3 of us will ever recover.

As you can see Braxton soon pulled himself together when he and his Uncle found a replacement:


Thank you iPhone for you lovely (kinda, but not really) camera skills.

The Cadillac Esclade, at $84,785 before taxes and licencing. They have already begun to save their pennies.

Baby Boy

Two weeks later I am still finding it hard to believe that my *little* brother is now 22! What? How did this happen to me? I remember the days when he would only respond to being called Sean-e-Poo. When we would introduce him to people as Sean, and he would quickly correct us to his real name, Sean-e-Poo. This story puts a smile on all of my family's faces because Sean would say this with so much disdain that we would even have the nerve to actually call him Sean that we thought he might burst into flames right in front of us.

This man who is now 6 foot 7 inches tall and on the Dean's List at UMKC is the same *little* brother who's collarbone was broken while playing London Bridges with his sisters... his wrist was fractured when his sisters convinced him he could too fly like Peter Pan... he need only to tie his coveted blanket around his neck, think happy thoughts and jump off the roof of our Fisher Price play house... who has broken his arm practicing his karate chops on my back... dislocated his pinkie finger during pee wee football resulting in surgery... and suffered a devastating accident in gym his freshman year in high school, resulting in two broken legs. Sean is our trooper and a boy would would never hear complain (no really, he didn't). There was nothing that a trip to Blockbuster and a dinner of his choice wouldn't cure.

Sean has the sweetest spirit. He is a Momma's Boy and not afraid to admit it. He is doted on by his sisters, Kyle and I, and his parents. Sean his rarely in a bad mood or says harsh words. He is a jokester with a contagions laugh that would make anyone smile.

Sometimes I miss the days when he would leave the house with nothing, but our kitchen spoons (for digging), a hammer and nails and come back to show us the fort he made on the empty lot next door. The days of Sean's little boy smells of cookies and dirt and a crooked pair of glasses are long gone and replaced with big cars, big wheels, contacts and the sweet smell of his manly cologne.

So, happy birthday to Sean. Thanks for including David and I in your life.

The top picture is Sean and our Momma on his birthday. Obviously the picture of a cake is his cake... just to spell it out for you. The final picture is Sean in his "S Money" necklace our Mom picked up for his at The Dollar Store. We were laughing so hard all night I am not sure that even one picture was in focus from his *Crab Leg Fiesta* we called a PAAAARTY!

Since I never posted my favorites from Sean's Senior Session I has a few months ago I thought I would go ahead and share some more of his handsomeness with you...

Mr. B : 9 months

My family and I are all finding it pretty hard to believe that Mr. B. is 9 months old already! He is growing SO that we are having trouble keeping up with the little rascal! This weekend David and I (okay, lets be honest here... David(What a gem!)) hauled my photography gear and baby session necessities over to my Mom's house for an impromptu session. Mr. B is so stinkin' cute that my job wasn't too difficult.

This shot is David and my favorite. We think that he looks a bit like he should be staring in A Bugs Life at this angle! I am in love with those eyes...


These two are a few more of my favorites.

Mr. B sure knows how to rock a mohawk.

You know me. I could not resist scrapping our favorite shot from Saturday.


Of course here is my PROJECT 525,600 MINUTES layout for week 5. I cannot believe that I am already into the fifth week of this project. Time is flying by. Reviewing the year like this so far has really been a blast!


Whelp! Happy Monday! Oh, and Internet, a big thanks to all of you Big Sweeties who left comments, sent emails and called regarding Baron! It really meant a lot to us!

Anyone who halfway knows me, at all, knows that Seasons of Love is my ALL TIME favorite song.  It is from my, favorite musical, RENT.  I have had the entire score from RENT memorized since I was probably 14 years old.  I have a RENT poster, signed by all of the original cast members, framed and hanging in my office.  This musical speaks to my heart.

When, I first heard about this, PROJECT 365, challenge a few years ago Seasons of Love was the first thing that popped into my head.  For those of you that are not familiar with PROJECT 365 it simply put is: a project/challenge designed to capture a week of your life for an entire year through photographs and journaling.  This is right up my alley, and a challenge indeed.  Last year I seriously conserded taking on PROJECT 365, but I was just too lazy.  I knew that it would be cool, but I also knew that I am not a person who starts things and doesn't finish them.  So, last year... I never started.

I personally made the decision to do this  because I love to document my family's, David's and my memories (shocking I know).  I also thought that it would be great for our children to someday see what their parents used to do before they came along.  So, this year, is the year that I am going to do this.  Not PROJECT 365, but my project, PROJECT 525,600 MINUTES. 

WEEK #1 : December 28, 2008-January 3, 2009

WEEK #2 : January 4, 2009-January 10, 2009

WEEK #3 : January 11, 2009-January 17-2009

Three weeks down... 49 to go.

Hey Good Lookin'

I was just cracking up the other day when I read a comment on this post from Whitney. First off, please let me introduce Whitney...

Whitney catching the "toss" bouquet at my wedding. She was quick and moved like a bobcat to catch that sucker! It was awesome! Someone sent me a lot of pictures from their point and shoot after my reception and this was one. I can't remember who it was that sent me them, but thanks again!


Whitney and I with the "toss" bouquet after her she defeated all the other single ladies at our Kansas reception. Yes, the bouquet the Bride throws is called a "toss" bouquet. The Bride does NOT throw her bridal bouquet... well not usually. In my case I just didn't want anyone else to have it, but me. hehehe

Whitney reminded me of a hilarious story about what my Mema said about David after David and my first date. She also asked me if I would share it to give her a good laugh, since she enjoyed the story so much the first time. David and I laughed our butts off yesterday just thinking of the riotous stuff My Mema says. It is fitting because I decided to break out my planner from 2006 and saw that today, January 7th is the anniversary of my first date with David. Maybe it was fate or just a coincidence. Who knows.


When David first called, on January 4, 2006 to ask me on our first date (Yes, I have a "David Log" in my planner from that year... I new he was that special from the beginning.) he insisted on picking me up at my parents'. Now, I did not like this. I always drove my own car so that I would not be stuck anywhere, ever. Finally after he insisted about 10 times (what a gentleman), I relented. When he came to pick me up at my parents' home My Mema just happened to be spending the night. David came in smelling nice and looking even nicer, wearing jeans and a black polo shirt (yes, I remember that too). Luckily for David and I my Dad was gone and My Mema, Mom and I were the only ones in the house. David introduced himself, like the good boy that he is, shook hands with my Mom and Mema and then we scooted on out the door.


Anyway, I said all that to get to this. The next morning was a Sunday. Everyone was getting ready for Church, but I was always ready earlier. The Singles Ward started earlier than my family's ward and was further away. I came down the stairs, grabbed a quick bite and was ready to go. Finally, my Mom and Mema could not take it anymore. They wanted to know how my date the night before went with David. I said the usual... as little as possible to get them off my back. My Mom then said that David seemed nice (the usual) and that she liked that he had a nice hand shake. Her exact words, his hand wasn't sweaty and he didn't squeeze my hand to hard. This is important to her. My Mema then pipes up and says, Hand shake? Who cares about his hand shake, Donna? I just liked his good looks! Of course the three of us just cracked up. So, much so that we were all gasping for air. My Mema then proceeded to tell me that just because she was old doesn't mean she can't admire a good looking lad. You have gotta love My Mema!



In case you couldn't figure it out from the picture... Mema is my Mom's Mom. Her 86th birthday was this past Monday, the 5th. Shhhhh, don't tell her I told you how young she is.

Thank you Whitney for the reminder of a funny story. It is always fun to take a trip down memory lane. Especially if it makes you laugh. Happy first date anniversary David!


Oh yeah, I was going through some old layouts tonight and I came across this layout. My bridesmaids are the cutiest!



Layout is a total scraplift, but I sure cannot remember who. I just remember it is from The Sweet Shoppe Gallery about a year ago.

Christmas in a Nutshell

(Sigh) Can you feel the weight starting to lift? I know that David and I can! This has been a great holiday season thus far! Now, I will not say that I am sad it's over, however, I will say that David and I had a blast with the fam (family). Since there is just WAY toooo much to post I did a few layouts for you to get the drift...

Of course I had to scrap two of my favorties for this holiday season. My UGGS! I think that I wore them everyday. They are just perfect for someone who is always cold like me!

The journaling reads: I have wanted UGGS for years, but every winter I talk myself out of it. Well... not this year!


Yes, my friends. This box is from one of my FAVORITE places... TIFFANY & COMPANY (a moment of silence please). I will scrap what was in it soon. Let me just say that I love this gift from David! What a winner... um... my gift and David of course!

This layout is the sweetest. Mr. B just loves his Uncle Dae-Dae (pronounced Day-Day) and David is a natural. The text reads: Hugs and loves with Uncle Dae-Dae, Christmas Day two thousand eight.

I cannot say enough how much fun I had with my family, friends and David these past 5 days. I think that it was just what I needed!

Have a great Monday tomorrow! Embrace the day and savor the rest of 2008!

Workshop Day

I am finally getting around to posting some of my favorites from my Workshop.  This is the whole reason that we took ourselves to Arizona in the first place.  My Workshop was awesome!  Most of the Photoshop part I already knew, but I did learn some new things, too.  I had the best time shooting though.  Our models were SO adorable.  There were some adult models there as well (David and I were the "couple" for the shoots).  I chose to focus on the kids.  

Before this I would say that kids were my biggest challenge.  I think that a lot of photographers would say kids were their biggest challenge, but I think that I have got it!