These Kids

Pretty cool little group we have.......

Oh, those kiddos

Earlier in the year, I took my kids out for updated pictures. It was during super smokey skies, and I was less than impressed with the final results, so I knew another session would take place later in the year. And being out doing a bazillion other people's pictures seemed like the perfect time!  ;)

Die-Hard

Crappy season.....we don't care!

Neighborhood F.U.N

I love our little street of kids. We have kids on all sides of our house, and they have all grown into a tight-knit group. They play virtually every day, some more than others. I love watching these young relationships develop. My typical evening includes sitting in the driveway to watch the fun adventures take place. And I'm the snack mom too. Comes with the territory. ;) 

 

These four play all the time. There are three other boys who are also regulars (not pictured), and three other kids from around the block who are frequent visitors as well. I hope these are the summers they remember when they are my age. No tablets or other electronics that seem to have taken over this growing generation. Just old-fashioned, outdoor fun.

Summer Nights

Last week produced some wonderful summer evenings. I spent quite a bit of time out in the sun later in the week. One evening after dinner, I took the kids down to the river. It's one of my favorite things to do with them and it was a fun evening.

 

 

 

 

 

An Outdoor Weekend

Seriously, Boise was GORGEOUS this weekend!  Saturday was amazing and today was even better.  The kids and I were outside all day yesterday. We spent quite a bit of time out front, doing sidewalk chalk drawings, and then we went to the neighborhood park.

 

 

 

 

 

Carter is seriously the best big brother, EVER. Kendall wanted to do his hair, though he did draw the line at any sort of accessories. But seriously, he let her brush his hair and then use her little Minnie Mouse blow dryer. It was too cute!

 

 

 

Today, we met up with my parents again in the afternoon for more baseball practice with Carter. I didn't get a ton of shots because I was either shagging balls from Carter batting or playing first base when he was taking infield. His infield skills have really improved and he's pretty much a vacuum for anything middle infield. I'm so proud of him!

 

 

We've been working Carter on doing switch hitting since he could pick up a bat. He had a hard time today, but I think he was pretty tired from doing a few buckets from the right side of the plate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

It was a great weekend to be outside. I sure hope next weekend is just as nice!

Gotta Love That 50mm

We had a lot going on today - I will dive more into it with my weekend recap post tomorrow.

 

It's safe to say my camera accompanies me to most places. I like thinking I can find a great shot anywhere. It's been a while since I used my 50mm, which, to this day, is still the best lens I have bought. The best $100 money can buy, lol! But really, I don't know many photographers at all who aren't totally in love with their 50mm.

 

The kids and I snapped a few pics before we headed outside into the gorgeous afternoon weather.

 

 

Throwing me goofy faces:

 

 

Miss Curious

 

 

Changing Times

As a fiercely independent person, I embrace this quote. So many people fear being alone. I welcome it, in moderation. In this time of great change, I need alone time to reflect on the person I need to be, for myself and for my kids. The future is scary, but I CAN do this.

Last night was the first night of the new custody schedule. After watching the Superbowl at my parents' house, I went home. My own house was empty. My kids were with their father at his new house. I knew they would be fine. I knew they were making forts to have a "camp out" with their sleeping bags, pillows, and stuffed animals. Apparently they had been playing on the stairs all night...which of course made me nervous for Kendall. What if she woke up in the middle of the night and started wandering around and fell down the stairs? I bet I thought of this a thousand times throughout the night. I know she will get used to the house and this won't be an issue, but my mind still goes there.

At the end of the day, this decision was so easy, yet so hard. Obviously it needed to be done and we needed to remove the negativity from our life.  My children were my primary focus, and I am determined to make this a positive change for them. Sure, their lives will be different than what we had planned so long ago. But different doesn't always have to mean "bad". And they will have everything in life they would have had, and that's all that matters. Sure, it will be a little different, but that's okay. Truly, it is. We will all roll with the punches, like we always have. The game plan may have changed a little bit, but the focus and determination to provide a great life for our kids will never change.

On a personal level, I plan to embrace this. There are many things I know I need to change about myself, within myself. This is that time. There are many things that scare me, but fear has never stopped me. I always welcome challenge, and here it is, staring me in the face. Challenge accepted.

My Loves

Day One of the 30 days of being thankful (wave going around on FB) was dedicated to my children.....my healthy, beautiful, funny, smart, sassy children. They are the best decisions I ever made and I am so thankful to have them......even when they are defiant little chits. ;)

Bring on the Hot Weather!

The weather in Boise has slowly been getting warmer and warmer. Sunday was definitely warm, though the wind was a little bit of a downer.  We filled up the pool for the kids and hooked up the sprinkler ball, which I got for Kendall for her birthday. She actually had zero interest in the water and just wanted to hang out on the patio with me. I had my feet up and a book in hand while the kids played.