28 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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A chilly (30-40's), windy day in TN

We can't believe it's New Year's Eve!!?! Where has the year gone?

The kids have a surprise on the way.. Boppa and Gma should be here sometime tonight. Just in time to ring in the New Year with us. Things are going well down here. I'll post more about our trip down and our TN place when time permits.

Happy New Years!!

Dreams Come True

http://www.benstillwater.com/

When I first met this handsome cowboy eight years ago, it was 'up north'. I remember so much about that weekend. But the thing that stands out most, besides being head-over-heels in love with this handsome cowboy, was his guitar playing. Unbelievable!

(I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this.) While we were dating (long distance), besides calling, sending flowers and letters, he would write songs for me. about me. about us. I saved every.single.one. Then one happy day, we became husband and wife. Shortly after, he began to sing some of these songs, and so many, many others that he wrote. The sound of his guitar and voice became a familiar sound to our home. So familiar, that our children were accustomed to his guitar music the very moment they were born. As tiny babies, they'd fall asleep on his lap, while he played and sung.

His dream came true. He published his own songs (words and music) in his very 1st album this month. Of course, he is my husband and the Father to our children, so I have every right to be proud of him, brag about this and promote his work. The road to today has not always been easy. I've heard him sing/play hundreds thousands millions of times with just his guitar and himself. But the moment I listened to a very rough draft of the album in the studio (my heart swelled with pride and my eyes filled with tears), I realized it would be worth every step of the way. Boy! Was it ever!

So the next while, my Internet access will be spotty. And NO! we are not moving to TN, contrary to any rumors you may have heard. We'll be like yo-yo's. Bouncing back and forth as needed. But the main, and most important thing is, we'll be together as a family.

http://www.benstillwater.com/

27 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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This past week has been crazy. (And it has very little to do with the holiday season!) After being gone for nearly 2 weeks, Daddy finally got home this past Saturday. It's been non-stop ever since then. But we are together as a family, and that's all that matters. Christmas day will be spent close to home, at my in-laws. Which is a good thing, because we're gonna be snowed in!

Happy Holidays!

26 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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This past Saturday my family came up for the day. We were lucky to have a perfect winter day. Sunny, no snow, temps above zero. The majority of the day was spent outdoors. Lucky for Gpa, Gma and A. Jessica, I had just bought 2 new sleds the day before. So guess what the kids wanted them to do? And guess what I didn't have to do? Pull sleds :) If I had my act together I could have snagged LOTS of pictures that day. But we were too focused on having fun.

*Me, Carolyn and my sis*

I have long reached the place, where I'm more worried about staying warm, than looking good fashionable. My hubby's 'rabbit' hat (I really don't know if it's rabbit) kept me nice and toasty. Winter has hit hard here. We got dumped with snow, then slammed with frigid way below zero temps for way too long. This wk end it's suppose to be in the low-mid 20's. Break out the flip-flops! A heat wave is coming! Then I won't need this furry thing!

sweet dreams

These are the images I see every night before I lay down to sleep. Every night I (and Daddy) tuck them in. Give them a kiss and a hug good night. I listen to their feeble last-minute attempts to get outta bed. :) I turn off their lights and close their doors with their sweet "I love you Mommy" and "good nights" echoing in my ears. It's in this exact moment that I am thankful to be a their Mommy. Watching them sleep, so peaceful, quiet and calm seems to erase any chaos they may have caused during the day!

Having a bad day?

You need to look at things in a new way...And for goodness sakes... put a smile on your face!

Happy Monday!

25 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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Last week it was our 2 boys and me tagging along with Daddy to TN. (For those wondering about all these trips to TN... he's completing an album)

It's nearly impossible to snag a picture with this guy. I have to take what I get.
The best self-portrait attempt of the 3 of us.

This time the girls stayed behind, and the boys tagged along. 2 hours after we got to the cabin (in TN) Benji wanted to go back home. He missed Jacob (his cousin best friend). The weather didn't help. It was cold (think 20's-30's), dreary and windy (and it snowed). But armed with hats, gloves and boots we braved the playground everyday and walk/ran off energy. On the way home Benji came up with a plan. Next time go, we have to take all the kids. Then he won't get lonely for anybody! (By all the kids, he means take himself, Carolyn, Katie, John, Jacob and Emily)

24 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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Tubby and me.. "CHEESE!!"
I failed miserably at getting pictures last week. We had our 'deer hunter widow/kids' week at our house last week, plus turkey day. And not ONE picture did I get of me and my kids! Next I will do my homework.. I promise :)