Freezing Motion Lesson

I am taking an online photography class. One of the assignments for this week was to take a picture of something or someone moving and freeze the motion. We also need to take a picture to show motion but I haven't mastered it yet.

Joe was gracious enough to allow me to photograph him while he was at the skate park messing around. This was one of his favorite shots. I might share some of my other ones as well but this is the one I turned in for my assignment and so far I've gotten positive feedback, but haven't heard from my instructor yet.

LJ is staying with us and he has also been a good guinea pig. I took some photo's of him and Griffin playing yesterday. Tonight I have stamping so everyone will get a break from me and my camera but I have three more assignments to do this week. EEEKKS I've got to get started!

Las Vegas...my gambling experience

Joe and I were able to go to Las Vegas in July. We dropped Griffin off with my Mom and Heather for the week and flew out of Idaho. It really was a lot of fun for just the two of us to be away for so long. I totally forgot what life was like before Griffin.

I had a bit of trouble getting our photo's because Joe uploaded them to his computer which has some kind of funky bug, anyways I figured out how to network my computer to his so now I have access to all my stuff!! Yeah!

I will share a few pictures from our trip over the next couple of days!

This was my first time ever to sit down and play the slots! I totally do not understand how or why people like to sit and play these all day. I am sure there is a strategy but I never took the time to figure it out.I actually won something! I think my voucher was for $1.80, so I won .80. I called it good.

Again I really wasn't mesmerized by the slots...but it was fun and I won something.
I was a little disappointed that I got a paper voucher because I had a vision of me running from slot to slot with a cup scooping up my winnings. The paper voucher made it nice. You can take them from machine to machine or you can take them to the casino ATM and get real money. Totally fabulous! You can also put in a $100 in the casino ATM and tell it what kind of change you want back. Now that is one smart machine!

Ciao for now peeps!

David and Jerilynn June Wedding

So I know I haven't updated my blog in a long while, and I do have a wonderful excuse...our computer had a virus and I couldn't upload anything, just getting on the Internet was hard enough. Joe tried to fix it and just ended up getting Nortan Anitvirus. There are still a few glitches but it is working better!

In June we were invited to Joe's sister Jerilynn's wedding. She was married in Couer d' Alene on a beautiful June day.

Her and David had a wonderful ceremony. I loved the outdoor setting, the flowers, the music, Jerilynn's super cute dress, and of course seeing David and Jerilynn so happy together!

It was a super special time because all of Joe's brothers and sisters were able to attend! Including Gordan who is currently residing in Ireland! Gordon was able to bring two of his three children, Fiona, and Christine. My oh my they have grown!



Here is a picture of all the Anderson siblings together, such a cute and fun bunch!

Below is a picture of everyone on the Anderson side of the family!


Griffin really enjoyed playing with Christine. All the kids had a blast dancing to the music and just being together!

Fun with Ella

Nate, Heather and Ella were able to come up for a visit after the Wells family reunion. Heather was lucky enough to be able to watch Griffin while I went to the doctor. Griffin had a lot of fun riding in the Swenson's blue car and he especially liked riding with baby Ella!

Griffin loves Ella and he is always asking me where she is. When Ella cried he was always very concerned. He would make a wonderful big brother...but not yet!
I would love to be doing more posts, however we are suffering from computer woes. Our computer is way infected so I am patiently waiting for Joe to fix it. Life without a computer is difficult, who knew I depended on it so much!

Joe and I are busy getting ready for our trip to Vegas. I've been really busy doing laundry, finding suit cases, making lists, and talking with Heather about what items I will need to pack for Griffin.

Heather, Nate, and my Mom are going to watch Griffin for the week. I am really nervous about leaving Griffin for so long. Since he has been born I think we have only spent one night apart...I wonder how I am going to do without him? I am getting sad just typing about it! I am truly grateful he can stay with my family. I know they will take care of him and be patient with his tantrums!

Funny Boy!

Griffin loves to wear his winter boots...even on the hottest days of the year. Of course he is playing with my washer and dryer again for this photo.
My friend came over on Saturday and we had a lot of ribbon to share. Griffin had so much fun wrapping himself up with "the snakes".

A post for Heather...and Griffin's favorite places...

This post is for Heather who is always asking me to post pictures of our yard! The above photo is a picture of Griffin's most favorite place to play! Anytime he sneaks outside I usually can find him here. He loves to load his tractors with dirt and rocks and push them around. He just stands at the edge of the retaining wall playing for hours!
The above picture is the back portion of our fence. Joe had been working diligently on our yard, but now has to really focus on getting some jobs for work done! He is doing such a wonderful job and I am grateful my husband is such a hard worker! The picture was taken from the top of our deck.
This picture is just another one of the back fence.

This is a picture of the fence along the West side of our house. It is shared with a neighbor so Joe did a different layout, forgot what it is called.

The sprinklers are all in, but I think there is a leak somewhere so we have to locate it and fix it. After that is fixed I believe the plan is to get some sod!
Here is another one of Griffin's favorite play spots. This is the storm drain across the street. We also have one in our ditch however Griffin likes to go across the street. He loves to collect rocks and drop them into the bottom.
He likes to peek in real close as he drops the rocks. I think he is sometimes disappointed when he doesn't see them at the bottom, or maybe he likes hearing them splash into the water? Who knows but he loves looking real close!

Date with Griffin

This afternoon Griffin and I went on our first Mommy/son date. We went and saw Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian.

Griffin did surprisingly well. He sat in his chair for most of the movie. About half way through he wanted some popcorn. I told him we didn't have any. About fifteen minutes before the show ended he kept telling me he wanted to go home.

I was expecting him to be a nightmare, however he proved me wrong. I thought he would talk loud, jump up and down on the chairs, or just run up and down the aisles. He did talk a little but I don't think he annoyed anyone around us. He recognized most of the characters from the original show and I think he had a wonderful time.

Now I know we can slip away every once in awhile to watch a movie together in the theater. It was especially nice today because Joe has been working all week, day and night, and I just needed to get out!

When we came out of the theater it was pouring down rain. Griffin and I had fun frolicking around in it until we reached our car. Griffin loves to catch rain drops in his mouth and jump in puddles!

I should add....my review of the movie. I think it is definitely a rental! Cute but hey its already been done!

Quilt finished and my little helper

I finished Lynlee's baby quilt! This is my very first one and I finished it with little instruction, but I think I learned a lot and next time around it should be much easier.

Somehow my pattern got messed up, I think Griffin might have rearranged a few squares but oh well. When I look at this quilt I can't help but think about how long it took to make. I notice all its little flaws and there are still several threads that need to be cut. I am not sure if it will ever be perfect but it is special because I made it for my dear friend who is expecting her first baby any day now. I hope she will appreciate it. It is almost hard to give it away, but since I knew it was always for her it makes it easier!

P.S. see the white material on this quilt, I will not use again! It gave me so much grief!
Griffin loves to help me clean and do chores. Often I find little treasures in my washing machine i.e. trucks, cars, socks, or pajamas. He also loves to turn on all the buttons that beep so when I run a load late at night sure enough the whole house gets woken up with the constant beeping sound warning me the load is done or the wrinkle shield is complete.

I am going to think about some goals for this week and update how I did with last week's goals. Today is already Tuesday, can't believe it!

Weekly Goals

Monday is here again so I thought I would post some of my weekly goals yet again, helps to keep me honest*wink*

1. Walk 4 miles everyday.

2. I hate making this a goal for the week b/c then I will have to do it, but make sure the dishes are all loaded and the kitchen sink is clean before I go to bed.

3. Get everything prepared for my stamping party by Wednesday night.

4. Get all the squares for the rag quilt laid out and finish sewing the yucky white material I love to hate!

5. Do you think this will be the week I can finally give up my beloved Coke Zero??? I have two left in the fridge and then I have vowed I am not buying any more...now of course you all know I said this last time...and technically I didn't buy another twelve pack I had Joe do it for me...I am seriously addicted and hopelessly devoted to my Coke Zero!

I can be stronger than this stuff...it is just taking me some time...lots and lots of time!!!

6. Pick up Griffin some sandals, summer pajamas, and shorts!

Poodle Haired Cell Phone FREAK

What is up with poodle haired ladies and their cell phones?
My friend Lynlee and I went to get pedicures today. Lynlee is 38 weeks pregnant and decided she needed to treat herself. I obliged and went along with her and of course treated myself!

Well, it was quite an interesting experience. First of all we got there fifteen minutes early, which is better then late but apparently everyone was running late, anyways, so we sat in the waiting room in really uncomfortable chairs for thirty minutes. We watched people and giggled about mullets and real fluffy hair!

Once we arrived in our pedicure chairs things were much better until the poodle haired cell phone freak arrived.

There was some nice "jungle spa" music in the background, as my pedicurist called it. Well all the sudden this really load annoying cell phone ring started. Everyone was looking around trying to find out who's it was...it just kept ringing and no one claimed it. It was at this moment I realized it was the poodle haired lady's. She left her cell phone on the counter while she was picking out polish. She was totally oblivious to the load obnoxious ring. She didn't try and run over to turn it off or even bother to apologize to my sore ears and racing heart! Rude!

You would think she would have turned it to vibrate or something but no...she kept getting calls and while she sat in her comfortable pedicure chair she answered every single one of them. Not only did she have an annoying louder than a tractor coming through your front door type of ring, but her volume was also loud enough for everyone in the room to hear her conversation.

Did we all really need to know how much her clients were wanting to offer on a home, did we all want to know what her broker thought of the deal...not really but we did.

Finally, after all those realtor phone calls she got a call from perhaps one of her children needing help with customer service. She had to explain exactly where to find the 1-800 number on some box of merchandise that needed some sort of explanation given. You would have thought the person on the other end didn't understand a lick of English because this conversation went on and on until it was abruptly ended with an "I am getting a pedicure and will deal with you later" click....hmmm I don't think I would call back after that kind of ending but alas the caller did! She didn't pick up this time instead we all listened to the annoying ring that caused me to cringe and break a nail! After this she decided to text message, which would have been fine, however the key sound wasn't turned off so we had to listen to each push of the button ding like an elevator...oh and then there is the inevitable message alert tone, and it wasn't a cute nice soft one, more like the sound of a broken trumpet blasting in your ear. Sigh...

I wonder what motivates poodle haired cell phone freaks? Don't they notice the discomfort they are causing everyone around them? And more importantly why do you want everyone knowing all your private business? I could tell you exactly how much commission she was getting, and some other details I would consider private.

When we left I told the manager they needed to get a sign that said no cell phones allowed. If there had been a sign I think I would have told the poodle haired cell phone freak exactly where to put her cell phone but since there wasn't any sort of rule you just have to rely on common sense and apparently she totally is not gifted in that area.

Note to self...turn down the volume on my phone don't want everyone knowing what I am talking about...

It was fun to have some girl time and I love the color of my toes!! It is Sexy in the City by China Glaze I had my pedicurist put some glitter polish over the top and now I feel like a mirthful mermaid!