As Per Reader Request

Rarer than pictures of Paul and I together may be pictures of me. Not only does it require another adult to be with me, but it also requires me giving up control of our beautifully, wonderful, I-can't-put-it-down camera. Today Paul managed this unbelievable feat as well as another: getting good pictures of me. So here they are readers, a look at the author, mom, wife, interpreter, quilter.
I think the first one makes me look way cooler...but I threw in the second one for those of you who like a smile. As always, thanks for reading!

Hoosband and Wif

It's relatively rare for Paul and I to have time to go anywhere together, therefore it's even more rare to have a picture of us together. Well world, here's proof that we are still happily hoosband and wif! Photo taken in the aviary at the Desert Museum.

Family Photo

At the Desert Museum today we found a perfect rock for a few family photos. Usually the best way to get Isaac to smile is to tell him NOT to smile. However, this trick finally backfired today as he put all his efforts into not smiling. Finally, I had to resort to tickling him to get this picture. But, still pretty good. If only Paul and I had thought to take off our sunglasses it might be a possible Christmas card photo. I guess we'll have to get another one...since our future isn't so bright we have to wear shades.

Making Butter

For the Thanksgiving day feast, each class is responsible for bringing one item for the feast. This year, Isaac's class made butter. Who knew that by putting heavy cream in a jar and shaking it like crazy you will eventually make butter! Well, I didn't. Grams and I went and hung out with Isaac's class as they played and made butter. Here is Isaac shaking some cream into butter. Butter was delicious to boot!

Grams and Isaac at Satori's Thanksgiving Day Feast

Every year, Isaac's school (Satori) has a Thanksgiving day feast. They start by singing a song all together, then the students each say what they are thankful for. This year, Isaac was thankful for "Jo, because she is a great teacher." Then we all head inside for our feast. This photo was taken while the other classes are saying what they are thankful for. I was happy to capture one of the many sweet moments between Isaac and his beloved Grams. She says she comes to visit all of us, but from the moment I pick her up and she sits in the back with Isaac, the truth cannot be denied: Paul and I are bonuses that come along with a trip to see her grandson. But we don't mind!

Smoje Opens Her Quilt

So, not the greatest picture, of us or the quilt, but it's the best one...so take it or leave it. Turns out my mom really likes the quilt, thank goodness since I spent quite a bit of time on it. I picked this pattern and bought the fabric about 2 years ago. I just finally got to making it this fall. Funny though, the last time my Mom was visiting, she was looking through the quilt book that this quilt pattern and said of this quilt "you can make this quilt for me anytime you want." I just chuckled on the inside, the kind of chuckle you have when you know something someone else doesn't--you know the kind where you feel so clever just being you. That doesn't happen so often to me, so I really enjoyed it. So I guess I picked the right quilt! So happy that she likes it.

Desert West of the Tucson Mountains

Today we went to the Desert Museum with Grams. It was very cool for Tucson--low 60s--and there was a storm moving in from the West. The Desert Museum is on west side of the mountains on the west side of Tucson (Tucson is almost surrounded by mountain ranges). Sometimes, I am simply amazed by the beauty of the desert. Today, we captured many photos of the desert I think are stunning. This is just on example.

All Important Halloween

Every year we head out to my friend Heidi's house for trick-r-treating. Our neighborhood doesn't have too many kids and so isn't the best for Halloween. Heidi's neighborhood on the other hand is awesome, full of kids and lots of participating houses. From left to right: Isaac, Kira and Evan.

As you can see, I made a cover for Isaac's helmet to make it match is uniform. We also added an American flag, Paul's US Army and Mountain Division patches in all the authentic locations. From the shot at right you can see his excitement at getting candy!
Once again my camera rocks and it's "night scene" mode saved the day and got me lots of pictures that didn't suck. Unluckily for those I was photographing there was still a flash. The last picture shows Isaac at the end of the night, this is how he prepared himself for the pictures. Sorry kiddo, but I gotta get your picture!

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Zoo

Back in October, Isaac's class was able to do a behind the scenes tour at the zoo. Lucky me, I was able to go with them. Isaac and I have been to the zoo many times, but we've never had the chance to pet the rhinos! We also saw the zoo kitchen, pet a snake and a large lizard as well as saw the animal hospital where we saw real animal x-rays. So much fun! At the end Isaac and his buddy Sam (for those of you keeping track, Isaac's two best buddies are both named Sam) spontaneously posed for a couple of pictures. Rock on Isaac, rock on!

Just Got the Halloween Costume

So, trying to catch up on a couple of posts. Since Isaac wanted to be an "army guy" for Halloween, we decided to buy his costume at Miller's Surplus. Isaac was so excited and immediately came home, put it on, and took his pop gun into the back yard. He did some awesome posing in the grass (let's be honest, it's weeds that I've given up on getting rid of, crab grass has more stamina than I). Gotta love those pictures!
You can just barely see him in those first two shots, I guess the camo helps him do what he is already good at.






Couldn't resist this last picture that shows the Isaac I know so well--happy and smiling. He's even wearing Paul's dog tags underneath for authenticity.