Another Snow Day!

We got about 7 inches of snow yesterday. What does that mean? Carey took my 4WD 4Runner to work and I'm basically stuck. Again. :) I might venture out later to go to Hobby Lobby (only 1 mi. away), but I want to be safe. I have hair bows on the brain. Our niece, Baby K., will be arriving any day. So I need to finish her collection! :) Plus, Miss Lucy needs some new bows. I'm a little tired of the ones she has. I also want to get into making THESE. So cute! Ok, maybe we will go out later. :)

Anyway, in other news. I made the most amazing Tortilla Soup last night. Oh my. Thanks to Pioneer Woman for her amazing recipe! Carey LOVED it and of course I did too. There is not much left over. Tonight I am making THIS. Oh yes. If we die of heart attacks tomorrow, you will know why. =) I don't cook stuff like this a lot. But it's snowy and everyone needs some comfort food once and a while. Plus, I am going to use ground turkey. And oven fries are not that bad for you. I am using olive oil.... (can you see me justifying this meal!?)

I've been practicing with my new camera over the last few days. All of this aperture and ISO stuff confuses me. But I found some tutorials and I'm working on getting better. Here are some pics I've taken of Lucy while "practicing." She mostly just ignores me these days. I think someone has had enough picture taking. =)

Playing with saturation while editing.....

Another picture?

She's asking if she can take her bow off. I said no.

I cannot resist the faces she makes sometimes. :)

Playing with aperture.....

She's singing along to the ABC's on Baby Einstein. The kiddo cracks me up!

So that's what we've been up to. Tomorrow, I think a grilled cheese and tomato soup date at Nordstrom Cafe' is in order for me and my girlie. Our favorite place to lunch. Then some shopping--of course!! We're going to spend a gift card Lucy has to the Children's Place. I cannot believe how big she's getting! She's growing out of most of her 12 month clothes. (Ok, I know. It makes sense since she's 13 months.) I just can't believe we're in 18 month clothes now. Time flies! 

P.S. --Like the new blog look? I am trying to make it a little more chic. I'm making little changes every few days. =)

 

Snow Day #2

Today was day #2 of being stuck at home! One of our cars is in need of a new battery AND tire. Getting it back in shape is first on the list for this weekend! 

Until then, Lucy and I are totally stuck. I'm not a fan of being completely stuck and I may have gone crazy if Timmy hadn't come to play with Lucy while I reminded myself that yes, there is an outside world. I went and played in Target. :) Well, if you consider buying bananas, peanut butter and baby food "playing." It was just good to get out. 

Lucy loves Uncle Timmy. 

He has pretty sweet stuff on his phone. 

And he makes a good pillow. 

The rest of the day was spent doing the same ol' stuff. 

Like the always popular bath time.... 

And telling Lucy "I Love You" 7000 times.....

And Lucy climbing the stairs when I'm not looking......

And letting my child play with items that are not toys....

(Oh wait, was that me?)  =)

Tomorrow....I need a PROJECT! Operation: "Clean Out the Storage Closet" will begin at nap time. Good thing, cause Lucy might go crazy if I take ANOTHER picture of her. :) 

Capturing Christmas

Yesterday we had "Christmas" with my family. 

On Thursday we're flying out to Arizona for a WEEK (yay!) 

to spend the holiday with Carey's family. 

So, yesterday was the one day
we all could get together to exchange gifts. 

We had a wonderful time! 

Anyway, the reason for the post is that I got a very
exciting Christmas gift from my Mommy and Daddy. :) 

Something I've been wanting for a while......are you curious?

A Nikon D3000!!! With a 18-55mm lens AND a 55-200mm lens. 

(Perfect for up-close portraits of the cutest subject ever). 

I am already in love. 

The quality of the pictures = amazing.

And I can capture Lucy's expressions because
the camera takes immediately! 

So be prepared for lots of cute pictures. I'm having a ton of fun! 

I have a lot to learn. These cameras are complicated! 

But thankfully the "auto" setting is perfect for beginners like me. =)

Here's a few of the pictures I've taken so far. 

Whatcha doin', Mom? How many pictures do you plan on taking?

Too much Christmas. I need a nap.

Lucy with her Christmas gift from us. A Build-A Bear Bunny!

Christmas!!!!

My little beauty.

This picture captures the personality of my Lucy. :) I love it.

So if I didn't already take a million pictures of Lucy before....

=)

I am also excited to take some pictures while we're in AZ. 

Contrary to popular thought, AZ is not all warm and sunny. 

Carey's family lives in the mountains

where it's cold and *hopefully* snowy! :) 

There is endless beautiful scenery for me to photograph!

Thank you, Mom and Dad for such a generous gift!

I love you!!