Hobbies Gone Bad

So, it turns out that both Marshal and I have become monsters when it comes to our hobbies. He just informed me this evening that we are the proud new owners of another money pit! Yay! (Whatever makes him happy makes me happy) And for me, photography has officially become an obsession. It is just getting under my skin that I am not as good as all these wonderful photographers I drool over and I have this drive to get better. Much better! So, I took it upon myself to snag my next door neighbor and her boys in order to get some more practice. I'm in desperate need of more (slower moving) targets than just poor Q. I took a ton of photos this evening with them and actually got quite a few I like. Here are some sneak peeks of my favorites so far.

Yan, thanks to you and your boys for being good sports! Getting all three boys to look in one direction is NOT easy.

I am not Superwoman

As much as I wish I could claim to do it ALL, I am feeling so overwhelmed these days. The summer seems to be filling up fast and I have a list a mile long of "things" to do. I just can't keep up. I suppose a lot on the list are self-imposed. Why do we always put so much pressure on ourselves? Ahhh, I am now taking a deep breath and thinking I may just throw in the towel and get some much needed sleep, but before I do, here's a little bit about Miss Q.

She is so much fun. We love her SO much. She is changing everyday and time is going way too fast. I try to soak up as much chitter-chatter babble as I can. She loves to sing and dance and imitates everything we do. She's a little spit-fire. She's also getting pretty darn independent and is refusing help with things like buckling her booster seat and putting on shoes. She wants to do things by herself. She's happy, giggling a ton and she's stubborn. She's goofy, sweet, crazy!!!, coy, funny, silly, energetic and oh so kissable! She's doing really well at her daycare these days and she talks about her teachers often. She's basically a happy almost-two-year-old and for that, I am a happy momma!

To the Men in My Life on Father's Day

Since it is Father's Day, I have to tell BOTH of the men in my life how much I love them.

Marshal, I am so grateful to share Quincy with you and to have the ability to raise her together. We have many more years to get the hang of this parenting thing, but you impress me everyday that I see you interact with her. The way you are able to talk her off the "tantrum" ledge and diffuse the bomb (a.k.a. Quincy) is so amazing. Thanks for having the strength to play the bad cop when I am the old softie!

Dad, I am so grateful to have had your strength, guidance & friendship. I wouldn't be the person I am today without all the values, love and discipline you've instilled. Thank you for all you do for us.

Sincerely,
Kristina

Another Weekend Come & Gone

This weekend was full of activity beginning with a visit from Grandma Wood that began earlier this week. Quincy had a ball playing hooky from school and staying home with a special visit from her Grandma Wood.




Saturday, we headed over to the West Side to celebrate our friend's daughter's birthday, picking up our niece, Tessi along the way. The party was a ton of fun and reminded me I'd better get planning Q's b-day SOON!


As if that wasn't enough excitement, we headed straight over to my Aunt & Uncle's house for a wonderful prime rib dinner. Yum! We are so spoiled, but we do realize we only get invited places so the family can see Quincy! Thanks so much Aunt Linda & Uncle Bill!

The rest of the photos are just random from the past week...

San Clemente Trip (photo slide show)

New Camcorder

Not much to see, but we're pretty excited. Quincy's first digital home video. A star is born. Please, make note of the footwear.
-Daddy

Life was a Beach (but we're back now)

Quincy & I headed out of town for a beach vacation with Grammy & Grandpa while Marshal held down the fort at home (aka: had to go to work). We left Sunday and returned Friday. It was so much fun! We camped out in San Clemente, just feet away from the beach. Our week was so full and included the beach of course, Legoland, more beach, yummy food, more beach, more yummy food, shopping, more yummy food, a walk on the pier, more food, Sea Life Aquarium, more beach... and more food! It was a heavenly week. The only thing that could have made it better would have been to have daddy there with us :( The usual suspects were there so Quincy had SEVEN other girls to play with. She was loving life! As usual, I took about a million photos. Marshal just bought me a new lens before the trip and I was eager to test it out. Unfortunately, I haven't quite got the hang of it yet and was disappointed to come home and find out I had issues getting photos in focus. Never-the-less, I still got some great pics to remember the trip by. Below are a ton, but I have EVEN MORE that I am working on putting into a slide show. These are just some of my favorites... Thanks to everyone for such a fun time. Now, back to the real world! Ho hum.


If the big girls can do it, so can she...


View from our camp site. We were lucky enough to see the ocean and watch the sunset every night. Beautiful!











Quincy LOVED playing with Preslie, but I'm not sure the feeling was mutual. Quincy, can you say "stalker"? :)


Grammy & Grandpa... Thank you for the wonderful memories!


Finally, some "little people" interested in playing ring-around-the-rosie with Q.

I just loved this moment. What Grandpas will do for their girls :)


Just killin' time at Legoland.


Wish this had been in focus! I love the expressions and the way they were looking at each other.

Young at heart!



Even with her puffy hat, she was turned down for rides for being too shrimpy :( She was heart broken :(




ALL the images...
http://s399.photobucket.com/albums/pp75/Qmommy_photos/San%20Clemente-June%202009/?albumview=slideshow&direction=reverse