photo

Photography/photographs has been a hobby I've always enjoyed, but never really to the fullest.

Glen bought my first real camera for my birthday in 2002, I was so so so excited to own a Canon.

But what was even more exciting was to get the film developed and see how "great" my pictures turned out.

No one else in my family had a "nice" camera, so everyone turned to me to take pictures at birthday parties or special occassions. It was ridiculous how "pro" it made me feel, thanks fam! :)

Fast forward 10 years and my how things have changed. Imagine that!

I now have a new and improved digital Canon and need not worry about running over to Longs Drugs or Target to get my film developed. In addition to collecting a gazillion memory cards, I have photos saved on discs, portable hard drives and my computer.

When I take pictures, I will keep clicking & shooting until I have 10-15 of very similar photos.

My intention is to pick out the best one and delete the rest off of the mem card...eventually.

Who do I think I am, a Annie Lebowitz or Jasmine Star?

I would love to create cool pictures like this guy, that is who I'd like to think I can be like...

Kristin & Kayla's Dad's Site

Pretty cool, huh?

nutella marshmallow crescents

Like most of the blogs I follow, I don't know where I find them, but I'm glad that I found this blog:

Picky Palate

Her recipes are easy, delicious and fun.

I especially enjoy her sweet recipes, over her savory.

Every once in a while, I get an urge to try to bake something different & something new.

So I made these yummy little treats, but I used Nutella instead of Biscoff.

I have yet to taste Biscoff, but I've heard good things about it. 

Biscoff Marshmallow Crescents

Sorry that this is a pictureless post, but they must've been consumed faster than I can pull out my camera.

Pictures on next post--- I promise!

monday, monday

BLAH!

disney sunday

I'm very happy to report that we are proud owners of Disneyland passes again.

I know, I'm cheesy!

But our passes had expired in October and we had to hold off on making this purchase.

At the time we had paid for the winter trip to Mammoth and we couldn't do both. 

Disneyland tickets are just too expensive to make a one-time purchase and at the same time, the park is just too close for us not to go a few times a year. Thus, Annual Passes are the best solution!

This time, our outing was a little different, in that we went to California Adventure, not Disneyland. 

We also went on a Sunday! We would never subject ourselves to the mayhem on the weekends, but Sunday mornings may be an exception with these passes.

  

We raced to the Ariel ride once CA Adventure opened, as we had promised Camille during our 45 minute wait for the park to open. Here she is in front of one of the posters by the entrance gate. 

For the past two weeks, Little Mermaid has been her favorite. Next week will be Beauty and the Beast and the following will probably be Cinderella. She's indecisive...two year olds, I tell ya!

She has developed a BIG crush on Eric, all her giddiness comes out when I say his name.

 

 Being one of the first parties on the ride and knowing how crazy the line can get in the middle of the day (like 45 minutes crazy), we got the opportunity to ride again and we stayed on. Woo hoo!

After Ariel, we went over to Paradise Pier and jumped on the King Triton Merry Go Round. There is never a line and it easy entertainment for the little girl. 

We jumped in line for the Toy Story Midway Mania and it was ridiculous, so we scrapped that idea once we got to a point where we realized it was still another 25 minute wait. I had lost Glen (long story), my phone and snacks/water were in the backpack he was carrying, I was carrying a hungry, tired, 30+ lb Camille and it was frickin' hot! Screw that!

I found Glen, we walked around for a little, replenished with a little to eat and exited the park.

So soon, I know. The morning was fine but as the day went on, it felt like the number of people were multiplying and the sun was getting hotter...not really fun.

Hey, we are now pass holders again. So a short trip to the happiest place on earth isn't so bad.

Even though we did see Ariel, there was a little griping from Camille about not seeing the Princess Castle.

Oh my!!!

Our next trip is already being mapped out...

current addiction

Like most people who own one, I'm addicted to my iPhone.

It's ridiculous.

I don't and I won't use it while eating any meals at a restaurant or even at my own table.

I don't always need to check Facebook, Instagram, Draw Something, Words With Friends, email...(okay, my nose is growing), I just need to have it with me wherever I go, wherever I am.

It's my life line, as Glen calls it.

If Glen sees it upstairs and we are all downstairs, he makes sure to bring it down.

With out me asking for it.

Camille will see it sitting on the couch, and handle it like it is a precious metal and say: 

"Mommy, here is your iPhone." and hand it to me carefully so she won't drop it.

With out me asking for it.

This is definitely a sign...I need to break this bad habit.

the daily

Being a working mom and trying to make time for everything in a 24 hour period is tough.

Sometimes I'm able to get everything done successfully, and other times things just slide- which is fine!

I'm fortunate to have a work schedule where I don't even work an entire day. However, I do wish there were more hours/time to spend with the family. (I applaud you working moms!)

My home life with my family is what matters most and I do my best to make that QUALITY time.

Here is a typical day for the Bully household:

5:45am--- Get up and get ready for work (coffee, please!)

6:45am--- Take Camille & Cloie to Grandma's (hate leaving my babies)

7:30am--- At work and ready to start the day (blah!)

2:30pm--- Leave work, and head straight home (sometimes I leave as late as 3:00pm, which bums me out)

3:30pm--- Work out, on most days (if I don't have an errand to run after work and if I'm not lazy)

4:30pm--- Playtime! Glen and the girls are home (my favorite part of the day!)

5:30 or 6:00pm--- Make dinner or head out to grab dinner

7:30-8:00pm--- Bath time, milk and a little TV (every other night for baths)

8:45-9:30pm--- Camille falls asleep (since I put her to bed, I am sometimes down for the day, too)

10:00-12:00am--- My time! I like to try and use this time to clean or organize or jump on the computer (and shop!). But I often find myself sitting in front of the TV with Glen and use it as OUR time- watching our shows on DVR, watching the movie we rented or watching the news- woo hoo!

I can't imagine how life will be when Camille starts school and different activities. Luckily dance is on the weekends, part of the quality time we spend together as a family.

Of course, there are different variations of our day, and it will often change depending on appointments, errands, unexpected events, weather, etc... But our schedule is pretty straight forward and not too crazy and complicated as of now--- and I'm content.

Life is good.

march madness

I remember using this title in a blog post from one of my older blogs.

And it's the same every year...madness during the month of March.
So, not only does it apply to the college basketball playoffs, it applies to my life as well.

Hubs and I sat down at dinner and discussed the events going on in March.
It seems we do this every few nights because he's forgetful...or choses to be forgetful. :)

Appointments, parties, birthdays, cleaning, maintenance, work, training, etc.
It goes on and on...

A busy month ahead, and I will do my best to make it a very good one!