Simply love

Mother Nature

2011-05-24T16:26:00.001-06:00

One day out of the blue, Skye started calling me Mother Nature. I am pretty sure that she doesn't even know what it means, but it reminded me that I need to get my kids outside more. The weather has been a little bit crazy this spring so we've been cooped up more than we like.

We are lucky to have so many places near our home to hike. The Garden of the Gods is all but 5 minutes and is stunning with Pikes Peak nestled behind it.

While we are there we just wander....

along the creek beds where we find all kinds of treasure to collect...

through the wide open fields full of grasshoppers...

where it is the perfect place for a girl to twirl....

for a dad to unwind from work....

and for Mother Nature to capture it all.

She just didn't survive

2011-05-11T14:17:00.001-06:00

It was a rough March and April and my 365 blog just didn't survive. So, she is getting downsized to a project 52, which is a good thing.

March

1. We took a road trip to Canada to see Grandma and Grandpa. The kids played at the school every night. 2. Mom and I have a bake off. My sticky buns vs. her butter horns.

3. Jen graduates from nursing school. So excited for her!

4. Peyton tending to our herb garden.

5. Dawson working on his derby car at Dave's lab.

April

1. Peyton dying Easter eggs.

2. Ava came to stay for a whole week. We went roller skating, swimming, baked cup cakes, had movie night, went to Mr. Biggs and hiking!

3. Dawson's first cub scout derby race.

4. Grandma comes for spring break and we all go to the zoo.

5. Skye and I join Amy and Julie for a pedi.

Wishes and Bumps

2011-05-02T16:30:00.000-06:00

For Grammy and Grammy Barb!

We LOVE you!

The FUNK

2011-05-02T09:19:00.004-06:00

LET'S TAKE A TRIP TO THE PAST...SHALL WE?!

Once upon a time there was a girl who went MIA and slipped into a FUNK all because of a TROJAN. The End

Really...end of story. Well, not really...let us or me delve into this a little more. You know do some self reflecting aka a little personal therapy session.

So, Angie, what do you think caused this FUNK?

I'll tell you what caused it:

1. virus on my computer (TROJANS do not belong on computers!)
2. computer in the ICU for 3 weeks
3. the thought of loosing all of my photos
4. not being able to tap into my social pipelines
5. trying to eat well
6. not exercising
7. weather
8. cabin fever
I think that about covers it.

And then what happened?
KAPOW (stole that word from some kid I know...wink, wink!) I slipped into a FUNK!

How long were you in this funk?
Oh, a week or two....I think. (liar it was a month)

What kind of behaviors were you displaying during those 2 weeks?
Well, I consumed a lot of ice cream bars drizzled in caramel and watched my fair share of the boob tube.

Did you pull out of this funk and how?
Yes, I pulled out of it just in time for a little vacation to Kauai.

FUNK be gone!

THE PRESENT

The FUNK is seasonal.

It happens every year....like clockwork. End of March and into April it settles in.

I get tired and done with all the responsibility.

But, it's MAY, and there is only 4 weeks of school.

I can see the light at the end of this mundane routine.

No more school, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks

BLAH!

I can't wait for summer vacation so my inner

WILD CHILD

can let loose!

And my KIDS can be

KIDS!

****No Vacation this year so I had to pull out of it on my own****
And I did and I'm back...I think!

Flirting

2011-03-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

flirting: (verb) to court triflingly or act amorously

without serious intentions

I'M FLIRTING!

1. I have been on a few dates with this cookbook The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook.

2. And I have been surprised and delighted by this girl!

3. I've also had a fling with this way of life, because after all don't we all want

to be Crazy Sexy.

I am going to keep FLIRTING with all three of them, because it's workin' for me!

Is anyone else FLIRTING?

Bird Feeders

2011-03-05T12:33:00.002-07:00

1. squash 2. hemp string 3. quilters tack 4. seeds

That is all you need to keep the little birdies in your life

HAPPY!

It was a super warm day so we played outside, and made feeders for the little finches that visit us.

Dawson's Bird Feeder

Peyton's Bird Feeder

Skye's was too wiggly to take a picture of...I tried. Hers is the cute one hanging in the tree above. She also planted some sticks in the little red pots sitting in the window of her playhouse.

P.S. I am all caught up over at my 365 blog....it's a miracle!

Life is a little Blurry!

2011-02-20T23:46:00.001-07:00

This past week was crazy busy and I just felt like I couldn't catch up. So, when my girlfriend brought me flowers I took the time to shot them. Out of all the photos I took I loved the one where I moved my tripod while it was on timer and this is what it captured. Blurry tulips, but I am in love with this picture. Blurry is what my days have been feeling like lately. Maybe blurry is a beautiful thing!?

Crazy in LOVE

2011-02-12T17:41:00.001-07:00

crazy |ˈkrāzē| informal

adjective ( -zier , -ziest )

1 mentally deranged, esp. as manifested in a wild or aggressive way :Stella went crazy and assaulted a visitor | a crazy grin.

• extremely annoyed or angry : the noise they made was driving me crazy.• foolish : it was crazy to hope that good might come out of this mess.2 extremely enthusiastic : I'm crazy about Cindy | a football-crazy bunch of boys.

3 (of an angle) appearing absurdly out of place or in an unlikely position: the monument leaned at a crazy angle.

• archaic (of a ship or building) full of cracks or flaws; unsound orshaky.

noun ( pl. -zies)

a mentally deranged person.

PHRASES

like crazy to a great degree : I was laughing like crazy.

DERIVATIVES

crazily |-zilē| adverbcraziness noun
CRAZY IN LOVE I think that I might go CRAZY if they drag another piece of junk into my backyard to build their fort, destrory another thing in my house or if I have to clean anymore messes! *insert* Went upstairs to make some toast and came down to find a kid on my computer. When I opened my saved post it was gone, but my crazy nerves calmed when I found that I had started it in my 365 blog. Phew!And the bickering in the car as we drive is a sure way of driving me CRAZY!It is completely CRAZY of me to think that I can take them shopping and it will be a lovely time.I feel like it is CRAZY busy all of the time and I can't get it all done! I have to get up at 4:40 in the morning in order to go to the gym for a little me time...CRAZY! Every now and then I crane my neck at a crazy angle and look deeply into my kids eyes and think how CRAZY it is that DAVE and I created these kids.And yet, I am stillCRAZY IN LOVE with them!CRAZY
I think that I need to change my blog title back to Crazy in Love, because there is nothing simple about raising kids. But, I still Love them like CRAZY.

Cookin' in the Kitchen

2011-02-03T19:11:00.002-07:00

Schools been canceled for 2 days so we've been cookin' in the kitchen.

Their favorite part is revving up the Bosch.

Warm cookies and milk are a favorite.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup shortening

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 pkg. semisweet chocolate chips

Mix ingredients together and bake

for 8 to 9 minutes at 375.

These cookies are so soft and yummy!

A Dreamy Weekend

2011-01-31T16:24:00.000-07:00

It was a dreamy weekend. We played at the park, worked on the fort, played soccer, rode our bikes, went for ice cream, scrambled around on the rocks, explored the river bed, hiked, watched movies, read good books, snuggled, had a nap and ate great Vietnamese food. Oh, and the weather was warm.

These pictures were taken at the Garden of the Gods at around four in the afternoon while we were playing. The sun was at a perfect position to create a dreamy affect.

My little family playing.

Dawson and Dave trying to knock each other off of the log.

The boys being boys.

Skye stealing a kiss from my guy!

Want to take DREAMY photos!?

1. Take your photos later in the day when the sun is low.

2. Position your subject so the sun is peeking out from behind them or just out of your image.

3. Expose your image a stop or 2 below over exposed, but you don't want blinkies on your subject

(turn your highlight alert on this will help you see where you are over exposed).

4. It is hard to focus in backlighting so put a hand over part of your lens and then focus, then move

your hand away and recompose.

5. A higher apeture will give you more flare or remove your lens hood.

6. Don't worry if your back ground is a little over exposed.

Just play and have fun capturing dreamy photos of your family, friends or whatever catches your eye.

2011-01-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

I simply LOVE this guy! I love the big fat SMILE on his face too!

I am joining in on the fun over at Rebecca's blog!

I have to have...

2011-01-11T22:50:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed. I want these....no NEED these leggings. Jen, Jen bought me some cute, cute, cute ones that are comfy, but I have to wear something a little longer to cover the rump. I wore them all Christmas break and all the while thinking how marvelous would it be if my leggings had a fold over waist that became a skirt. Well, a week later when I am checking out at Whole Foods (remember the green smoothie kick I am on) I see this darling mama and what does she have on.....my leggings. So, I hurry quick and stalk her and find out where she bought them. Then I don't even wait to get home to google them, I call Jen and then text her. Five minutes later she calls and no one has them. NO ONE....and now I am sad! The end. Well it isn't the end, Jen calls me today to tell me she found some that are xs....I am not xs. Still sad and obsessing about them as I type.

2011-01-09T13:38:00.002-07:00

Dawson loves to work on his fort which is located in the scrub oaks near the park in our neighborhood. Trouble is I have to go too, which can be fun at times, but a bother as well. A kid needs a sense of independence while a mom needs a sense of security. So, we all have to go. We will hang with him for a while, then leave him to work while we play at the park. Dawson we need to move. I can see our new location now, funny thing is our vision of what we need is very similar. We both want lots of land where we can run, play, explore, build, ride motorbikes, and have some privacy. We need a place where boys can boys, where you can be loud and run a muck. We definitely need trees, where a very creative boy can build a fort over and over and over again. A workshop (heated) where we can all do our own projects in our own space and leave them half assemble and not worry about the mess. A little green house so we can grow good stuff year round. The house, well don't get me started on that because my list is practical but long.

But what will we do with Peyton, he loves his friends. As we were headed down to the park to let Dawson build, Peyton you were in a frenzy running from house to house trying to find a friend to come with us. You love your friends. The second you are out of bed you are asking to play. So, we'll need some neighbors with boys your age in the next field over.

Skye so far you are content being my little side kick. I love that you want me to be with you always. If you aren't tucked up under my wing you are hanging out with the brothers. But, I am sure you would love a place out of town, because you never complain when we are wandering around the country side exploring.

Green Smoothie

2011-01-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Winter green smoothie is what I have been drinking for the last 2 days. The first day I did have a little boston cream pie to accompany it (I couldn't resist). Why oh why would I drink such a thing I am sure you are asking? I have been feeling like crap ever since Thanksgiving. All of the Christmas snacks and dinners didn't help the system so now it is time to cleanse.

2011-01-04T18:49:00.001-07:00

Here is to another year of Nalder Family 365!

2010-12-31T19:59:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

2010-12-23T11:00:00.003-07:00

It was a perfect night for a winter wonderland walk. A heavy fog set in during the early hours of the night followed by a crisp snow that froze to the branches and pine needles making it a magical scenery. With not more than an inch of snow on the ground it made for an easy stroll through the meadow.

Skye

Peyton

Dawson

The kids wondered through the trails, hiding in the scrub oaks and pines, and ate a little snow along the way. After we found a lost Dawson we mozzied on home to a warm fire and s'mores.

Letters to Santa

2010-12-20T09:10:00.001-07:00

Dear Santa,

I want a remote control helicopter.

I want a leopard gecko.

I want a dsi game.

I want a wii game.

That is all!

Dear Santa,

I want a puppy that walks.

I want a pink dsi.

I want a leash for my puppy.

Dear Santa,

All I want is a motorbike.

Dear Santa,

I want......!

xoxo

Angie

Gingerbread Houses

2010-12-18T14:14:00.001-07:00

These children of mine are a hard crowd to please lately. Had I know the tears and frustration that a little gingerbread houses could bring on, I would have kiboshed the activity.

Who knew that you could hot glue the frame of the houses...not me. It could have saved me some very aggravated children. They never eat the houses anyways, just the candy coated outside so why not glue. Dawson's house fell apart several times until he figure out that he couldn't pick it up to place the candies on it.

Then there was Skye, who kept stealing all of the candies causing the boys to get angry. I would tell her she couldn't have them all and this face was her reply.

I thought Peyton was having the best time of all of them. He even helped me mix the icing and place it in the bags for easy squeezing. But, an hour after finishing he looked at his puny gingerbread house on the shelf and was disgusted with how little it was. In the garbage it went, but I fished that little house out and gave it back it's home on my mantel.

All was not bad. Peyton was extra loving and patient with Skye and helped her reconstruct her house after it too had bit the dust.

Next year I shall glue these little houses together and then let them go at them.

A Kiss from Me to You

2010-12-17T14:02:00.004-07:00

Pretzel with a Kiss

1 bag of mm's

1 small bag chopped pecan

1 bag of Hershey kisses

1 back of waffle shaped pretzels

Preheat oven to 185

Place parchment paper on cookie sheet

Lay out pretzels and top with a kiss

Bake for 6 minutes and remove from oven

Press mm in middle of kiss

Chill in refrigerator for 10 minutes

Pecan version was made with Hershey Carmel Kisses.

Lightly press down on the kiss trying not to let caramel run over.

Then sprinkle with pecans

and love!

Our Birthday Boy

2010-12-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

Santa's Reindeer

2010-12-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen but do you recall the COOLEST reindeer of all.....yup RUDOLPH! We are getting MERRY around here and definitely in the mood for giving, so feel free to use the image above as you WISH! I could see it in a cute frame, or a CHRISTMAS card.

Elf on the Shelf

2010-12-01T22:19:00.001-07:00

I have a little helper this year! Aunt Tara gave us this adorable book. It is really quite simple, you read the story to your kids, then give your elf a name and place him on the shelf to watch over their every move. They named him Max and he is my go to guy. He keeps a close eye on the kids all day, then returns back to Santa every night by heading to the North Pole to tattle to the big guy. I love him. He has spent the last two nights in the kids bathroom (poor guy) because there was some mayhem that occurred in there the other day. (Actually, I forgot to move him, but I told the kids that he must of thought that he needed to make sure that there wasn't any repeat offenses taking place.) The kids take him seriously too (how could you not with his little elfish smirk.) Each morning the kids wake up and try to find where he has hidden. Throughout the day they keep reminding each other that Max is watching. I hope his powers hold strong for the next 23 days. Who knows I might keep him on the shelf all year.

You are Awesome

2010-11-23T15:54:00.002-07:00

The hardest part about homeschooling one child is sending the other child off to public school. I hate having to send him while Skye and Dawson stay home. I sneak him out now and then just so he can be with us. It is a fine line that I am walking, I know it. I don't want him to think that he isn't getting his fair share of the love.

The other day I was tired (what is new) frazzled and done when Peyton handed me this letter, and that is all it took for me to bounce back with some renewed mama energy. You are awesome too, my little man! I love you.

Note from Peyton: I love Mom. You are awesome. You look like a blossom.

A Rough One

2010-11-18T19:54:00.003-07:00

Having a rough day is standard, the norm, more common than not. It is what it is like for a boy trying desperately to learn to read. I can't foresee that the day is going to be off or on, it is really quite random. Tuesday was a ROUGH ONE. He met with his tutor at 9 and just couldn't get those &*#$ letters to come to him. The easiest way to describe it is when you are trying to recall an actors name and it is on the tip of your tongue. You know you know it, but you just can't get it to come to you. Then you sift around up their in your thinker and find it, a couple of minutes later. That is what it is like for Dawson. He has seen these letters a thousand times (yes shocking I know, that we are still on letter names and sounds) and yet he can't retrieve them.

He explains his brain as a filing system and some days he can't remember where the file is for that letter. I relate it to a professors messy desk, who says to give her a minute while she digs around for that file. She knows she put it right there but she needs to move a few things around until she finds it. Trouble is reading has to be rapid, there is no time to search.

I left the center frustrated, discouraged and on the verge of tears (I tend to be an overly teary kind of girl). I decided to take the rest of the day off. Why beat a dead horse I ask ya? So, to get our minds off of life and it's challenges Dawson and I went exploring. We checked out a huge old tin shed covered in graffiti and Dawson found all kinds of metal treasures.

Wednesday was a GOOD ONE and Dawson was on fire. An encouraging day amongst many rough ones.