tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116465933120040242024-02-19T00:00:10.486-06:00Aging with Grace and strong WillGailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.comBlogger837125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-36912064199045784632014-02-26T11:39:00.000-06:002014-02-26T11:39:24.040-06:00837 - my last post<div style="text-align: center;">
"The journey is the reward."
~ Chinese Proverb
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This is my 837th blog post, and the last one.</div>
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It was August 2007 that I wrote my first post on 'Aging with Grace and strong Will.'</div>
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I certainly found my voice</div>
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about adoption, attachment, my children, and then visually through photography.</div>
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I've met some incredible friends through this blog, many of them lifelong ones and Will's entire adoption trip in 2008 was documented here too. So this blog is precious to me </div>
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and I will be getting it printed into book form.</div>
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Blogging has changed a lot since those former days and I will still be posting</div>
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but now it'll be here at my brand new blog, <a href="http://amothersartphotography.org/" target="_blank">A Mother's Art Photography</a>.</div>
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Photography is a lifelong journey for me</div>
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and I will continue to write about our life, my children and some of my favorite photography sessions. I will also write about what inspires me to capture some of photos that I do</div>
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and even how I shoot them.</div>
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I hope you'll follow me on this journey.</div>
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And just because I <em>had</em> to post some sort of photo, the above is some of our February,</div>
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Instagram style.</div>
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1. Mr. Will drawing Wolverine (his current fave Super Hero). 2. Colorful Ranunculus flowers. 3. A serious Will waiting at the doctor's office for a pre-op physical. 4. Cool brick wall and arched windows in an antique store that I was browsing. 5. Grace and her friend Izzy dressed in costumes at their 5th grade musical. 6. Grace up on stage, she was a Thai Lantern Girl in the production. 7. Photos for Will's Star of the Week timeline, he helped me chose photos for it. 8. Will right before he left for the OR for an oral surgery he had last week. 9. A pensive Will looking out the window.</div>
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Will is fully recovered and did great.</div>
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He has a palate surgery coming up in the next 1-2 years.</div>
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I am on Instagram,<a href="http://instagram.com/gailbannenclutter#" target="_blank"> here</a> if you'd like to follow me and see what we're up to.<br />
Thank you for the last 6 plus years.<br />
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xoxo<br />
Gail</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-70360654981714500012014-02-20T14:32:00.003-06:002014-02-20T14:54:34.466-06:00A Little Reprieve from our Cabin Fever (7/52 - 52 Project)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On one of our very rare above zero days we decided to</div>
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venture out to frozen Lake Mendota.</div>
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The sun was shining and Grace and William quickly </div>
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grabbed icicles and had a little pretend swordfight.</div>
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I got to thinking that writing their names or drawing in the snow is</div>
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similar to what they do at the beach in the sand.</div>
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Only instead of wearing snow gear they have their</div>
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swimsuits on.</div>
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If you didn't know the lake was completely frozen over</div>
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you might think it was a gigantic field of snow.</div>
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Until you see the fishing shacks, piers pulled out of the water</div>
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and boats in dry dock. </div>
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It was fun to take a walk out on that big lake</div>
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and get out of the house for an hour.</div>
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Winters in the northern Midwest are cold and long but March is just around the corner.</div>
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And we are thankful for that.</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-10800331891252428202014-02-10T14:46:00.001-06:002014-02-10T17:08:03.862-06:00Winter Sunset (Sunday Snapshot & 6/52 - Project 52)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I feel like we've been hibernating lately.</div>
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We stay indoors almost all the time.</div>
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It's just way too cold to go outside</div>
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and definitely too cold to be outside taking photos.</div>
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Taken a few evenings ago of Grace in the amazing light as the sun was setting</div>
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behind the trees</div>
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showing these purple and golden hues. </div>
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We stayed outside for exactly 5 minutes.</div>
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I do notice the daylight is lasting longer.</div>
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Hey, Spring arrives in 38 days!</div>
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135mm lens - 3.2</div>
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1/500</div>
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ISO 800</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-70595075461878973572014-01-30T20:08:00.000-06:002014-01-30T20:15:22.363-06:00Gung Hay Fat Choy! 5/52 - Project 52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wishing you health, prosperity, and happiness </div>
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in this Year of the Horse!</div>
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We're very lucky in that we get to spend the upcoming weekend</div>
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with our beloved China travel group at a hotel,</div>
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swimming, eating and celebrating.</div>
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Grace was born in the Year of the Horse as were all the other children adopted</div>
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in her travel group.</div>
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We have known these wonderful families now</div>
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for over 10 years.</div>
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Hope you are doing something fun to bring in the new year!</div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-45648430749375552472014-01-25T21:26:00.003-06:002014-01-25T21:47:05.495-06:00An Assortment of Photos (Sunday Snapshot & 4/52 Project)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So as I had these grandiose plans of taking my two youngest outside this</div>
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week for some photos in the snow.</div>
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That obviously didn't happen. </div>
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Old man Winter has decided to hit us again with another "polar vortex"</div>
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otherwise known as being "too damn cold outdoors for any living creature."</div>
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So we stay inside, that's our only choice.</div>
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I decided to take my mind to a better place</div>
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and photograph still life.</div>
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And get real comfortable shooting indoors for a while.</div>
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This week I decided to get my Etsy shop </div>
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up and running.</div>
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It's something I've been asked about and I figured</div>
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it was about time.</div>
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My shop is called <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/amothersartphoto" target="_blank">amothersartphoto</a></div>
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and I have about 24 fine art photography prints</div>
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that are available. </div>
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It's an eclectic assortment, some of them</div>
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vintage inspired, some travel and some of China.</div>
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There will be more prints added in the weeks and months to come.</div>
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I would be flattered if you'd stop by and 'favorite' (click on the little heart)</div>
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of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/amothersartphoto" target="_blank">my shop</a>.</div>
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Thank you!</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-40696588276942076992014-01-19T08:46:00.000-06:002014-01-19T08:47:10.320-06:00Color (Sunday Snapshot & 3/52 Project)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Blessed are the happiness makers.</div>
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Blessed are they who know how to shine.</div>
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~ Henry Ward Beecher</div>
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Just a little color.</div>
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Well, because it's Winter and I live in Wisconsin </div>
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and though the snow is beautiful </div>
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we all need to see some color every day.</div>
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These fresh little flowers are called Acacia.</div>
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I love blue and yellow together, maybe it's my</div>
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Swedish heritage? </div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-662590889759279772014-01-17T16:44:00.000-06:002014-01-17T16:44:56.205-06:00i heart faces - Best Face of 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Of the many photos that I take every year of my children,</div>
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it was difficult to choose just one for the I Heart Faces Best Face of 2013.</div>
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I kept going back to this one of my daughter Grace.</div>
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My joyful girl.</div>
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Please stop by I Heart Faces and take a look.</div>
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<a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img alt="Photo Challenge Submission" src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/I-Heart-Faces-button.jpg" title="I Heart Faces Photo Challenge Submission" /></a> </div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-28600669704340922522014-01-12T17:51:00.001-06:002014-01-12T17:51:39.624-06:00Light and Dark (Sunday Snapshot & 2/52 Project)<div style="text-align: center;">
Penny for her thoughts.</div>
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As light is a precious commodity here in Winter</div>
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as it doesn't last long and we can have some grey, overcast skies.</div>
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When I see the opportunity to use a little window light, I use it.</div>
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Taken last Wed. before we left for ballet.</div>
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I love the way the light falls off her face</div>
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and the dark gently wraps around her as if to give her a hug.</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-13532301104274365072014-01-05T14:33:00.001-06:002014-01-05T14:58:40.835-06:00Making the Best of It (Sunday Snapshot)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the Upper Midwest is just about to turn into the North Pole temperature wise.</div>
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We are staying inside our warm and toasty home.</div>
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School is cancelled tomorrow and probably will be Tuesday.</div>
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When Dan and I were young and couldn't go outside because it was too cold,</div>
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we played board games, cards, read books, did crafts, and teased our siblings.</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(And who said swinging was just for Summer?)</span> </div>
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Tomorrow we plan on baking cookies, maybe do some crafts with Grace,</div>
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and I'm sure there will be some playing on ipods and the Wii.</div>
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</div>
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These (obviously) were taken when it wasn't 50 degrees below zero</div>
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like it will be tomorrow.</div>
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Please stay safe everyone!</div>
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<img alt="Ni Hao Yall" src="http://i.imgur.com/IwkCy.jpg?1" /></center>
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Bitter cold and a</div>
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new dusting of snow...still, I</div>
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remember summer</div>
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~ Charles de Lint</div>
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It started snowing here in early December.</div>
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Wisconsin folks are probably experts about snow and frost (if there's such a thing),</div>
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and I'm amazed at the different kinds.</div>
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And because I'm a detail person I suppose that's why I notice these things.</div>
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This recent one arrived and is called</div>
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a 'hoar frost.'</div>
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These incredibly beautiful fern-like ice crystals form on the snow,</div>
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tree branches, wires or any frozen solid surface.</div>
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</div>
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The best part of capturing the frost was the walk I took.</div>
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Peacefully quiet and calm.</div>
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</div>
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I decided to commit to a project 52 this year and</div>
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possibly take one photo a day in February, but will see</div>
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about that.</div>
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</div>
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35mm 1.4 lens</div>
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f 2.8</div>
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ISO 400</div>
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1/8000</div>
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Oh, almost forgot to say Happy New Year</div>
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and I hope that 2014 is a good one.</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-29353721910459741122013-12-30T11:57:00.004-06:002013-12-30T12:23:29.643-06:00Merry Merry! (Sunday Snapshot)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well it definitely was a Merry one.</div>
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All those days of preparation, shopping, wrapping, baking and cooking...</div>
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then it's over awfully fast.</div>
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And all that getting ready is worth every single second,</div>
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to see their faces.</div>
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We had a quiet, low key Christmas with my own family,</div>
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(Dan, me, Nick, his girlfriend Lindsay, Grace and William).</div>
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I put my camera down after I took these and didn't pick it up again,</div>
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which is good for me to do now and then.</div>
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Over the weekend we spent Saturday at my parents house with my 3 siblings</div>
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and their families.</div>
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A very, very fun evening and as always I laugh till I cry</div>
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when I'm with my two brothers and sister Betsy.</div>
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I hope everyone's Christmas was lovely!</div>
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<a href="http://nihaoyall.com/" target="self"><img alt="Ni Hao Yall" src="http://i.imgur.com/IwkCy.jpg?1" /></a></center>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-27780218513877728182013-12-25T04:00:00.000-06:002013-12-25T04:00:00.028-06:00Birthday Boy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/11502755434_58546d2022_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/11502755434_58546d2022_o.jpg" /></a></div>
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There are very few birthday photos of Will without</div>
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him near our Christmas tree.</div>
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Will is our Christmas baby.</div>
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Recently I asked Will a few questions and thought I'd share them ~</div>
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What do you like about the fact that your birthday is on Christmas Day?</div>
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(Will) I love that it's Jesus' birthday and it's when the baby King was born.<br />
I also</div>
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really like to get presents.</div>
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What are your favorite subjects in school?(he loves school)</div>
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(Will) Math and Science. Mostly I like them because I love to learn new things and</div>
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how to figure out how things work.</div>
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Who's your current favorite Superhero or Crime Fighter?</div>
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(Will) It's a tie between Batman and Wolverine.</div>
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What do you want to be when you grow up?</div>
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(Will) A Scientist, rock star, athlete, and Doctor</div>
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We have no doubt that William will accomplish all those things and more!</div>
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This mom hopes for the doctor, I dream of him helping children someday.</div>
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Happy Birthday sweet boy, we love you to the moon and back!</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-50699360640779615022013-12-23T04:00:00.000-06:002013-12-23T14:08:13.083-06:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Christmas my child, is love in action."</div>
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~ Dale Evans</div>
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May the spirit of Christmas bring you
peace,<br />
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,</div>
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The warmth of Christmas grant you love.</div>
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<br /></div>
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~ Author Unknown</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Behind all the commercial-ism of the
season</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">is the simple story about a family trying to get through
difficult times.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And a baby born in a manger.</span><br /></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."</span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~
Luke 2:10-11</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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May you find the blessings of Christmas -
peace, love and hope...today and always. </div>
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</div>
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with love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dan, Gail, Nick, Grace and William</div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-64483189505663349202013-12-22T09:06:00.001-06:002013-12-22T18:45:44.570-06:00The Nutcracker (Sunday Snapshot)<div style="text-align: center;">
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It's one of those traditions that started over 25 years ago, before I had children.</div>
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I've had this love for the Nutcracker for many years and would attend productions pretty much
everywhere we lived.
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<br />
This is the 6th year that Grace and I have attended our local Nutcracker <br />
put on by the Madison Ballet. <br />
We've gotten where we both can anticipate each and every<br />
dance and are never disappointed.<br />
I'm hoping it's a tradition we can continue and maybe<br />
next year bring Will (if he's up for it).<br />
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Taken shortly before we left yesterday. <br />
Grace was playing with two of her Nutcracker ornaments from </div>
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the little tree in her room.<br />
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Merry Christmas!<br />
We are getting a white one with a big snowstorm that's <br />
hitting Wisconsin just as I write this.<br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-22407373300738971672013-12-15T17:49:00.004-06:002013-12-15T17:51:31.709-06:00Getting into the Christmas Spirit (Sunday Snapshot)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/11392868853/" title="Spirit WM-2 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Spirit WM-2" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/11392868853_bc95381ecb_o.jpg" height="607" width="850" /></a>
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“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” <br />
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<i>~ Dr. Suess, How the Grinch Stole Christmas</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/11392724076/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Xmas Spirit by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Xmas Spirit" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/11392724076_d05d55d1c2_o.jpg" height="949" width="900" /></a></div>
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I've often wondered, what is the Christmas spirit?<br />
What does that mean?<br />
It seems like people are happier, kinder<br />
and more giving.<br />
It's a shame that it goes away after Christmas is over.<br />
Maybe we can all try to keep Christmas in our hearts<br />
all year round.</div>
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These were all taken this week...</div>
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the bits and pieces that I saw of Christmas around me.</div>
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Vintage tree decorations that come from my mother in law's family,</div>
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Will's school Christmas program, Grace performing at a benefit for a local</div>
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charity that helps families, and the lights at a nearby tree lot.</div>
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I see Christmas in all the details.</div>
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I leave shortly to photograph the live Nativity at our church tonight.</div>
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I hope you see Christmas around you.</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-29661636096304673912013-12-07T22:03:00.001-06:002013-12-08T07:17:04.081-06:00Keeping Christmas in my Heart(Sunday Snapshot)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/11262261114/" title="Christmas Red Coat-7 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Red Coat-7" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/11262261114_e4f8c04efd_o.jpg" height="643" width="900" /></a></div>
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I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.</div>
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~ Charles Dickens
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgHPmFhpOW7wuWFJUQfUdEzmFkmPbeN5_g9mpzXDldO8Kym1pCP31RG6ysGOw1ohDXujn1RXw2HijPraypdz-7uvBCs6zjnkoKjqCxUdvNFIQPgtLaxTe6dUok4U-m4wB3cu2syuo7VnwXULOP-1iXGcfirOOVyweV8Xi-koku8=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red Christmas Coat Storyboard" border="0" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/11262302813_7b01e415bf_o.jpg" height="1194" width="900" /></a></div>
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As much as I enjoy seeing the Christmas decorations and giving gifts to people I love.</div>
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It is easy to feel a lot of pressure to get the decorating & shopping done, the cards sent, the presents wrapped and all of the other activities going on this time of year. </div>
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Unfortunately, it is way too easy to forget about the reason for the season. </div>
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Getting out into the quiet of the snow with Grace was a great way to get back to what is really important: love, family, simple beauty and God. </div>
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The blessings of the season are with us everyday. </div>
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We should try to enjoy them as much as we can. <br />
Time passes so quickly and these days will be fond memories before we know it. </div>
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<br />
<br />
<strong>A Christmas Carol</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
The shepards had an angel,<br />
The wise men had a star;<br />
But what have I, a little child,<br />
To guide me home from far,<br />
Where glad stars sing together,<br />
And singing angels are?<br />
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~ Christina Rossetti<br />
written in 1856<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/11174454433/" title="Tree Farm - WM by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Tree Farm - WM" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/11174454433_4151feedde_o.jpg" height="850" width="567" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">At Christmas, all roads lead home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~Marjorie Holmes</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEguf3kxBmVkLBqMXCwH8DN98brWB17lgXVVJNrxNIVRzsCOudI4DXQXKupIE8QHmu5BYFDRBSPboQ0yOcOrG7snXmqudl4vs97J-uQgx4hwnING1_MI07pYbOAchzS6XIOIzfd2ob7NLWMAvCHmSFPxPZqAzDzt1bgi9BITWZ7r=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tree Farm Storyboard Dec 2013" border="0" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2811/11174453963_0d330e462a_o.jpg" height="931" width="800" /></a></div>
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Growing up my family had the tradition of cutting<br />
down our Christmas tree and as the years have gone by<br />
and I now have my own family, we've continued it.<br />
We moved to Wisconsin 8 years ago when Grace <br />
was a little one of 3. That year Dan carried her<br />
through the tree farm and it was bitter cold!<br />
We still go to the same farm to find our tree and now <br />
my two youngest definitely help and voice their own opinion<br />
on which is the perfect tree.<br />
This year the tree we chose is the tallest we've ever had.<br />
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I think I love this entire experience so much because<br />
we get to drink yummy hot apple cider and <br />
the fragrance of the fresh trees outdoors always<br />
speaks of Christmas to me.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Taken yesterday afternoon, the hazy light was gorgeous)</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/11174322664/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Tree Farm - WM-3 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Tree Farm - WM-3" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/11174322664_c12cf18d46_o.jpg" height="567" width="850" /></a></div>
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<img alt="Will Nov-13-8" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/11014734693_806321a152_o.jpg" height="567" width="850" /><br />
<br />
As I write this November is 2/3 over and Thanksgiving<br />
is nearly here.<br />
I realize that I almost got through this month without doing another blog post<br />
but decided to get this one in.<br />
It's been a busy month for me for various reasons, but not too busy to reflect a little bit about<br />
what I'm thankful for...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/11014734273/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Will Nov 2013 Storyboard by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Will Nov 2013 Storyboard" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/11014734273_16f8f82d01_o.jpg" height="804" width="800" /></a></div>
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I'm thankful that Will is a happy person and that he surprises me almost everyday. <br />
The things he knows and asks about, the things he thinks about and does - always make me smile<br />
and wonder how we got him. <br />
I'm thankful that Will is smart and kind - it will make his road a little easier. I'm thankful that he has a strong belief in God - it will give him strength through hard times. I'm thankful that Will loves his family - it makes our Wisconsin winters a bit warmer.<br />
And finally I'm thankful that I get to be his mom.<br />
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<img alt="Will Nov-13-9" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/11014688754_4e5a721c6b_o.jpg" height="567" width="850" /></div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-53271707685795567972013-11-02T11:14:00.001-05:002013-11-02T11:14:04.636-05:00No Tricks, all Treats (Sunday Snapshot)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/10627336575/" title="Halloween_ by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Halloween_" height="750" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/10627336575_042ccb7f3e_o.jpg" width="750" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">October, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">and carve my smile into a thousand
pumpkins.... Merry October! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~Rainbow Rowell</span><!--tpvgb--><br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/10627292846/" title="Halloween Collage 2013 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Halloween Collage 2013" height="615" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/10627292846_88405b9d5e_o.jpg" width="873" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">~Mason Cooley</span></div>
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They start talking about Halloween starting in early September,</div>
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and Will usually has thought of what he'd like to dress up a good 6 months</div>
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before Halloween. His costumes get a lot of wear as he wears them at home frequently.</div>
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This year he went as Ironman and Grace is a 'Weeping Angel.'</div>
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I took very few photos of our Halloween evening because it was a rainy one but it didn't stop my trick or treaters by any means.</div>
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Probably my favorite image was the candid one below as they checked out their loot in between houses.</div>
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It may have rained but they still had a great time!</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-20009919447787797992013-10-12T09:16:00.002-05:002013-10-12T09:27:54.159-05:00October snapshots (iphone style)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/10225740044/" title="photo by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="photo" height="800" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/10225740044_3f8a66a939_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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October is almost halfway over. </div>
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We're in a good routine and my kiddos have been great about getting up early to get</div>
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ready for school</div>
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and completing their homework in the afternoons.</div>
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Dare I say this...we are about 10 weeks away from Christmas.
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1. Top left. 'Bruce Wayne' in black and white. 2. Grace making</div>
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lemon sugar cookies for her classroom (she has become quite the baker).</div>
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3. Ballet has started again for Grace. I have finally mastered the ballet bun</div>
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for her hair. 4. Gourds and mini pumpkins. 5. Grace with a sequined kitty cat mask.</div>
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6. We made a quick trip to Chicago for a girls China friends get together.</div>
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7. 'Frenemies' Jack kitty and Zoe dog, they rarely get this close together. Usually Zoe is</div>
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chasing the cat. 8. The leaves are starting to fall here. 9. Sweet little farm stand selling pumpkins.</div>
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I wish Fall lasted longer than it does, but for now we are savoring every</div>
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moment of it.</div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-37424423240088347992013-10-06T05:00:00.000-05:002013-10-06T05:00:08.341-05:00Welcome Autumn (Sunday Snapshot)<div style="text-align: center;">
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If you stand still outside you can hear it...<br />
Winter's footsteps, the sound of falling leaves. </div>
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~ unknown</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/10071361294/" title="Grace-October-6 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Grace-October-6" height="567" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/10071361294_69da0f0c7b_o.jpg" width="850" /></a></div>
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October gave a party;
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The leaves by hundreds came, </div>
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The Ashes, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
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The sunshine spread a carpet,<br />
And every thing was grand;<br />
Miss Weather led the dancing;
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Professor Wind, the band....
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The sight was like a rainbow<br />
New-fallen from the sky....
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~ George Cooper, "October's Party"
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/10071354525/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Grace October Storyboard 2013 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Grace October Storyboard 2013" height="1584" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/10071354525_1c6ebf0e41_o.jpg" width="950" /></a></div>
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Autumn is here in Wisconsin.<br />
This week our yellow leaves popped,<br />
next will be the oranges and reds.<br />
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It's my favorite season for many reasons but<br />
as a photographer I notice the light is low in the sky, golden<br />
and delicious in color.<br />
This week I took Grace out to a new location and loved the light in the trees.<br />
I can't get enough of seeing these Fall colors<br />
and spending as much time as we can as a family<br />
outdoors.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/10071373295/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Grace-October-12 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Grace-October-12" height="567" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/10071373295_3e8805b812_o.jpg" width="850" /></a></div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-79207739050456291642013-10-02T17:33:00.000-05:002013-10-02T17:52:16.265-05:00Little Boys and Football<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/10060465833/" title="Football Will Collage by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Football Will Collage" height="950" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/10060465833_d46786284e_o.jpg" width="950" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><u>A Mom's Observations About Flag Football</u></span></div>
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(Now Will is the first of my 3 children to try flag football,</div>
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so it's new too me. These are some things I noticed)</div>
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~ There's quite a bit of energy out on that field of little boys</div>
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and it's not necessarily going in the right direction</div>
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~ Pulling a flag seems to be harder than tackling</div>
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~ There is some little boy that cries on every play(after all they're only 7)</div>
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~ The favorite play is "RUN!"</div>
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Will might be small but he's quite fast.</div>
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And it's really been a joy to watch him play.</div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-48805668296906676912013-09-29T04:00:00.000-05:002013-09-29T04:00:00.497-05:00It's all about Apples (Sunday Snapshot)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9952675143/" title="Apple Picking-11 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Apple Picking-11" height="567" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/9952675143_e85fb7da86_o.jpg" width="850" /></a></div>
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When the bold branches<br />
Bid farewell to rainbow leaves<br />
Welcome wool sweaters.</div>
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~ B. Cybrill
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9952675573/" title="Apple Picking-2-2 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Apple Picking-2-2" height="567" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/9952675573_bcbe97f634_o.jpg" width="850" /></a></div>
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Fall has finally arrived in our neck of the woods.
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Why do I love Fall so much?<br />
Maybe because for us Midwesterners it's 'just right'
as in not too cold, <br />
not too hot and humid, and not too rainy.</div>
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Cool nights and bright blue skies have arrived.
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So to celebrate Fall's arrival we made a little trip to a local farm that offers apple picking.<br />
This is a new place for us this year. <br />
The one we used to frequent had gotten crazy busy and </div>
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we were pleasantly surprised by <a href="http://www.theappleberryfarm.com/">the Appleberry Farm</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9952568824/" title="Apple Picking Storyboard 2013 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Apple Picking Storyboard 2013" height="1576" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/9952568824_438aa19d13_o.jpg" width="950" /></a></div>
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Now, what do I do with all these apples?<br />
No worries, our two apple picking helpers have plenty of yummy ideas!</div>
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I need to get busy. :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9952573286/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Apple Picking-3-2 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Apple Picking-3-2" height="567" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/9952573286_fb70683d98_o.jpg" width="850" /></a></div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-11041432987697360712013-09-17T08:11:00.003-05:002013-09-17T08:11:50.621-05:00Celebrating Her Special day(Sunday Snapshot)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9780780896/" title="Bday Party-16 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Bday Party-16" height="533" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/9780780896_38889df465_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Grace turned 11 in early August.<br />
That month for us was a crazy busy
one with our vacation,<br />
a trip into Chicago, me making a brief trip to Florida to see a friend<br />
and getting ready for school so</div>
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we elected to have her party last weekend.<br />
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We had it at a 'Kid Spa' in Madison<br />
where the girls were pampered with manicures,<br />
a glittery faux tattoo, and their choice of a little bit of<br />
makeup to wear.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9780772154/" title="Bday Party Collage by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Bday Party Collage" height="1659" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5333/9780772154_3fb4380580_o.jpg" width="1000" /></a></div>
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Oh and their choice of flavor of ice cream.</div>
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You can tell by the big smiles all around that they all had a GREAT time!</div>
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I love every single one of Grace's sweet friends</div>
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and we cherish their friendships.</div>
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At an age where Grace still loves to play with her American Girl dolls<br />
but would like to start wearing a little makeup,<br />
she is definitely a tween.<br />
And I'm taking in every moment of this time in her life.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9780591102/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Bday Party by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="Bday Party" height="533" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/9780591102_416ef0c12f_o.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111646593312004024.post-11170270784092788212013-09-13T14:35:00.000-05:002013-09-13T14:35:29.006-05:00School Days<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9734394724/" title="School Days_ by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="School Days_" height="534" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/9734394724_59c0e43689_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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School started last week here in Wisconsin.</div>
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Mr. Will is now in 2nd grade and Grace is at a new school (Intermediate) for 5th grade.</div>
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Will was happy to be back and loves his teacher.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9731167025/" title="School Days Storyboard by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="School Days Storyboard" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/9731167025_42cbf21376_c.jpg" width="724" /></a><br />
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After two weeks, we've settled into the routine of homework and after school activities<br />
pretty well.<br />
And Grace has her first 'official' locker ever,<br />
which she's decorated quite nicely.<br />
She's done great with this transition to a different school, all new teachers<br />
and principal. <br />
We couldn't be more proud of her!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gailby/9731166841/" title="School Days_-2 by a mothers art photography (Gail), on Flickr"><img alt="School Days_-2" height="533" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/9731166841_4ec15d1920_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Walking home after getting off the bus, the first day of school).</span></div>
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I'm way behind on blogging but hope to get caught up next week.</div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05873027475268868308noreply@blogger.com6