Books of 2016

To have continuity of my reading lists - here is 2016.    I finally found time to read more again!   

JANUARY:
The Hiding Place (273)
Pretty Girls (421)
We Never Asked For Wings (310)
January Total: 1,004 
Book Count:  3

FEBRUARY:
Life As I Blow It (258)
The Young Elites (368)
Big Little Lies (512)
Has Anyone Seen My Pants? (289)
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend (402)
Lost in the Sun (304)
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World (277)
Surprised by Joy (253)
Finding Audrey (306)
The Fault in Our Stars (332)
February Total: 3,301
Book Count: 10

MARCH:
American Housewife: Stories (210)
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (352)
C. S. Lewis - A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet (449)
Food: A Love Story (354)
Legend (318)
Home Front (397)
The Interestings (482)
Where They Found Her (341)
Before I Go To Sleep (515)
A History of the World in 6 Glasses (311)
Recovering Redemption (211)
The Chamber (676)
Everything I Never Told You (298)
March Total: 4,914
Book Count: 13

APRIL:
Hollow City: The 2nd Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children (400)
Orange Is the New Black (322)
The Girl's Still Got It (240)
When Breath Becomes Air (258)
April Total: 1,220
Book Count: 4

MAY:
Future Crimes (610)
The Forgetting Time (368)
Find Her (414)
Prodigy (386)
May Total: 1,778
Book Count: 4

JUNE:
Euphoria (273)
Looking for Lovely (149)
Library of Souls: The 3rd Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children (465)
Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples (338)
Wedding Night (465)
I've Got Your Number (449)
June Total: 2,139
Book Count:6

JULY:
Counting by 7s (386)
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World (335)
Live Fast Die Hot (273)
The Devil Wears Prada (448)
A Million Little Ways (226)
July Total: 1,668
Book Count: 5

AUGUST: 
The Opposite of Everyone (310)
Somebody I Used to Know (434)
August Total:  744
Book Count: 2

SEPTEMBER:
Crazy Love (226)
The Life We Bury (306)
What She Left Behind (337)
Twenties Girl (514)
Tell Me Three Things (336)
September Total:  1,719
Book Count: 5

OCTOBER:
The 100 Year Miracle (320)
Grey's Anatomy TV Series (Season 1-12) 
October Total:  320
Book Count:  1 
Grey's Episodes:  265

NOVEMBER:
Wonder (322)

Page Total: 19,029
Book Total: 55

Best of 2016

Best of 2016

Best Event:  Girls trip to Austin

Best Movie:  Gilmore Girls:  A Year in the Life  (yah yah not a movie, still the best!) 

Best Over-Played Song:  Cheap Thrills was the song that never seemed to stop playing on the radio.

Best Book:  Wonder

Best New-ity of 2016: M starting Kindergarten!!  Two kids in full time school! 

Most Shocking News of 2016:  Election Chaos

Events of 2016 in no particular order:
1. Gymnastics
2.  Ace excelling at reading challenges
3.  Happy Lungs!
4.  Vegas!
5.   Fun with the Sharks!
6.  Winning my Fantasy Football League
7.  Great Wolf Lodge with the fam
8.  Military
9.   12 year anniversary in Seattle with LH
10. Epic Mad Hatter Tea Party for M

10 Years

Very few days do I remember every moment so clearly.    Very few moments that I do are sad ones.   Today 10 years gone by is remembered and it is sad.   The day my dad passed.  Ten years gone already.     It seems so fast, but its not.   So much life has been lived since then.     He has 4 grandchildren he will never meet.    There have been so many milestones and moments I wish he was present for.    I carry him in my heart daily and every moment my son smiles I see my dad in him.  He has his eyes.      I am thankful for the years we had, but I won't lie that I wish we still had 10+ more ahead of us.    


You are missed.  Every. Day.

Best of 2015

Best of 2015

Best Event:  Back to the Future Party

Best Movie: Inside Out (I know I know I will have Star Wars fans out to get me, but truly this cartoon made me cry twice and such great layers to it!) 

Best Over-Played Song: Fight Song

Best Book: The Martian

Best New-ity of 2015:  Gymnastics - Both kids joined in 2015 and after the first session M went on to join a team to learn more skills

Most Shocking News of 2015:  Mom's surgery

MW's Words of the Year:  -ism
Jo's Word of the Year:

Events of 2015 in no particular order:
1. Gymnastics
2. CA Visiting x2!
3. Checking out of Children's
4.  Vegas!
5. Seahawks lose the Superbowl >_<
6.  Disneyland!
7.  First NFL Game!
8.  Epic Limo Birthday Night
9.  Walking my first 10k
10.  Seeing Star Wars on Christmas

Books of 2015

Completed in 2015:
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
Love Walked In
Secret Daughter
Outlander
The Nightengale
The Language of Flowers

The Girl on the Train

Love & Respect
The Social Animal

Unbroken

Me Before You

For The Love
After You
The Martian

I read a lot the first quarter of 2015 and then I watched a gazillion hours of tv.  :)    What I did read in 2015 was great - but my hope is to surpass this book count in 2016.  

Back to the Future Party

I love these movies!   Seriously spend a LOT of time watching them and for years I've known I wanted to host a BTTF Party on THE night that they go back to the future.   October 21, 2015.    Well thanks to the director's great foresight that this would be a 'thing'  - that day was a Wednesday!  Gah!   But we have great friends and that didn't stop us!  Much party and prop prep - including outsourcing the Flux Capacitor to my friend who REALLY should go into set design and prop making we had a 'real' working flux capacitor (well sort of, no time travel was attempted... probably because we were lacking the delorian.)

Yes we were equipped with the Cafe 80s which included the large TV screen of lots of 80s-riffic tv options,  re-hydrated Pizza Hut pizza (yes that center pizza is the original version)  and because well all the movies were so great - we just had a medley of all the fun.    Loving Husband even came as Bufford Tannen from the 1800s.  

We set up a photo booth at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance which ended up being some comical entertainment.    

The Jennifers!

One cannot have a party with some outdoor specific elements to the party!    Such as the clock tower! ... and sleeping Jennifers at the party!  Because well she was asleep for MOST of the movie on some porch somewhere.

Needless to say 2015 may be devoid of functioning hoverboards,  flying cars, and rehydrators for our pizza - but it still is a pretty cool time and well the clothing really isn't too far out there.

Books of 2014

Completed in 2014:
Clutterfree with Kids
Sycamore Row
The Reason I Jump
7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess
How to Be Like Walt
North of Hope
Dad is Fat
Coming Back Stronger
Delancey
Monster
Best Christmas Pageant Ever

I should just realize that even with two book clubs and unending desire to read and soak up knowledge and stories of others - that my time as a wife, SAHM, part-time worker, business owner,  and friend ... and let's be honest excessive tv-watcher that I am just not going to get a lot read.  Oh well.    What I did get completed in 2014 - most of it was great!  

2014 was clearly the year of memoirs and biographies, which was interesting to take a look into people's journeys through life.   I really enjoyed North of Hope and one person's journey through grief.    My favorite book of 2014 (which I began 2013... 2012?) was How to Be Like Walt.   As a Disney fanatic, I loved the opportunity to get a fuller picture of Walt Disney's rise, creative process, and family life.    From the additional research that I read - this particular biography was amid the best.   I'd recommend it.     There were many other books in 2014 that were begun, some of which will be completed in 2015, others that will find their spot on the shelf or already have returned to the library.     

Here's to a new year of exploring literature!

Best of 2014

Well 2014 was certainly not the year of blogging!   I did spend much of 2014 working on my 365 project which while that blog isn't fully updated I did complete the project in its entirety and will ultimately get the blog updated for record keeping sake.   I also will likely backlog a few blogs from 2014 for the same reasons.  Maybe.  2014 resulted in my returning to work (part-time from home) with my church, volunteering a LOT a the same church,  starting my photography business, and spending time with my family and friends.  It was a busy busy year! 

Best of 2014

 

Best Event:  Cruise to the Caribbean 

Best Movie: The Lego Movie

Best Over-Played Song: Timber  (Not that it's my favorite, but I do love it and it is overplayed.)

Best Book:  How to Be Like Walt 

Best New-ity of 2014: Our new deck!

Most Shocking News of 2014:  Carrie and family moving BACK to California.  :(

MW's Words of the Year: Culture
Jo's Word of the Year: busy! (Between work, volunteering, starting a business, being a mom of 2, it was a busy year!)

Events of 2014 in no particular order:
1. 365 Project
2. Starting my photography business
3. Checking into Children's
4. Bri & Eric's Wedding (and Bachelorette weekend!)
5. Seahawks win the Superbowl!
6.  10 Year Anniversary
7. Mae started preschool
8. Epic Limo Birthday Night
9.  Shooting my first wedding
10. 1950s New Year's Eve Party!

Project 365 - July

Project 365 - June

There are a few missing from this collection as I haven't finished editing them to get them in here - but they were taken!   I think this month I actually captured some of my favorite black and whites and perfected the style that I like in post processing them with a little bit of a matte to them.    The one of Ace sleeping with his tiger is one of my favorite. 

Project 365 - May

What a great month!  Travel the world taking photos for over a week!   Yes please!   Loved all the blue waters and the fun that the kids had.  I also got to test out my underwater camera on our cruise so at least a couple of those shots made it into the 365 collection. 

Freedom of the Seas Cruise

In a whirlwind of fun our family set out on a last minute cruise to the Caribbean!   In less than 5 days we booked tickets, rooms, and our adventure began by flying to Florida to board the Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribbean cruise-line.     Our family of four was joined by Uncle Kai and Auntie A.   It was a great time to spend with them.     

Our adventure began out of Fort Lauderdale and we started our cruising on Mother's Day.    Couldn't beat that!  The ship was amazing.  They had a great children's program and how our children's ages fell they were in the same room together so it was perfect!   They both enjoyed the program which gave mom and dad probably the most babysitting we've ever had!     

Day 2 we were at sea and we enjoyed  spending time with the fun the ship had to offer.  We kicked it off with a Character Breakfast and the kids had a good time with that - then enjoyed the pools, an ice skating show, and relaxing.   That night was the first formal night and the kids enjoyed getting dressed up and eating the fancy meal.   Though after that meal we got smarter and we elected to feed the kids around 5:30pm, drop them in the kids area for the evening and the four of us adults enjoyed a later dinner by ourselves at 7pm for the remainder of the cruise. 

Our first stop was Labadee, Haiti.   It was beautiful and as it turned out - our favorite port.  We spent a few hours at a beach with the kids and played with them - and then we took them to childcare beach area that is provided by the cruise ship and the 4 adults went to another beach and enjoyed swimming and relaxing in some shade for another couple of hours before we gathered the kiddos and headed back to the ship.

Day 4  was a stop at Falmouth, Jamaica.  I spent the morning not feeling great so the family headed off the ship and walked around the shopping areas.  After lunch time I was feeling back amid the living and we all got off the ship in search of a beach.  We took an overpriced cab and found a local bit of sand and spent a couple of hours splashing in another beach.  It rained on us a bit and back to the ship.

Next up was the Grand Caymans where we got to enjoy swimming with the dolphins and more beach fun!

 

There was a final stop in Cozumel, Mexico but our family of four decided to stay on the ship and just enjoy the fun that was offered around the ship.     However Uncle Kai and Auntie A did get off the ship and had much fun! 

The other fun feature that we utilized throughout the cruise was the babysitting that was for a large fee - but you got 2 babysitters that would come to your room for about $19 an hour (steep, but worth it!)   So the adults on several nights were able to go out all together and enjoy the various shows, bars, etc., while the kids slept happily in their beds.  We had a good time hanging out - going to the club on the ship and generally enjoying the kid free time.  :)      A and I had met one morning Sergio a bartender who introduced us to Ocean Mimosas and aside from his tasty mixology he was really fun to hang out with - and at least once each night we found time to stop by and hang out!

Overall it was a great great time with family and a lot of fun!   We'd certainly love to do it again! 

Project 365 - April

10 on 10 - April

Better late than never, right?  ;)   I did actively participate via Instagram in 10 on 10 this month.    Did you hear?  I recently joined the already-well-in-progress party that is known as Instagram. 

Project 365 - March

I think the photo of Mae in the B&W is my absolute favorite for March.  

To My Children

 Dear Ace and Mae,

It's been a while yet again since I last wrote a letter to you.   So much has changed in just one year.     The phrase the days are long but the years are short is the mantra that we live by around here.     Your giggles fill the house, as the piles, forts, and imagination spread throughout it as you play and run and chase each other.    You are so loud and yet (most of the time) so happy.   

Spring has arrived and so has the sunshine.  Trips to parks, walks, and playing in the backyard has returned as possibilities without frostbite and being soggy from the rain.   I am so looking forward to more of the fun outdoor adventures that we'll have as the spring turns to summer.  

Mae, since my last letter where you were telling everyone you were three (yet you were two)  you have turned three, and yet now  you tell people you are five (like your brother.)   You are constantly are informing us, with your hands on your hips, that you're a big girl now (and you nod in affirmation in case anyone had doubt that should help cement that as fact.)    Sometimes we will refer to you as Baby Girl - and you are quick to respond with your arms out to either side and sort of looking down your nose "Yah, but I am not a REAL baby.  I'm a big girl."   Yes, that is true.     You love to snuggle, you are constantly requesting more hugs and kisses before bed or before I leave.   

Ace,  you're growing up - you're set out on some personal brave adventures recently - and I'm so glad you're seeking independence, I hope you learn the best way to express that independence though and exercise bravery that doesn't leave me hyperventilating.   You're killing it at school and you're doing so well.  You're reading so well, and I most especially love to hear you read to your sister.   I hope you continue to love and protect your little sister every day.   

Mommy loves you both so much and it's hard to believe that time flies go by so quickly.    You might drive me crazy on the day to day life - but every gray hair and mess it well worth it.    As you continue to grow and stretch your world views please hold onto your budding faith in Jesus and lean on him to know right from wrong.  

All my love,  

Your mom