Theme Thursday: Best of 2009 (Part Two)

I'm not sure these warrant the title "best" of the year, but they are some of my favorites. And yes, if you frequent my blog, you've seen them all before...sorry Sean ;).

Share your best/favorites...last chance before 2010!

BSM: Hibernation

A Few Scenes From Christmas Present

Harrison was counting the gifts the morning of Christmas Eve:



The Christmas jammies:



You can't see it, but the Yeti says "Humbug" -- how could I resist?

With Gramma and Papa before going to tea at the Heathman:



After Christmas Eve tea:



I realized when I looked at these together that Owen has odd expressions in each of them. Too many Christmas sweets, perhaps?

Merry Christmas to all.

Theme Thursday: Best of 2009 (Part One)

A few of my favorites of 2009:



I know it's Christmas Eve, so if you can't play today, come back next week and share your favorites in Best of 2009 (Part Two).

BSM: Can't...Quite...Reach...It....

Hmm....maybe the tree IS a little taller this year.

Theme for the Week: Best of 2009 (Part One)

Even if you don't like end of year lists, come back on Thursday and showcase one (or more) of your best shots of the year. We'll do it two weeks in a row, just in case don't make it here Christmas Eve :).

Theme Thursday: Celebration

One fun way to celebrate the season? With a little bit of this:



and some more of this:



and a whole lot of this:



We had eight kids over at the house yesterday to decorate cookies. Sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, five colors of cream cheese frosting, mini-chips, red licorice, colored sugar, and every sprinkle imaginable...and eight kids on a huge sugar high.

How have you been celebrating?

Theme for the Week: Celebration

Let's see how you've been celebrating the season. Come back on Thursday and show us!

Theme Thursday: Perspective

We decorated the tree last weekend, and as always, I love remembering the stories behind our ornaments. It sure puts things in perspective when I look at this sweet ornament:




Harrison's first Christmas. He was six months old for his first Christmas; this year he's nine and a half and almost my height. How fast it all goes, and how many moments to savor. That puts it all in perspective.

BSM: Watch it, Santa

If you're not sure who's been naughty or nice on your list, just check with Santa's enforcer.



You really should click on this to go to the large size so you can truly appreciate the expression on Owen's face. Even Santa looks frightened. Harrison is apparently oblivious to Owen's mob connections. It's nice to know that he'll always have a spot waiting for him in the mafia.

Merry Christmas to you too, buddy.

Theme for the Week: Perspective

I'm going to challenge myself this week to take some shots from different perspectives. Maybe I'll get down low or aim up high. Maybe I'll cut off someone's head (in the photograph, of course) or grab a shot around a corner.

Play with perspective this week, and come back to play on Thursday!

Theme Thursday: Gratitude

I had a fantastic post planned this week, with a great photo collage of the many things I'm grateful for. That didn't happen. Somehow, the week got away from me, and here I am, Thursday morning, already late with my post. It doesn't mean I'm any less grateful for the wonderful life that I have; it simply means it's December, and somehow this month seems to speed by like a runaway train.

Back to my subject: gratitude. I do, indeed, have so many blessings, the biggest of which is family. Although we do not have any family in Oregon, we do have family spread up and down the west coast, and it is always wonderful to get together.

Today, and every day, I am grateful for family. Below is a shot I took of the cousins on the beach over Thanksgiving weekend. If I get my act together, I'll put together the collage I was planning, full of parents, kids, grandparents, cousins...you name it. This one shot will have to do for now :).



What are you grateful for today?

BSM: Thanksgiving Walk

We had a lovely Thanksgiving up in Washington with family. The kids got a couple of days with the cousins, and we all ate way too much food. Seriously, we had enough for twice as many people as were at the table.

The weather was gorgeous on Friday, so we were able to go over to Bainbridge Island and play on the beach. The kids loved all the logs and driftwood; I loved the fabulous rocks, shells, and beach glass. I could have stayed hunting treasure in the sand until evening.

I took lots of family shots, but this one seemed to capture the spirit of the afternoon:

Theme for the Week: Gratitude

Since those of us in the States just celebrated Thanksgiving, I thought that "gratitude" might be a nice theme for the coming week. Whip out the family-filled photos you snapped over the holiday, or photograph anything else you might be feeling grateful for right now.

I've got three somebodies right here:



Come back on Thursday and show us what you've got.

No Theme: Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy Thanksgiving with a day off of Theme Thursday -- but gear up for the following week!

Theme Thursday: Hot/Cold

This was not how I envisioned this theme going for me, but I'll embrace the unexpected.

Out with the (c)old:



In with the new:



Yes, we got a new fridge! And yes, those are the world's worst photos. I was not expecting a new fridge when I came up with this week's theme. But we found a great deal, and we now have a fridge that has an operational ice/water dispenser and a freezer that doesn't encrust with ice every time we open it. I can now buy an ice cream birthday cake, and I won't have to shove it in sideways. I can actually store a frozen pizza instead of cooking it right when I get home from the store. I won't have yucky-tasting ice. These are life's simple pleasures.

The downside of this project was cleaning out the old fridge. I couldn't count the number of bottles/jars of condiments, sauces, and dressings I had to get out of there. There were so many, I had to rinse them all out rather than throw them away. I was afraid the garbage can would be too heavy.

I am such a domestic goddess.

What do you have to show today?

By Popular Demand...

the eye poke:



You see? Nothing says "Christmas card" like a good jab in the eye.

BSM: One Moment, Please

The backstory of this photo involves me secretly stashing shirts in my car and making the boys put them on after a photoshoot downtown. I know. That's just the kind of mom I am.

I was doing a senior shoot for a friend, and since the kids had to come with me (James was working), I figured I'd take advantage of the opportunity. Can you blame me? The problem was that I had to wait until after I was done with the senior, and by then, the novelty of roaming around the warehouses near OMSI had worn off. Also, Owen had to go to the bathroom, so there's that, too. Let's just say I didn't get anything "card worthy," if you know what I mean.

I did think this one was cute and genuine, though.



I have another "genuine" one with Owen trying to poke Harrison's eye out, but I'll save that for a special occasion.

Theme for the Week: Hot and Cold

I'm off to Harrison's last soccer game in 33 degree weather. Ouch. Let's make our theme this week something from both sides: hot and cold.

Come back and play on Thursday!

Theme Thursday: Everyday

I have to admit: I failed at my own assignment this week. The "shooting from the hip" thing just didn't happen. My excuses are as follows: Harrison was home sick and the weather was dreary. Put together, these factors did not inspire me in my photographic journey. I know, I should have taken something anyway, but I didn't.

Until we saw this driving home today:



Maybe not representative of the "everyday," but it sure made our day!

What did you capture this week?

P.S. If anyone noticed a crazy lady waving her camera out the window while driving on TV Highway on Wednesday afternoon, trying to aim it at the sky and see the road at the same time? It totally wasn't me.

BSM: Reading

I didn't suggest they do this. I just came up and there they were. Really.

Theme for the Week: Everyday

This week, think about capturing glimpses of your everyday life: at the breakfast table, doing laundry, playing games. I'm going to try NOT to plan my photograph, instead I'm hoping to keep my camera close and snap without thinking as the week goes on. We'll see how it pans out.

Here's one I snapped last year, during a war of army men on the family room floor:



Come back Thursday, and show us your everyday life, in all its messy, chaotic joy.

Theme Thursday: Imagine

Imagine you want to go shopping, but you can't leave the house; what do you do?

Stop in at Harrison's Emporium. Harrison decided to turn his room into a store today, and voila, Harrison's Emporium was born. He affixed price tags to toys, books, pillows, you name it. Then Owen and I were invited in to browse and buy.







Of course, there was also a large sign posted on the end of the bed saying "You Cannot Keep." I guess I don't have to worry about buyer's remorse. Imagine that.

BSM: Halloween

Of course I have to post the kids in their costumes today. But believe me, it was not without a struggle. First up, Harrison:



He was a ninja, and I got a bunch of cute ones with him doing all these poses with his weapons. This is definitely the last year he'll be able to wear a kids' size costume. Even this one was almost too short.

Next up, Owen. What can I say? Let's just leave it at "ugly." Yes, it got ugly with me trying to get him outside to take his picture. I'll spare you the details, but this photo certainly speaks to his enthusiasm for the whole experience:



Jango Fett here was one ill-tempered bounty hunter. So was his mother.

Theme For the Week: Imagine

What are you imagining this week?



Use your imagination and come back on Thursday to show us what you've got.

Rising Star

This from a conversation on the way to soccer practice this week:

Harrison: I've decided if I don't make it as a professional basketball player, I'm going to be in a band.

Me: Oh yeah?

H: I'm going to name my band The Screaming Socks.

Me: That's a cool name! What are you going to do in the band? Play the guitar or the drums? Sing?

H: I'm going to play the lute.


I'm so proud. My son, bringing back under-utilized renaissance instruments and rocking the Billboard 100 at the same time.

Theme Thursday: Of The Season

I thought I would have snaps of the kids in their Halloween costumes...but I haven't taken them yet. This photo speaks to the season just perfectly though:



What photos of the season do you have to share today?

BSM: iPhone Love

Got this one with my iPhone:




Here's to a happy Monday!

Theme for the Week: Of the Season

I'm leaving this one wide open this week. So many great things going on this time of year, so pick something "seasonal": Halloween, soccer, changing leaves, football, apple picking...you name it. Or, if you happen to be on the other side of the world (Arizaphale, you Southern Hemisphere gal), choose whatever suits your fancy for whatever season you happen to be in right now.

A little preview from me: I couldn't resist the siren call of these leaves in my backyard this week.



Come play on Thursday, everyone!

Birthday Gift

James surprised me with a new camera for my birthday -- beyond awesome. But then the kids made me this:



How can you beat that?

Theme Thursday: At Play...On My Birthday!

Yep, it's all about me today. I should have thought this Theme Thursday through a bit better, not realizing I could have capitalized on the day by naming the theme "Birthday Wishes" or "Gifts for Me." You know, something really subtle. Not having that foresight, I'm posting this gem from my childhood; apparently I was throwing myself a party here, too. The photo is dated July...and my birthday is obviously in October.

But hey, who needs a reason to get festive?

Show us what you've been "playing" around with this week...

BSM: Where's the Love?

Who knew hugs could be so painful...and forceful?

Theme for the Week: At Play

This week, let's see pictures of any kind of "play" you can drum up.



Even if it's just hanging around.

Theme Thursday: Color

There's no better place to grab some color than at the pumpkin patch.




What colors do you have to show this week?

BSM: Pumpkin Picking Picture

My new fav photo:

Theme for the Week: Pick a Color

Fall is such a colorful season -- leaves, pumpkins, Halloween costumes, to name a few -- I thought it would be fun this week to focus on color. Whether it's a single color pop that draws the focus or an overall color theme in the photograph, show us your colors this week.

Theme Thursday: Bodies in Motion

I practiced my panning technique on a longboarding senior last weekend. Thought this was perfect for the theme this week:



This is one of the few where I actually got him in focus. I have a tough time with panning, but when you get a good shot, the background blur is really cool!

Panning is a lot of work, though, so I switched back to freezing motion instead:



Action shots are always such a challenge (for me), but so worth the effort.

BSM: Soccer, Soccer Everywhere

Theme for the Week: Bodies in Motion

The bodies in my house are always in motion. If you have kids, that's probably true at your house, too. So come play this week and show us all the jumping, running, and general craziness that happens in your world.

Here's one from two years ago that I still love:



I promise I'll have something new for Thursday :).

Theme Thursday: Body Parts

Here's another oldie but goodie:



What do you have to share for Theme Thursday this week?

BSM: Quiet Time

Weekly Theme: Legs, and Arms, and Feet, Oh My!

Yep, I got stuck on the "legs" idea, so go capture some body parts this week for Theme Thursday. Here's one of my favorites from a couple of years ago:

Theme Thursday: Faces

I did a photo shoot yesterday, and this shot seemed perfect for today's theme:



That cute little face peeping out from between her mom's legs. Maybe next week I'll make the theme "legs"...I could use the same shot.

Theme: Faces

I thought I'd make it easy on my first week hosting Theme Thursday. Give us your silly, beautiful, mysterious, lovely faces this week. And invite a friend! If you've never played before, now's the time...everyone's got a face to share, so come back on Thursday and play.

I'll leave you with this face -- one of my favorites and so handsome:

Theme Thursday: Transition

Transition: When both your kids scoot off to school in the morning...all by themselves!



Speaking of transitions, Amy Jo, who usually hosts Theme Thursday, is getting ready to have her baby. In her absence, I will be taking over hosting duties. I'll be posting a theme on Saturday, so come, take a look, and play along!