Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Outside Fun
A couple weeks ago, like all Arizona families with young kids, we broke out the water table. This simple toy brings about hours and hours of fun and I am so thankful for it every year! I wanted to do some practicing with my camera and of course I have the two best subjects for it :)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Photography 101
A couple years ago I convinced my husband to let me get a new fancy schmancy camera. One of the best purchases we have ever made! Since having kids, I would get soooo frustrated trying to take pictures with our old point and shoot camera. My poor Allie has pretty crummy pictures of when she was a baby :(
But that all changed when my Nikon came into my life. It certainly didn't turn me into an expert photographer, but at least Allie's face was no longer blurry in every picture I took.
This past Christmas my awesome mother in law bought me a fancy schmancy lens to go with my fancy schmancy camera. Upon recieving that I thought it was about time to REALLY learn how to use my new gear.
My good friend Heather told me about a Mommy DSLR class that a photographer she had used was teaching. I signed up ASAP and the class was fabulous! It was extremely hands on (which I think is a must when you are learning to use new equipment), organized and full of information that I both wanted and NEEDED. I still have to do a lot more practice to get more comfortable and quicker with my settings (I'm trying to shoot all in manual mode) but I think my pictures are already SOOOO much better than they were.
Here's the info if you are interested...
http://www.jessicadowneyphoto.com/blog/workshops/
Jessica is a great teacher and I highly recommend her class
Here are some pictures that I took from class...
I still have a lot to learn and am constantly practicing but I have so much more confidence and am so much happier with the pictures I am taking!
But that all changed when my Nikon came into my life. It certainly didn't turn me into an expert photographer, but at least Allie's face was no longer blurry in every picture I took.
This past Christmas my awesome mother in law bought me a fancy schmancy lens to go with my fancy schmancy camera. Upon recieving that I thought it was about time to REALLY learn how to use my new gear.
My good friend Heather told me about a Mommy DSLR class that a photographer she had used was teaching. I signed up ASAP and the class was fabulous! It was extremely hands on (which I think is a must when you are learning to use new equipment), organized and full of information that I both wanted and NEEDED. I still have to do a lot more practice to get more comfortable and quicker with my settings (I'm trying to shoot all in manual mode) but I think my pictures are already SOOOO much better than they were.
Here's the info if you are interested...
http://www.jessicadowneyphoto.com/blog/workshops/
Jessica is a great teacher and I highly recommend her class
Here are some pictures that I took from class...
I still have a lot to learn and am constantly practicing but I have so much more confidence and am so much happier with the pictures I am taking!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Block Party
We seriously live in the best neighborhood in the world. When we were looking for a house I dreamed of the kind of place where you were forced to drive SUPER slow on the way to your house because there were so many kids outside playing. I wanted to be friends with our neighbors and I wanted kids constantly around our house. I'm so thankful that we got exactly that. It's the kind of place where for every Halloween the past three years, I think Allie has only rang about 5 doorbells while trick or treating because EVERYone is out on their driveway, camped out in chairs, and having a great time outside. I LOVE it.
Every year we have a block party at the end of our street and it is a total blast. This year we even had a gigantic bounce house in the culdesac for all the kids. There was BBQing, face painting by the older kids, playing with TONS of toys and a ton of yummy food. We were there for 4 hours and the girls loved every second. We loved hanging out with all of our neighbors while all of the kids played. A part of me is okay with the fact that the market tanked and we are stuck with our house for a long time because at least we love it! ha!
Every year we have a block party at the end of our street and it is a total blast. This year we even had a gigantic bounce house in the culdesac for all the kids. There was BBQing, face painting by the older kids, playing with TONS of toys and a ton of yummy food. We were there for 4 hours and the girls loved every second. We loved hanging out with all of our neighbors while all of the kids played. A part of me is okay with the fact that the market tanked and we are stuck with our house for a long time because at least we love it! ha!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
My Dad is Pretty Awesome
I have the best dad in the world. Really, I do. I have such great memories growing up with my dad. He worked a lot and traveled a lot but the time that he was home, I felt he was very intentional to spend time with my brother and I. I remember going on dates with him, working on projects with him and going on trips with him. He has always been supportive and protective of me AND is my biggest help when I come up with random projects that I want to do. Like our girl's amazing kitchen or my dumpster dresser :)
Well, so many times on Pinterest or DIY shows/magazines, I've seen countertops over front loading washers and dryers. I've wanted one so bad! Our washer and dryer are literally right inside the door when you are coming in from the garage so it's a natural landing zone. The problem is, when the washer is on, it vibrates so much that everything falls off. Such a pain. So a couple months ago I sent my dad a picture of one that I liked and asked if he thought we could build one. My dad is a technology guru, he runs huge data centers and works on computers all day long, but secretly he has a black belt in woodworking. Much to my surprise, shortly after sending the picture, he was at my house taking measurements. He's the best :)
I know he spent hours in his 'workshop' up in Prescott measuring, cutting wood, sanding, painting, etc and came over this past weekend with the most amazing counter for my laundry room. It's more than I could ask for, I was seriously fine with a piece of MDF screwed on 4 2x4's. But he made tapered legs, a farmhouse-like pieced countertop, and a lip all around so my things won't fall off. It's absolutely amazing and even better that he made it just for me :)
Before...
After...
Well, so many times on Pinterest or DIY shows/magazines, I've seen countertops over front loading washers and dryers. I've wanted one so bad! Our washer and dryer are literally right inside the door when you are coming in from the garage so it's a natural landing zone. The problem is, when the washer is on, it vibrates so much that everything falls off. Such a pain. So a couple months ago I sent my dad a picture of one that I liked and asked if he thought we could build one. My dad is a technology guru, he runs huge data centers and works on computers all day long, but secretly he has a black belt in woodworking. Much to my surprise, shortly after sending the picture, he was at my house taking measurements. He's the best :)
I know he spent hours in his 'workshop' up in Prescott measuring, cutting wood, sanding, painting, etc and came over this past weekend with the most amazing counter for my laundry room. It's more than I could ask for, I was seriously fine with a piece of MDF screwed on 4 2x4's. But he made tapered legs, a farmhouse-like pieced countertop, and a lip all around so my things won't fall off. It's absolutely amazing and even better that he made it just for me :)
Before...
After...
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Sewing, sewing, sewing
Those who know me know that I'm pretty crafty. And one of my biggest 'crafty' passions is sewing. There's something about taking a bunch of fabric, measuring, cutting and turning it into something. I've dreamed of opening a Etsy shop to try and sell some of the things that I make. Someday it will happen, hopefully someday soon :)
My amazing parents bought me a new sewing machine a couple weeks ago to help me grow my passion. Let me tell ya, it is A-mazing. It's the Lexus of sewing machines and I absolutely LOVE it! I've been doing some simple projects to get the hang of it and learn to use it. It's an embroidery machine too and with that part of it I have SO much to learn. I can't wait to literally personalize everything in my house :)
These are a few projects that I have done lately for some friends. Someday these will be in my 'shop' :)
Little boy ties - I LOVE making these...
Birthday shirt and party hat
Another birthday shirt for a little girl
Burp cloth
And thanks to Pinterest I have about a gazillion more projects that I have on my list to make!
My amazing parents bought me a new sewing machine a couple weeks ago to help me grow my passion. Let me tell ya, it is A-mazing. It's the Lexus of sewing machines and I absolutely LOVE it! I've been doing some simple projects to get the hang of it and learn to use it. It's an embroidery machine too and with that part of it I have SO much to learn. I can't wait to literally personalize everything in my house :)
These are a few projects that I have done lately for some friends. Someday these will be in my 'shop' :)
Little boy ties - I LOVE making these...
Birthday shirt and party hat
Another birthday shirt for a little girl
Burp cloth
And thanks to Pinterest I have about a gazillion more projects that I have on my list to make!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Father Daughter Dance
Last month Matt got to take BOTH of his princesses to the Highland's annual Father-Daughter Dance. He's taken Allie the last two years but this was Sienna's first year. Allie was so excited, Sienna was clueless, but both girls had a great time :) I picked up Sienna a little early since the dance was late and it was her bedtime. But Matt and Allie stayed and danced the night away. She had a blast and did not stop talking about it for days. It melts my heart!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Outtakes
Matt has been traveling a lot lately so needless to say I am lonely and bored. And oftentimes when I am lonely and bored, I spend way too much time on the computer. Luckily a lot of that time is spent looking at old pictures, which is one of my favorite things to do. Hey, I've got the cutest kids in the world and it makes me happy looking at them constantly :) This past Christmas we made an attempt to take some pictures of our girls and my nephew for my parent's Christmas card. Let me tell you, taking pictures of three kids, ages three and under, is not an easy feat! I just about cracked up at every one of them, these are my favorite 'outtakes'...
Finger up the nose...
Pulling hair...
Sienna is out...
Perfect posture...
Mr. T is DONE!...
Sienna trying to cheer Mr. T up with downward dog (I love Allie's concerned face)...
Luckily third time's the charm, aren't they adorable?!
Finger up the nose...
Pulling hair...
Sienna is out...
Perfect posture...
Mr. T is DONE!...
Sienna trying to cheer Mr. T up with downward dog (I love Allie's concerned face)...
Luckily third time's the charm, aren't they adorable?!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Banana Coconut Streusel Muffins
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love coconut. I'll eat pretty much anything with coconut. A while ago I posted this yummy recipe for Coconut Lime Banana Bread which is A-mazing. Last week on my beloved Pinterest, I found another coconut recipe for muffins this time. I tried them out last week and once again, A-mazing. I dare you not to make them.
BANANA COCONUT STREUSEL MUFFINS
Makes 9 standard size muffins
•1/2 cup shredded or flake coconut
•2 packed tablespoons light brown sugar
•1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
•1/8 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch for the streusel
•2 tablespoons cold butter, sliced
•6 tablespoons granulated sugar
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•1/4 cup neutral oil, safflower or grapeseed (I used Canola Oil)
•3/4 cup mashed overripe bananas (2 bananas)
•1/4 cup whole milk (I used buttermilk instead)
•1 large egg, at room temperature, lightly beaten
•1 cup chopped walnuts or other nut (optional)
1.Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease nine cups of a standard muffin tin with oil or nonstick spray, then dust them with flour, or use ungreased paper muffin cups.
2.To make the streusel, in a bowl stir together the coconut, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of the flour, and a pinch of salt. Add the butter and rub the mixture together with your fingers or a pastry cutter until you have large crumbles about the size of a pea. Set aside.
3.In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining cup of flour, the granulated sugar, baking powder, and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.
4.In a small bowl, stir together the 1/4 cup of oil with the mashed bananas, milk, and egg until they are well combined. Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Add chopped nuts if desired.
5.Using an ice cream scoop, fill the prepared muffin cups halfway. Top the muffins with streusel, dividing the streusel evenly among the muffins. Fill the three empty cups halfway with tap water to prevent the muffin tin from warping.
6.Bake the muffins on the center rack until they rise and are golden and bounce back when pressed, about 30 minutes. Let cool in the tin for a minute or two and serve warm. Leftovers can be wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, then rewarmed in a 350 oven for 10 min. before serving.
From Get Off Your Butt and Bake!
BANANA COCONUT STREUSEL MUFFINS
Makes 9 standard size muffins
•1/2 cup shredded or flake coconut
•2 packed tablespoons light brown sugar
•1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
•1/8 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch for the streusel
•2 tablespoons cold butter, sliced
•6 tablespoons granulated sugar
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•1/4 cup neutral oil, safflower or grapeseed (I used Canola Oil)
•3/4 cup mashed overripe bananas (2 bananas)
•1/4 cup whole milk (I used buttermilk instead)
•1 large egg, at room temperature, lightly beaten
•1 cup chopped walnuts or other nut (optional)
1.Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease nine cups of a standard muffin tin with oil or nonstick spray, then dust them with flour, or use ungreased paper muffin cups.
2.To make the streusel, in a bowl stir together the coconut, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of the flour, and a pinch of salt. Add the butter and rub the mixture together with your fingers or a pastry cutter until you have large crumbles about the size of a pea. Set aside.
3.In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining cup of flour, the granulated sugar, baking powder, and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.
4.In a small bowl, stir together the 1/4 cup of oil with the mashed bananas, milk, and egg until they are well combined. Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Add chopped nuts if desired.
5.Using an ice cream scoop, fill the prepared muffin cups halfway. Top the muffins with streusel, dividing the streusel evenly among the muffins. Fill the three empty cups halfway with tap water to prevent the muffin tin from warping.
6.Bake the muffins on the center rack until they rise and are golden and bounce back when pressed, about 30 minutes. Let cool in the tin for a minute or two and serve warm. Leftovers can be wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, then rewarmed in a 350 oven for 10 min. before serving.
From Get Off Your Butt and Bake!
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