My new babies...

I am a new mom...actually grandma...wait< I like mom better! The sweet kitty that adopted our family when we moved had a litter of adorable kittens. She is such a good momma kitty...She had her litter under my daughter's bed and then moved them to the closet where I prepared a box with a soft blanket for her...The kids are loving it! Even my 16 year old son has already found a soft spot for one special kitty and I often find him sitting in my closet these days...precious!

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to enjoy a couple of days with some friends at the beach! We had so much fun...just talking...walking the beach looking for shells...and of course eating lost of chocolate and doing a bit of shopping in the little beach town. I feel so refreshed!

I even had a chance to snap a few photographs while I was there...I just had to share them! (at the bottom of my Blog!)

A "Berry" good 4th of July!

Had a BLAST on the Fourth of July in our new community! My family enjoyed Fireworks over the water! We had a great spot in the grass on the bank and watched two beautiful displays on either side of us!

Earlier in the day we picked over 20 pounds of strawberries...how fun! I admit I have never picked berries before...I even remembered to bring my camera and got some fun shots of my family in the fields. When we got home... my daughters and I had fun making some Strawberry Jam and shortcakes for Strawberry Shortcake...The downside however, is that I have been eating Strawberry Shortcake almost everyday...even for dinner! YUM! Oh well...Berry Season only happens once a year...

Now I can't wait till the Raspberries are ready!

A Llovely surprise on my Birthday...Llamas!

Okay! I llove Llamas! (notice the spelling....2 l's ...not a typo...just trying to be clever)
I think it is because of their gentle spirit...and their big beautiful eyes and long eyelashes! And that soft nose and lips...I just love them! I have always told my family that someday I would love to live in an area where I could own a couple of llamas...well my husband was very creative this year for my birthday and made plans for the family to visit a wonderful llama farm... JNKllamas.nas.com It was so much fun and I learned alot! Niki and her husband Jeff raise the most incredible animals and train them too! We got to meet them all including some cute babies and even pose for some pictures...way too fun and very memorable! A birthday moment I will never forget! If you Llove Llamas Llike I do...check out their website JNKllamas.nas.com

Another Birthday...arghhh!

Why is it I LOVE to celebrate everyone else's birthday but my own...I really do!...and it's wierd...That's why I'm so glad I get to share my special day with my Bestest friend, Brenda...We were both born on June 22! So we are guaranteed that at least ONE person will remember us on our birthday...(even if our own families kinda forget)....sooooo....We have planned a whole weekend together at the end of this month...In Seattle with the "Women of Faith" conference, maybe a nap, a bit of shopping and of course lots of CHOCOLATE!

I have a feeling this is going to be a very good year! Happy Birthday to all of you celebrating in the summer!

My favorite "new" passion!

Photography is actually not so"new" to me...more of the concept of creating "memories" with my pictures. I've been taking photographs since I was a kid...and everyone seemed to like my pictures better than their own...so I was always the "designated picture taker" at family events and with my friends... Now I seem to be catching memories of engagements, weddings, my flower garden and the wildlife in my backyard. I really try to have fun with my subjects...of course my favorites being my own family.

Over the years I've become more creative and really enjoyed starting to catch my subjects just being themselves...plus they make great gifts and scrapbooks! Candids! I love them and I hope you enjoy them too!