5/52

The snow storm that stalled the day before, finally caught us.

11 inches of snow fell!

Everyone loved it.

Pre-bed time fun

Homework,homework, homework

Mase discovered that one of my photo prop trunks was storing Barbies.

4/52

He did start out fully dressed, playing with a lemonade bottle in soapy water.

This kitty boy is a city cat now. Little taps at the door mean he wants to come in.

When sister makes you cry and quickly tries to make you laugh before mom comes.

Pretty strict rules around here.

Our snow storm stalled but Mack still had fun in what did come down.

Grammy and Mase chatting while Grammy was in the hospital recovering from blood clots.

3/52

This little lady didn't have school so Grammy treated her to a class at the Downtown Aquarium, a day in the life of a marine biologist.  While she did that, Mase and I walked over and spent the day at the Children's museum.

She was one of two who participated. Her friend joined her and they had a blast together.

This exhibit has always been a favorite of our kids. You collect the balls, put them through one of a gazillion shoots and they all collect into a giant tank . When the alarm goes off, the kids flock beneath the tank and wait for then down pouring of balls to begin. They all hoard as many as they can and start the process again.  Mason liked the downpour so much that he spend a good amount of time just standing underneath, ready to catch.

Mackenzie's school project, a heritage doll, kept her busy. She created an Irish doll all on her own.

Gunner kept her company

Carpool day!

2/52

Here's what week 2 looked liked in our home!

You never know when Darth Vader might show up at your door.

Mackenzie randomly wears snorkel masks around the house.

Mackenzie made her very own cranberry juice!

It was a big hit....Even Barley wanted some.

Sweet Gunner is never far from me. He follows me from task to task and lays at my feet , just like this.

Mackenzie introduced Mason to Starfall.com

Our adventure jar is filling up

Some days it's the only way to make it through with out a nap

A typical sight. 

1/52

Laugh if you must, I'd surely deserve it. After all, I have failed 365 day challenges before. Well, pretty much every time I have tried.  But this last year, as my business took off and " down times" ( thankfully) never came, I found that the number of photos I took of my own family doing every day life things torpedoed. Here I am, a photographer, and I truly believe that every day has moments worth preserving and I , myself, have failed . So.....new leaf. Here is week 1 of 52.

Lazy dane

Loft bed playtime

That smile....

It's never easy to find the other shoe.

A captive audience

After school snuggles

A drink

Bath companion

Boy loves his daddy

Guard dog Ellie. Keeping a watchful eye on squirrels everywhere.

Concentration is key when painting

Begging Barley

Mack vs. her bedroom....a weekly struggle.

Have you considered taking time out every day to preserve things as they are? As a photographer, it is really tough for me to not stop and clear the scene of my photos. My job has trained me to make a clean photo. But when I'm photographing my family, I have come to realize that "clearing the scene " is also wiping it of memories. This year, I'm focusing more on the mess makers than the messes!

April!

 April was all about photo shooting and birthdays!

 And once the photo shoot slowed down, puppies showed up! Of course, Kristi and I can always find ways to make things more exciting.

Mack got roller blades for her birthday and has mastered them!

Emmerly goes to the vet for her a pregnancy follow up

Papa can hang with the little boys

I took these two with me on a photo shoot. They had the best time exploring !

Kristi and Angela treated me to my first pedicure for my birthday

Mack was all set to provide the entertainment at John and Luke's birthday party

Double date night!

Duncan snuck out the door for the thousandth time . On this escape, he never came back. Part of me still holds out hope that he will show up at the door. In the mean time Brioche joined the Long family petting zoo

Our little scientist.

Haircut!

Puppies came!

And I got to help birth them!