Photo Challenge Day 1-Self Portrait

The first day of the photo challenge was a self portrait.  Yuk!  I HATE self portraits!  I tried a few different ones, but really wasn't happy with any of them.  I feel like I look so old!  My eyes are all squinty, and I never know if I should smile or not.  We are our worst critics I know, but I didn't want a gross picture of me floating around the internet, so I decided to cover up my worst features with a beautiful scarf that my sister-in-law knitted for me last year.  Nothing can look ugly with a soft fabric, and a beautiful color, right?!  If you're able, I'd love to see you attach a photo of your self portrait (cell phone pics welcomed too!) to this blog, otherwise, find me on Facebook (PepperJack Pics) and upload them there.  Each time you enter, be sure to add your name and the day # that the photo is for.  You will be entered into a drawing for a free sitting for every photo that you enter.  Good luck, and have fun!!

Up to the challenge?!

Okay, I have been addicted to Pinterest!  Anyone else out there that has lost hours of searching through, only to end up with a bigger "to do" list?  BUT, I did find something kind of fun on there yesterday, and although it's a challenge, I'm hoping I won't be the only one to take it on.  Before I go on about how I want to do this, here's the challenge:

So, I was thinking that every time I post a picture of my challenge (it will be posted here as well as on my Facebook page), you could all post a picture of the same subject.  Example:  I post a picture of flowers, so you do the same!  Every time you post a picture, (Facebook or as a comment on this blog) you will be entered into a drawing for a FREE photo session, as well as an 8x10 of the image of your choice!  The drawing will take place after the challenge is done, and no, I don't plan on doing it every day like it says, but I will aim for every few days.  Fun!!  I'm super excited, but with time never on my side, I see why it's called a "challenge".  Let's all cross our fingers and make this happen!  

Out of the norm

This time, instead of posting about my usual life, I want to share a link that I found through a fellow photographer's Facebook posting.  As the link reads, I won't be posting any photos with this blog entry, but after you read it, you'll see that it doesn't really need any photos added.  It speaks for itself, but I'm warning you, have a box of Kleenex nearby!

Letter On My Doorstep

Thanks for reading this, and putting value in all the pictures that you take, whether they are taken by a professional photographer or a cell phone.

Sometimes you just make do!

Today was finally the day that the kids had been DYING for.  We left this morning to get our Christmas tree!  Now, our family goal each year is to find a tree farm, where we can pull the kids in the sled while tromping through the snow to find that perfect tree.  Let me give you a rundown of the last few years...

Year 1:  We found a tree farm, and it all worked out as planned!  Yay!

Year 2:  We went back to that tree farm, but had to cut off the top of the tree, just with the hopes that we could fit in inside our living room, while still having enough room for the couch.

Year 3:  Sergeants, minus $80.

Year 4:  Lowes.  Not exactly the memories that we were hoping to instill in our children, but what the heck.

This year:  We found another tree farm!  Yay!!  We were ecstatic!  But...  there weren't any trees to cut down because we "came too late in the year."  What?  I thought it was only the 10th!
Needless to say, we found the farm that we hope to use every year, with the lesson learned to come right after Thanksgiving.

So, we were on our way home, with the tree tied on top of the family van.  I loved the excitement of the kids as we were driving, and the nervousness of Tim, with the hopes that he tied all the knots correctly. Don't worry, he did.

Now we are at home, decorating our tree, and I'm searing the littleness of my kids into my mind.  I'm hoping to never forget the little moments like today.  My kids are awesome, and with the help of some bungee cords and water softener salt bags (as a weight so it doesn't tip over), our tree is pretty cool too.   =)

Treyton was trying to pick through the ornaments, to be able to get to the "cool" ones before the other kids got them.

Hadlee is obsessed with this ornament!  It's Treyton's from his first Christmas, but since it's in a baby swing, she thinks she's got dibs.

Maddex is the s-l-o-w-e-s-t person to hang ornaments.  MAYBE every 5 minutes, he'd be ready for another one.  I thought we'd be at this all night!

The kids' version of hanging them up higher, is about 6 inches taller than the original ones.

Haha!  Our tree weight, because the tree was VERY front heavy, but if we turned it, we got to look at the ugly side.  Now how am I suppose to disguise this?!

And finally, the angel that my Oma made.  It's bittersweet hanging it this year, but it gives me one more way to incorporate her memory in our home.

Long time no talk to...

It's official.  I'm a terrible blogger.  I have good intentions, especially having little ones at home.  I keep thinking that someday when I'm old and grey, I'll love to look back at these little notes and stories that I tell, to remember when my kids were young.  It's those same kids that take all of my time, and leave me with very little time to myself.  When I do have a minute to sit down with this blog, I am selfish and take that minute to just do nothing!  So, this selfish "author" will now try to catch you up with my life, in a nutshell....

Treyton is doing amazing in first grade!  He is excelling all of his school work, and is well into 2nd grade work.  I'm so proud of him!  He's my serious, "let's get down to business" kind of kid, and as I know that he'll have struggles in his life, school work will not be one of them.  He's still the Packer fan of the house, and even his determination to stand out of the crowd makes me proud.  The picture posted is on his first day of school.  I love my little man.  <3

Now Maddex is a little less apt to getting the whole school thing down, but of course I love him none the less.  =)  He's my free spirit child.  Isn't that what people call their kids when they could care less what you tell them to do, and usually follow through with the exact opposite?!  I made pancakes the other day, using the initials of each of the kids.  I asked each of them what letter I should make them.  After they were done, I asked "what letter should I make for me, Mmmmama?"  Maddex answered with "triangle!"  Oh boy Maddex, we've got a ways to go with you!  The picture was of Maddex's first day of preschool. He's not quite as convinced that this was a good thing.  =)

Now onto Princess Hadlee.  She is a princess through and through!  This may be TMI, but it's just too cute NOT to share!  The other day, she was sitting on the toilet, and not going pee.  (if you're following me...)  I told her to let me know when she was done, so I could help her wipe.  She told me that she didn't have to wipe, because she had "frincess poop, and it's aaaalllll parkaly (sparkly) and pretty."  If my daughter has an odor to her when she's older, you now know why.  

The following picture is from her 3rd birthday party, and it's obvious she's not enjoying herself at all!

Little Lady Reeyin is my baby, but she has been AWFUL lately!  Crying and whining, every time I put her down and walk away!  It's really driving me crazy, and I try to be patient.  She's one now, and of course isn't walking or talking, so I'm sure she's frustrated too, but c'mon!  Work with me here!  On a proud note, she's learning the baby sign language that I've been working months and months trying to teach her!  She now knows, "drink", "more", "all done", and "eat"!  She's my baby, and (I think) always will be, so even though her crying blows my ear drums, I'm a sucker and am probably the reason she does it.  She knows I'll go and pick her up!  

Here is a picture of her First Birthday Party!  I made her a spaghetti cake, which is her all time favorite meal.  Frosting noodles, fudge meatballs, strawberry preserve sauce, and almond bark parmesan!  Yum, yum!!

That's all for this post!  I'd like to say that I'll write more soon, but you know my track record.  Hmmm.... Let's just say I'll see you next year!  =)

Road Trip Part I

Well, by this note, it's obvious that we all survived our road trip to Colorado.  AND, you'll be happy to hear, I brought all the kids back with me too!  =)  Actually, all joking aside, they were awesome!  I still can't believe how well behaved they were.  We actually had total strangers coming up to us in restaurants telling us how good they were!  Don't worry.  They made up for it when we got home.

Getting back and into a normal routine again is almost as much work as it to prepare for the trip.  I'm also happy to say that my photography business has boomed in the past few weeks, which of course is keeping me busier...in a good way.  :)  I finally made time to sit down and get my South Dakota pictures edited for you.  Colorado will be next, I promise.  Hopefully tomorrow???

We are also happy to announce that our house will be going on the market, hopefully next week!  I'm so super duper excited, because I found a house that will fit our family!  It's still (pretty much) in the neighborhood, and is a potential 6 bedroom!  The one room is a HUGE game room right now, so I'm planning on putting up a partial wall down the middle, and having the boys share.  That way they can have their own privacy, while still sharing the room.  The extra room will be my photography room.  It might be a little dark for a studio, but either way, I have lots of things to store!
We have to sell our house before we can buy the new one, so if you know of anyone that's interested in a 4 bedroom, 3 stall in an awesome, kid-friendly neighborhood, send them my way!!  The listing will be under TimDanielson.com

Now, onto the pictures that you've been waiting for!!  Like I said earlier, they are all from South Dakota.  The Badlands and Mount Rushmore in particular.  Treyton was really interested in Mount Rushmore, whereas the other 3 were just too young to appreciate it.  They did like the Badlands though.  I grabbed my camera as much as possible, but it's a struggle to snap away when you have an 8 month old squirming in your arms.  The camera shots don't do the memories justice.  The sounds of their laughter and the curious, innocent questions were priceless.  Enjoy!!!

Treyton in the Badlands

Maddex playing with his new horsie.

Trying to keep up with Daddy!

This is the result of a family picture taken by a guy heading to Sturgis.   Hahaha!

I love this picture!!

Insanity=Reality

The countdown has begun!  We have been crazy hectic busy in the Akers household, because we are getting ready for our first ever (not annual, I promise!) road trip!  I am super excited and very, very scared.  We are taking all 4 kids, and driving, driving, driving, to Colorado.  That's a total of 14 1/2 hours!!  We leave on Tuesday afternoon and plan to drive to Mitchell, SD to see the famous Corn Palace, and then stay the night somewhere around that town.  Wednesday we want to show the kids Wall Drug and Mt. Rushmore.

Every site that I visit for tips keeps telling me to have a plan, but I doubt that those writers traveled with 4 kids, ages 6 & under.  I still can't help it though, I'm actually excited!  I figure it'll be really good until about 2-6 hours into the trip.  The first couple, everyone will be all happy and getting along.  After about hour 2 though, reality sets in.  There is going to be screaming, fighting, whining, and bawling.  The kids are probably going to plan together and have each one do their part,      one     at      a       time.  I meant to use the spaces there, because that's how the trip is going to drag on!  The best part is though, I'm going to involve all of you to participate!  Yay!!!   Ok, seriously now.  I'm going to take pictures along the way, and try to post them here on my blog.  They will just be cell phone pictures, but I want you to be as involved as we are.  Seriously, you can thank me later.  :)

Regardless of all the chaos that WILL happen, I'm still excited.  So many memories, for both us and the kids!  (ok, the kids that are old enough to remember)  We will be getting back either Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week.  Just in time for Maddex's fourth birthday!  Talk about fun times with the fam!  

Now I know that I can't write on this blog without adding pictures, and I also know that these pictures have nothing in common with my post, but I had to share.  They are of Little Lady Reeyin, of course, taking her bath in the sink.  I don't use the sink too often for baths, but know that it's a classic picture that I'll treasure forever.  I just love the chunky little fingers, their pudgy little elbows, as well as the wet eyelashes and the pure concentration of doing simple tasks like holding a cup.  I love my babies, and (not counting what I'm about to endure with the road trip) never want them to grow up!