The Raven and the Writing Desk

Lowry's

2012-05-10T07:23:00.001-07:00

~This is what I call an enjoyable Sunday Afternoon~

I am Happier than a Tornado in a Trailer Park

2012-04-24T07:53:00.001-07:00

~For anyone who has had the chance to meet Lincoln, they always learn quickly that he LOVES anything that has wheels~

~Mostly due to the fact that he always has a car in his hand,

and that he is always talking about them;

or it could be that all he will wear is cars themed clothing~

~it is probably more of an obsession than anything

but as "they" say, Boys will be boys.~

~For his 3rd birthday it was no surprise that it was going to be a

"Cars" themed party~

~I found a really cute idea for making

Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater cupcakes~

~We kept it pretty simple for the activities; We set up a table and covered it with brown drawing paper and gave the kids stickers and crayons while they waited for everyone to show up~

~Poor little guy! Trying so hard to blow out the sparkler~

~we figured using a pull string instead of using an old fashion piñata (where you beat it to a pulp) was a safer choice~

The Easter Bunny Lays an Egg?

2012-04-12T23:05:00.001-07:00

~Easter weekend consisted of Candy, more Candy and yes Candy~

~but most of all CANDY~

~well we did fit painting eggs in there as well.....after we ate our candy~

~Kids eating Candy~

~and how you feel during your sugar high~

Pretty Number 5

2012-02-20T10:03:00.000-08:00

~Today marks a special occasion of Emerson turning 5~

~She has recently found the love of Dance and is fortunate enough that her Aunt is her teacher~

~I was able to talk her into being the entertainment for the party~

~The Theme of the Party was Dance and seemed to be a huge success~

~My attempt at icing cupcakes~

~one of the party favors was painting the girls hands and with their hand prints creating a tutu~

~We also gave out a copy of the music that Miss Jaimie used when she was teaching her class~

~We also made Tutu's for the girls to keep~

~And what the "BOY" got to do during this girly fest~

~She was also treated to some One-on-One time~

~Which entailed Lunch and getting her nails painted~

Un~Edited

2012-02-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

~I was at home wondering the outskirts of our property~

~all of these photo are AS IS~

~ two of the three kids we away Ryan decided to

entertain Lincoln with building a snowman~

~Lincoln was trying to make snowballs to start some trouble~

Home is the Comfiest Place to Be ~ Winnie the Pooh

2012-01-22T21:12:00.000-08:00

Vancouver 2010

2012-01-08T21:17:00.000-08:00

~I have decided to post some photos from a trip that I went on around the end of January 2010~

~It was a Christmas present to my husband, I took him back to Vancouver

where he had spent 5 years making movies before moving back home~

~This was the view of Robson street from our hotel room at the Empire Landmark~

~Here are a couple shots of the outside of the hotel from differing sides of Robson Street~

~Ryan took me to some of the"touristy" spots~

~The Vancouver Aquarium~

~Granville Island~

~Stanley Park~

~it was crazy to see so much wildlife less than a 10 minute walk from the downtown core~

~we encountered two raccoons that were stalking us as we explored the Lost Lagoon~

~I am sure I put on more miles walking around Downtown Vancouver

in one day then I do most of the other trips I have gone on combined~

~Below is a shot of the Olympic area where the Torch was lit next to Canada Place. Below that, in the water you can just barely make out the Olympic Rings to the left of the Chevron sign~

~A shot of Downtown from North Vancouver~

~I was getting the tour of the area where Ryan went to school

we were able to find this hole in the wall Bookstore, a place where Ryan would have happily spent the rest of our vacation if I let him~

~I have never encountered a place like this before. From the moment you step inside you are greeted with stacks upon stacks of books; Literally shoved into any available open space from floor to ceiling~

~As you can see from the photo below, there are piles of books next to overstocked shelves of books. This whole store looked like that and to our disbelief we found out there was a basement that looked the same as the upstairs~

~Except for this one corner which I can only describe as what it might have looked like during the book burnings in WWII~

~These next few pictures are from the area where Ryan's first apartment was, English Bay~

~Which doesn't really mean much other then at the time the hotel across the street, called the Sylvia is very unique. In the summer it is completely covered in green, from all of the leafy vines that climb over and around the entire building~

~Here is my Geek piece of trivia.~

~The awesome show Fringe is shot in Vancouver

during our visit we were hoping to stumble upon a set while they were filming~

~Unfortunately we did not have such luck - the crew had wrapped and shut down due to the Olympics~

~BUT........ after we got home we were watching the newest episodes

and seen that they did film in thee of the locations that we were at~

~1. The Lost Lagoon (s02e22) Agent Lincoln was blown up on the bridge

(the colored photo of me on the bridge)~

~2. The Bookstore where Olivia and Peter first learned about the Book that references the machine ~

~3. The pictures below in (s02e22) Peter and Olivia

walk around the building to look over the "Brooklyn Bridge," in the parallel universe which was digitally composited over English Bay~

My dork radar is off the hook now so I am done!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-29T19:13:00.000-08:00

~Here are a few "snip-its" from our family's Christmas~

~Snoopy~

~He is the oldest ornament I have on my tree~

~My parents picked him up at Knott's Berry Farm in the 60's~

~The kiddies in front of the Tree~

~Every year we have a small memorial for Ryan's brother Micheal, who passed away in 2001~

~Each of the family members light a candle in memory~

~Anyone who wishes to shares a memory or story of Michael~

~It makes for great laughs, full tears, and a very cherished tradition of shared memories~

~Frosty the Penguin ~

DIY Christmas Gift

2011-12-11T21:30:00.000-08:00

~What do you buy the Girl that wants everything and yet plays with nothing?~

~DIY FAKE MAKE UP~

~First take the real make up~

~Then remove it from the case~

~I was able to find some cheep nail polish. 8 of them for $5 at walmart~

~I then poured it into the now empty case & let it fully dry~

~ My finished product~

~Emerson (4 yrs) will have a make up set waiting for her under the Christmas tree

that she can play with for hours~

~And I don't have to worry that she is making a mess

because once the nail polish drys it is hard as a rock~

~I recommend that you use a well ventilated area

and give them a day or two to air out the nail polish smell~

8 Days Old

2011-11-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

~a childhood family friend of my Husband had a Gorgeous baby girl~

~ I was able to intrude on this adorable family

after only 8 days of her being born~

~ she makes me want to have another one~
~if only I didn't have to be pregnant~
~and they would stay this small~

"The Binghams"

2011-10-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

~I love Saxon's Face~

Bruin~Tewson

2011-10-07T02:28:00.000-07:00

~Family Session~

~4 Generations~

~such a Oliver Twist moment~

~Love this moment between Roger and his Daughter~

Dr. Jones

2011-09-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

~I am Dr. Jones~

~NO....... I am Doctor Jones.

~Look~

~Where~

~I hate snakes, Jock! I hate 'em!~

~Hey, lady! You call him Dr. Jones!~

~Well, I always thought that archaeologists

were always funny looking men going around looking for their mommies.~

~The big action scene~

~I like "Indiana." ~We named the *dog* Indiana.~

Just Cause

2011-09-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

~Emerson and Tatum started their first

pre-competitive dance classes this past Saturday with Strive Dance Academy.

Emerson was super excited to finally break in her new Tap shoes.~

~After the kids took in the Portrait of Honor exhibit at the Red Deer College~

Blue Fairy

2011-09-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

~Lately I have been feeling a little jaded about the photos I have been taking, it seems to me like it is the same pictures of the same kids doing the same thing, just on a different day in different clothes. Even with all the positive feedback that I received from Friends and Family on my photos, personally I still feel “Blah” with them~

~A while back I was lurking on Pintrest and found a Photo that I absolutely fell head over heels for. These photos were taken in Disneyland (a place that I hold very dear to me) and the couple chose to dress in a 50’s style. A combination of the location, the couple’s style and a very talented photographer made these photos seem timeless. After showing Ryan these photo’s we decided the next time we go to Disneyland we would have to use this idea and create something similar with our rug rats~

~Last week I decided to search again for “blogs” to get a pick me up and get the creative juices going. I found myself back to this couples photos, where I started to spend the next 2 hours looking at Wildflowers website and finding inspiration at each shot whether it be her personal or professional posts~

~I decided to start with my version of Blue Fairy from Pinocchio, Emerson had a perfect dress from her last dance recital and fairy wings that matched perfectly. I let her do what she does best when she is in a dress, which is to play like a boy. All of these photos where taken around what I guess we could call our "yard". Ryan also snuck her over to the neighbors because they have this great little building that is ready to fall over any moment.~

~I do hope you enjoy these, as much as I did shooting them with her. And if you have the time I always love to hear some feed back or suggestions with anything I post.~

Colors of the Rainbow

2011-09-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

~During our Labor day Long weekend we celebrated my nieces 4th birthday party~

~there was Painting, Games, Pinata, candy and JELL-O ~

~What time is it Mr. Wolf ???~

~Simon Says~

Sticky Fingers

2011-08-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

~I decided to go “out of my way”

and make Popcorn balls for the kids as a treat for after supper.

(I sometimes forget that something so simple can mean the world to them.) There was a lot of giggling, the word AWESOME and sticky sticky fingers at the table.~

Full Moon

2011-08-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

~Aug 13, 2011~

~Full Moon~

~Time: 9:00pm~

~Time: Midnight~

~Tripod~

~Full Moon~

~Fog Coming out of the River Valley~

~More Fog~

Corinna and Roger

2011-08-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

~I was extremely flattered when I was asked if I would be interested

in taking some photo's for this couple~

~I will be honest this is completely out of my comfort level as I am a more of a

"let life happens" hobbyist

then a professional photographer~

~but with a little advice from a friend

and

a fantastically laid back couple ~

~I think I was able to not let my nerves get the best of me~

~Here's few samples (my favorites) of how they turned out~

Freestyln'

2011-08-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

~I want to put it out there that Dakota (the oldest) is starting to avoid me when I have the camera out~

~SO.... there is no favoritism here ~

~Or at least none that I will admit to~

~We dusted off the bikes and hit up the Bike /Skate park in Clive~

~There was not a soul in sight~

~but who would want to hang out with 3 Adults and 8 kids?~

~Not I~

~Oh.......... There's "the boy"~

~Ryan and Nate have been biking together for 15 years (with a few years off)~

~The "Old Fogies" were trying to put themselves in to the nursing home early~

~That can't be to hard let me give it a try~

~Let's try the skateboard~

~Poser~

~The guys wanted to try and get a shot of a 360 from underneath~

~I wasn't willing to have Nate Jump over me while I laid on the ramp~

~So Ryan attempted~

~Thankfully everyone made it out in one piece~

Cousins

2011-07-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

Free Spirited

2011-07-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

~I shall call this Windblown,' and it shall be framed , and it shall be on my wall~

~ I love this shot~

~ Some days I am amazed at myself........

.............Oh who am i kidding,

I asked Ryan if he liked it at least ten times cause i can't trust my own instincts~

~all i can picture is a scene from some horror movie~

~DON'T FOLLOW HER!!!!!~

~SHE'S CUTE BUT CAN"T BE TRUSTED!!!!~

~and yet we follow~

~I have came to the realization that the kids are starting to become annoyed with me and the camera~

~Right after this she yelled at me for not keeping up with her~

~She really is a little Darling~

~Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

~My last post i posted this photo below of Lincoln and his Teddy~

~As much as I love this it felt really busy in the background ~

~I decided to repose this in our back yard~

~His little toes are just to cute~

~What do you think????~

~ “It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long,

difficult words but rather short,

easy words like "What about lunch?"”- Winnie the Pooh~

It's a B thing

2011-07-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

~This long weekend Ryan's Family got together for my nieces 1st birthday party~

Theme:

~ Bumble Bee~

~Project Buzzing Bee~

~Bee-licious cupcakes~

~BEE-va~

~BEE-ting the Pinata~

~ Opening BEE-day Gifts~

~Busy Bees~

~Bouncing Bee~

~Bee-st Friends~

~The Queen Bees~

PURE Randomness..........

2011-07-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

~following in his brothers footsteps~

~Rhubarb from my Garden~

~ I didn't kill it and I think it is edible~

~the cows that like to hang out in the field around us~

~I laugh every time I see this one~

~this photo makes me think of when we used to stand in the background of tourist photos~

~And now a collaboration of Sun sets ~

~Canada Day Breakfast outside~

~Mmmmm...Chocolate Chip pancakes~

~The Three Musketeers~

Harry "Dakota" Potter

2011-06-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

~The plan: To have this posted on Dakota's Birthday (June 15th)

~The outcome: did not happen ~

Don't Judge me.....................

............................I am just a mom

~ HARRY POTTER BIRTHDAY PARTY~

~ME: Dakota what do you want for a Birthday theme this year?~

~Dakota: Harry Potter~

~He has not seen the movies yet but is almost completed the first book

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

once he is finished we will then let him watch the movies~

~Below will show some of the DIY ideas that Ryan and I found while planning

Dakota's 7th Birthday Party

I will post links to the original sites that helped inspire us~

~Invitations~

~ I found this really cute idea for invitations and

tweeked it a but to fit my own convenience~

Original Invitation

~ Party Favors / Costumes ~

~ I chose to make some costumes for the kids to where to make them feel like they were Harry Potter~

~I printed off this template for paper glasses then after cutting them out

I used a black Sharpy marker to color them in afterwards i took a peice of tape to hold them together~

Potter Glasses Template

~Then there was the paper wands that were really durable and simple to make~

~Items needed: Paper, Double sided tape, Elmer Glue, a Glue Gun, Sissors and Paint~

~The link below gives awesome step by step instrutions on creating these wands~

DIY Harry Potter Wands

~ One of our finished projects ~

~I also found some black fabric for under $5.00 & I sewed on some snaps to make cloaks for the kids~

~Harry "Dakota" Potter~

~Ryan found this blog that had some GREAT ideas~

http://myharrypotterparty.blogspot.com/

~We stole the idea for the Potions class~

~We had the kids line up as we handed out their

Spell books (that Ryan's mom made), Capes, Wands, and Glasses~

~Ryan and I dressed up to fit the theme of the party~

~Regret: I wished that I had done something different with my hair~

~The kids under 5yrs got books and wands as well but theirs were for Coloring in ~

~Once all the items were handed out it was time for the kids to make their potions~

~Each kid got a Mason Jar to put the items in~

~In the spellbooks was a section on Potions that were used in the movies/books for them to recreate~

~Once they were done we took the Potions ~

~Cleaned out the jars~

~Place Gummy worms inside~

and

~Told the kids their Potions turned into the worms~

~ The kids were sent outside to look for the Golden Dragons Egg in our yard~

~ Dakota opening his gifts ~

~The part that I wish I had got video of was the kids getting their Changing Color Drinks~

~Food Coloring in the bottom of a cup then pour water or sprite in the cup~

~Cup Cakes~

~This was the first time I have ever done this~

~Overall I thought they turned out pretty well~

~Yes I will be getting her a pair of these when she is 14yrs old and wanting to date boys~

~I will also make her believe that it is kool to wear a cape~

~as well that boys have koodies~

~And anything else that will make a boy uninterested in her~

~The New Bike ~