Day 20

It was a beautiful January day...sunny and 60 degrees.  

It was not nearly warm enough for me, but I'll take it for winter.

Since it is so nice, JC is grilling, and he built a toasty fire as well.

ISO 1250  f/3.5  SS 1/200

Day 19

She's almost finished...

not exactly what I had envisioned, but when you start with a $20 Habitat chandelier and free oyster shells, you just have to go with the flow!

ISO 1250  f/6.3  SS 1/800

Day 18

Well...the weatherlady said we may get between 2 and 4 inches of snow last night.  She said it would be a quick switch over from the 4 day torrential downpours we got from the Gulf.

We did in fact get some snow, and it was a little weird seeing it in the in-between stages of rain to snow.  This is what we woke up to...not the winter wonderland some of you have seen, but it was enough to get my two younger ones out this morning to play.  Yes, school was cancelled last night when the snow started.  Keep in mind, this is the first missed day of school due to snow in two years here. It was a big deal!!! :)  

Florabella Sunflare and Haze added...can't take credit for all of the sun, although you can see the sun in the upper left corner of the original as well. I just "enhanced" it a little! ;)

35mm ISO 1250  f/3.5  SS 1/640

Day 17

Jackson got a new book...

It's about World War II.

He likes it a lot!

ISO 3200   f/1.8  SS 1/40

ISO 3200  f/1.8  SS 1/80

ISO 3200  f/1.8   SS 1/40

ISO 3200  f/1.8  SS 1/40

Day 16

Selecting oyster shells for my DIY chandelier!  Let's hope it turns out nicely!

Day 15

So sick of cold rain and dark gray skies!

ISO 400  f/3.2  SS 1/100

Day 14

Why can't I narrow it down to just one?

Today I was headed outside to photograph this awful, dreary, rainy Monday when Jackson said, "hey mom, take a picture of my new hat!".

Well, if one of my children actually asks to have their photo taken, I jump!

This hat is the one souvenir Jackson bought this weekend in Florida!

I like this series!  I love all of the color it brings to this dreary day!

ISO 200  f/1.8  SS 1/100

ISO 200  f/1.8  SS 1/100

ISO 200  f/1.8  SS 1/100

Day 13

The Blue Crab

ISO 400  f/4.5  SS 1/320

Day 12

Today we did a half day Everglades bus tour and airboat ride. It was very educational and FUN! The weather has been incredible here! Sunny and 82 degrees today!

We saw many many alligators and tropical birds as well as raccoons.

The captain of our airboat let each of the kids sit in the captains chair, and at the end of the airboat tour, they each got to hold a 3' long alligator.

It was a great way to celebrate Jackson's birthday! I think he will always remember this wonderful experience!

Day 11

This morning at 5:45 am, we woke Jackson with a big surprise! All 3 kids thought they had school this morning when they went to bed last night. Instead we hopped on a plane to Ft Myers, FL! We are doing an Everglades Extravaganza tomorrow for Jackson's 10th birthday!

Today we spent time by the pool at our condo, and tomorrow the adventure begins!