The other side of the camera - Relaxing

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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These are definitely not the most flattering photos of myself but it was such a nice time with my boys that I wanted to get it on film and remember it forever. We had gone out in the morning and gotten home much earlier in the day than usual. With some time to waste we decided to ask Scott to pull out the hammock and enjoy the beautiful weather.

This is when Marley tried to get in the hammock with us!

The other side of the camera - Park play

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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Wow! It has been 3 months since I last posted a pic of the boys and I here. It's been so long that I wasn't even sure if the weekly meme was still happening...but luckily it is, though it goes by a different name now.
These pics were taken over the weekend at a park. We stopped to let the boys run off some energy before heading to a restaurant in Little Ethiopia for lunch.

The other side of the camera - School morning

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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School, glorious school! It seems wrong to say, but everything is better when school is in session. We are like a well-oiled machine...good eating, good schedules, good time apart, good time together. The kids are happy and I'm happy (which means that Scott is happy).

Here are the boys and I in front of their school on two of my workdays.

(Logan needs a little help in the "say cheese" department, huh?)

One of the best parts about schooldays actually takes places afterschool. Several moms and their kids stay on the playground for more than an hour. We are able to watch our kids easily in a very familiar environment while having some much needed adult conversation (even if 99% of it is about our kids).

The other side of the camera - Aquarium morning

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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We spent the long last weekend of summer at my parents' house in Monterey. The whole family loves visiting there not only because of getting to spend time with my parents but also because there is so much family-friendly fun stuff to do.

On this trip, we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We've been there lots of times throughout the years so the boys have their favorite exhibits but we also love to see the new rotating exhibits like the great white shark and the seahorses.

Of course I took pictures of all the interesting creatures to see.

Here is the seahorse family. That's me, Mama Seahorse, two juvenile seahorses and Papa Seashorse. How do I know that is the papa? Because he is currently giving birth . (Male seahorses get pregnant and birth the babies.) Of course, Jack just wanted to know why the baby was coming out of the statue's butt.

Okay, so here is a real seahorse. Yes, that leafy seaweedy looking thing is a seahorse. A Sea Dragon to be exact. (His head is on the lower left side.)

The otters were very active...so much so that I couldn't get a picture of them. The penquins, on the other hand, were perfectly happy to pose for me.

Logan and the great white shark:

My measly photos don't do the Monterey Bay Aquarium justice. If you are in the area you should definately go.

The other side of the camera - Painted lady (and boys)

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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This was an idea I was going to include in my Tuesday Tips for Summer Survival, but well, you know...I bailed halfway through the summer.

On a very, very warm day, the boys stripped down and make quick use of some body paint. I even got in the act.

The other side of the camera - Lazy day

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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It is extremely rare for the boys and I to stay home all day. For whatever reason, they are usually much better behaved out in public than in the house. So every morning, I come up with something for us to do out of the house.

But today, I woke with a migraine and really needed a lazy morning. And luckily, the boys played really well together and separately all morning long at home...though they probably watched a bit to much TV. Okay, well, a lot too much TV.

This picture was taken at about 1PM. The boys are both still in their pjs and I've got wet hair and no makeup because I'd just gotten out of the shower. Definately a much needed lazy day...

The other side of the camera - Sleepy time

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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This week we went to one of our favorite summertime parks. Not only is there a large grass area and sandy playground but in the summer there is a large water play area. We met up there for our weekly playdate with Jack and Logan's school friends.

After all that hard play, the boys decided to rest with me for awhile. Before I realized what was happening they were both sound asleep on my legs.

The other side of the camera - Park play

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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These two pics are self-portraits (hence, the extreme close-up) at one of our favorite parks.

Mama and Logan


Mama and Jack

The other side of the camera - Beach day!

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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So the weather wasn't great but we had a fun day. First we started at the beach...

Jack showing off his seashell find.

Getting some seriously squishy love from Mama.

Then we headed to a local seafood hole-in-the-wall.

I, skillfully, wipe the ever-present drool from Logan's chin for our photo op.

Checking out the scenery.

Be sure to see my earlier post below too...

The other side of the camera - Camping!

I'm participating in what I think is a really smart weekly challenge hosted by Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans. It seems like mamas spend an awful lot of time behind the camera. The idea of this challenge is for mamas to get on the other side of the camera in at least one photo a week.

When my boys grow up they'll inherit hundreds of thousands of photos taken from their childhood, but how many of those will show their mama? At least for this year I can answer 52!

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This past week I did a lousy job of getting in the picture. And now it's Wednesday night and the boys are asleep. So what's a gal to do?

Post pics of her kids with the rest of the family, of course.

Luckily this past weekend we went camping with my parents so I got plenty of pics. This was the second year we've done this trip and everyone just loves it. So if you'll indulge me, this will be my camping post as well as my 52-weeks/mama-in-the-pic post.

We started the weekend at a small zoo located not far from the campgrounds. The boys checked out the parrot and the parrot checked out the boys.
Ummm, guys? Look behind you!
Yep...behind you too, Jack!
Then we were off to the the campsite. Here is my dad with Jack and camera-shy Logan.
Did I mention that we weren't exactly roughing it? This was our tent. Yep, it had beds...and down comforters!
The boys spent their days painting treasure boxes from my mom,
goofing off with their Papa,
playing soccer with Papa,
and Granddad.
Of course, we spent our nights making s'mores.
Last and certainly least is this pic of me and the boys. (Please keep in mind that this is after two nights of camping.)