Trinka's Ready

2 Years + Photo 89 - December 31

It's time for 2014! While the cold doesn't seem to bother Trinka, I'm sure ready for it to warm up!

Another face of quilting

2 Years + Photo 88 - December 30

This hangs in my kitchen, and how true it is.

Before

After - edited in Topaz Adjust

Dale's Haul

2 Years + Photo 87 - December 29

I always know I'm in trouble when one of the kids at church is selling something. Today it was Renee and candy bars...and Uncle Dale rose to the occasion.

Go Pack!

2 Years + Photo 86 - December 28

We need a Packers win to go on to the post season. Go Packers!

Before

After - edited with Topaz Star Effects

For James

2 Years + Photo 85 - December 27

The scary part of this photo is that some die hard Packer fan probably actually has it displayed in their living room. James thought it was awesome.

Merry Christmas Grandma!

2 Years + Photo 84 - December 26

We don't seem to get up north nearly often enough to visit with Dale's mom, so we made sure to make time to go up to wish her a Merry Christmas in person. Merry Christmas, Mom!

One of my favorite families...

2 Years + Photo 83 - December 25

Merry Christmas to the Garcia family! They missed out on getting pictures in front of the church Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, so we made sure they got some on Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

2 Years + Photo 82 - December 24

Christmas eve started out with church and the children's Christmas program.

And proceeded to Mom's. First, our traditional Jagemeister toast for Dad...

My poor "only child" Laura, showing her "only child" face. I'm not sure she's entirely that sad that she doesn't have to share us with her brother and sister (and their families).

And some family pictures which I obviously didn't take, since I'm included in them. But it's nice to see that I'm there.

Patriotic Christmas

2 Years + 81 - December 23

For a good number of years I have given patriotic ornaments as gifts to my special people. This was the one that started it all.

Christmas Angel

2 Years + Photo 80 - December 22

Thank you, Carol, for thinking of me when you saw this angel. It was a lovely gift, and the Christmas tree lights in the background made for a great photo.

On the tree...

2 Years + Photo 79 - December 21

I have definitely learned that using the tripod and the remote trigger is totally necessary for these low light shots. This is one of my "oldie but goodie" ornaments.

Loving this Santa...

2 Years + Photo 78 - December 20

I liked this guy so much when I bought it as a gift, I decided I needed one for myself.

Finally decorated...

2 Years + Photo 77 - December 19

There are enough ornaments up on the tree to make it look presentable...and probably just as many still in the box. Amazing what you accumulate over the years!

Foggy Moon

2 Years + Photo 76 - December 18

I really needed my camera, because the cell phone just can't capture this. But this was the view after volleyball, and it was way too cool to not give it a try.

Not very gentle...

2 Years + Photo 75 - December 17

I've gotta say that UPS was not very careful with this poor box. The wooden puzzle that was in this box is in more pieces than it should be, and the other ones that were shipped in it are in questionable shape. Tis the season...

We have lights!

2 Years + Photo 74 - December 16

No ornaments yet, but baby steps...

TSO

2 Years + Photo 73 - December 15

Trans Siberian Orchestra concerts not only deliver lots of music with a great story, there is also a killer laser light show. There are even warnings posted on the doors. My phone captured some of the lights, but in no way did any of it justice.

They do exist!

2 Years + Photo 72 - December 14

I've often wondered what the big attraction of an electric or hybrid car is if you can't find a place to charge it up while you're out and about. Well today I finally saw my first charging station - when Dale and I were shopping at Bayshore. I guess you just have to know where to look for them.

Sounds like my girls...

2 Years + Photo 71 - December 13

Cindy and I have commented on how much entertainment we have gotten out of the calendar that she got me for Christmas last year. Today's comments reminded me so much of Laura and Kayla. I'm sure I've heard both of them say something really similar to this when I was talking to them while they were driving.

Tastes better?

2 Years + Photo 70 - December 12

Apparently adding the basketball to the bowl makes the food taste better. I'm missing the correlation, but I'll take her word for it.

Bright spot

2 Years + Photo 69 - December 11

When winter comes, every little bit of color is a welcome addition. This cardinal was debating a visit to the feeder, but hung out in the tree instead.

Before

After - edited with Lightroom

Fits right in

2 Years + Photo 68 - December 10

When I did my house makeover when Dale was gone, I tried to pick up a couple new accent pieces. I loved this cross when I saw it, and it fits right into what Laura refers to as the "Cirque du Soleil" room.

Clean up

2 Years + Photo 67 - December 9

After it comes down, it has to go somewhere. Dale is the master of the snowblower, so cleanup is his baby.

Yeah, this sucks...

2 Years + Photo 66 - December 8

There was hardly a snowflake in the air when I left for church this morning. This was the backyard about 4:00 this afternoon.

Before

After - edited in Silver Efex

Christmas cards?

2 Years + Photo 65 - December 7

I get to every holiday season with the hopes of getting Christmas cards finished and out in the mail, and most years end in an epic failure. I have paper and envelopes that have been purchased, so today I decided maybe if I got a picture taken early enough I might actually get some printed and mailed. Trinka was not terribly patient, and she hates things covering her ears, but I do like how this picture turned out.

Before

After - edited in Lightroom

He's coming...sooner and not later...

2 Years + Photo 64 - December 6

Seeing as how Christmas comes the same day every year, I'm not sure how it manages to sneak up on me the way it does.

Before

After - edited in Color Efex Pro

More inside snowmen

2 Years + Photo 63 - December 5

Cindy has so many cute decorations up...and yes, my house remains very un-Christmas looking. We need to make plans to get a tree!

Too much dinner...

2 Years + Photo 62 - December 4

This a rendition of the "Harbor Burger" which is quickly becoming a staple for the guys after Wednesday night volleyball. Two full grilled cheese sandwiches, with a cheeseburger in the middle, topped with various condiments. It amazes me how they can even fit it in their mouths.

The Indoor Snowmen

2 Years + Photo 61 - December 3

Pretty soon we're going to be seeing them outside too...

Before

After - edited in Photoshop, Lightroom and Topaz Adjust

My Stick

2 Years + Photo 60 - December 2

I think Trinka may just think she'a a little bigger than she actually is. She chases this "stick" like it's a lot smaller...and tends to run it into things when she tries to bring it back.

Only a little mutilation required...

2 Years + Photo 59 - December 1

We have found out while doing the various projects in the house that it is not very square anymore. After installing closet doors in two bedrooms, the front hall and the linen closet, we finally came upon one that just wouldn't fit. I was only slightly horrified as I listened to Dale and Jeff discuss the various ways they thought they could make them fit. Choice #1 included notching out my floor, so I nixed that one pretty much immediately. They ended up putting a shim under one of the corner pins, and sanding a relatively large wedge off the bottom of one of the door panels. Actually, I am quite pleased. Even if I pointed it out, it would be very hard to see just what they did. It's nice to have handy guys around to make things work!

Protect Your Minions, Rebecca!

2 Years + Photo 58 - November 30

Rebecca received quite a few Minions for her birthday, and her Uncle Dale seems to think they would be really good additions to his Minion collection (which, by the way, is quite a bit smaller). I'm not sure which of them is more obsessed.

And this is my new attempt to take a good picture of Dad and Liz for my hallway wall. They have veto power, so I will be waiting for the official OK.