Douglas AZ

it was a perfect day for an adventure. here are a few select pics from our day exploring the "watson" ranch. (now called haymore)

{week 27} the Watson Ranch in Douglas

with two old polaroids in hand....we headed south in search of the College peak and Castle dome. We were so excited when we found the old family ranch outside of Douglas.  Here is my trio in front of the home that their grandfather grew up in.

Pima Air & Space Museum

We had a great day exploring these old relics....lots of history...too bad its all to do with war.~

Helping Hearts

For those of you who are close to me...you know that I have always loved children. I feel so blessed to have three healthy children to brighten my world.  I'm excited to be a part of a new non-profit group of professional photographers from across Canada that provide free photography for families with a sick child. Check out their site at www.helping-hearts.ca . If you know someone that can use these services you can apply on the website.

{week 26} Tucson

we skipped outside for a quick run of the trail to the playground while we waited for dinner to finish cooking... along the way I was able to get a quick picture of the smiling trio. It is strange living with a small yard...at least the park is a short walk away.(we're all thankful for a large yard to play in!)

Phoenix Photography Workskop

I'm always excited to be a part of a photography workshop...inspiring. We met at Kimberly's amazing studio on Main St in Mesa. Kim and Jennifer were a wealth of inspriration. These lovely ladies shared their wisdom with an intimate group on a sunny day in Mesa.  Part of the workshop was spent shooting a family and a engagement couple. I was thrilled to learn how to embrace the full on arizona sunshine in the shot!  cheers!

family shoot

engagement shoot

I always feel re-charged and ready to rock my creative juices after a workshop. heading off to spend a family day in the old downtown section of tucson....lots of funky creative shops!

more sights of Tucson...

                                      this was by the most lovely day we all spent together....

{week 25} Trains...

he is one lucky little brother...he has two big sisters that will play trains with him. He is quite bossy when it comes to train playing. He chooses who you will be. This is on the back porch of our holiday rental.
They are now packing up the trains and getting ready to head out to Saguaro National Park for a little sunny hike. Should be close to 76 degrees today:)

Grady

when your world is shaken upside down...you have a new "house" and new "van" what would you cling to....my Grady would choose his momma's leg! For the first few days of our arrival in Arizona he become even more of a momma's boy....with his fav saying being "momma I want you..." He was never very far from being close to me. Happy that he has adjusted to his new surroundings and will go with his Daddy sometimes too!

A farm they say....ostrich, donkey, deer, goats & lorikeets

the goat in the wall was by far Grady's fav! It was hilarious... the ostrich were pretty freaky looking up close. crazy how long their necks are. Looks like I may have put some pics in twice....oops! hard to edit on a laptop. It was a fun fun day. today we spent at the pool and playground soaking up some rays!:)

this is a privately owned 600 acres...pretty smart farmer. He has the public pay to feed his farm animals. The ostrich eggs are crazy big. Carrigan really want to buy one. We settled for a feather we found. 

Pichacho Peek is in the background of the ostrich. you can see it for miles and miles.

the bottom picture of the end goat was Grady's fav for some reason...

Arizona

we have arrived....a whole entire month to explore this unique area. ahhhh....will post more pictures of our adventures from today; very soon.

{week} ostrich farm

nothing like a day at the Ostrich farm to put a smile on everyone's face....even daddy was getting into feeding the animals. i loved these fallow deer sooo cute and sweet~

{week 23} christmas traditions

.its been a very very busy week...finally getting to my pictures. here's a snip-it of our holiday fun. This year we took our Jam Jam dough out to Nana & Grandpa's{ to messy up their kitchen }since we were not home for the christmas eve this year.
Carrigan is becoming a great roller....Makenna was putting the jam in the middle....while Grady enjoyed his "juice box" from Grandpa! Good times had by all!

Happy New year to all! GO confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined

{week 22} Merry Christmas to all

It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.-- Dr. Seuss


Wishing everyone a fabulous holiday season full of love and snuggles! xoxoxox


***enjoy the photo; custom backdrop designed by my lovely artistic girls! They thought it would look grand!

{week 21} christmas crackers

we thought we'd put together our christmas crackers while Grady napped....well he woke up! so he joined in which was not very helpful....so we tuned into a Thomas video on the computer. Here he is watching his "thomas show" while the girls put together everyone's crackers. The largest crackers you ever seen....we made 18 personalized crackers for our Christmas dinner at Grama's in Vernon.

I was set to use toilet paper rolls but someone in my house used them to craft something else. oh well, we improvised and just stapled cardstock. We could then make them really full of fun stuff.

Little Labels

there is a new store in town...."Little Labels" (located along the strip with red shreds, designer consigner, and alexanders) 65A 1st Avenue. Amanda brings you a great selection of consignment clothing from Newborn to maternity~ (she will take all your outgrown kids clothes:) ) She also has an amazing selection of handmade jewelry.
I'm thrilled to announce that she has allowed me to display my lovely art on her walls! Stop in and say hi and check it out!

{week 20} family christmas potluck

busy days...with lots of christmas activities. We had a great visit with all our little & big cousins this past weekend. Also celebrating Cousin Megan's 9th birthday...
Grady has his hands full of toys and his new "kitty kat" from Grandpa merv! good times

***Gradys shirt says "good looks run in the family" Kent thought it was suiting for a family event! Although my Uncles teased he got his good looks from the Erlandson side! HAHA!

{week 19} uncle visit

An uncle is a gift whose worth cannot be measured except by the heart.

...can you tell who has been missing their uncle josh! they all snuggled up after their bathtime....boy do we miss Uncle! Skyping is just not the same...hoping he has an amazing time in Maui and we are able to see him lots more over the holidays!

{sparks} smores

Mmmmm....marshmallow creme, melted chocolate and graham crackers! Bringing a little bit of summer campfire fun to life for a winter faux camp for Carrigan's Spark tonight. Here is the instructions in pictures: (make sure to let the chocolate dry before spreading on a dollop of marshmallow creme!)

***melted the chocolate in a double boiler...

{week 18} Williams lake Brownies

it was Makenna's brownies enrolment night and after the ceremony games were played....brother and sister were invited to join in. Grady was thrilled. It was cute to watch his little legs run so fast across the gymnasium.